A GUIDE TO SELLING GOKART
Contents:
1. Background
2. The GoKart
3. Options
4. Accessories
5. Prices
6. Ordering
7. Delivery
8. Handing over to the customer
9. Warranty and Service
10. Selling tips
11. FAQ – Pro
12. FAQ – Customer
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A bit of background;
The GoKart electric trolley has proved to be immensely popular since it’s launch in 2007. At
first we could only sell direct to golfers; it was the only way to manufacture in the UK, and sell
for a competitive price. Now, with sales growing month by month, our stronger position as a
manufacturer allows us to factor in a trade price.
We are planning for exposure in Pro Shops to be a big part of our future growth, and we’re
keen to support Pros in every way we can. We have a fantastic reputation for making a reliable
product as well as keeping customers happy. That means we’ll look after you AND your
customer in a way that’ll really impress.
Designing and building electric golf trolleys isn’t new to us. We’ve actually been around the
business since 1983, involved with launching Powakaddy. After this we founded Hillbilly. And
now GoKart is our most recent project. Over the years we’ve learnt the value of exceeding
customers’ expectations, both in terms of product and service. Our values are really very
simple; nothing is more important than keeping the customer happy and doing things the right
way for them. Old fashioned? Maybe. Successful? Yes. Something we plan on keeping up? You
can bet on it.
The GoKart
Our trolley is a completely different take on the conventional tubular frames of most electric
trolleys. It’s designed to make use of modern lightweight materials, to give maximum strength
and durability, but with a distinctive, ultra-modern look. It includes the most popular features
customers demand, without adding the cost and complication of less essential gizmos. This
fresh approach makes selling the GoKart a simple, easily explained proposition. It’s already
well established in the crowded trolley market, and with a well proven track record.
Options
The most popular product combination is the black with white wheels and touch of green logo,
with Automatic speed control, and standard battery. This is the product we recommend is
stocked in shops, which will appeal to the widest audience. It goes with everything the
customer may already have, and is our top seller.
Other colours and battery types are available, as well a conventional speed control system.
The alternative colours are; green, blue, red, orange, pink. We also have a long range lead acid
battery, or a long range lithium battery. If you don’t have in stock exactly what the customer
wants, we can deliver to you, or them, usually the next working day.
The GoKart is available with a choice of two different speed control systems; the standard or
the Automatic. The Automatic is our clever new system that does away with the need to
manually adjust the trolley’s speed. For people used the conventional speed controllers, it
takes a round or two to getting used to it, but has become our most popular option.
Accessories
We have a full range of branded accessories available;
Trolley transit bag
Umbrella holder
Bottle holder
GPS device holder
Seat
Umbrella
Golf bag raincover
Hedgehog wheels
Golf bag (in all six GoKart colours)
Golf bag travel bag
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Prices
Trade prices are available on application.
Ordering
You can contact us via telephone or email to order, on 0800 254 0121 or trade@gokart.co.uk.
We can dispatch direct to your customer or to your shop. This is the info you’ll need to get
you’re your customer for the order you send to us;
1) Type of GoKart – Standard or Automatic speed control
2) Type of battery required – Standard lead/acid, long range lead/acid or Lithium.
3) Colour – The standard neutral colour scheme or red, blue, green, orange or pink
4) Any accessories?
5) Where to deliver – their place or yours?
6) When to deliver – If required, you can specify any working day for delivery.
7) If delivering to your customer, their name, address, telephone number, email address
and mobile number. The mobile and email address are important so the courier can
keep them informed of the delivery time.
Delivery
Delivery to all mainland UK addresses is included in all prices. Delivery is usually the next
working day after we receive your order. Whenever possible we aim to dispatch orders
received before 3pm that same day, so it all happens very quickly. Our courier, DPD, will text
and email an estimated hour’s delivery slot to make life easier.
Handing over to the customer
The GoKart has a neat folding system; it’s really fast and simple, but different to all other golf
trolleys. The Automatic speed control is also unique; it’s totally intuitive and easy for anyone to
use, but again it may be different to what your customer is used to. We recommend you
demonstrate all of the GoKart’s features to your customer if you get the chance.
The most important part in preparing a GoKart for use is inserting the battery. Once fitted, the
battery becomes part of the trolley frame, and it locks the GoKart in the open position. There is
also no separate battery connection to mess with; it hooks up to the trolley automatically when
fitted. Make sure your customer realizes they need to learn how the battery locates, and that it
doesn’t require any force, or great strength to fit.
