Paying for car before seeing it?
Discussion
I've only bought from a dealer once before. Around 2 years ago. I put a refundable deposit down that gave me first refusal - £200. I then went to see the car a few days later and purchased it.
Today I asked to put down a deposit on another car, similar price, and was informed it would be £500 to remove from sale. I asked if this was refundable and was told it would be only if the car was not described as advertised.
After further discussion, the dealer said I can pay up front and car would be ready to collect and able to be driven away without the usual waiting for bank to transfer funds etc.
That's not going to happen. I'll see the car first, I'll test drive it and make the decision whether it's for me. Unlessi find a serious fault,I'velost the £500 deposit.
Is this how dealers operate now?
Today I asked to put down a deposit on another car, similar price, and was informed it would be £500 to remove from sale. I asked if this was refundable and was told it would be only if the car was not described as advertised.
After further discussion, the dealer said I can pay up front and car would be ready to collect and able to be driven away without the usual waiting for bank to transfer funds etc.
That's not going to happen. I'll see the car first, I'll test drive it and make the decision whether it's for me. Unlessi find a serious fault,I'velost the £500 deposit.
Is this how dealers operate now?
Yeah, what kind of a
hole goes around offering their customers more convenient, time saving options for purchasing a car with minimal contact, makes me sick.
But seriously, the answer is yes transactions like this are more commonplace these days. It’s if the dealer becomes pushy about paying for the car prior to viewing you should worry. Chances are when you decline to do so, it won’t be a problem.
hole goes around offering their customers more convenient, time saving options for purchasing a car with minimal contact, makes me sick.But seriously, the answer is yes transactions like this are more commonplace these days. It’s if the dealer becomes pushy about paying for the car prior to viewing you should worry. Chances are when you decline to do so, it won’t be a problem.
I just bought a 3 year old 125i BMW from Evans Halshaw without seeing it. They wanted a refundable £99 deposit to reserve the car, but sent me pictures and a very detailed personalized video prior to me completing the purchase.
The car was 180 miles away so delivery worked better for me. Car turned up and it is great, so no complaints. Not sure I would do the same from a small independent quite as readily but the salesman was really helpful, no pressure so I felt comfortable doing it.
The car was 180 miles away so delivery worked better for me. Car turned up and it is great, so no complaints. Not sure I would do the same from a small independent quite as readily but the salesman was really helpful, no pressure so I felt comfortable doing it.
Personally I think £500 is quite steep but the concept is agreeable.
I have always driven to see a car before leaving a deposit, returning a second time to collect if necessary - Unless the car is on the other side of the country and unique I would do this. The extra fuel cost/time is worth it for me on a car you might keep years
I have always driven to see a car before leaving a deposit, returning a second time to collect if necessary - Unless the car is on the other side of the country and unique I would do this. The extra fuel cost/time is worth it for me on a car you might keep years
I can see the dealers side here.... What you're asking, is for him to remove the car from sale for you. So let's say you travel up, you don't like the car, and you want your money back. Meanwhile, for the last week he's been telling other interested parties that it's sold. What he's making you do is put a bit of skin in the game to show you're serious.
He's not forcing you to do this. I'm sure you're more than welcome to travel up and look at the car without paying a deposit. Wouldn't make any difference to him if you bought or not then right?
My other question though, is why would you be concerned with leaving the deposit? If you're serious and the car is as described, you'll buy it right? I'd be comfortable with that approach if it were my money. If it's making a funny noise, or bodywork isn't as is in the pictures, then that's grounds for your deposit back.
He's not forcing you to do this. I'm sure you're more than welcome to travel up and look at the car without paying a deposit. Wouldn't make any difference to him if you bought or not then right?
My other question though, is why would you be concerned with leaving the deposit? If you're serious and the car is as described, you'll buy it right? I'd be comfortable with that approach if it were my money. If it's making a funny noise, or bodywork isn't as is in the pictures, then that's grounds for your deposit back.
nick s said:
I can see the dealers side here.... What you're asking, is for him to remove the car from sale for you. So let's say you travel up, you don't like the car, and you want your money back. Meanwhile, for the last week he's been telling other interested parties that it's sold. What he's making you do is put a bit of skin in the game to show you're serious.
He's not forcing you to do this. I'm sure you're more than welcome to travel up and look at the car without paying a deposit. Wouldn't make any difference to him if you bought or not then right?
My other question though, is why would you be concerned with leaving the deposit? If you're serious and the car is as described, you'll buy it right? I'd be comfortable with that approach if it were my money. If it's making a funny noise, or bodywork isn't as is in the pictures, then that's grounds for your deposit back.
+1 I totally agree with that.He's not forcing you to do this. I'm sure you're more than welcome to travel up and look at the car without paying a deposit. Wouldn't make any difference to him if you bought or not then right?
My other question though, is why would you be concerned with leaving the deposit? If you're serious and the car is as described, you'll buy it right? I'd be comfortable with that approach if it were my money. If it's making a funny noise, or bodywork isn't as is in the pictures, then that's grounds for your deposit back.
