Used car sale, left deposit, now changed mind! What now?
Discussion
As per title, sold wifes Peugeot to a buyer. Advert made it clear the car wasn't in great condition (as per below), he saw the car, I knocked off another 10% due to him not liking the bodywork condition (despite advert making this obvious), we went out for a drive etc . Late last night got a long email from him saying he felt pressurised to buy the car, had second thoughts and wanted the full deposit back etc.
Where do I stand in having to refund him the deposit? I am tempted to refund him half as he was a nice chap, but we are out of pocket now. With the deposit left we drove down & picked up our 'new' car, swapped over the insurance and were preparing for him to collect the car today.
Advert text:
Full service history (with receipts), 12 months MOT, owned by us since 10k miles, 2 keys + remote central locking, Bluetooth Audio + phone, CD player, alloys, garaged year round. Brand new exhaust. 50+mpg on an average run, no mechanical issues known, drives no problems/still daily used. FULLY serviced 2 weeks ago inc brake fluid. Mechanically sound but it does have dent in bonnet and above average number of dinks/scratches round the car - hence £500 cheaper then auto trader's recommended price. Long/Short test drives welcome with proof of insurance!, 2 owners, Full service history, BLACK, £2,450
Where do I stand in having to refund him the deposit? I am tempted to refund him half as he was a nice chap, but we are out of pocket now. With the deposit left we drove down & picked up our 'new' car, swapped over the insurance and were preparing for him to collect the car today.
Advert text:
Full service history (with receipts), 12 months MOT, owned by us since 10k miles, 2 keys + remote central locking, Bluetooth Audio + phone, CD player, alloys, garaged year round. Brand new exhaust. 50+mpg on an average run, no mechanical issues known, drives no problems/still daily used. FULLY serviced 2 weeks ago inc brake fluid. Mechanically sound but it does have dent in bonnet and above average number of dinks/scratches round the car - hence £500 cheaper then auto trader's recommended price. Long/Short test drives welcome with proof of insurance!, 2 owners, Full service history, BLACK, £2,450
It's kinda your fault for doing the change over before the car was actually gone, however I don't think you can really be blamed for that.
It's worth explaining to him the costs that will be incurred by you because he backed out of the deal he agreed to. If he's a decent chap I suspect you'll end up meeting in the middle somewhere.
It's worth explaining to him the costs that will be incurred by you because he backed out of the deal he agreed to. If he's a decent chap I suspect you'll end up meeting in the middle somewhere.
Not worth the potential hassle IMO, if you can afford to I'd just give him the deposit back and chalk it up to experience. He knows where you live, he has your contact details, it could turn into months of whinging. Life's too short.
If you've incurred genuine costs due to the cancellation of the sale, e.g. having to re-insure the car for sale then you could explain that and look to take it out of the deposit I guess.
If you've incurred genuine costs due to the cancellation of the sale, e.g. having to re-insure the car for sale then you could explain that and look to take it out of the deposit I guess.
When they leave a £300 deposit on a £2300 car you think they are pretty serious about it. As for pressuring him - I genuinely didn't feel I did, obliviously we were keen to sell the car (hence knocking off another £150) but at no point did I start a stop watch or start the old ''Double Glazing salesman' routine.
We took a gamble on picking up the new car, it was very convenient for us to do so last night (we were driving in that direction anyway) and we are both spending the weekend with our respective families so were keen to show it off. As above, when someone leaves a £300 deposit - your confident they will proceed with it.
As for the loss incurred:
As of tonight we have 3 cars and 2 insurance policies, new car came with 24 hour drive away insurance so will now need to buy temp cover.
We cancelled the second viewing, chap then booked in to see 2 other cars so has told me he is unlikely to come back for this one.
I rewashed & repolished it prior to it being collected today
We took a gamble on picking up the new car, it was very convenient for us to do so last night (we were driving in that direction anyway) and we are both spending the weekend with our respective families so were keen to show it off. As above, when someone leaves a £300 deposit - your confident they will proceed with it.
As for the loss incurred:
As of tonight we have 3 cars and 2 insurance policies, new car came with 24 hour drive away insurance so will now need to buy temp cover.
We cancelled the second viewing, chap then booked in to see 2 other cars so has told me he is unlikely to come back for this one.
I rewashed & repolished it prior to it being collected today
swerni said:
Wacky Racer said:
Tell him to whistle.
How was he pressurised? Did you have his arm up his back?
Refund him half if it makes you feel better, but you don't have to.
And yet if the OP had been the one wanting a deposit back from a dealer after changing his mind, from most the advice would be the exact opposite.How was he pressurised? Did you have his arm up his back?
Refund him half if it makes you feel better, but you don't have to.
Why not tell him you've now bought a replacement car due to deposit paid on your old one and you've 3 insurance policies to have plus cancelling one will easily be £30admin fee alone.
Let him come back to you.
Can you keep running the old one until the fuel tank is bone dry then move onto the new one?
Let him come back to you.
Can you keep running the old one until the fuel tank is bone dry then move onto the new one?
Tell him he can have his deposit back when the car sells for the same price. Any less and the difference comes out of the deposit and you refund the difference. Gives you a bit of leeway to drop the price during future haggling if necessary without being out of pocket.
Out of interest how much deposit did he leave ? Surely not a great amount on a £2k car......
Out of interest how much deposit did he leave ? Surely not a great amount on a £2k car......
Always take these sort of questions as being from folk who lack confidence.
I make it clear the terms of business prior to accepting a penny as a deposit or full payment , no room for any misunderstanding later on.
Followed by a receipt stating exactly what the terms are .
Never had a problem yet.
I make it clear the terms of business prior to accepting a penny as a deposit or full payment , no room for any misunderstanding later on.
Followed by a receipt stating exactly what the terms are .
Never had a problem yet.
Always take these sort of questions as being from folk who lack confidence.
I make it clear the terms of business prior to accepting a penny as a deposit or full payment , no room for any misunderstanding later on.
Followed by a receipt stating exactly what the terms are .
Never had a problem yet.
I make it clear the terms of business prior to accepting a penny as a deposit or full payment , no room for any misunderstanding later on.
Followed by a receipt stating exactly what the terms are .
Never had a problem yet.
What do you all think the purpose of a deposit is? Why even ask for one? Think about it. That's right - to act as a device to deter time wasters. There is no other purpose. If he changed his mind and wasted your time and money, tough. Keep the deposit. Deal with it.
Edited by k-ink on Saturday 30th July 09:17
Leaving a deposit is not a trivial matter. It is entering into a contract to buy the item involved.
If you 'breach' the contract, the other party is entitled to compensation.
Having said all that, for £300 it's not worth any aggro.
I'd be inclined to return part of it in goodwill but retain the rest because you have incurred costs.
Or, just return the lot and tell him it's out of the goodness of your heart.
If you 'breach' the contract, the other party is entitled to compensation.
Having said all that, for £300 it's not worth any aggro.
I'd be inclined to return part of it in goodwill but retain the rest because you have incurred costs.
Or, just return the lot and tell him it's out of the goodness of your heart.
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