The IDS RV Industry Trends Report is a comprehensive overview of what dealers will be focusing on in 2023. This report compiles insights from surveys, RV industry experts, and hundreds of RV dealers across North America to highlight what dealers can expect in the year ahead.
2025 RV Trends Report The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
A note from leadership
As we navigate the evolving landscape of the RV industry, one thing is clear: we are all part of a tight-knit community, and we share similar challenges. In today’s competitive market, companies that embrace data and analytics are poised to gain a significant advantage over those who don't. There’s already a wealth of technology designed to help streamline operations, from improving customer engagement to digitizing documentation and tracking productivity. These tools offer dealers the opportunity to not only connect with customers more reliably but also to optimize internal processes. By working together, we can tackle these shared challenges head-on, leveraging technology to meet customer needs and drive business success. We hope the trends we highlight in this report will help guide those conversations.
Frank Tamburrini General Manager, IDS
1
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Explore Top Dealer Trends
The 10,000-Foot View
01.
Data as Your Compass
02.
Digitizing For Liftoff
03.
Hidden Revenue Galaxies
04.
Mission-Critical Business Continuity
05.
2
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
The 10,000-Foot View 01.
01.
3
The 10,000-Foot View
What Challenges Will Dealers Face in 2025? In a 2024 survey of RV dealers across North America, we asked what challenges dealers anticipate facing in the coming year. While parts shortages were one of the biggest concerns for dealers going into 2024, survey results indicate a shift in their concern toward inflation, obtaining new customers, and meeting staffing needs.
1 2 3 4 5 (1 = Low Importance, 5 = High Importance)
Parts shortages
Aged inventory
Cash flow management
Rising product prices / interest rates
New customer conquest (service and sales)
Customer retention (service and sales)
Hiring/ retaining talent
Cybersecurity or system-based outages
100%
0%
100%
IDS 2024 RV Dealer Industry Survey
4
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
The 10,000-Foot View
What Challenges Will Dealers Face in 2025?
Dealers said…
old inventory
models abvailable
consistent development
interest
leftover inventory
brick and mortar
price situations
sure to be a glut
interest rates
customers
model year
foot traffic
price
competitive
What Does This Mean for Dealers?
In today’s competitive RV market, dealers cannot afford to leave money on the table due to inventory mismanagement. With teams already stretched thin, now is the time to optimize processes and eliminate unnecessary busy work wherever possible. Streamlining operations is critical, but equally important is knowing who your customers are. Dealers should prioritize collecting and analyzing data to gain insights into customer behavior, preferences, and
needs. This data allows dealerships to communicate with customers more effectively, determine the right frequency for outreach, and proactively recommend services and products that align with their needs, ultimately driving growth and customer satisfaction.
5
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
In talking with friends and colleagues in the RV industry, the general consensus is the rest of 2024, and the first few months of 2025, will continue to present a challenging environment as far as retail demand. While the headwinds appear to be lessening, the fact is interest rates and the contentious election year – among other factors – are still contributing enough economic uncertainty that consumers are willing to wait until at least Q2 of next year before pulling the trigger on a major expenditure such as an RV. That said, most people still point to the allure of outdoor recreation and the desire to enjoy memorable experiences with friends and family as reasons to be optimistic for the long-term health of the industry.
Rick Kessler RVBusiness
To stay competitive, dealerships must embrace innovative strategies and leverage emerging technologies. By focusing on data-driven insights, digital transformation, untapped revenue sources, and robust cybersecurity measures, dealerships can position themselves for long-term success in the RV market.
Anita Lien RVDA of Canada
6
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
The 10,000-Foot View
What demographic is buying the most RVs from your dealership?
First choice
Last choice
Families with young children
Retirees
Families with older children
Young couples
Singles
IDS 2024 RV Dealer Industry Survey
We surveyed RV dealers across North America to identify the most common customer demographics they encounter. While recent narratives suggest a rise in younger buyers purchasing RVs for remote work and affordable vacation options, the data tells a different story. The majority of dealers reported that families with young children remain their primary customers. Interestingly, retirees emerged as the third most frequent demographic, underscoring the continued relevance of this group. Dealers should not overlook retirees when crafting their marketing strategies, as they represent a significant and valuable segment of the market.