The Automatic speed control is simple to demonstrate to your customer. It’s a good idea to lift
the wheels off the ground and show them how pushing or pulling on the handle changes the
motor speed.
There’s a customer pack that includes an owners manual in case they don’t quite absorb
everything you tell them There is also an instructional video on the GoKart website;
www.gokart.co.uk/video.
Please encourage your customer to register the warranty with us, it’ll make things a lot
smoother if they need to contact us in the future. They can either register online or send us the
card that is in their starter pack.
Warranty and Service
The GoKart is covered by a two year warranty (lead/acid battery one year).
In the first year, if there is any fault caused by faulty materials, design or workmanship, GoKart
will put it right free of charge. The second year of the warranty is exactly the same, apart from if
the fault requires the trolley to be returned to the factory, there is a £28 charge to the
customer to cover shipping costs.
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In addition to this, we offer a unique service to purchasers of new GoKarts; if their trolley is off
the road, we will send them a loan trolley while theirs is repaired. This service is completely
free of charge, whether the trolley is in or out of warranty, and is available to owners for as
long as they own the trolley.
If your customer has a service issue, we’ll happily deal direct with them. Of course they may
like to speak to you, but we’re geared up to look after all GoKart owners, so it’s often the best
way of getting problems solved fast. If you do have to report a problem to us on behalf of a
customer, please make sure you give us their name and contact details, as we may have to
speak to them anyway. If it’s necessary for us to collect a trolley for a factory repair, there may
be times when it’s more convenient to collect or deliver to your premises, but that’s about all
we’d ask from you. We can do the rest.
Out of warranty; we aim to keep the cost of repairs as low as possible, and do have a
reputation for fairness and a common sense approach to solving problems. Parts are not
expensive and we don’t charge for labour. Carriage to and from the factory is currently
charged at £28. We’ll give the customer an idea of how much the repair is likely to cost when
they report the problem.
Feedback from customers is that the service they receive from us is, quite simply, unlike any
other company they’ve dealt with. We’re absolutely committed to maintaining this quality of
service for your customers too.
Selling tips - What’s good about GoKarts?
Lots. But you’ll want a few little soundbites for when people ask you this question;
Folded size; fold it down sometimes in the shop, and display it like this and you’ll get lots of
comments as to how much smaller and neater it is than the usual trolleys. The GoKart will fit
into even the tiniest of car boots.
Power; it really does go. Turn it on full and you’ll be jogging. We want it to have enough power
to get up the steepest of slopes with ease. There’s nothing more annoying than striding out
and having to slow down for a trolley to keep up. That won’t happen with a GoKart.
Design; Admittedly rather different, which is what we intended. The materials we’ve used
enable us to design and build it in a completely different way from your usual trolleys.
Strength; the materials we’ve used are incredibly tough and can withstand all the rigours of the
golf course. And it won’t fade, rust or deteriorate.
It’s designed and made in the UK; we make it ourselves in our purpose built factory in Kent,
and we’re proud of what we produce.
It’s so easy to use on the course; there’s just no fuss. You unfold it easily, the battery just drops
into place (so no connectors) and off you go…on the course it couldn’t be simpler to control.
With the Automatic you don’t even have to adjust the speed, it just matches your walking pace
as you hold the handle.
FAQ - Pro
Q1 Can I offer my customer the ‘Bundle’ deal – two accessories with a trolley and £20 off?
A. Yes you can but we have to meet you in the middle on this one. We’ll give you £10 off your
price and you absorb the other £10 discount. We’re keen for you to be able to offer the same
deals as we do, but this one’s been running for a while and we just can’t cover the £20
discount and a trade price to you. It’s a popular offer and quite often something that just gets
the deal, so we do want you to benefit from it as well. Please make sure you order from us at
least two accessories with each trolley, and you’ll automatically receive the additional discount
from us.
Q2. You offer a 28 day return policy, can I offer that to my customers too?
A. You can – but to stop it becoming unwieldy it has to work like this;
i)The customer pays you the full price in the normal way.
ii) If they decide not to keep the GoKart they have to apply to us, and we will refund them their
full purchase price.
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iii) We will charge you a £10 administration fee.
Q3. What happens if something goes wrong?
A. We deal with the customer direct. They will have registered their trolley with us, so we’ll
have their details on our records – so when they phone or email we’ll have the history, age of
trolley and so on. We’ll arrange for whatever needs to be done to fix things – whether it’s a
part to send out or a collection for repair. It’s likely you won’t have to be involved at all unless a
delivery is more convenient to your shop. We pride ourselves on looking after customers
efficiently and quickly. You can trust us absolutely to take care of things.
