Green Oak Golf Cart Sales- South Lyon, MI Exposed: Inspection refusals, hidden fees, missing items

(Serious Concern)

Whether you’re buying a refurbished golf cart for your RV campsite or a new unit with accessories, your best leverage is an independent inspection before paying in full. Request a comprehensive inspection by a qualified professional who understands electric systems (controllers, chargers, wiring harnesses, battery health), suspension, steering, brakes, and frame corrosion. Search locally using: RV Inspectors near me. Many mobile RV inspectors and powersports technicians perform thorough pre-purchase checks on carts, especially if lithium conversions or aftermarket lift kits are involved.

If the dealer refuses a third-party inspection, consider that a major red flag and walk away. After you sign, warranty repairs can queue behind new sales, and some buyers end up cancelling camping trips while waiting weeks (or months) for parts and service slots. Schedule the inspection, list all deficiencies in writing, and make any sale contingent on remediation.

(Serious Concern)

Public complaints reported across many powersports and RV-adjacent dealers often center on add-on charges and accessory bundling. At golf cart dealers, these can include lighting kits, lift kits, wheels/tires, seat upgrades, enclosures, chargers, and protection packages folded into the final bill. Some customers at this South Lyon location have posted critical feedback on Google regarding their pricing and sales communications; review the lowest-rated entries to see specifics. Before signing, require a written, itemized out-the-door price that lists every accessory, freight or prep fee, documentation fee, and taxes. Decline any add-ons you didn’t request.

(Moderate Concern)

Extended coverage can be valuable—but not when it duplicates factory coverage, hides exclusions, or costs more than the likely benefit. Read every line of any service contract for labor caps, part exclusions (batteries, controllers, chargers), and maintenance requirements that could void claims. Ask for the administrator’s name and a copy of the actual contract, not a brochure. If pressured, pause and compare third‑party options. Influencers and consumer advocates like Liz Amazing routinely break down how dealership add-ons and warranties can balloon the real purchase price.

(Moderate Concern)

Dealership-arranged financing may include marked-up rates, add-on insurance, or surprise “ancillary” products. Compare the dealer’s offer with your bank or credit union before stepping into the finance office. Under the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), the APR and total finance charges must be disclosed. Ask for a simple interest breakdown and remove anything you didn’t explicitly approve. If you feel rushed, stop and revisit later.

(Moderate Concern)

Some negative reviews across the industry cite trade-in offers far below fair market value, then reconditioning charges that reduce the allowance further. Document your cart’s condition with photos, service history, and independent valuation estimates before negotiating. If the store’s offer is significantly below market, get a second quote from another dealer or private sale marketplace.

(Serious Concern)

Unlike cars or RVs, standard golf carts generally aren’t titled for the road—but receipt of full purchase paperwork, warranty registration, charger documentation, and accessory invoices still matters. If you’re buying a low-speed vehicle (LSV) or a street-legal conversion, proper documents and registration support become critical. Public reviews for the South Lyon location include complaints about communications and post-sale follow-up; verify current patterns by checking the lowest-rated Google entries. Insist on getting all paperwork at delivery and confirm your warranty/registration has been processed.

(Serious Concern)

A common problem reported at many dealers: carts arrive missing accessories, or with substitutions (e.g., different tire set, different enclosure brand) without explicit approval. Lock down a detailed “we-owe” form with part numbers and installation deadlines. Withhold final payment until everything on that list is complete and inspected. Again, a pre-delivery, third‑party inspection is your strongest safeguard; search locally: RV Inspectors near me.

(Serious Concern)

Service complaints in this sector often cite issues such as mis-routed wiring, loose battery terminals, incorrect controller settings, steering play, brake adjustment problems, and poor fitment of aftermarket kits. Because electric carts depend on precise battery management, a simple wiring error can shorten battery life or create safety risks. If you’re buying a lithium conversion, ensure the installer is certified by the battery manufacturer and that the battery management system (BMS) is configured to spec. Document the pre-install and post-install condition with photos.

(Serious Concern)

Long waits for parts or unclear timelines are a recurring pain point across many dealerships. If your cart is in the shop during peak camping season, you can lose prepaid campground reservations. A written repair estimate with an ETA for parts and completion keeps everyone on the same page. Ask for a single point of contact and confirm updates in writing every week. If delays extend beyond reason, consider retrieving the cart and using a specialized independent shop to avoid missing your travel window.

