ORCHARD PARK, NY (WKBW) — At a time when air travel is down drastically and cruises are not an option, local RV retailers like Colton RV in Orchard Park are seeing more people walking through the doors.
"We're seeing a lot more first time buyers, people who haven't been before who are new to the industry and new to the activity," Casey Colton, operations manager at Colton RV said.
The retailer says normally, a lot of the purchases tend to happen in the spring months when people get ready for that summer vacation. But this year has been a different trend, with more and more people buying in the months of June and July.
"It really did come unexpected especially looking at where we were back in March and April with COVID and not knowing what the summer would look like," Colton said. "Now that it is here, it makes a lot of sense that it is the preferred way for people to go out traveling and vacation."
At Colton RV, you can buy a new unit for as low as about $20,000 to as high as $400,000 depending on the model, size, and features.
For others, renting may make more sense for your budget. WNY RV Rental has weekly rates ranging from $1,700 - $2,000. They say they've been slammed.
"From beginning of April through October now, we're booked solid," owner Kevin Margeson said.
Margeson says they're getting 5-10 calls a day regarding their three different rentals. It's safe to say the need is at an all-time high.
"If I had ten I could rent them, and I don't know if I'd have enough based on the demand," he said.
It's a trend seen all over the country as families are choosing to camp or road-trip with minimal contact. But even when this Pandemic is over, retailers believe the RV way is here to stay.
"I think it's something that people will see as a lifestyle they can be a part of and not just a one time vacation," Colton said.