Q4. How do you deliver?
A. You place your order with us via telephone or email. We can usually deliver the next
working day, either to you, or direct to your customer. If we are to deliver direct to your
customer, please take their name, address, telephone number, mobile number and email
address. We can dispatch to your shop if that’s better of course. An email and text message is
sent out to advise a one hour estimated delivery window, which can be handy for customers.
Q5. Do you have a trade price list?
A. Trade prices are available on application. Please email full details to trade@gokart.co.uk, or
complete the enquiry form online at www.gokart.co.uk/tradecontact.
Q6. Can I open an account with you
A. Yes, we can usually quickly set up a credit account for you on application. Standard
payment terms are 30 days from invoice. Please download and complete the account
application form from here; www.gokart.co.uk/accountapplication
Q7. Have you got any deals or special offers?
A. If we have a special offer on the website that we offer direct, you’ll be able to offer your
customers the same deal. Typically we have offers in the run up to Christmas and occasionally
through the year. We’ll alert you to these on the trade page of the site, and also email you with
news. We currently have the bundle offer running, which gives customers a £20 discount if
they buy a trolley with two accessories.
Q8. My customer wants a different colour, is that possible?
A. Yes we can supply any of the GoKart colours for an order. We recommend the more neutral
black and white colour scheme for stock as that’s the one that is mostly likely to attract the
largest audience. But yes, the other colours are just as available. Just tell us when you send
the order through.
Q9. My customer doesn’t know what battery to choose?
A. Very often people want to buy the long range battery just to have more power in reserve.
Maybe they’ve had bad experiences with golf batteries in the past. With GoKart, we really
recommend they stick to the standard 18 hole battery unless they play 36 regularly. It can cope
with 18 on the longest course easily, and even the odd 27 (a bit of tecchie background for you
to explain why batteries are well behaved on GoKarts – our patented gear design is superefficient and means the GoKart uses less power to get round than the average trolley). The
larger long distance battery is fine if you need it, but it is a lot heavier. The lithium option, is a
great choice – long lasting, light, easy to use and quick to charge, but of course a lot more
expensive.
Q10. Is there a full range of accessories?
A. Oh yes…transit bag (top seller), brolly holder (close second), golf bag (very good price for a
quality bag, looks great on the trolley), bottle holder, umbrella, device holder, hedgehog
wheels, flight case for golf bag, seat, furry dice…
Q11. Which speed control is best; Standard or Automatic?
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A. Automatic. Particularly if they’ve never had an electric trolley before. But even if they’re used
to a manual roller, the Automatic takes very little getting used to. It really is just a case of
holding the handle and walking. Sounds very lazy, but try it for yourself and you’ll see what we
mean…
FAQs from customers
- for the last five years or so we’ve got used to the questions that people ask about the GoKart
before they buy, so here’s what to expect...
Q1. What type of battery do I need, I want to be sure I have enough power. Shall I get the larger
battery just in case?
A. There’s no need to get a 36 hole battery for overkill – stick with the 18 hole battery unless
you intend to play 36 regularly. It’s lighter to move around the place but has more than enough
power for 18 or 27 holes (and even the occasional 36).
Q2. How long does a battery last
A. Sadly this is impossible to answer for sure, given the technology of lead acid batteries,
which do vary. We guarantee it for a year, but they can last considerably longer than this.
Lithium is a different matter, we guarantee those for two years but in practice they do
consistently last longer.
Q3. How does the Automatic work
A. It’s a simple switch arrangement that accelerates or decelerates according to whether the
handle senses any pressure. So when you’re walking faster than the trolley it immediately
knows that (although you’re not aware of pushing) and the opposite happens when you slow
down your pace.
Q4. Does the Automatic work like a ‘dead man’s handle’? Do I have to hold on all the time?
A. No, you don’t have to hold the handle all the time. Once you’re walking, if you let go, the
trolley will continue running at the same speed. If you want to stop, go faster or slow down, just
grab the handle again and the Automatic will change it’s speed accordingly.
Q5. What’s the switch for that I can see on the Automatic handle?
A. It’s an isolator switch. If you leave the trolley unattended, outside the clubhouse for
example, manually moving the trolley won’t cause the motor to start. Once out on the course,
this switch is not used.
Q6. Will the Automatic still work if I’m wearing gloves?
A. Yes. You can wear anything you like on your hands, and the Automatic will work just fine.
Q7. I like to switch off down hills. Can I still do this with the Automatic?