7
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
The 10,000-Foot View
The State of Repair Event Cycle Times While Repair Event Cycle Times are still above the 2018-2019 average, 2024 has brought promising improvements. This year, the average time a unit spends in the shop has dropped to 34 days, the shortest duration since 2020. Although two key bottlenecks—warranty coverage and out-of-stock parts—continue to affect cycle times, they, too, are showing signs of progress. For instance, the average cycle time for work orders with warranty coverage has decreased to 50 days, aligning with the 2021 average. Similarly, the average cycle time for work orders that include at least one out-of-stock part has been reduced to 62 days, just three days longer than the 2020 average. These trends indicate a positive shift toward more efficient repair processes.
Average RECT Days - National Avg
All - R.E.C.T.
Warranty Coverage Bottleneck
Out-Of-Stock Part Bottleneck
2018 2019
2020
2021 2022 2023 2024 YTD
8
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
The 10,000-Foot View
Since 2022, the percentage of work orders covered by warranty has steadily declined, dropping to 39% this year as manufacturers enhance the quality of their products. However, a concerning trend has emerged: the rising percentage of work orders with out-of-stock parts. From 2018 to 2022, this figure remained relatively stable at around 22-23%. This year, the average has risen to 31% this year and is expected to continue increasing, possibly due to improvements in shipping times and parts availability.
Bottleneck Percentages - by Year
Warranty Coverage
Out-Of-Stock Parts
2018 2019
2020
2021 2022 2023 2024 YTD
9
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
What This Means For Dealers Heading Into 2025…
Keep working on your processes and procedures. What you’re doing is working. Review your data frequently to track progress and areas that need improvement. Your data is like gold. Mine it often.
Don Miller Senior Data Innovation Manager, IDS
10
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
The 10,000-Foot View
Prioritize Inventory Management
Other than new unit sales, where else do you see yourself investing in the year ahead?
For many dealers, unit inventory—particularly older, unsold units—is directly impacting their bottom line. The number of 2022 and 2023 models sitting on dealership lots has become a key indicator of financial health. During the pandemic, the issue was a lack of inventory; however, the situation shifted in 2022 and 2023, resulting in an oversupply that has driven prices down. Dealers are now grappling with selling this excess inventory, often at a loss, and it's likely to take another year for the market to stabilize.
Used units
Rentals
Other
19%
The combination of high inventory levels and rising interest rates has shifted the cost of carrying capital from an annual burden to a monthly one.
14%
67%
As a result, many dealers will begin auctioning aged inventory at significantly reduced prices, which will drive down values across the industry.
Now is the time to reassess your inventory strategy. Stock only what you need, when you need it, and take proactive steps to move inventory before it becomes too old to sell profitably.
IDS 2024 RV Dealer Industry Survey
11
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
The 10,000-Foot View
Stay Up to Date on Tech Innovations In today’s competitive market, the technology your team uses can set you apart. With rapid advancements and innovations, staying current on the latest dealership tech is essential. Teams that embrace new solutions early gain a competitive edge and capitalize on emerging opportunities. However, before exploring additional technologies, take a moment to understand the tools you already have. Keeping up with updates and advancements in your existing technologies can help you make better decisions while also saving time and money.
Technology plays a vital role for dealers by driving efficiency and improving the customer experience, yet staying up-to-date with technology advancements alone isn’t enough. To harness its full potential, it’s crucial to maintain operational workflows and key business logic that bridge daily processes with essential transactional accounting practices.
Josie Prosdocimo Director of Product Management, IDS
By connecting your workflows seamlessly to the end transaction, dealers can achieve consistent, accurate financial management while adapting to industry innovations—enabling long-term growth and resilience.
Greg Fenton Vice President of Technology, IDS
12
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Data as Your Compass 02.
13
Data as Your Compass
The Data is In Your DMS
Service
For many dealers, the full potential of their dealership management system (DMS) remains largely untapped, particularly when it comes to leveraging data for operational efficiency and profitability. Dealers require greater visibility into their data and the ability to benchmark their performance against peers and market trends. The DMS should be viewed not merely as a tool for integrating departments with the General Ledger but as the core of the dealership's entire ecosystem—centralizing data, transactions, and workflows to drive strategic decision-making and optimize business performance.
