First, a story
BACK IN COLLEGE I worked as a cook at a fish & chips joint. Since I had worked at a different location of the chain during high school, I was sufficiently experienced to act as an occasional junior assistant quasi-manager. So on the night of a hugely important basketball game at the university I was left in charge while the actual manager went to the game.
It was a dead slow night because most people in our small college town were at the game. The three of us in the shop twiddled our thumbs and listened to the game on the radio. (We won! Yay!) Then we prepared for the post-game rush.
And what a rush it was! Victory must make people crave fish. The line was out the door and the drive thru was backed up for two blocks. I was cooking as fast as I could. You can fit only so much food in the fryers at once, and it takes a certain amount of time for it to cook, but we were handling things.
Then I looked up from my work and… the lines were gone. We had served everyone. But I had three vats loaded with fish, shrimp, chips and scones. That was when the manager walked in. He was enraged I had cooked a pile of food when there were no customers.
Where did all the buyers go?
I tell this story because it’s like the current situation in the RV market — but without fried fish or college basketball. Just weeks ago, it seems, RV manufacturers were struggling to keep up with demand and begging for patience as they dealt with supply chain problems and labor shortages. But recently they looked up from their work and, uh-oh, the customers were no longer standing in line.
You can’t just toss excess RVs in the dumpster like you can cold, greasy food. And as we know from Economics 101, when supply exceeds demand, prices fall. The drop in new RV demand drives down used RV prices too. (However, private sellers who aren’t yet aware of the current market reality might still be demanding primo prices for even worn out rigs.)
It’s definitely a buyer’s market these days. If you’ve been searching for a nomadic home, it looks like a good time to pick up a bargain — or at least something without a ridiculous shortage-inflated price — before the market forces shift again and the window of opportunity closes.
I’m not looking for an RV or travel trailer myself, so I think I’ll fry up some fish instead. Do you prefer malt vinegar or tartar sauce?
Brilliant use of the story metaphor.
Very well written. Have you thought of writing for a living? People would read your work regularly!
I agree with everyone who commented on your writing. You clearly convey maximum information with a minimum of words. You never rely on clichés and have no grammatical errors. I’ve been thinking all along that you must’ve written for a living.
Keep it up because these newsletters are important!
I am in the market for a reasonably price, used rig. Thank you for the encouraging information.
Malt vinegar, definitely. We’re going for fish and chips tonight, actually 🙂
Great Metaphor Al. I believe that there are several underlying causes : (1) High Fuel Prices (2) California and Canada have outlawed new internal combustion vehicles starting in 2035 – that is 13 years from now. (3) Volkswagen will start selling their 100% electric Minibus in the USA market in 2024. You have a choice between the current brand cargo vans that break down frequently or a high quality VW ID Buzz – which would you buy?
VW’s reputation for quality hasn’t been that great the past decade or so.
Mert, yep, the oncoming EV’s are going to be a sight to behold, but… how are they going to be charged ?? These latest heat waves are making many people think if those batteries will be able to be replenish with all the energy restrictions that almost for sure will worsen, rather than improve. If manufacturers get smart they should build HYBRIDS, not EV’s. I’d go for a PRIUS, but not for an EV, no thanks, I PASS !!!
I hope small teardrop (new and used) also realize a price drop!
Malt on a piece or two then dip in some tartar sauce. Nice story but my Prius/RV is good for me.
Tartar sauce, of course! Very thankful prices are falling for those who have had to put their dreams on hold because of the market.
Oh … I like a little bit of both! Thanks for the encouragement cause I’m looking for a van now and these prices have been frightening!
Plain or ketchup.
I wish I could buy another van but it would not make sense for me to do so at this time.
What should not be underestimated is a place to park your mobile domicile, whether it is just a small camper/truck camper for bigger.
The city I live in now (after the boom in RV sales) issued several ordinances which do not permit RV to park on streets withing the city limit anymore.
This has my support as, besides being an eyesore, it was getting harder to get around. And let’s not gt even into what kind of trash many of these people dump, yes, onto the street.
Good news!
I’m planning on moving out of my cracker box apartment and have been looking for a used travel trailer to move into. The high prices even for junk has been holding me back. Hopefully the dealers have to cut prices way back.