TVR Deposit
Author
Discussion

_dj_

Original Poster:

5,057 posts

283 months

Monday 25th October 2004
quotequote all
Could anyone suggest whether there's a way to get some of my (admittedly small) TVR deposit back?

I put down a deposit on a Sagaris (which was paid directly to the factory) about 5 months ago which I've since cancelled. At the time TVR deposits were not refundable so unless I order a new TVR I'll never see the £1175 again.

Should I put this one down to experience or is there any way to get some return on it? Should I just re-place the order and hope that when the car is delivered my circumstances are such that I can use the car (I currently do 25-30k miles a year so simply wouldn't be able to use it).

thanks,
D.

jeremyc

28,048 posts

313 months

Monday 25th October 2004
quotequote all
Find someone that would like to take up your deposit and sell it to them?

_dj_

Original Poster:

5,057 posts

283 months

Monday 25th October 2004
quotequote all
jeremyc said:
Find someone that would like to take up your deposit and sell it to them?


I did think about that, but I'm not sure it would be worthwhile for a potential buyer. i.e. Would the deposit be transferrable to someone else or would I have to take money from someone to pay the remaining money to TVR?

Tripps

5,814 posts

301 months

Monday 25th October 2004
quotequote all
Obviously the small print (if any knowing TVR!) will affect this, but I can't say why you can't get it back. You placed the sum down in good faith for a Sagaris and if they don't decide to make it and "offer" you an alternative TVR you should have the option of taking your deposit back.

It would be another matter if you'd decided not to go ahead with the car as that's what the non-refundable bit is intended for.

griff2be

5,105 posts

296 months

Monday 25th October 2004
quotequote all
Tripps said:

It would be another matter if you'd decided not to go ahead with the car as that's what the non-refundable bit is intended for.


Tripps - that's excatly what he did say - he's decided not to go ahead with the car.

Tripps

5,814 posts

301 months

Monday 25th October 2004
quotequote all
griff2be said:

Tripps said:

It would be another matter if you'd decided not to go ahead with the car as that's what the non-refundable bit is intended for.



Tripps - that's excatly what he did say - he's decided not to go ahead with the car.
Doh, missed that finer point - sorry

Tripps

5,814 posts

301 months

Monday 25th October 2004
quotequote all
How car up the queue is your deposit? If high enough then someone might even pay a premium perhaps?

A mate of mine makes money buying and selling deposits on cars he thinks will be popular, made money on early deposits for the Mini, Z4 and Nissan 350.

griff2be

5,105 posts

296 months

Monday 25th October 2004
quotequote all
los angeles said:
You've good grounds for a legal letter to get it back, though you may have to share a percentage with the lawyer of choice. TVR delayed the making of the car and now there's strong rumours the Great Cat Flapper won't be built after all. In any event, how long does a "delay" have to be to constitute non-availability?

If you've not written to TVR directly, try that avenue first, but if you have, a straight-talking letter from a tough lawyer may do the trick.

>> Edited by los angeles on Monday 25th October 10:34


Having cancelled the order because he no longer wants the car, to then try legal action on the basis that the car has been subject to delay, or on the back of a rumour that the model might be axed seems optimistic at best and more likely a further waste of money.

Secondly, with the first Sagaris race car well into production, is there any reason to think that the road car will not follow?

NCE 61

2,457 posts

310 months

Monday 25th October 2004
quotequote all
[quote=Tripps]How car up the queue is your deposit? If high enough then someone might even pay a premium perhaps?[quote]

I don't think you get build No until the full 10% deposit is paid. Although the 1K + VAT deposit can be retained for a future date on any model or sold on.

Tripps

5,814 posts

301 months

Monday 25th October 2004
quotequote all
NCE 61 said:
[quote=Tripps]I don't think you get build No until the full 10% deposit is paid. Although the 1K + VAT deposit can be retained for a future date on any model or sold on.
Fair enough, I'd heard about the two level deposit, but wasn't sure the benefit the lower initial deposit gave.

Would it benefit from pre-10% increase prices, and thus pay for itself to any potential buyer?

Guess I'll have to buy and brand new ones to find out fully myself

_dj_

Original Poster:

5,057 posts

283 months

Monday 25th October 2004
quotequote all
griff2be said:

los angeles said:
You've good grounds for a legal letter to get it back, though you may have to share a percentage with the lawyer of choice. TVR delayed the making of the car and now there's strong rumours the Great Cat Flapper won't be built after all. In any event, how long does a "delay" have to be to constitute non-availability?

If you've not written to TVR directly, try that avenue first, but if you have, a straight-talking letter from a tough lawyer may do the trick.

>> Edited by los angeles on Monday 25th October 10:34



Having cancelled the order because he no longer wants the car, to then try legal action on the basis that the car has been subject to delay, or on the back of a rumour that the model might be axed seems optimistic at best and more likely a further waste of money.

Secondly, with the first Sagaris race car well into production, is there any reason to think that the road car will not follow?


The truth be told, I decided to cancel because of all of the uncertainty around future the of TVR and a change in circumstances which mean I have less time for a toy and do a lot of miles making the car unsuitable.

I wrote a letter to TVR who advised that the deposit is not refundable. At the end of the day, it's 2% of the price of the car and I knew what I was signing up to when I put the deposit down (although I did expect TVR to remain unchanged!).

I've since been told that deposits are now refundable but I don't know whether that's true or not.