A. You don’t have to. The GoKart Automatic will automatically switch off the motor when you
go down hills.
Q8. Does it need regular servicing
A. No, not at all. And there’s nothing you need to do it to maintain it yourself. Just charge the
battery and wash it every now and again if you fancy.
Q9. Can I use it without a battery, like a manual trolley?
A. No, because the battery locks the frame in place and is an integral part of the GoKart. But if
you have a battery problem you can just freewheel the trolley in front of you and use it like
that.
Q10. How long does it take to recharge the battery?
A. Up to 8 hours; the light on the charger turns green when it’s raring to go again.
Q11. What if I lose it in the boot of my car?
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A. GoKart search party hotline is 01227 712288
Q12. BUT IT’S PLASTIC? How can it be strong enough?
A. That’s what they said to Mr.Dyson too…modern plastic technology allows for exactly the
right formulation moulded in exactly the right way to produce the maximum performance in
terms of strength and efficiency. We’ve enlisted industry experts from the word go. In fact the
design won some serious national and international awards for innovation and quality of end
product. Plastic fantastic.
Q13. How long have you been making them? Are they proven?
A. We’ve been making GoKart since 2007, although we spent a long time testing before that.
Prior to that we produced the Hillbilly golf trolley, and prior to that the family business was
Powakaddy. The two partners have each been involved in golf trolley design, production and
sales for over 25 years. They realized when they came up with the concept of GoKart that it
was going off on a completely different tangent to your average golf trolley – but were keen to
push the boundaries of design and produce something very different.
Q14. Is there any sort of remote option?
A. No, not on this model. The Automatic handle doesn’t act like a remote.
Q15. Can I use my own golf bag on it?
A. Yes, all cart bags work a treat without twisting or turning. Some stand bags might need a bit
of tactical positioning but will also fit. Tour bags are ok too.
Q16. I already have a garage full of golf batteries, will any of them fit?
A. The GoKart battery is pretty standard so it’s possible. There are two things that are
important – the size and the position of the terminals. There’s a page on the GoKart website
with detailed guidance; http://www.gokart.co.uk/the-go-kart/i-already-have-a-battery/
Q17. Can I use hedgehog wheels on a GoKart?
A. Yes, we produce a set of three wheels for winter use.
Q18. What if I have a problem? What happens then?
A. When you buy a GoKart we ask you to register with us as an owner (either online or by
posting us a card that is supplied with the new trolley). If you need us for anything then you’ll
have our number and email contact and we can do whatever is necessary to sort things out
quickly for you. This may be a case of posting out a part for a simple fit at home, or collecting
the trolley (leaving you a loaner if you need one) for some attention back at base. We are fast,
efficient and aim to make the whole process pain free. When you buy a GoKart you have the
assurance of the highest quality back up service in the business. That’s a promise.
Q19. Is it ok to take the GoKart battery on a plane?
A. In theory yes. Both our lead/acid and lithium batteries are classified as non-hazardous,
sealed and non-spillable and safe for transit by any means. However, we have heard of some
airlines not accepting this, and having their own definitions. If you need to take your GoKart for
a holiday, check with your airline first.
Q20. Does the GoKart freewheel?
A. Yes. It freewheels in the direction it drives, so forward. This means that when you are going
downhill, it’s not using any power.
Q21. What kind of slope can a GoKart cope with?
A. Anything you can walk up without climbing gear. It’s seriously powerful.
Q22. How fast does a GoKart go?
A. Fast. At full pelt you’d need a steady jog to keep up with it.
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Q23. What’s the maximum weight a GoKart can carry?
A. We recommend about 15kgs is a sensible maximum. We don’t say this is the most it will
carry, but if you overload the trolley you will have to replace the battery more regularly.
Q24. I have two batteries and I use them in rotation. Do I need two chargers?
A. No. The important point to remember is that once charged, our batteries stay fully charged
for several weeks when disconnected from the charger. The method with two batteries and
one charger is as follows: Starting with both batteries fully charged, have one on the charger
and one standing by off the charger. When you play, use the battery which is NOT on charge.
When you come back, take the other battery off charge and put the one just used on charge.
Repeat this routine every time and you will use each battery equally and will never go out to
play with a flat battery (on your golf trolley).
Q25. Can I use a pressure washer to clean the GoKart?
A. If you’re careful. You must avoid spraying directly at the ventilation slots in the central drive
unit. This might force water past the seals, and into the works. It’s OK to spray directly at the
wheels though.
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