Got boned. Royally.

[Steve H]

Last winter I purchased a used golf cart from a dealer in Florida. Looked like a good deal. But not even putting 10 miles on it. There's a bad grinding noise in the rear end. And it 15 mph. It shakes....bad.
Took it to a golf cart dealer near the camp. Axle slightly bent. Rear drive gear box failing. Uber ticked. Then he lands the blow. He feels that the cart got immersed in salt water. Heavy corrosion. Cabling is going to fail.
The dealer in Florida pretty much said tough. You're just now seeing these issues? No kidding. I bought it in winter. And didn't really drive until last month.
So, I'm looking into what I can do with this. And a few hours ago. I bought this.

Brand new Epic E40L. Sweet white pearl paint. He threw in nerf bars for free. Not installed yet.
51 volt lithium. Lifted. With 10.1 display. LEDs through out. Overhead sound bar. Loaded model.

 

[sandyut]

Like the new one Steve.

Is there any legal recourse on the used one? Laws about selling flooded autos and such. Seems like the dealer had to have known. Sorry that happened brother. That sh*t burns me up.

 

[smokerjim]

Good luck with the new ride Steve. Sucks that some of these salespeople are real scumbags, think I would arrange to have it air dropped through his roof.

 

[sandyut]

Good luck with the new ride Steve. Sucks that some of these salespeople are real scumbags, think I would arrange to have it air dropped through his roof.

I like that plan Jim!

 

[pineywoods]

Nice ride Steve that should get you around.
I think if it was flooded he has to by law inform you of that before the sale

 

[normanaj]

Bought yourself a hurricane car(t) did ya?

Not much recourse than to live and learn. Buying ANYTHING motorized from Florida when you are out of state is a major red flag,this a PT Barnum moment my friend. 42 years my wife has been in the insurance industry and this I guarantee.

 

[jcam222]

Nice news ride Steve! Hope you can sue the rip off artist.

 

[normanaj]

Nice news ride Steve! Hope you can sue the rip off artist.

Likelihood is pretty much 0%. That's why they do it.

 

[sandyut]

AI says you may be able to do something:

If you bought the golf cart used from a dealer in New York, and the dealer did not disclose that it had been flooded with salt water, you may have a meaningful claim depending on the facts.

In New York, even for used vehicles and equipment sold "as is," a dealer generally cannot:

• Make false statements about the condition.
• Conceal known material defects.
• Engage in deceptive business practices.

Salt-water flood damage is usually considered a significant defect because it can cause ongoing corrosion of wiring, controllers, batteries, frames, connectors, and electrical components long after the cart appears to work normally.

What strengthens your case

• The dealer knew or should have known about the flood history.
• The cart was advertised as being in excellent condition, fully serviced, or similar.
• A technician can document that the corrosion is consistent with prior salt-water exposure.
• You purchased it recently.
• The damage was not obvious to a reasonable buyer at the time of sale.

Evidence to gather

• Sales contract and bill of sale.
• Advertisement or listing screenshots.
• Texts, emails, or messages with the dealer.
• Photos of corrosion and damage.
• A written report from a golf cart mechanic documenting salt-water damage.
• Any information about where the cart came from (for example, coastal areas affected by hurricanes).

Practical next step

Before hiring a lawyer, send the dealer a written demand:

1. Explain that an inspection found evidence of prior salt-water flooding.
2. Include the mechanic's report and photos.
3. Request a specific remedy (refund, buyback, repair costs, etc.).
4. Give a reasonable deadline (e.g., 10–14 days).

Many dealers will negotiate once they see documented evidence.

 

[normanaj]

If you bought the golf cart used from a dealer in New York,

Last winter I purchased a used golf cart from a dealer in Florida.

That pretty much says it all.

Hate to be a doom and gloomer but these people do it for a reason...because they can. Even if you sue the Fla dealer and in some bizarre way win,by the time you're finished it will have cost you many times over the price of the product and the dealer will have done this to so many other people it will have cost him nothing.

 

[chopsaw]

Yeah sometimes you just have to cut the loss . Looks like you're already moving on with the new one .
Probably good chance at some point " sold as is " is documented somewhere .

Bought yourself a hurricane car(t) did ya?