The irony is, thinking that I get treated differently to someone who puts a deposit down tomorrow, I'm less inclined to buy a new TVR. If they'd given me the deposit back and the cars out of the factory were better than before then after my house move (7 months) I'd be straight back in the queue.

As it stands, I'll look elsewhere before another TVR so they gain £1175 and lose the profit on a 50k car.

Ah well, looks like BMW will benefit

D

_dj_

Original Poster:

5,057 posts

283 months

Monday 25th October 2004
quotequote all
If I can't get it back or sell it on then I suppose I should just put in back against the Sagaris and hope that they increase prices making the car (or the deposit) sellable?

D

DustyC

12,822 posts

283 months

Monday 25th October 2004
quotequote all

I want you to get that Sagaris!

NCE 61

2,457 posts

310 months

Monday 25th October 2004
quotequote all
Tripps said:

NCE 61 said:
I don't think you get build No until the full 10% deposit is paid. Although the 1K + VAT deposit can be retained for a future date on any model or sold on.

Fair enough, I'd heard about the two level deposit, but wasn't sure the benefit the lower initial deposit gave.

Would it benefit from pre-10% increase prices, and thus pay for itself to any potential buyer?

Guess I'll have to buy and brand new ones to find out fully myself


The 1K + VAT deposit fixes the basic price of the car on the date it's paid. So the deposit in this case could still be worth buying, particually with prices set to rise.

Big Al.

69,336 posts

287 months

Monday 25th October 2004
quotequote all
Have you thought about just suspending it for a period of time say year/18 months? That way you still have a deposit on a car. In time communications from the factory MAY and I use the word lightly, MAY improve!

Just don’t hold your breath!

_dj_

Original Poster:

5,057 posts

283 months

Monday 25th October 2004
quotequote all
DustyC said:

I want you to get that Sagaris!


You and me both but I'm too much of a wuss not knowing what I'll get or how the takeover will unfold.

If you could contribute the remaining 49k we could share it

I'll probably be back at some point no matter how much I tell myself I won't.

D



_dj_

Original Poster:

5,057 posts

283 months

Monday 25th October 2004
quotequote all
NCE 61 said:

Tripps said:


NCE 61 said:
I don't think you get build No until the full 10% deposit is paid. Although the 1K + VAT deposit can be retained for a future date on any model or sold on.


Fair enough, I'd heard about the two level deposit, but wasn't sure the benefit the lower initial deposit gave.

Would it benefit from pre-10% increase prices, and thus pay for itself to any potential buyer?

Guess I'll have to buy and brand new ones to find out fully myself



The 1K + VAT deposit fixes the basic price of the car on the date it's paid. So the deposit in this case could still be worth buying, particually with prices set to rise.


Is that true? I thought that by cancelling my order the price would be set when I placed the money against an actual model?

Or are you suggesting I put it back against the Sagaris and ask it to be delivered in 12-18 months.
I suppose the problem with that is that they'll only make 500 and you'd think they'd have sold them by then?

D

DustyC

12,822 posts

283 months

Monday 25th October 2004
quotequote all
Darren, how about going with Big Als idea of an extension. That way you dont lose your money if you change your mind and decide you want one later.

If you still dont want it, extend again or call it a day.

IMO once all these changes at TVR have taken place a lot of people may be glad to have deposits with them. TVR really need to be communicating with these people though to keep them interested. Otherwise they are going to find themselves with not too many new customers on the books.

All IMO.

_dj_

Original Poster:

5,057 posts

283 months

Monday 25th October 2004
quotequote all
DustyC said:
Darren, how about going with Big Als idea of an extension. That way you dont lose your money if you change your mind and decide you want one later.

If you still dont want it, extend again or call it a day.

IMO once all these changes at TVR have taken place a lot of people may be glad to have deposits with them. TVR really need to be communicating with these people though to keep them interested. Otherwise they are going to find themselves with not too many new customers on the books.

All IMO.



I actually placed the deposit with a 12 month later delivery date and a fixed price. Apparently, this is highly unusual as TVR usually insist on a much shorter deposit to delivery time as prices change frequently.

I doubt they'd do the same again. I'd actually prefer to have no ties to any manufacturer so I can choose the best car for the money in 12 months. Looks like I'm not going to get that option though.

As you said, despite spending upwards of 50k on a car you get no communication about what's going on and frankly, I've lost interest.

I'd ideally like to know when the Sagaris is likely to start being delivered, the actual spec, the deal with the 500 cars, whether deposits are now refundable or not, whether the t350 extras (air con and paint) will be included on the Sagaris, what my deposit has actually bought me etc etc but I've no idea who to speak to or whether anyone is able to answer those questions.

I suppose I should go and visit my local dealer again for another chat, but it just seems a lot of hassle and risk and TVR don't seem particularly interested in their potential customers.

edited to add: though having said that, the dealer was great and did relay everything they had been told about the situation, though I'm not sure they've had that much information from the factory either.

D

>> Edited by _dj_ on Monday 25th October 11:27

NCE 61

2,457 posts

310 months

Monday 25th October 2004
quotequote all
_dj_ said:

Is that true? I thought that by cancelling my order the price would be set when I placed the money against an actual model?

Or are you suggesting I put it back against the Sagaris and ask it to be delivered in 12-18 months.
I suppose the problem with that is that they'll only make 500 and you'd think they'd have sold them by then?

D


Put it back on the Sagaris 12-18 months may be a realistic delivery time anyway