Does it make sense to buy an untested cart with no batteries?

Wakko47 · 07-25-2020, 03:14 PM

Generally speaking, I would assume that someone saying "untested...as is" likely knows full well that it has issues and is simply disguising it, but who really knows? I'm in the market for a fixxer upper cart and sometimes see them with no batteries. Short of carrying a pile of batteries with me, is there a proper way to test the parts of the cart to verify that it really only needs batteries? From searching here, I see that motors are pretty durable, so if the cart IS DOA with fresh batteries, besides the cables, what's worst case scenario? Thanks for the newb help, folks.

kgsc · 07-25-2020, 03:26 PM

If it doesn’t run there really is no way to test anything. Worse case you could need everything. Motor, controller, cables, rear end. Unless it is a steal and it looks really good I wouldn’t touch it.

Wakko47 · 07-25-2020, 03:37 PM

Thanks for the advice. The specific one I saw today looks pretty abused, I'll let it go.

kgsc · 07-25-2020, 03:44 PM

Unless you just have extra parts it really isn’t worth it. If it is like $200 bucks maybe but the rest would have to be in good shape.

Swan · 07-25-2020, 04:54 PM

if you have a mindset of spending 3K to 4K on a cart already up and running but want to build one they way you want , then a few hundred for something that may or may not need big priced items could be worth the gamble .

The biggest thing I would look for is water damage like if it went swimming or not

Wakko47 · 07-25-2020, 06:54 PM

I’m looking to be in for 15-2000 tops, so my options are reduced.

Mooncarter · 07-25-2020, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wakko47

Generally speaking, I would assume that someone saying "untested...as is" likely knows full well that it has issues and is simply disguising it, but who really knows? I'm in the market for a fixxer upper cart and sometimes see them with no batteries. Short of carrying a pile of batteries with me, is there a proper way to test the parts of the cart to verify that it really only needs batteries? From searching here, I see that motors are pretty durable, so if the cart IS DOA with fresh batteries, besides the cables, what's worst case scenario? Thanks for the newb help, folks.

With no batteries it is worth the parts you are looking at.

With "fresh batteries" not running it is worth the parts you are looking at and the batteries.

You need to know what "fresh batteries" means to you and the person selling it.

Just this week had a guy selling a cart with "new" batteries stamped 7/2017.

Happens every day.

DaveTM · 07-26-2020, 05:38 AM

"New batteries" may just mean "new to the seller".

07-25-2020, 03:14 PM	#1
Wakko47 Gone Loco Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,123	Does it make sense to buy an untested cart with no batteries? Generally speaking, I would assume that someone saying "untested...as is" likely knows full well that it has issues and is simply disguising it, but who really knows? I'm in the market for a fixxer upper cart and sometimes see them with no batteries. Short of carrying a pile of batteries with me, is there a proper way to test the parts of the cart to verify that it really only needs batteries? From searching here, I see that motors are pretty durable, so if the cart IS DOA with fresh batteries, besides the cables, what's worst case scenario? Thanks for the newb help, folks.

07-25-2020, 03:26 PM	#2
kgsc Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Aiken, SC Posts: 13,141	Re: Does it make sense to buy an untested cart with no batteries? If it doesn’t run there really is no way to test anything. Worse case you could need everything. Motor, controller, cables, rear end. Unless it is a steal and it looks really good I wouldn’t touch it.

07-25-2020, 03:37 PM	#3
Wakko47 Gone Loco Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,123	Re: Does it make sense to buy an untested cart with no batteries? Thanks for the advice. The specific one I saw today looks pretty abused, I'll let it go.

07-25-2020, 03:44 PM	#4
kgsc Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Aiken, SC Posts: 13,141	Re: Does it make sense to buy an untested cart with no batteries? Unless you just have extra parts it really isn’t worth it. If it is like $200 bucks maybe but the rest would have to be in good shape.

07-25-2020, 04:54 PM	#5
Swan Cave Dweller Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Always On The Move Posts: 22,217	Re: Does it make sense to buy an untested cart with no batteries? if you have a mindset of spending 3K to 4K on a cart already up and running but want to build one they way you want , then a few hundred for something that may or may not need big priced items could be worth the gamble . The biggest thing I would look for is water damage like if it went swimming or not

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07-25-2020, 06:54 PM	#6
Wakko47 Gone Loco Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,123	Re: Does it make sense to buy an untested cart with no batteries? I’m looking to be in for 15-2000 tops, so my options are reduced.

07-26-2020, 05:38 AM	#8
DaveTM Gone Wild Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Southwestern Pa. Posts: 6,214	Re: Does it make sense to buy an untested cart with no batteries? "New batteries" may just mean "new to the seller".

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