Dodgy car dealer - Still no sign of deposit!

[disco1]

A month or so ago I travelled hundreds of miles to see a car, looked/drove ok so put down £250 deposit subject to it passing an inspection, got receipt confirming this, car went on to fail the inspection in spectacular fashion, advised dealer not interested/told him about inspection findings, he confirmed cheque will be in post, no problem.

Anyway a couple of phones calls and texts later I'm still waiting for the cheque, he said he's sent it but it must be lost in post, will re-send, still nothing!

What can I do? Would ringing his local police station do much or don't they get involved with this sort of thing?

£250 isn't a great deal of money but I defo want it back!

[Sulli]

If it's a dealer you need to let the local trading standards department know. Also send him a recorded delivery letter - trading standards will give you a template - demanding your refund or you will take court action.
Saying that, from experience probably the most likely way of getting a refund is paying him another visit and asking him to his face for your money - could turn nasty, but depends on your approach.

[Kentish]

I left a 350 deposit on a car once subject to new MOT as part of the deal and it failed and needed a new head.

I went to collect it and it was not running on all cylinders and smoking like a chimney.

I asked them to sort it and I'd travel back again the following week (if it was ready).

No call so I called him and he announced he had sold it to someone else.

I was pissed off and asked for my deposit back and he said no as I had made him spend money fixing it.

I never did get a penny back.

I felt like going back after sometime to test drive another car and running it up a high kerb at speed!

[Jasandjules]

Did you make any records of the telephone conversations you had with him?

If not, send a letter now by recorded delivery stating further to our conversation on X date wherein you advised that a cheque had been set I regret to advise that the same has not arrived. I should therefore be most grateful if you could send another cheque within forty eight hours, by recorded delivery in order to ensure it's safe arrival.

Thanks very much

OP.

Then if you don't have a cheque within a week you can send a chaser which threatens legal proceedings if the cheque doesn't arrive within a further seventy two hours. Then issue proceedings.. But the first letter is just to say that you agreed that a cheque would be sent but it doesn't seem to ahve arrived so that'll be the post office then (no, really....) so please do try again......