Should I buy a golf cart from a dealer or a private seller? 

The choice is yours when buying a new or used golf cart. You can buy a golf cart from a dealer or a private seller.

Purchasing a golf cart from a dealer generally takes a lot of stress off your shoulders since the dealer handles the paperwork for cart purchases. However, a private seller may have more negotiation room since they have a lower cost associated with selling a golf cart. This is just a glance at what to expect.

Here’s an overview of the topics that we will compare: 

• Technical Knowledge
• Extensive Selection
• Exclusive Finance Options
• Maintenance Services
• Full Disclosure
• Negotiation

Technical Knowledge

Since golf cart dealers aim to provide quality golf carts to their customers, dealers usually have more technical knowledge than private sellers. 

A private seller may have limited technical knowledge and lack the years of experience a dealer can offer.  

At Garrett’s Golf Cars, our first shop opened in 1992. Since then, our team members have been building on years of knowledge and experience. We also have a service and maintenance shop specializing in golf cart repair and customization. 

Extensive Selection

When you buy from a private seller, they may only have one golf cart for sale. However, a dealer will have many choices from golf cart brands, models, years, and colors!

Garrett’s Golf Cars offers new and used golf carts from E-Z-GO, Club Car, and Cushman. We also offer customized golf carts. 

Exclusive Finance Options

If you buy from a private seller, keep in mind that they can’t finance you. This means you can either pay upfront or take out a loan from the bank. This could be an auto loan or a personal loan. Reach out to your financial institution to see if they provide auto loans for private sales, not all do.

Some dealers have partnered with financial institutions to allow their customers flexible financing options. Our customers have the opportunity to finance through Yard Card or Shielfied.

Maintenance Services

After the purchase of a golf cart, you can’t go back to the private seller and ask for maintenance or repair help. However, some dealers have service centers. 

Garrett’s Golf Cars have a service and maintenance center. Our professionally trained and experienced golf cart technicians can perform any service your golf cart needs, including engine tune-ups, oil changes, tire and battery replacement, and more.

Full Disclosure

Inspections are crucial when it comes to buying a used golf cart. It can protect you from unexpected repairs. When buying from a private seller, you may not have an opportunity to have a technician inspect the golf cart. However, we strongly recommend that you do. 

Most dealers have technicians that inspect their golf cats. Garrett’s Golf Cars inspects every single golf cart before it’s sold by our professional technicians. 

Negotiation 

Since dealers offer more inventory selection, technical knowledge, finance options, and maintenance services, their prices may be firm compared to private sellers. 

A private seller has lower costs associated with selling the golf cart than a dealer.

Which seller is right for you? 

If you are a first time golf cart buyer or want a hassle free experience, buying from a golf cart dealer would be your best option. However, a private seller might be the way to go if your budget is tight and you have technical knowledge of golf carts. Consider warranties, finance options, reputation, selection, and technical expertise when buying your next golf cart. 

We hope this information helps you in your cart buying journey! If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our store in Greenville, SC, at (864) 862-7709 or Charleston, SC, at ​​(843) 881-8894