deposit on car.. buyer pulled out.

carbon nanotube · 30-03-2012 09:55PM #1

Lads,

so, some time waster found out he cant get insurance on my mondeo and left a voice mail asking if he can get his deposit back.

I am usually of sound nature but I am a bit hasty on giving him anything back, he was adamant he was going to buy it and had no problem giving me 50quid deposit, he should have checked if he could get insurance BEFORE looking at it and not be a numpty.

I turned down 2 other callers in the last week about it too.

what to do..

L-M · 30-03-2012 09:58PM

How long had you it held?

CyberGhost · 30-03-2012 09:59PM

Nothing, tell him to get lost.

You don't ask a deposit back. You pay it to guarantee that the seller does not sell the car, if you cannot buy the car it's not the seller's fault, you wasted his time and potentially lost him several real sales meanwhile.

Marcusm · 30-03-2012 10:02PM

If you've been putting off potential sellers for a week, it's a bit unreasonable for him to ask for €50 back.

Ardennes1944 · 30-03-2012 10:05PM

I wouldnt dream of going looking at a car , unless it was a micra or along those lines, without at least getting an online quote. Thats his problem, and a silly mistake to make. Leave him learn

johnos1984 · 30-03-2012 10:07PM

€50 is a nice punishment.

If it was any higher I'd tell you to give half back

BTW don't relist the ad on DD with the line "re-advertised due to timewaster" as it always suggests to me someone looked at it and found a major fault

George Dalton · 30-03-2012 10:09PM

I would never take a deposit when selling a car privately. It is more hassle than it is worth.

carbon nanotube · 30-03-2012 10:10PM

Limerick man wrote: »

How long had you it held?

a week...

cant believe this!

jimmycrackcorm · 30-03-2012 10:11PM

It depends on whether or not you agreed when taking the deposit if it was refundable.

carbon nanotube · 30-03-2012 10:12PM

johnos1984 wrote: »

€50 is a nice punishment.

If it was any higher I'd tell you to give half back

BTW don't relist the ad on DD with the line "re-advertised due to timewaster" as it always suggests to me someone looked at it and found a major fault

its pounds sterling, i am relisting due to time wasters and saying

*** check you can get insurance BEFORE viewing..!***

johnos1984 · 30-03-2012 10:14PM

carbon nanotube wrote: »

its pounds sterling, i am relisting due to time wasters and saying

*** check you can get insurance BEFORE viewing..!***

I wouldn't, although I can see where you are coming from, it does still make the seller look like a crack pot

carbon nanotube · 30-03-2012 10:14PM

George Dalton wrote: »

I would never take a deposit when selling a car privately. It is more hassle than it is worth.

and why is that.? i told him last week if you give me a deposit now i will keep the car for you as i was not ready to sell so soon, just advertised it with photos 3 hours previously.

carbon nanotube · 30-03-2012 10:15PM

johnos1984 wrote: »

I wouldn't, although I can see where you are coming from, it does still make the seller look like a crack pot

??

Justin10 · 30-03-2012 10:15PM

Imo that you are asking the question means that you should give it back.

Its a small amount of money, if your car is a clean tidy one you will have no problem selling it as there a popular car.

Seems to me it be playing on your conscious and that aint worth 50 quid.

George Dalton · 30-03-2012 10:16PM

carbon nanotube wrote: »

and why is that.? i told him last week if you give me a deposit now i will keep the car for you as i was not ready to sell so soon, just advertised it with photos 3 hours previously.

I think this thread illustrates my reasoning perfectly to be honest.

carbon nanotube · 30-03-2012 10:16PM

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

It depends on whether or not you agreed when taking the deposit if it was refundable.

no agreement, all i said was i will keep the car if you give me a deposit

i kept my end of the bargain, not my fault he scrwed up his side

TestTransmission · 30-03-2012 10:17PM

I would of asked for a bigger deposit.

carbon nanotube · 30-03-2012 10:18PM

Rochey18 wrote: »

Imo that you are asking the question means that you should give it back.

Its a small amount of money, if your car is a clean tidy one you will have no problem selling it as there a popular car.

