Greg Gerber posted on March 16, 2009 05:28
BELLEVILLE, Ontario -- Dale and Glennyce Sinclair came to the Quinte Sportsman Boat & RV show with thoughts of downsizing their fifth-wheel trailer. Instead, they left Sunday with a brand new fishing boat.
There were plenty of other buyers at the show -- exhibitors interviewed by The Intelligencer reported brisk sales of big ticket items such as park models, motor homes and boats.
Glen Cox of Carl Cox RV Sales on Old Highway 2 east of Belleville said not only was attendance up at the three-day show "but also our dealership sales are up drastically."
"We had the best sales in the history of the show this weekend ... we've sold three times the number of units we normally do at this show," said Cox, although he could not provide exact numbers.
The Belleville business sold travel trailers, fifth-wheels and motor homes ranging in price from $16,000 to $80,000.
"We're not hearing about a recession at all," he said. "We're still finding people with adequate income and security in their jobs to purchase recreational vehicles."
Cox said show visitors are willing to spend money on things they will enjoy in life. "People are looking for optimism and good news for a change and to have some fun in life," he said.
Stephen Ward of Quinte's Isle Campark in Cherry Valley said it's been a good show from a business point of view.
"We'll certainly sell a few this weekend and we're right on par with last year," he said. "I think the interest in this industry goes beyond the recession. It's what the baby-boomers want."
Ward showcased the park models manufactured by Northlander Industries in Exeter north of London, Ont. He had four models outdoors and two inside the sports centre, ranging in length from 24 to 44 feet and retailing from $43,000 to $77,000.
Peter Groot, manufacturing representative for Northlander, said he found the show crowd "upbeat despite the media reports of a recession."
"They are seriously looking at purchasing one of these products," he said, adding that the recreational lifestyle associated with a park model is growing in popularity because it's cheaper than owning a cottage and even travelling in a motor home.
To read the complete report in The Intelligencer, click here.