Insurance most likely paid off on it , then the guy sells it on top of that .
I agree with what's being said about the option of going after the guy , not really being an option .
Only 1 thing that might work in Steve's favor , is if the title was sent to him by mail .
My sister in law bought a car that was not honestly " represented " at time of sale .
When she paid it off , and the title was mailed , the Post master General got involved and actually got her money back for the whole damn car . Used car and the odometer had been turned back .
Don't know all the ins and outs of that , but I think she got 14K which is what she paid for it used .

 

[Steve H]

Yeah sometimes you just have to cut the loss . Looks like you're already moving on with the new one .
Probably good chance at some point " sold as is " is documented somewhere .

Insurance most likely paid off on it , then the guy sells it on top of that .
I agree with what's being said about the option of going after the guy , not really being an option .
Only 1 thing that might work in Steve's favor , is if the title was sent to him by mail .
My sister in law bought a car that was not honestly " represented " at time of sale .
When she paid it off , and the title was mailed , the Post master General got involved and actually got her money back for the whole damn car . Used car and the odometer had been turned back .
Don't know all the ins and outs of that , but I think she got 14K which is what she paid for it used .

Title was mailed. Used that card. He stated he had no idea that it may have been flood damaged. And he got it in a trade. He's full of dung there. I did suggest interstate fraud. He came back. And offered 50% retribution. The battery has two years left on the warranty. And I should be able to get a good sum of my money back. I got 750.00 off the cart. And free nerf bars. I'm ok as long as I get the money back in 5 business days. Still out about a grand. Could have been worse.
I got a sweet ride now!

 

[sandyut]

Title was mailed. Used that card. He stated he had no idea that it may have been flood damaged. And he got it in a trade. He's full of dung there. I did suggest interstate fraud. He came back. And offered 50% retribution. The battery has two years left on the warranty. And I should be able to get a good sum of my money back. I got 750.00 off the cart. And free nerf bars. I'm ok as long as I get the money back in 5 business days. Still out about a grand. Could have been worse.
I got a sweet ride now!

Good to hear you are getting something. But he is full of sh*t.

 

[bigfurmn]

Last winter I purchased a used golf cart from a dealer in Florida. Looked like a good deal. But not even putting 10 miles on it. There's a bad grinding noise in the rear end. And it 15 mph. It shakes....bad.
Took it to a golf cart dealer near the camp. Axle slightly bent. Rear drive gear box failing. Uber ticked. Then he lands the blow. He feels that the cart got immersed in salt water. Heavy corrosion. Cabling is going to fail.
The dealer in Florida pretty much said tough. You're just now seeing these issues? No kidding. I bought it in winter. And didn't really drive until last month.
So, I'm looking into what I can do with this. And a few hours ago. I bought this.

View attachment 736387

Brand new Epic E40L. Sweet white pearl paint. He threw in nerf bars for free. Not installed yet.
51 volt lithium. Lifted. With 10.1 display. LEDs through out. Overhead sound bar. Loaded model.

Don't get mad, get even. Light up the dealership on every single platform you can find. Look for them to delete them then rewrite them. Earn other people to check for things like that. You light them up enough for long enough, they will notice and either do something or threaten to sue you.

 

[chopsaw]

I did suggest interstate fraud.

The deal with my Sister in law was something " someone " was watching . She had no idea , but as soon as she recieved the title and had it switched , she got a letter stating the fraud . Long time before internet . Hope you get something out of it .

 

[Steve H]

The deal with my Sister in law was something " someone " was watching . She had no idea , but as soon as she recieved the title and had it switched , she got a letter stating the fraud . Long time before internet . Hope you get something out of it .

I got some. Money was in my paypal account this morning. He requested the title back. Which isn't going to happen. I'm selling it for what I can. And the title goes with it. There's some pretty savvy golfcart people here at the camp. They are saying I should get 2500.00 for it as a project. Especially since the battery has two more years of warranty. A new differential is only as few hundred. The shaft about 50.00.
If I get 2500.00 for it. And with the money he refunded. I'm out 500.00 Chalk that up to lesson learned.
I should just have bought new to begin with.

 

[chopsaw]

At that , I'd move past it . I know that's what you're doing . Sounds like he knows he " blanked " you . You're probably not alone there .
Lol . I bet he was shocked when you called him . Prk probably thought he got away with it .
Why would he get the title back ? Probably knows he still liable somehow . Trying to bury it .
He wants the title refund the rest of it .

 

[normanaj]

Glad you got something out of it,wonder how many others took it on the chin and got nothing.