General Ledger
Sales
Parts
Rentals
14
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Data as Your Compass
Your Data Needs to Be Visualized
Managing your business effectively requires clear visibility into your data, and that's where data visualization comes into play. You need to be able to make informed, data-driven decisions every day.
Having access to data is just the beginning; it's essential to visualize it in a way that makes sense for your needs. When revenue slows down, good data visualization can help you spot areas to boost efficiency, cut costs, and increase your return on investment (ROI).
As your dealership grows or if you already manage multiple stores, using data visualization becomes even more valuable. It’s an essential tool that can help you stay on top of your business and navigate the challenges of expansion with ease
15
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Data as Your Compass
Key Metrics
Monitoring key metrics daily can help you spot dangerous trends more quickly, allowing you to correct the situation sooner rather than later. It’s important to track these across all locations and comparatively between location, day-to-day, month-over-month, and year-over-year.
Sales & Inventory
Finance
Service & Parts
AR and AP
• Unit Sales • Historical Unit Sales • Percentage of Sale Goal • Percentage of F&I Goal • Sales by Salesperson • F&I Income by Locations • Inventory by Days in Stock
• Percentage of Income Goal • Percentage of Expense Goal • Income Vs. Goal Gross Profit • Total Income • Total Expenses • Total Gross Profit • Total Expenses • Expenses as Percentage • of Gross Profit • Net Profit
• Work Order Count • Total Profit
• AP Balance by Age • AP Balance Type • AR Balance by Age • AR Balance by Code
• Work Order Profit • Parts Invoice Profit • Average RECT Days • Total party cost by Lot & Age
• AP Balance Due by Age • AR Balance Owed by Age
16
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
We’re building our systems around the system that we’re keeping forever. We had all the outer facilities sorted out. What we were missing was the nucleus. [IDS] pulled all the things we were doing well together, and everything works in harmony. Keith Barrick Keith’s Trailer Sales
Leadership Insights
Read the full story
It’s all about data. You have to input data to be able to track it, to know you’re selling, and where you’re slacking. It may take you a little bit longer at the get-go, but you no longer have to go rifling through an endless number of documents and papers—you can simply have everything all digitalized. This allows you to be able to look at each and every customer and see the entire history of what they purchased, what they traded, how many visits to the service department. John McKee McKee RV
Track Your Dealership's Performance Anytime, Anywhere
Learn More
Read the full story
17
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Digitizing For Liftoff 03.
18
Digitizing For Liftoff
Staying Competitive in the Era of Digitization and Automation
To stay competitive and scale effectively, dealers should embrace digitization and automation in their workflows. Dealers need to keep pace with competitors who are already speeding up operations with technology for data management, communication, marketing, and more. Working closely with your DMS provider can help pinpoint areas where you can streamline processes, making things more efficient and setting your dealership up for long-term success.
19
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Digitizing For Liftoff
Amazon and other marketplaces have transformed the retail landscape, raising the bar for service speed, convenience, and regular updates. In our 2024 RV dealer survey, the majority of dealers surveyed have observed a noticeable shift in customer expectations over the past year.
The pressing question now is: how can dealers rise to meet these growing demands?
Have you observed any changes in customer expectations regarding RV service and maintenance?
Increased demand for faster service turnaround times Increased demand for mobile or on-site service options Increased demand for updates throughout the service cycle No significant changes in customer expectations Other
25%
31%
4%
2%
38%
IDS 2024 RV Dealer Industry Survey
20
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Digitizing For Liftoff
We asked dealers across North America which processes they would like to automate
Most dealers surveyed identified customer communication as the top process they wish to automate, followed by analytics and data visualization in second place, and warranty submissions in third.
1 2 3 4 5 (1 = Low Importance, 5 = High Importance)
Service scheduling
Parts ordering
Warranty submissions
Invoicing
Analitics and data visualization
Status updates to customers
100%
0%
100%
21
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Digitizing For Liftoff
Are there any other processes you would like to automate? Dealers told us…
communication with customers
reporting customization
better single entry
Manufacturers
purchase orders
major vendors
multiple channels
variable ops
process
max levels
Marketing solutions
parts inventory
warranty
When implemented effectively, automation removes time-consuming tasks from your team’s workload, allowing them to focus on the core drivers of your business: building strong customer relationships and fostering a productive team dynamic.
22
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Digitizing For Liftoff
Processes to Digitize
Parts Request Online
Digital Parts Requests
• Keep a digital trail of all parts requests and order statuses in one central feed. • Know exactly which parts have been requested and where to find them – many dealerships still use paper request forms, which are liable to get misplaced; forgotten parts and unnecessary spend • Digitizing also enables you to keep a digital trail of all parts requests and order statuses in one central feed.
Say goodbye to paper request forms and special-order parts cards. Send parts requests right from your mobile device.
Learn More
23
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Digitizing For Liftoff
Digital Payments
• Send payment requests to your customers by text or email right from the Work Order in your dealership management system. • Automatically post payments to the Accounts Payable module in your dealership management system once they are processed.
Digital Signatures
• Email documents to customers right from your dealership management system and automatically upload them to a Work Order document manager the moment they are signed, eliminating any unnecessary steps and creating a more efficient workflow for both your dealership and customers. • Use text e-sign links.
24
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Digitizing For Liftoff
Digital Inventory Management
• Run reports to identify obsolete parts: Dealership management software allows you to run reports for you that will quickly identify which items are performing worse than others so you can make the necessary adjustments and changes to your stock. Once you’ve identified your slow movers, you can decide what to do with your dead inventory. • Automate min/max levels: Your minimum and maximum ordering levels should be analyzed on a consistent basis. Review your sales history over the last year and set seasonal levels to prevent overstocking or understocking. Dealership management software can help track your minimum and maximum levels so that when levels are low, you can set up an automatic order request. • Leverage mobile parts inventory: Digitize your inventory count process so you can conduct parts counts more frequently and with better visibility into your inventory levels.
25
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Digitizing For Liftoff
Digital Service Management
• Service departments face high demand and staffing shortages, pushing managers to make smarter use of their resources. Embracing digitization streamlines operations, freeing teams from repetitive tasks so they can focus on their strengths. • Dealership management systems now offer real-time monitoring of in-shop repairs, providing visibility into each work order’s repair cycle. Adding digital notes and photos to work orders, warranty claims, and part orders reduces paperwork and keeps teams aligned. • By enabling Service Writers to work from anywhere, they can increase efficiency, while having a complete view of their tasks allows them to better organize, prioritize, and plan. With the ability to view and update all work orders from one screen, managers can easily create custom or standardized jobs, driving productivity and transforming service departments.
26
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Digitizing For Liftoff
Automated Sales Touchpoints
• Streamline product matching to customers based on customer records. • Automate email notifications and text updates to customers. • Schedule in-app notifications for when a lead is assigned to a salesperson, when relevant products are available, and when it’s time to follow up with a customer. • Automate follow-up messages to customers to collect NPS scores, notify them of new products of interest, etc.
27
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Digitizing For Liftoff
Proactive Communication
Regardless of when we start, the number one thing customers expect that most dealerships fall short of is adequate communication throughout the service cycle. Even if there is no update to communicate, communicate that to the customer at the agreed-upon touchpoint. Set the expectation on the timeline with customers upfront so they aren’t left to fill in the blanks themselves.
Get as much information upfront as possible so surprises don’t occur once a job starts, and so you can set expectations with the customer upfront. Have customers take pictures of items that need to be fixed or replaced in advance to have a better understanding of the job. Texting is a great way to collect this information pre-ops and expedite the check-in time.
The optimal cadence to communicate with customers throughout a job is at least once a week. No update is an update, and not getting an update is the worst thing for a customer. Moreover, make sure that the information you’re communicating is correct, like if parts have arrived.
