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Reason there is such a range of prices on golf cars Simple rule of what you see is what you get is followed here. You have to put efforts from your end to make the least ex- pensive deal on these cars. Reconditioned Golf Cars are the most difficult to nail down everybody has their own defini- tion of reconditioned. But these must include: • Washed from top to bottom • Touch up on all scratches • New paint on the body • Brakes and tires in excellent condition • Cables and batteries in excellent condition • Starter belts and new drive • Oil change and tune up • Clutches in good working condition • No rattling noise • All the joints well greased, tight • Non leaning suspension • No missing parts or broken welds • Clean frames (without any bend) A dealer must repair the frame- work. There shouldn’t be any wear and tear on it. More things to repair mean more money to put in, but the more golf car you get. From whom to buy, a dealer or private party? This question taunts many people’s mind. If you possess good knowledge of the golf cars and the mechanics of it, then go for a private party dealing. If you are a Lehman in this case then go for a dealer to make the deal for you. It is suggested to contact a reputable and autho- rized dealer. All you want is to have a good deal, whether it is from a dealer or a private party. Beware as a buyer! Be a smart customer. Dealer or Private? A legitimate and an experienced golf cart dealer will possess good knowledge of the vehicle and have trained staff, mainte- nance shop, retail facility, large inventory of golf carts and ac- cessories. They won’t have any problem accepting credit cards and offering financing options to the customers. An authorized deal will have full sales and ser- vices as a backup and technical assistance for the factory. The factory assists in many tasks of the dealer. Not all dealers are authorized. They earn the ‘authorized’ status by following and sticking to the rules and policies of the manufacturer for their retail facility norms, inventory or parts, carts and accessories, shop facility norms and mechanical stuff. They send the mechanics on training every year. An autho- rized dealer also carries liability against insurance theft and loss. A good dealer spends a lot in facilitating the shop, employ- ees, and inventory. You can judge them by checking the parts department. Such dealers come pretty handily when you need urgent repair. As a user/ owner/operator, you want your cart running as quick as possi- ble. Look for a dealer that has all this stuff to offer and offers assured service which you can trust. These small businesses keep the money rhythm going on in America. So, they need to serve well and maintain their business. It depends on the dealer wheth- er they offer “service after sale”. Do check that. Think about it that if they do not service the cars what is the surety that they have serviced the current car you are buying from them? If you buy a cart from them and in case if it breaks down, then these dealers are likely to put the blame the previous owner of the cart. Check whether the dealers are in operation all over the year or not? Their week holidays, timings, everything. Do they offer any kind of assistance in odd hours too? All these things matter a lot when reputation of a dealer is considered. The own- ers are on the cart on weekends or holiday season, so the dealer should be available if your cart needs anything urgent. Also, check whether they have road service too or not. It is the ma- chinery that they are chances of break down in the middle of the road. Hopefully, this doesn’t happen to you but what if it does? Will the dealer come to pick your vehicle and take it to his service station? MAY 2020 37