(Moderate Concern)

Warranty disputes emerge when owners expect coverage on wear items (batteries, tires), aftermarket accessories, or damage attributed to misuse or improper charging. Know exactly what your warranty covers and keep proof of maintenance and charging habits. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act requires written warranties to be clear and enforceable; the dealer cannot void an entire warranty simply because you used third‑party parts, unless they can prove the part caused the failure. Keep everything in writing.

(Serious Concern)

Lithium battery conversions can substantially improve range and performance, but they introduce new hazards if the BMS, charger, and wiring are mismatched or poorly installed. Incorrect charge profiles or lack of proper fusing can lead to overheating. Always request the battery manufacturer’s installation certification, and a copy of the charger profile settings. Store and charge the cart away from living spaces and RVs. Verify recall status on any on-road LSV via the NHTSA portal; while traditional golf carts may fall outside typical NHTSA frameworks, some LSVs and components do appear in recalls: NHTSA recall search (use your cart’s brand/model).

(Serious Concern)

Lifted carts with larger wheels can change handling, braking distances, and steering geometry. Improper installation or lack of upgrade to braking systems may increase stopping distances—dangerous in crowded RV parks. Ask for proof of torque specs, alignment data, and any brake upgrades performed. Test at low speed and full load before accepting delivery.

(Moderate Concern)

Refurbished carts may look fresh but still hide frame corrosion, worn bushings, soft brakes, weak batteries, or tired chargers. Demand a battery load test printout, charger output verification, and a detailed refurbishment checklist with dates and who performed the work. A short road test on mixed surfaces is essential. If any doubt remains, bring an independent expert: RV Inspectors near me.

(Serious Concern)

Based on patterns visible in public complaints about dealers in this sector—including the criticisms you can read by sorting the South Lyon Google profile by Lowest rating—customers should be aware of their rights:

• Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act: Written warranties must be clear; tying warranty validity to use of branded parts is generally unlawful unless the dealer provides the part free of charge or proves causation. Learn more at the FTC: FTC Warranty Law Guide.
• Truth in Lending Act (TILA): Financing must disclose APR, finance charges, and total payments.
• FTC “Holder Rule”: If you finance through the dealer, certain claims and defenses can be brought against the holder of the credit contract.
• Michigan Consumer Protection Act (MCPA): Prohibits unfair, unconscionable, or deceptive practices in trade or commerce. Consumers may file complaints with the Michigan Attorney General: Michigan AG – File a Consumer Complaint.
• NHTSA Recalls: For street-legal LSVs or on-road components, check recalls as noted above.

If a dealer misrepresents condition, fails to deliver promised accessories, or delays paperwork unreasonably, preserve all documents, text messages, and dated photos. Consider a written demand letter and, if needed, contact the AG and the FTC complaint assistant: ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

(Moderate Concern)

• Pre-approve financing through your bank/credit union for rate comparison.
• Decide which accessories you truly need; price them independently.
• Print a checklist for inspection (frame, steering, brakes, batteries, charger data plate, tires, lights, horn, turn signals for LSVs).

(Serious Concern)

• Refuse to sign anything without an itemized out-the-door price.
• Demand a written “we-owe” with brands, part numbers, and install deadlines.
• Test drive on various surfaces; verify braking straight and true.
• Photograph serial numbers, battery installation, and wiring for reference.
• If denied a third-party inspection, walk away.

(Moderate Concern)

• Register warranties and keep copies of every invoice and message.
• Get repair ETAs in writing and escalate delays promptly.
• If misrepresentation occurred, file complaints with the Michigan AG and FTC.

(Serious Concern)

For RV owners and campers, a golf cart is more than a toy—it’s how you move your family and gear around crowded campgrounds. The stakes are safety, reliability, and the precious time of your limited camping season. The safest path is to buy with a paper trail, a third-party inspection, and clear exit options if promises aren’t met. If any element of the transaction at this South Lyon location feels rushed, opaque, or conditional on declining outside inspection, take your business elsewhere. Your leverage ends the moment the final signature clears.