28
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Digitizing For Liftoff
Communication with OEMs
As manufacturers adopt new technologies, they are imposing more stringent guidelines on their distributors. Choosing the right software provider is essential to ensure seamless communication with OEMs, helping you maintain a strong, mutually beneficial relationship. Your software should facilitate effective communication on critical areas such as inventory orders, recall or campaign units, and warranty submission status. Staying aligned with OEM requirements through streamlined communication not only enhances operational efficiency but also strengthens long-term partnerships.
29
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
I think one of our downfalls is proactive communication—especially sales conversations about trying to find the right unit for them or service to get their unit repaired and communicating where we stand in the process. Our industry, as a whole, is still a little bit dated in the sense of access to parts. Unlike the auto industry where you know they can open and close 50 work orders in a day, we have work orders open for 10, 20, 30 days depending on what the issue is. We could be actively working on it, but if we’re not communicating that to our customers, then they don’t know the difference. So, in the system, if we input the right information, we can either free up time to communicate with customers or have the information readily accessible to get to the customers.
Ken Dobson Leisure Time Sales Ltd.
Read the full story
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
30
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Hidden Revenue Galaxies 04.
31
Hidden Revenue Galaxies
Tapping Into Hidden Revenue Sources at Your Dealership
You know that revenue comes from more than just unit sales. Are you leveraging all the potential “hidden” revenue streams that your business has to offer? Areas that are overlooked or in need of ownership? Often, these opportunities are right under your nose. Dealership software provides the data and analytics capabilities to identify these untapped sources.
32
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Hidden Revenue Galaxies
Manufacturer Warranty: The Biggest Untapped Profit Center at Your Dealership
You probably have a goldmine of uncollected revenue sitting in your lot right now. Everyone thinks of warranty as post-sale when they should be thinking of warranty as a profit center, with a dedicated person owning the process.
To turn a profit from warranty, keep these three things in mind:
Put clean information in, get clean information out: Warranty should be a strategic part of the business from the very beginning. Manufacturers want to see good data: good stories and good pictures. This should be done from the moment that the unit is dropped off or sold to the full life of the warranty a year after it's sold.
The story matters: Don’t just write a sentence. Write at least a paragraph. Detail what steps you went through that contributed to the time spent on a unit.
Claim is only half the battle: When you submit a claim, the clock starts ticking to answer any questions that manufacturers may have. Run an aged receivable report weekly, if not daily. Keep a clear feedback path from AR to warranty to catch any discrepancies.
33
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Hidden Revenue Galaxies
F&I Back-End: Make More on Every Unit Sold
In a changing marketplace where unit sales are on the decline, optimizing per-unit gross profits is increasingly important. Top dealers are financing 70%+ of unit sales. Ideally, to maximize on F&I opportunities, there should be someone in-house focusing on F&I sales.
Offer a Broad Selection of F&I Products
Effective Pricing Strategies
Customer Education
Optimizing F&I gross profit also hinges on having the right pricing strategy. While competitive pricing is important, setting prices too low can reduce the perceived value of the product. Finding the right balance is key. Conduct thorough market research, analyze competitor pricing, and evaluate the worth of your offerings to establish the best pricing structure. Collaborate with your F&I vendors to ensure that your products remain both affordable to customers and profitable for your dealership.
Offering customers a wide variety of F&I products—such as extended warranties, gap insurance, roadside assistance, and tire and wheel protection—can significantly improve your chances of boosting gross profit. A diverse product range gives customers the flexibility to personalize their purchase according to their unique needs, while opening up opportunities for high-margin add-ons.
Having the right products is only part of the equation; educating customers on the benefits of F&I products is just as critical. Make sure your sales and F&I teams are knowledgeable and prepared to effectively communicate the value these products offer in protecting a customer’s investment. By showcasing how F&I products provide peace of mind, financial security, and enhanced protection for their purchase, you empower customers to make informed decisions and choose the products that best suit their needs.
3243
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Hidden Revenue Galaxies
F&I Back-End: Make More on Every Unit Sold
In a changing marketplace where unit sales are on the decline, optimizing per-unit gross profits is increasingly important. Top dealers are financing 70%+ of unit sales. Ideally, to maximize on F&I opportunities, there should be someone in-house focusing on F&I sales.
What financing options are most used by your customers? (Rank in order of frequency.)
First choice
Last choice
Dealer-arranged financing
Cash purchase
In-house financing
Not sure
IDS 2024 RV Dealer Industry Survey
35
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Hidden Revenue Galaxies
Fixed Absorption: Income You Can Count On
In a changing marketplace where unit sales are on the decline, optimizing per-unit gross profits is increasingly important. Top dealers are financing 70%+ of unit sales. Ideally, to maximize on F&I opportunities, there should be someone in-house focusing on F&I sales. What is fixed absorption?
This includes:
Administration costs
Accounting
All support roles
Rent
Utilities
All other fixed and semi-fixed expenses
Why fixed ops revenue is more reliable than sales: RV sales are highly competitive, and we don’t control what the market will bear. Service, however, is rarely price-shopped. We have a captive customer because we have their vehicle in our possession, which means we have more control. If you aren't actively working towards achieving fixed absorption at your dealership, it's time to start. It's the best way to develop a bulletproof, economic-proof business. Fixed absorption has been the benchmark in the auto industry for a long time, and the RV industry needs to catch up. Margins are being compressed, and dealers will have to deliver better service to accommodate this.
36
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Hidden Revenue Galaxies
The Path to Fixed Absorption
Focus on improving management of labor inventory, your lot, overtime,
Track OTC invoice amounts.
the intake process, parts and jobs, and upselling.
Minimize technician downtime by reducing the amount of time spent away from their bays.
Don’t sacrifice margin where you don’t need to; always sell your parts at retail.
37
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Mission-Critical Business Continuity 05.
38
By 2026, Gartner predicts that organizations prioritizing their security investments based on a CTEM program will realize a two-thirds reduction in breaches.
( Source )
39
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Mission-Critical Business Continuity
A survey of RV dealers across North America revealed that only 17% felt their dealership was "very prepared" for a cybersecurity event. This underscores a significant gap in preparedness and the need for training on cybersecurity best practices, along with a deeper understanding of security technology. To bridge this gap, dealerships must prioritize cybersecurity as a core part of their business strategy. This starts with a commitment from senior leadership to educate all employees on its importance.
How prepared do you feel you are for a cybersecurity event/data breach at your dealership?
17%
Very prepared Somewhat prepared Not prepared
17%
66%
IDS 2024 RV Dealer Industry Survey
40
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Mission-Critical Business Continuity
A Few Cybersecurity Rules of Thumb
Protect Sensitive Information at Risk: Dealerships hold various sensitive data, including sales, vendor, customer, financial, equipment, and inventory information. Protecting this data is crucial to prevent identity theft, fraud, and financial crimes.
Weigh the Cost of Inaction: The global average cost of a data breach was $4.88 million in 2024 ( Statista ), while cybersecurity training costs about $2,700 annually per employee. Businesses should allocate around 10% of their IT budget to cybersecurity.
Appoint Accountability for Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity is a collective responsibility. Senior leadership must foster a culture of security and allocate resources, while all employees should follow best practices for data protection, such as password management and recognizing phishing attempts.
Protect Data with Cloud Hosting: Utilizing cloud hosting enhances security through data encryption, multi-factor authentication, and continuous monitoring, making it a vital component of a dealership's cybersecurity strategy. Proper employee training, combined with these tools, helps safeguard against cyber threats.
41
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
I believe you will hear more and more about compliance monitoring in the years to come. I believe the FTC enforcement of dealers will focus on these four (4) items:
• Consumer complaints • Deceptive advertising • Gramm Leach Bliley Act regulations which were supposed to be completed by June 9, 2023 • Used vehicle/demonstrator Buyer’s Guides
1.
Set up a system, software, or filing cabinet (but preferably software) where you have “one source of truth” for all of your policies and procedures.
2.
Either utilize employees or an outside company to set up, monitor, and document the enforcement of your policies and procedures. Without review and auditing, you do not know who is actually performing the tasks that you have asked employees to complete.
3.
Continually assess and document your compliance activities.
