Dealer trying to keep my deposit!!!!!!!

[gardonani]

So here's the story. I put a deposit down on a new speed3 in conn. (I live in mass.), reason for that is no dealer in mass was being straight up with me about whether they were selling at msrp, anyways. With all the comotion about the speed6 and prices that people were getting, I decided to look into one. Since I was no longer interested in the speed3 I looked to my local dealership for a speed6. So me and the conn. dealership were communicating through email. I told him I was no longer interested in the speed3 and would like my deposit back. He says that I need to finish the transaction that we started and until I decide to do that he was going to keep my deposit. I already spoke to one of the forum members (II-Savy) about this, I just want some more input. I am so pissed.

edit: sorry mods, put it in wrong forum

 

[DeanSweet]

What dealership? I would be calling the general manager of that dealer and let him know what is going on. Try to be civil. Also, call your bank and ask for assistance from them? See if they know of any reason why you would have to 'finish the transaction? Some states have liability laws that make you complete the tranasaction whether in writing or verbally. Was it a cash deposit or check?

 

[gardonani]

It was a credit card transaction done over the phone. I'd rather not give out the dealership until this is resolved. I will let everyone know once its done. I actually called the sales manager and he said he would speak to the internet manager that I was communicating with over email.

 

[dread]

Just contest the charge, your credit card company will throw it out.

 

[gardonani]

Just contest the charge, your credit card company will throw it out.

Can that still be done, it was charged on 9/28, too late? If not what do I say?

 

[rdandy5875]

WOW. I didn't think any dealerships did NON-refundable deposits.....

All you have to do is call the manager (you already did), or the sales IDIOT, remind them that you used a credit card, and ask them if they are going to issue you a refund, or if you are going to have to call your cc company.

 

[gardonani]

I just finished giving them a call, and the guy told me that he wants to hold on to my deposit until the car sells. His reasoning is that I apparently told him to change the color on an incoming vehicle. This is not the case at all. He told me this after the deposit was made. I only wanted my name put to an incoming vehicle, not have one made for me. I'm not happy.

 

[jred321]

that sounds unacceptable to me. you're paying for nothing. i would ask your credit card company to cancel the charge, there's no way the dealership is going to take on the credit card company, they know they'll lose

 

[CitizenPro]

Thats some bullsheet.....id go hostile em. They have no right to hold your deposit unless they have some clause in writing, that you signed, showing they can keep a percentage or all of your deposit. Especially the crap you said there trying to pull about u ordering a certain color or what not. Even then, you can prolly get it overturned if u speak to a manager or threaten them with a lawyer.

My.02

 

[Hughes412]

All of this is stupid, just call the card company. Tell them they are holding money on something you don't have and will not be buying.

 

[gardonani]

All of this is stupid, just call the card company. Tell them they are holding money on something you don't have and will not be buying.

stupid credit card company's complaint system is down so they are making me fax them a whole bunch of s***. The dealership is saying that until the car sells I am not getting my deposit back.

 

[Hughes412]

stupid credit card company's complaint system is down so they are making me fax them a whole bunch of s***. The dealership is saying that until the car sells I am not getting my deposit back.

Ok so here is your way out. Have a friend go test drive it. Have him put 5 or so miles on it. If he can door ding it or someting. Then you go in the next day, tell them you changed your mind and you want the car. Then go check it out. If that car and more then 10 or so miles or if it has 1 ding tell them you are not buying that one and that they have to order you another one!
I doubt they would b**** about your deposit then.

The toyota dealer here wouldn't even let me sit in a FJ because there was a deposit on it.

 

[Jeph]

This sounds like total BS to me, just go through your CC company, and be done with it.

 

[bazooka joe]

another freakin stealership story gone bad...what aholes!(glare)

 

[stdntDrvr]

most dealers do "non-refundable" deposits. why? well, now that you've backed out, they've missed the opprotunity to sell the car to other buyers...granted you could have put the deposit down yesterday...the opprotunity was still lost. i took a non-refundable deposit from a good customer of mine...he backed-out...i gave it back. it's really up to the dealer whether or not they want to keep your deposit...so they probably don't care if you get pissed, you live out of state. you're not going to hurt their business. so, either get the 3 or lose your deposit. it sucks, but that's life.

 

[stdntDrvr]

Can that still be done, it was charged on 9/28, too late? If not what do I say?

wow, n/m...i don't blame them...and i'm sure you wouldn't either if the shoe was on the other foot, but i'm in the car business...so i guess i'm an asshole for saying that

you have to look at it from their side too...if you were selling, let's say a house...someone put a contract on it...and backed-out...you get their binding money...or whatever it's called...it's been a long time since i bought a house...but it's the same difference. you had taken your house off of the market for that person...same with this car.

you may get your money back...but in all honesty, you really can't blame the dealer at all. you made the commitment.

 

[Protege52003]

i have never had any problems getting deposits i have put down on cars that i have backed out on......!!!!!! i would be pissed. no dealer has ever questioned me on why, just returned it! they might have not been happy, but the always gave it back!

-R

 

[bazooka joe]

i have never had any problems getting deposits i have put down on cars that i have backed out on......!!!!!! i would be pissed. no dealer has ever questioned me on why, just returned it! they might have not been happy, but the always gave it back!

-R

same here, never ever a problem...reputable dealers won't do this, they want you to come back some day!

 

[jcgemt2003]

How much was your deposit? Take it out on the damn car if they wont give it back to you...when it gets there take for a test drive and beat the living s*** out of it...Make sure you race the engine and take it to the grocery store...say that you were buying a pack of smokes or tampons...what ever you think will work best.....while your at the grocery store give some punk kid $5 and tell him to ram a shopping cart into the mother sucker at top speed and split...bring it back and tell them **** off.

 

[jred321]

most dealers do "non-refundable" deposits. why? well, now that you've backed out, they've missed the opprotunity to sell the car to other buyers...granted you could have put the deposit down yesterday...the opprotunity was still lost. i took a non-refundable deposit from a good customer of mine...he backed-out...i gave it back. it's really up to the dealer whether or not they want to keep your deposit...

i have to say, putting the shoe on the other foot, if i was the dealer i would not be pissed and would give the money back. there is no reason other than greed for them to keep the money, they are trying to get something for nothing. they are not out at all and it cost them nothing.

unless he signed a paper saying the deposit is non-refundable, it is refundable, just like if you put something on layaway at the store and then decide not to buy it. putting forth the money is a sign of "good faith" not a contract. when purchasing a house if you back out after the papers are signed but before the closing then you lose your deposit, until the papers are signed nothing is binding.

yea, it's not nice to put down a deposit and then back out, i understand that and understand the ill will felt by the dealer, but unless there are papers, they are holding his money in exchange for nothing, which in my mind is stealing. whether it's common practice in the industry or not, it's not right

so they probably don't care if you get pissed, you live out of state. you're not going to hurt their business.

obviously it is hurting their business, i live in state and probably close to this dealer as i live in north central CT and once their name is released i won't be buying anything from them. communication is a crazy thing nowadays, isn't it.

this is part of the reason people hate purchasing a new car when in fact it should be a pleasant experience. there is always the feeling that dealers are trying to pull something over on them and those feelings are not without basis since customer service comes second (or lower) to profits in the automotive sales business.


op: check local laws. maybe even call the police department. in my mind it is the same as stealing assuming you didn't sign a contract saying otherwise, and the police may feel the same way and help sort things out