Results indicate refund dollars most likely to be used for
maintenance, repairs, or buying a vehicle
As Tax Day fast approaches and refunds begin making their way into the
bank accounts of many Americans, a new survey commissioned by eBay
Motors found that more than one-third of vehicle owners anticipating
tax refunds will spend a portion of their newly found cash on something
related to a car, truck, or motorcycle, and the parts to repair and
maintain them. The data is based on a recent survey conducted for eBay
Motors by Harris Interactive, which polled more than 2,200 adults across
the United States*.
According to the survey, 34 percent of current vehicle owners expecting
tax refunds said they will spend part of their refund money to buy new
or used cars or trucks, or spruce up their current vehicles. The
categories in which the most people intend to put their tax refund
dollars toward are:
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1. Maintenance (49 percent)
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2. Repairs (32 percent)
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3. Buying a new or used vehicle (21 percent)
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4. Tires (19 percent)
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5. Cleaning or detailing (14 percent)
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** Survey respondents were able to select multiple options
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On average, respondents who expect to spend at least some of their
refund on a vehicle or parts and accessories plan to put 31 percent
of this year’s refund toward a vehicle-related expense. In addition, 42
percent of respondents say they plan to take automotive-related
deductions when they file their taxes.
“The survey findings support the trends we have seen over the past few
years in relation to sales and search increases on eBay Motors over the
course of the Tax Season,” said Gregory Boutte, vice president of eBay
Motors and Electronics in North America. “This increased activity speaks
to the selection and value people have come to associate with eBay
Motors. With more than 22 million parts available on the site at any
given time, eBay Motors is the place where people looking to spend
refund dollars can find just about anything they need for their vehicle,
whether they’re shopping online or from their mobile devices.”
In 2010 and 2011, total searches for parts & accessories on eBay Motors
during Tax Season (March and April) grew 17 percent and 23 percent,
respectively, when compared to the average number of searches in other
months of the year. As a result, sales of parts and accessories have
also shown growth during the tax season in prior years. Tires and wheels
have traditionally been the most popular tax-season accessories eBay
shoppers purchase for their vehicles. Other popular items include
grilles, motorcycle parts, and motorcycle accessories, including
jackets, leathers and helmets.
In addition to parts, people appear to be putting their tax refunds
toward their summer pastimes. In 2011, top non-traditional and
motorsports vehicle sales on eBay Motors during tax season included
Honda ATVs, Harley-Davidson Softail motorcycles, and Bass fishing boats.
Further, Americans appear to view tax refunds as opportunities to make
purchases of vehicles associated with the joys of driving. The search
terms on eBay Motors that have shown the greatest increase in frequency
during the past two tax seasons are motorcycle, sports car and
exotic-related vehicles, such as: Harley-Davidson, Corvette and Mustang.
People will also be shopping eBay Motors via their mobile devices this
tax season. More than 173,000 parts and accessories and 3,400 vehicles
are sold each week through eBay mobile applications. These purchases
include high-ticket items – the most expensive motors related mobile
purchase on eBay mobile applications in the U.S. in 2011 was a
Lamborghini Gallardo, purchased for $249,999. People can visit Mobile.eBay.com
to learn more, and download eBay applications, including the eBay Motors
iPhone app.
People who plan to spend part of their refund on their vehicle this tax
season can get even more for their tax refund dollars by visiting eBay’s
Uncle Sam’s Garage, a site offering rebates and sales on wheels,
rims, tires, turbo kits and more throughout the tax season. The garage
is open now through April 17.
*The Harris
Interactive online survey was conducted February 13 and 15, 2012,
and was weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population and
to adjust for the respondents’ propensity to be online.
About eBay Motors
eBay Motors, a part of eBay Inc. (NASDAQ:EBAY), is the Internet's
largest marketplace for buying and selling all things automotive. The
site offers everyday cars for everyday drivers, as well as collector
cars, motorcycles, auto parts and accessories. Nearly 4.5 million new
and used vehicles have been sold on eBay Motors, and there are more than
22 million automotive parts and accessories available on eBay Motors at
any given time.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50226749〈en
