This is an article from Racer X magazine, https://exhaust.racerxonline.com/20...st-growing-core-outdoor-recreation-activities Can anyone from a dealership verify they are seeing this in the showroom? The economy appears to be cruising along. The one problem I keep running across from business owners is they would like to expand, but kind find skilled labor. It's to the point that companies are advertising "no skill required, we will train you on the job" and they still can't find workers.... Not trying for dungeon material, just looking for feedback from dealers....Thanks.
They need to pay more, then they will find workers. Or invest in automation so they need less workers. But yes the labor market is finally getting tighter and wages starting to rise. All of these types of positions are harder to fill. Hopefully not too dungeony.
To your "skilled labor" point. Our local Polaris franchise started running an ad in the papers across the South East seeking techs. They have six positions to fill and actually used the word desperately in the ad and are offering $60K/yr. Their sales numbers do bear out the claims of the article, but they are hurting in the shop end of it like every other dealership in the nation. As far as the "economy cruising along", there is not nearly an economic diversity of customers. The "haves", as always, are happily spending on these expensive toys.
The "haves" don't count....The "middles" will determine the bulk of the recovery. If it (the recovery) lasts long enough then more "lowers" will progress into the middle where disposable income lives. $60k for a MC mechanic (especially if this is a newbie) is well into the middle range. Now if housing (like million dollar ranch houses) is typical for the local then I take my $60k comment back.
I want to see that ad. Making up to $60K/year and actually making $60K/year are two different things. Plenty of shops will advertise big numbers, but those numbers are based on optimum amount of work year round. Which they don't have. And when you're being paid flat rate and there is no work...you make $0. While the dealer gets to retain a skilled technician on the payroll for free. I promise you your local Polaris dealer cannot afford to hire 6 techs making $60,000 a year salary. This is the same principle as with car dealerships. Hire a bunch of sales guys and then let them weed themselves out. And as a newbie you'll be lucky to make half of that $60K.
I'm trying to figure out who is buying all these damn side by sides. Hottest thing on the market so they say.
My apologies for not stating that pay would be commensurate to skill set and experience. I would have thought that was a "goes without question" thing, but evidently not. This particular outfit (called Bama Buggies, located in Tuscaloosa, Al) used to own the local Toyota dealership until recently. Money hasn't been an issue in any of their moves thus far in their venture into this particular business genre.
That is ALL you see in rural areas around central PA anymore. People rarely buy 4 wheelers at this point. A local dealers stock is I'd guess around 50 SxS's to 5 4wheelers. Dozens of SxS's outside and a handful of 4wheelers inside.
Is it because of us who grew up reading about the Baja and wanting a buggy are now able to afford them? (Well, not me but other people.)
Probably. That and I can buy a 4 seater and cram the fam in that bitch with a cooler full of beer. The boys and I are already discussing them, and have admitted that they're more than likely our next purchase.