Golf Car - Buying out of the state, Out of the Bubble
 

Anyone bought a Golf Car out of state (that delivers to TV) or outside of the area that they would recommend? I know I have read in the past about others doing this, but all my key word searches failed to find any threads of interest.

We bought a 2022 Yamaha Quiet Tech from Country Villages Power Equipment in Webster, FL. They were a great company to deal with, did an excellent job custom building the cart to our specifications, and delivered the cart to our Villages home. We easily saved $4k versus the Villages Golf Cars and they come to your house to do a complementary oil change and go over the entire cart after 30 hours of use. I planned on buying a stripped cart and customizing it myself, but after pricing the necessary parts it was just as cheap to have them build the cart the way I wanted it and the labor was free when they built the cart. Also, after about 6 months I discovered a problem with the turn signal/headlight module and they came to our house and installed a brand new one two days later under full warranty. I would highly recommend checking them out.

We bought our 2024 Yamaha from Villages Elite golf carts on 44 next to the Brownwood hotel. Sam was friendly, non-pushy, and worked with us to include the options we wanted on the cart. Good price too! He even includes free annual service on the cart. So far, we’ve been quite pleased with the experience there.

Another vote for Country Villages. Get the soft snaps. Save thousands.

Likewise, I used Country Village in Webster. I bought my cart from them 5 years ago. Saved a few thousand $, and they come right to my door for service. When the 1,000 hour (or so, I don't remember exactly) service was due they had to take it to the shop. They pick it up, they bring it back...They do charge a $40 premium now for service at the house. I am not sure they used to do that.
Still, happy with the service, and the price.

Yes, I bought mine in Alabama and towed it here during the time we were part time residents.

I saved about $2,000 compared to buying at Villages Golf Cart. The only glitch is getting warranty service. I used Carts and Clubs in Ocala when my secondary clutch failed. They agreed to do it only AFTER I spoke with the manager and explained it was not purchased locally.

TV Golf Carts were smart enough to not refuse service since it was under factory warranty. However, they tried to give me an appointment 7 months in the future so it was the same as refusing. Carts and Clubs came to the house 3 days later and repaired it on site.

Have others shipped a cart in from out of state or any larger Florida cities?

I also saved several thousand dollars by buying with Country Village in Webster.

My only gripe is the quality of their accessories isn’t that great. I’ve had my cart for 18 months now and the LED’s went out about a month in, they replaced them and the new ones are now they’re falling apart (the clear rubber covering over the strips has has started to come off).

The top has come unstitched in several spots and you can tell it was barely sewn together along the very edge of the fabric and it’s simply pulled apart.

Wondering if you got a Monday morning build? Over 250 hours on our cart with only one minor issue, a loose/bad crimp on a ground wire that was an easy fix. I did pop a couple of seems on the enclosure fabric but that was my fault. I added aftermarket seats after the enclosure was custom built and the armrests on the new seats are wider than the originals and stressed the fabric. Lesson learned, don’t have a custom built enclosure made until the aftermarket seats are installed. Fixed the fabric tears with some clear shoe goo and the enclosure is good to go.

go to 466 and see The Villages Discount Golf Carts Store, next to Birdies Golf, which by the way is NOT associated with the villages. Why pay the expense for shipping from out of state?

Whats the price here?
 

It would help to know what the price is around here. For reference how much does a brand new 2024 yamaha gas 4 seater cost in the villages? I looked online and in a neighboring state can find them for $10,200. That includes blinkers and horn, etc. just no rain curtains. Those would be extra.

I bought mine in Ocala, JB carts, I bought a basic 2019 yamaha. That ran great then they tweeked it out for my budget. saved money.They have been great, pickup and delivery.

I thought I was the only one who bought at Country Power. Now, I see I was not alone.

The price was, roughly, $3K less than The Villages, and the same, or less, than a rebuilt cart from Villages Discount. Country Power has provided excellent service at our house, with a wait-time for an appointment of 1-2 weeks.

It's an interesting drive to Webster through "old Florida". The store is unique, being an old feed and seed store that was built with large wood beams. It is across from the Webster Markets, a large "flea market", if that sort of thing interests you.

One of my regular golfing partners got a deal similar to ours at Carts and Clubs in Ocala. However, his enclosure has regular "snaps" in the fabric while ours have the "soft touch" fasteners, which I highly recommend. Regular "snaps" are both harder to fasten and remove and, all too often, the fabric around the snap is torn if one is careless.

Wholesale Golf Carts ,,
15740 US-441, Summerfield, FL 34491
Free labor everafter to original qwner, pay for parts as needed.
Fetch and deliver for servicing.

Oh yes, part of the “Villages store is too expensive to buy at but I still want them to service my cart I bought elsewhere” crowd. Why didn’t you just haul your cart back to the dealer you purchased it from? Having the Villages service department available is part of the cost of a new cart purchase. I fully support them not servicing carts purchased there. Why do I want to get an appointment later than someone who bought the cart elsewhere? A smart company takes care of their customers, not someone else’s.

Providing services is the money maker for these operations. If they have the time after they take care of "their customers," why wouldn't they want to service others and charge them for it? If their labor force is not available, then I agree, service your customers first.

Just a heads up their golf carts are refurbished.

Also when buying outside TV be-careful of what type of warranty you're getting.

I'm a frugal person but I spent the extra at TV cars and anytime there is an issue they take me right away and even give me a loaner if I need.

No waiting for appointments or for some guy to show up in a van if there is an issue or a factory warranty issue.

I didn't mind paying extra for the convenience and peace of mind.

Good Luck.

Read the original question again
 

The original question was along the lines of "Has anyone purchased out of state or OUTSIDE THE BUBBLE" Webster and similar areas would be considered outside the bubble.

My neighbor just bought a nice Yamaha cart in Alabama for under $10k and had it shipped for $500 no sales tax either! This cart if bought at the Villages would be around $15k

Atlantic Coast
 

Before moving to TV, we lived on the Atlantic coast. We shopped lithium carts there thinking we’d save money. Unfortunately, they only configure the carts with small batteries (30 miles) because the neighborhoods are much smaller. The price was better and the sellers were willing to trailer the cart to TV for a fee. We would have had to find local service though - TV stores only want to service their carts.

It was tricky to find the cart shops - we usually found them by driving around.

Tsk. Tsk. Moderate your criticism. Note that the OP is also trying to save. Many of the posts to which you refer were very helpful in that regard.

There is a company that hauls cars and frequently posts their services on TOTV. I do not remember the company name, but maybe someone does? If the OP finds what he is looking for, maybe this company can deliver it to his door.

Poster did ask for shops "out of the area". Country is 30 miles from our home in Spanish Springs. To me that is out of the area.

Decal
 

Had similar happy results with them last summer. Coincidentally, the owner had just purchased another company that "prints" vinyl, custom decals. I emailed them one of my "fish" pics and they whipped up a couple of versions as a "test" and one of them now resides on the front of our cart.

Keep in mind if you buy out of state, they generally will only have a few on-hand (and overpriced) accessories and some 3rd party (Mad Jax) type stuff. Pretty basic. If you want liquid LEDs or rain enclosures or El Tigre seats, or self-cancelling turn signals, etc., you're not likely to find them at "Ye Old Cart Shoppe" in East Tennessee or wherever else.

Especially if you're looking at Yamaha. Yamaha generally builds "bulletproof" stuff, but they are a few years behind on innovation - whether that's golf carts, jet skis, or whatever else.

That's just been my observation and experience, YMMV. Flame away.

Might you know who he bought the cart from? What your neighbor did is exactly what I am trying to do.

then you should contact Yamaha and let them know what is going on at there biggest customer / dealer.

yamaha golf cart
 

Webster is the best place with the very best prices on Yamaha golf carts

We bought one of our 2 GCs at Plaza Golf Cart sales in Demopolis, AL for around $9k 2 yrs ago - brand new Quietech2 (I believe they're up to $9.5k now).

"no sales tax either". Well, you don't have to pay for it up front but if you want to remain in good standing with Uncle Sam, you WILL have to pay tax.

My cart came with a Yamaha warranty. ANY authorized Yamaha dealer is required to service carts still under warranty. That is why it is a FACTORY warranty guaranteed to be honored at all authorized dealers. The dealer is NOT losing money when they do the work. They are reimbursed by Yamaha at a predetermined rate. TV Carts just has so much business that they can use tactics such as I described to push customers away.

It amazes me that so many are willing to pay the ultra premium price at TV cart stores. I guess you are one of the sheep.

Great point. Just because a place sells Yamaha golf cars (Yamaha calls them cars, not carts, FWIW), does NOT mean they are "authorized."

To find authorized dealers near you: Find a Dealer | Golf Cart | Yamaha Golf Car

Yes! I've purchased a custom made cart from Golf Cart Warehouse in Ohio. They deliver to TV. Website is: JoeyKidd@GolfCartWarehouse.com

Great information. Thank you!

I have a question so bear with me. Are all golf cars built as basic models and then dealers customize them, or do you oder a golf car and the factory builds them to your specifications? I suspect some features are dealer installed but what items are installed at the factory? Seats ect?

You hit the nail on the head. What's "loaded" in one place would easily be considered a bare bones golf cart in TV. You need to compare model vs model and all of the add-ons. My 2015 Yamaha used cart came with over $4000 in add-ons. Turn signals, locking glovebox dashboard, and Sunbrella is pretty expensive. Most people posting about getting a new cart for $10k likely have no custom upholstery or any of the add-ons you're likely to expect in a TV Yamaha cart.

You can design your own cart at TV store, then they build what you want at their garage. They even do the custom paint there. You can even add options for 30 days with no labor charge.

If there are any problems you can go to any of their stores for help, plus a free loaner while being repaired for the life of your cart.

There is something to be said about peace of mind and a 5 year warranty.

Some like to toot their own horn.:gc:

No, It is still true, you get what you pay for. Love the no headaches when dealing with The Villages Golf Cart Stores.
One little example is that recently I went 10 inch golf cart tire shopping. Found the lowest price for 4 new tires at the TV stores by quite a lot.

Hmmm, no headaches with The Villages golf carts?? We wanted 10 inch tires when we bought my wife’s 2015 Club Car Precedent and they said that’s a great idea. The first turn we made going out of the parking lot the front tires were rubbing in the wheel well, something any competent dealer should have known would happen. A couple weeks later we got stranded when the carts starter generator belt snapped because the technician had it set way too tight. They hire inexperienced and inexpensive technicians and as soon as they learn their trade they go off on their own to make a decent living.

We had a significantly easier and lower stress experience using the combination Country Villages Power and Todd Casey for service.