I think the concept of leaving a deposit and having first refusal as long, as things are conducted within a reasonable time frame, would be fair. What I don't like is the salesman assuming that by placing a deposit, the car will be bought in full by me. Withought me viewing it.
I've also been sent email 'paperwork' for me to sign. Basically, a document of my order (which is said car). As if the £500 deposit wasn't enough? Again, I'll not be signing anything before I see the car.
Is this whole covid thing changing the way cars/used cars are sold? Sell a car without it being viewed? Delivery possible. A car is the second most expensive thing I'll purchase. A home being the most expensive. Would someone buy a house without seeing it? I doubt it. So why should a seller of cars expect that?
I've also been sent email 'paperwork' for me to sign. Basically, a document of my order (which is said car). As if the £500 deposit wasn't enough? Again, I'll not be signing anything before I see the car.
Is this whole covid thing changing the way cars/used cars are sold? Sell a car without it being viewed? Delivery possible. A car is the second most expensive thing I'll purchase. A home being the most expensive. Would someone buy a house without seeing it? I doubt it. So why should a seller of cars expect that?
Bemmer said:
nick s said:
I can see the dealers side here.... What you're asking, is for him to remove the car from sale for you. So let's say you travel up, you don't like the car, and you want your money back. Meanwhile, for the last week he's been telling other interested parties that it's sold. What he's making you do is put a bit of skin in the game to show you're serious.
He's not forcing you to do this. I'm sure you're more than welcome to travel up and look at the car without paying a deposit. Wouldn't make any difference to him if you bought or not then right?
My other question though, is why would you be concerned with leaving the deposit? If you're serious and the car is as described, you'll buy it right? I'd be comfortable with that approach if it were my money. If it's making a funny noise, or bodywork isn't as is in the pictures, then that's grounds for your deposit back.
+1 I totally agree with that.He's not forcing you to do this. I'm sure you're more than welcome to travel up and look at the car without paying a deposit. Wouldn't make any difference to him if you bought or not then right?
My other question though, is why would you be concerned with leaving the deposit? If you're serious and the car is as described, you'll buy it right? I'd be comfortable with that approach if it were my money. If it's making a funny noise, or bodywork isn't as is in the pictures, then that's grounds for your deposit back.
I would only pay if the dealer confirmed in writing that it was refundable if I chose for any reason not to proceed. If the dealer wasn't happy with this, then their loss, I would look elsewhere.
nick s said:
My other question though, is why would you be concerned with leaving the deposit? If you're serious and the car is as described, you'll buy it right?
The trouble is what happens if you feel there is good reason to back out of the sale when you get there, but the dealer thinks your reason isn't good enough, or doesn't agree with you that it is not as described. You might feel that the condition isn't quite as good as the dealer claimed, or the car seemed neglected, or there was a funny noise from the drivetrain that the dealer claimed was normal? Or its clear that the car is s
t and the dealers a total lying bd - which only becomes evident when you get there? He now has your money and won't give it back.
Leaving a deposit is an expression of intent. Sure you need to get there quickly to complete the deal. But if the dealer is a man of his word and genuinely knows the car is totally fine and as described, then he should stand by his product.
I paid EH a deposit once as I wanted a car bringing locally for viewing.
It had clearly been crashed despite shiny suited yoof trying to tell me EH don't sell cat d innit.
Anyway, took an age and much messing about to get the £250 back. I certainly wouldn't put anything down again. Not a penny.
Making a 500 mile round trip next week. last time I did it to the same dealers the car sold whilst I was on route! Still, made the trip and stopped off at friends and family on the way. Always other cars out there.
It had clearly been crashed despite shiny suited yoof trying to tell me EH don't sell cat d innit.
Anyway, took an age and much messing about to get the £250 back. I certainly wouldn't put anything down again. Not a penny.
Making a 500 mile round trip next week. last time I did it to the same dealers the car sold whilst I was on route! Still, made the trip and stopped off at friends and family on the way. Always other cars out there.
For us a car is for sale until its sold, sold means a deposit on it to commit to buy it, whether someone has seen and driven it or not, they are buying it but on the basis that we've described it accurately, which we do.
Had a guy for the past few weeks after a specific make, model and spec, he'd lost out on a couple (one was ours), he'd manged to find a bit more money for another one we had and wanted to leave a deposit as he'd lost out on others, I reiterated that any deposit is to secure the car and it was his (subject to it not being as described), he decided to leave it and do a bit more research (under my advice) as his kids had never sat in the back.
Turns out his kids were fine in the back but his wife wanted a black car; ours was a light grey, so me making sure it was right for him before he left a deposit actually made him make sure ours was the correct car...... it wasn't!
He actually said to me that another dealer was happy for him to leave 2 deposits on 2 cars "to hold them" but he was under no obligation to buy either, at best he was only buying 1, why would a dealer take 2 cars off sale to maybe sell one of them!
