Electric Dolly For Your Bouncy Castle Business. Is It Worth It?
As a bouncy castle rental business owner, I recently invested in an electric dolly from Good Times Fabrication www.goodtimefab.com (GTF) to make transporting inflatables easier. After three months of use during a busy season, here’s my honest review.
COST
The dolly’s initial cost was $4,300 USD. However, after accounting for currency exchange, delivery, and customs, the total came to $8,000 CAD, delivered to my front door.
1st ISSUE: Display Screen Malfunction
On my second use, I noticed a burning electric smell, and the small display screen, which shows the battery percentage, shorted out. I contacted the business owner, who responded, “That’s the first time that has happened.” Unfortunately, no efforts were made to resolve the issue.
2nd ISSUE: Tire Replacement
During transport of an obstacle course, one of the dolly’s tires popped. I replaced the tires with a new set from Princess Auto for around $100, which proved to be a significant upgrade over the original tires.
BUILD
The dolly is well-constructed and durable. However, at 35 inches wide, it can be challenging to navigate residential setups. I always carry another dolly as a backup in case the electric dolly cannot fit through customers’ gates.
BATTERY
I’ve had no issues with the battery so far. From what I’ve heard, it needs to be replaced every two years. Impressively, I’ve used the dolly for two consecutive weekends without needing to charge it.
LIKES
When I can use the dolly for setups, it is a game-changer. It makes moving inflatables to the setup area significantly easier, especially when dealing with hills and inclines.
MENTIONS
The dolly is quite heavy and takes up considerable space in my 16 ft enclosed trailer. It requires proper securing to prevent movement during travel. Initially, I didn’t secure it correctly, which caused it to break the sidewall of my trailer, resulting in a $900 repair. I’ve since installed an e-track and purchased tire chocks to keep it in place.
Final Thoughts
While I appreciate the convenience the GTF dolly provides, I wouldn’t purchase another one. I was initially inclined to go with the Jolly Dolly www.thejollydolly.com but was swayed by industry recommendations for the GTF dolly. If I were to buy another electric dolly, I would consider the Jolly Dolly. I’m not suggesting it’s necessarily better, but based on my experience, it might be worth exploring other options.
Looking for Mentorship:
If you’re considering starting a bouncy castle business and would like guidance from an experienced mentor, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d be delighted to assist you and answer any questions you have about the industry. My mentorship services start at $500. Additionally, if you’re aiming to get TSSA certified and obtain your ADM-I, I can provide comprehensive support for that process as well, with fees starting at $3,000.
