Shifting Your Mindset From Personal Appeal To Return On Investment
When purchasing a Street Legal Golf Cart for your rental property, the goal is to maximize profits, not personal preference. Many buyers lose sight of this and choose a cart based on their own tastes rather than the cart’s functionality. That mistake can cost them in the long run.
Many golf carts on the market look great and come at attractive prices, but most are not built to withstand the demands of a rental property. Only a few brands and models can handle the wear and tear of frequent renters. Choosing a cart based on aesthetics or cost alone is a costly mistake.
At Sharky’s Golf Carts, we help customers maximize their return on investment. The first step is to remove personal preference from the decision. We have been in this industry for over a decade and know what works. The principles we share are the same ones we follow. We understand what generates profit, what increases costs, and what matters most to renters. They care about having their expectations met. By following our guide, you can purchase a cart that makes you money and keeps your customers satisfied.
Used Carts
Many rental owners consider buying a used golf cart to save money. At first glance, it seems logical. Why spend twelve to twenty thousand dollars on a cart you may never personally use when a four-thousand-dollar option is available? Before making that decision, ask yourself what your property is worth.
If your vacation rental is a high-end property, your customers expect a high-end experience. That includes a reliable golf cart. Some owners hesitate to invest in a high-quality cart because they worry renters will damage it. This is a valid concern, but the same guests who might damage your cart can also cause wear and tear on your property.
Vacation rentals come with risks. If you are not prepared to take on those risks, this may not be the right business for you. Being cheap will not help you succeed. Making strategic and well-planned investments will.
That does not mean you must spend twenty thousand dollars on a cart. Even in our own rental fleet, our carts do not exceed thirteen thousand dollars. However, trying to save money by purchasing a used cart for a few thousand dollars is a mistake.
Most used carts on the market have already endured years of heavy use and exposure to Florida’s harsh weather. They often lack a warranty, and many golf cart brands have gone out of business over the years. If you do not buy from a reputable dealership, there is no way to guarantee access to replacement parts or reliable service.
Unlike the auto industry, the golf cart market does not have a CarFax system to track a cart’s history. Buying a used cart increases the likelihood of breakdowns, which leads to more phone calls to your property manager, higher repair costs, and a greater chance of receiving negative reviews. Your golf cart is an extension of your rental property. It can be a tool that helps you generate thousands of dollars per year or a liability that costs you time and money. Nickel and diming at the grocery store can save you money not in the rental business.
Carts With Too Many Features
Another common mistake rental owners make is buying a golf cart with unnecessary features. Many modern golf carts come loaded with touchscreens, light kits, Bluetooth speakers, and push-to-start buttons. While these features may seem appealing, they are built for show rather than durability.
Manufacturers often use low-cost materials to keep prices down while still making carts appear high-end. Many of the touchscreens found in new carts cost as little as ten dollars to produce. Unlike automobiles, where manufacturers invest heavily in advanced electronics, golf cart companies often spend no more than two hundred dollars on all the electronic components combined.
Cheap electronics break quickly. Touchscreens are usually the first component to fail because they are not designed for heavy use or Florida’s intense heat and humidity. These screens and other electronics are only covered by a limited warranty that often does not extend beyond six months.
Bluetooth speakers and other electronics follow the same pattern. Most manufacturers do not use high-quality, marine-grade audio systems in their carts. Instead, they use inexpensive, low-quality components that sound just as cheap as they cost. These features create the illusion of luxury but do not deliver real value.
When purchasing a golf cart for your rental property, simplicity is the best option. The fewer unnecessary features a cart has, the fewer items can break. This is why all of our rental carts are free of touchscreens, push-to-start buttons, decorative undercarriage lighting, and factory-installed Bluetooth systems. Instead, we purchase our carts in stock condition and install any necessary features ourselves, using quality components from trusted manufacturers.
Lifted Golf Carts
Lifted golf carts are popular due to their stylish appearance, but they come with risks. Their higher center of gravity increases the likelihood of tipping, especially when renters take sharp or fast turns.
Many vacationing families include elderly guests or individuals with mobility challenges. Lifted carts make it more difficult for these individuals to get in and out safely. They may look appealing, but they are not practical for rental use.
At Sharky’s, we do not use lifted carts in our rental fleet because the risks outweigh the benefits. Aesthetic appeal is not worth the increased chance of a totaled cart, an injured guest, or a potential lawsuit.
Brands That Do Not Warranty Rental Carts
One of the most common and costly surprises rental owners face is denied warranty coverage. Many golf cart brands do not provide full warranty coverage for rental use, and some offer only limited protection. The worst time to find out your cart is not covered is when it needs repairs.
At Sharky’s Golf Carts, we only recommend carts that are suitable for rental properties. We sell a variety of brands with different warranty options, but not every brand we carry is suited for rental use. Over the years, we have learned these lessons the hard way, and we pass that knowledge on to our customers so they can avoid expensive mistakes.