Had a guy for the past few weeks after a specific make, model and spec, he'd lost out on a couple (one was ours), he'd manged to find a bit more money for another one we had and wanted to leave a deposit as he'd lost out on others, I reiterated that any deposit is to secure the car and it was his (subject to it not being as described), he decided to leave it and do a bit more research (under my advice) as his kids had never sat in the back.
Turns out his kids were fine in the back but his wife wanted a black car; ours was a light grey, so me making sure it was right for him before he left a deposit actually made him make sure ours was the correct car...... it wasn't!
He actually said to me that another dealer was happy for him to leave 2 deposits on 2 cars "to hold them" but he was under no obligation to buy either, at best he was only buying 1, why would a dealer take 2 cars off sale to maybe sell one of them!
In my experience, in situations where I have placed a deposit on a car blind, it has always been on the agreement that it was fully refundable if I didn’t like it for whatever reason. The cars were never taken off advertising platforms in the meantime and were not removed until I had been and purchased the car.
I have though always ended up buying the cars I placed deposits on, following a good discussion and review of extra pictures and videos sent by dealers and finalising the deal in principle beforehand.
Slightly tangentially, I have also paid in full for two cars in my time, before seeing them in the flesh, but these were high end cars from high end dealers. Both cars (and dealers) were outstanding and exceeded my expectations.
I do see it from the dealer’s perspective too, so if they are not happy to take a deposit fully refundable without conditions attached, I appreciate that position and then I am happy to move on and look elsewhere.
I have though always ended up buying the cars I placed deposits on, following a good discussion and review of extra pictures and videos sent by dealers and finalising the deal in principle beforehand.
Slightly tangentially, I have also paid in full for two cars in my time, before seeing them in the flesh, but these were high end cars from high end dealers. Both cars (and dealers) were outstanding and exceeded my expectations.
I do see it from the dealer’s perspective too, so if they are not happy to take a deposit fully refundable without conditions attached, I appreciate that position and then I am happy to move on and look elsewhere.
Straight6DOHC said:
I think the concept of leaving a deposit and having first refusal as long, as things are conducted within a reasonable time frame, would be fair. What I don't like is the salesman assuming that by placing a deposit, the car will be bought in full by me. Withought me viewing it.
I've also been sent email 'paperwork' for me to sign. Basically, a document of my order (which is said car). As if the £500 deposit wasn't enough? Again, I'll not be signing anything before I see the car.
Is this whole covid thing changing the way cars/used cars are sold? Sell a car without it being viewed? Delivery possible. A car is the second most expensive thing I'll purchase. A home being the most expensive. Would someone buy a house without seeing it? I doubt it. So why should a seller of cars expect that?
In reality, some people do (buy house without viewing). There was a case a few years ago where a purchaser bid at auction, without visiting the area, let alone the house. Wonderful location, great views etc., great potential for retirement . The problem was that the house was near the edge of an unstable cliff, which a short while later started slipping, house uninhabitable (now gone, I think).I've also been sent email 'paperwork' for me to sign. Basically, a document of my order (which is said car). As if the £500 deposit wasn't enough? Again, I'll not be signing anything before I see the car.
Is this whole covid thing changing the way cars/used cars are sold? Sell a car without it being viewed? Delivery possible. A car is the second most expensive thing I'll purchase. A home being the most expensive. Would someone buy a house without seeing it? I doubt it. So why should a seller of cars expect that?
I generally wouldn't buy (car) sight unseen but I might leave a deposit IF I knew the dealer and knew (personal experience, not somebody else's) what their stock was like, or it was a new car. Other than that, no thanks, there's always another.
To be fair to dealers, they can be messed about by 'buyers' who just waste time and they might lose an otherwise genuine buyer in the meantime.
My view of 'immaculate' is often quite different to a salesman's (or woman's), so I don't necessarily accept a dealer's description (unless I know them).
I really don't get this concept of putting a deposit down, changing my mind and then asking for it back.
If you don't know whether or not you want something, then go and see it. If it sells before you get there, then find another.
A refundable deposit is totally and utterly 100% worthless to the seller. It shows absolutely zero commitment, and they could quite possibly lose several sales and still end up with nothing. I am not a car dealer, or involved in selling stuff in any way.
If I put a deposit on something and change my mind, then I would 100% expect not to get my deposit back. Whilst this would not fill me with joy, I wouldn't feel hard done by - I knew what I was doing when I paid the deposit.
If you don't know whether or not you want something, then go and see it. If it sells before you get there, then find another.
A refundable deposit is totally and utterly 100% worthless to the seller. It shows absolutely zero commitment, and they could quite possibly lose several sales and still end up with nothing. I am not a car dealer, or involved in selling stuff in any way.
If I put a deposit on something and change my mind, then I would 100% expect not to get my deposit back. Whilst this would not fill me with joy, I wouldn't feel hard done by - I knew what I was doing when I paid the deposit.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff