RVers Prefer Stores Over Online Shopping For Aftermarket Purchases

Research conducted by the RV Industry Association of RV aftermarket consumers shows that buyers prefer to purchase RV parts and accessories in stores with 63 percent purchasing products in a retail location, according to the Aftermarket Parts and Accessories Customer Survey conducted in late 2018

When asked where they purchased RV aftermarket parts and accessories, respondents indicated that one-in-five purchases (21 percent) were made where they purchase the RV, while 18 percent of purchases were made at a retail chain; 16 percent at a local parts store; and 8 percent at another RV dealer. The largest non-store option was Amazon at 17 percent.

These answers did vary slightly when segmented by age. For those above 45 years old, 22 percent purchased parts at a retail chain; 19 percent at a local parts store; 18 percent at the dealer where they bought the RV; 14 percent through Amazon; and 10 percent at another RV dealer. Among younger buyers age 45 and below, 23 percent purchased parts where they bought the RV; 19 percent through Amazon; 14 percent at a retail chain; 13 percent at a local parts store; and 7 percent at another RV dealer.

“The key takeaway here is that RV consumers of all ages prefer to shop and buy their aftermarket parts and accessories in a store, with a sizeable segment preferring to shop where they purchased the RV,” said Senior Director of Research Bill Baker. “One of the key benefits of in-store shopping is being able to see and touch the product, as well as having expert personnel on hand to provide product knowledge and technical assistance. Those are key benefits.”

These findings come from The Aftermarket Parts and Accessories Customer Survey conducted in 2018 by the RV Industry Association. The first-of-its-kind research reveals key buying habits of RVers and details what is most important to RV owners when shopping for parts and accessories in stores and online. The study provides members and dealer partners in understanding and meeting evolving customer expectations when it comes to the RV aftermarket.

Cairn Consulting directed the research, questioning 800 RVers who had traveled in an RV within the past year and were heavily involved in decision-making about where to purchase aftermarket parts and accessories.

Members interested in reviewing the findings of this research, click here.