Tom Kline Better Vantage Point
42
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Mission-Critical Business Continuity
Have a Business Continuity Plan In today's age of global outages, being prepared is more critical than ever. Recently, we've witnessed even highly respected companies navigate through significant system disruptions. Ensuring business continuity by relying on manual processes during outages is essential to keep operations running smoothly, protect customer satisfaction, and avoid potential revenue losses in emergency situations where systems are down for an extended period. This level of readiness helps reduce the effects of disruptions, allowing for a seamless return to normal operations while minimizing downtime.
43
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Mission-Critical Business Continuity
Manual Processes For Every Department
Sales and F&I
Customer Information Collection:
• Use a pre-printed Customer Information Sheet to record customer details such as name, contact information, and vehicle or boat preferences. • Capture any lead information manually and note down specific interests or inquiries.
Sales Documentation:
• Fill out a Manual Sales Agreement form to document the vehicle or boat details, pricing, trade-in information, and any additional sales conditions.
• Use a Unit Inspection Form to note any visible conditions or damage on trade-ins or new sales. • Print out a manual Four-Square Desking Worksheet to use to work deals with your customers.
44
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Mission-Critical Business Continuity
Manual Processes For Every Department
Sales and F&I Continued
F&I Documentation:
• Utilize a Manual Finance Application Form for customers seeking financing, capturing all necessary personal, employment, and financial information. • Prepare a Temporary Payment Agreement if immediate payment is required and all systems are down. Document the amount, method of payment, and due date for official processing once the system is restored. • Prepare Manual Menu Presentation with specific product information sheets for each product in your presentation.
Insurance and Warranty:
• Record insurance details and warranty selections on a Manual Insurance & Warranty Enrollment Form .
45
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Mission-Critical Business Continuity
Manual Processes For Every Department
Parts Department
Parts Order and Sales:
• Use a Manual Parts Purchase Order Form to record customer orders, including part numbers, descriptions, and quantities. • Note down the customer’s contact information and preferred method of notification for when parts arrive.
Parts Sales Invoices
• Maintain Manual Parts Sales Invoices to be entered once operations are restored. Ensure date, part numbers, and quantities are recorded as well as payment method.
Inventory Management:
• Maintain a Parts Inventory Log to record stock levels manually, noting down received shipments and sales.
46
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Mission-Critical Business Continuity
Manual Processes For Every Department
Service Department
Service Appointment and Check-in:
• Record appointments and check-ins using a Manual Service Appointment Log . Capture customer information, vehicle/boat details, and service requests.
Service Work Order:
• Use a Manual Work Order Form to detail the services provided, parts used, labor hours, and any additional notes on the service performed.
Job Tracking:
• Maintain a Service Job Tracking Sheet to monitor the status of ongoing services, prioritizing urgent jobs and noting estimated completion times.
47
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Mission-Critical Business Continuity
Manual Processes For Every Department
Accounting Department
Sales and Payment Recording:
• Use a Sales Transaction Log to manually record sales transactions, including customer details, amounts, and payment methods. • Prepare Manual Receipts for any payments received.
Expense Tracking:
• Maintain an Expense Log to track dealership expenses, noting down the amount, purpose, and vendor details.
Payroll Processing:
• Record employee hours and wages on a Manual Payroll Sheet , ensuring accurate payment calculations.
48
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Conclusion: To Infinity and Beyond
49
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
Conclusion: To Infinity and Beyond
Now is the time for dealers to lay the foundation for future success by focusing on data collection, data visualization, analysis, and the digitization of processes. Our shared passion for RVing and dedication to customer service unite us as we navigate this transformative era. The future is full of opportunities for those ready to embrace proactive customer communication, data-driven decision-making, and technological advancements. Partnering with a dealership management system provider who shares your vision will be key to unlocking the full potential of these trends, positioning your dealership to thrive in the years ahead.
IDS is uniquely positioned to help dealers rise to the challenges and opportunities present in the market. We work closely with RV dealers, OEMs, and other technology providers to create solutions that help dealers thrive today while charting a course toward a bright future.
Let’s shape the future of the RV industry together.
Learn More About How IDS Helps Dealers Grow
50
The Next Frontier of RV Dealership Management
www.ids-astra.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52Powered by FlippingBook