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
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.
I have sent him a polite but lengthy email basically saying we are both in a difficult situation, happy to refund half but he needs to realise this has knocked us for six as well, both financially (25mins on hol to the insurance company as I type) and emotionally seeing as the wife is furious and it has delayed our weekend plans whilst I re-advertise it and sort out the car insurance(s).
A deposit commits you to buy, if you need to think about it don't leave a deposit!
A deposit commits you to buy, if you need to think about it don't leave a deposit!
After a lengthy, tense & very curt phone call with the father I have agreed to refund £200, but am firm in my belief I can't just take it entirely on the chin. He was still very clearly in the belief I was being wholly unreasonable but hopefully I won't hear anything more regarding this.
Grrrrrr
Grrrrrr
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff