U.S. consumers dream of someday owning an RV or boat and enjoying frequent road trips or lake days. However, finding adequate storage space for such large vehicles can be a hassle for owners. Let’s dive deeper into your customers’ storage needs and how you can mitigate the challenge of the search.

Common Consumer Storage Criteria

Security

After purchasing an RV or boat, your customers will try to preserve their vehicle’s condition and prevent potential theft. However, this can be much harder when the storage is out of the consumer’s sight. For example, in the last three years, RV theft from storage facilities has increased by 30%. As a result, facilities must take precautions to mitigate the risk of theft or damage and help assure customers their property is safe. No one wants their vehicle to be another number in a theft statistic.

Many storage facilities use security measures, like a coded gate and digital surveillance, to monitor entry and activity. Additionally, installing an alarm system can decrease the risk of theft incidents by 60%. If you offer on-site storage at your dealership, adopt multiple protection methods to help give customers peace of mind that their property is safe on your lot.

Accessibility

Before choosing a storage location, customers need to consider how accessible the facility will be. If they can’t reach their vehicle when they want to use it, what’s the point? Moreover, how many other individuals will be able to access the space? Your customers may not want every other customer to be able to touch or view their vehicle.

Here are a few questions customers may ask to gauge whether the storage option is the right fit:

• What are the facility’s hours of operation?
• Can I get to my RV/boat outside of facility operations?
• Will I have an individual unit and a separate key, or can others access my vehicle?
• Do all, or just some, employees have access to my vehicle?

Be upfront about your dealership’s storage capabilities to help make the customer’s search process as efficient as possible.

Practicality

Chances are your customers will be looking to store their vehicle close to where they live or by their desired travel destinations. For example, if a customer plans to use their boat at one specific lake, they might want to keep it at a facility nearby to avoid the hassle of towing it long distances. Additionally, customers will have to assess the size and cost of the space. If their vehicle doesn’t fit or the space isn’t within their budget, they won’t be choosing that storage option.

Amenities

While many customers are content with an open space to keep their vehicle, others will evaluate all the amenities the facility offers. For example, some locations provide climate-controlled storage, 24/7 access, and complimentary wash bays. Make sure you know exactly what customers want before helping them search for storage options.

Ways to Minimize Your Customers’ Storage Burden

Provide Recommendations

You can take pressure off your customers by offering storage facility recommendations. If the customer is local to your dealership, give them a predetermined list of storage facilities nearby. If they’re from out of town, do some research and send a follow-up email with options closer to their home base.

When you make these recommendations, keep the customers’ specific needs in mind. What amenities are they looking for? How much space do they need? It’s up to you how detailed you want the lists to be, but the extra assistance will lighten your customers’ load and give them a positive perception of your dealership.

Offer On-Site Storage

If you don’t already offer on-site storage but are able to expand your offerings, consider providing storage for your loyal customers. Today’s advanced digital tools make it easy for you to keep track of storage inventory and keep customers in the loop.

Discuss Important Criteria

If your customers are first-time RV or boat owners, they may not automatically think about everything a seasoned customer already knows. Share the above storage criteria with your customers and discuss what they should evaluate in a facility. Offering open and honest support will deepen your customer relationships and strengthen their loyalty to your dealership.

Your customers’ storage needs depend on their specific vehicle and personal circumstances. By helping your customers through their search for viable storage options, you’ll improve their dealership experience and leave them feeling happy they did business with you.