HOW DID LAKES AREA GOLF CARTS GET STARTED? Back in 1996, Doug Ebeling of “Dougs TV and Appliance”, sold the appliance business to Pat & Amy Gralish. That was when he started Doug’s Golf Cars. For him, I think it was more of a hobby than anything. But being the talented businessman that he is, he did good with it, and built it into a decent business. I was a Chisago City transplant, arriving in 2016, and at that time had my own small trucking company. I had prevoiously spent 23 years in the music business as a Tour Manager & Sound Engineer. The trucking industry was a business that I did not care for, but low and behold, a couple years later I learned from a neighbor that Doug was interested in selling the golf car business. Doug and I spent about 6 months discussing the idea in 2018, We came to an agreement for me to buy the biz, conditioned on him coming in and working for me every day of my first season, so I could learn from him. What a wealth of knowledge he was! Keeping the trucking company going allowed me make a smooth transition from one biz to the other, eventually shutting the trucking company down. Luckily enough, I got into golf carts at the right time, just as they started to explode in popularity, and continue to do so!
WHAT MAKES YOUR BUSINESS UNIQUE COMPARED TO OTHER DEALERS OR REPAIR SHOPS? I have always had an ingrained desire to please people.This also applies to running my business. I want each and every customer to walk out of here happy! I actually lose sleep at night if i know someone is not happy with the services we provided them. And I am then determined to fix it! This applies to everything, sales, service, rentals, or even just advice on what could be the problem with someone’s cart who has called in.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT SERVING THE CHISAGO LAKES COMMUNITY? The people! What an amazing community we have here. As a transplant, I truly feel blessed having landed here. My wife, Kelly and I found this area after searching out where we would like to raise our young boy who is now 8. We couldnt have gotten any more lucky than here!
ARE THERE ANY NEW PRODUCTS, SERVICES, OR PROMOTIONS THAT RESIDENTS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT? These are not the golf carts of old…… What we sell are Low Speed Vehicles (LSV’s). Fully street legal vehicles that are now becoming legal to drive on city streets in community after community. Don’t take your truck up to get coffee….hop on your street legal golf cart! Of course, we still deal in standard golf carts. customized golf carts, and straight up beaters, just to get around the yard!As we go into the off season we are now running our FALL SALE. $1,000 off select new carts & $500 of select pre-owned carts, PLUS FREE storage until next spring, or a FREE cover! And as always, we are open all year round, and offer service discounts in the winter. If your cart needs work, an upgrade, or just a tune up. DO NOT wait until next spring when we wil be backlogged to get the work done. Get it done this winter and save some $$$ and time.
IF SOMEONE IS CONSIDERING BUYING OR SERVICING A GOLF CART, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THEM? Do your research. Especially for new carts, but for pre-owned as well, your dealer matters. Purchasing a cart should start a long trusted relationship between you and your dealer. A great dealer will be there for you when you need them. And will stand by their products and services. Giving you, piece of mind.