Seems to me it be playing on your conscious and that aint worth 50 quid.

if it sells in a week i will give it back

carbon nanotube · 30-03-2012 10:18PM

TestTransmission wrote: »

I would of asked for a bigger deposit.

lol

Saab Ed · 30-03-2012 10:18PM

I'd just agree to refund the deposit when you actually get the car sold. Punishment enough for him and you're not outta pocket.

The Big Red Button · 30-03-2012 10:21PM

carbon nanotube wrote: »

its pounds sterling, i am relisting due to time wasters and saying

*** check you can get insurance BEFORE viewing..!***

But sure then you're putting off potential buyers by making it seem like it's difficult to get insured on the car, for some reason. They'll think there's something you're not telling them in the ad, that'll make it more difficult than usual to get insurance.

When there's lots of "*********"s in the ad, it will always put me off anyways. Just looks spammy!

Just advertise it as normal, as if it's your first time advertising. If you take a deposit:
1. Make it clear that it is non-refundable.
2. Set an absolutely totally clear date, in writing, on which the transaction is going to go through in full. Or otherwise you're keeping the deposit
3. Be happy with the amount of the deposit that you're willing to hold the car for. So that, if they change their minds for any reason (relating to insurance or otherwise), you don't feel that you've lost out. Just make sure that you're happy with the amount, or don't take it at all.

johnos1984 · 30-03-2012 10:24PM

carbon nanotube wrote: »

??

There are loads of ads in Donedeal with relisted due to timewaster, the usually have a description of the car being perfect, mint, like new...........followed by a crazy high price and pictures which show it unwashed, damaged and not serviced.

If selling just stick to the facts and forget about everything else.

Mentioning someone having issues getting car insurance would imply it is a high risk car to buyers

carbon nanotube · 30-03-2012 10:26PM

chatterpillar wrote: »

But sure then you're putting off potential buyers by making it seem like it's difficult to get insured on the car, for some reason. They'll think there's something you're not telling them in the ad, that'll make it more difficult than usual to get insurance.

When there's lots of "*********"s in the ad, it will always put me off anyways. Just looks spammy!

Just advertise it as normal, as if it's your first time advertising. If you take a deposit:
1. Make it clear that it is non-refundable.
2. Set an absolutely totally clear date, in writing, on which the transaction is going to go through in full. Or otherwise you're keeping the deposit
3. Be happy with the amount of the deposit that you're willing to hold the car for. So that, if they change their minds for any reason (relating to insurance or otherwise), you don't feel that you've lost out. Just make sure that you're happy with the amount, or don't take it at all.

IMO theres nothing wrong with that, people can be stupid (for not checking insurance) and that is not my fault.

there are photos up of the car and anyone can see its clean as a whittle, the guy last week said its cheap., said he saw more cars and this was by far the best.

It got a better service than the accord i got and it certainly doesnt need servicing to the tune of 700gbp

carbon nanotube · 30-03-2012 10:28PM

johnos1984 wrote: »

There are loads of ads in Donedeal with relisted due to timewaster, the usually have a description of the car being perfect, mint, like new...........followed by a crazy high price and pictures which show it unwashed, damaged and not serviced.

If selling just stick to the facts and forget about everything else.

Mentioning someone having issues getting car insurance would imply it is a high risk car to buyers

Its a standard mondeo ffs..

the photos are not taken in a lake or anything...:)

the only thing i am worrying about is i got 2 bloody cars and will move to scotland soon... ugh

johnos1984 · 30-03-2012 10:30PM

carbon nanotube wrote: »

Its a standard mondeo ffs..

the photos are not taken in a lake or anything...:)

the only thing i am worrying about is i got 2 bloody cars and will move to scotland soon... ugh

It doesn't matter what it is but seeing it listed in the ad will make people think there is an issue with the car

What part of Scotland?

carbon nanotube · 30-03-2012 10:33PM

what part of scotland got f**k all to do with this.

johnos1984 · 30-03-2012 10:34PM

carbon nanotube wrote: »

what part of scotland got f**k all to do with this.

Just being friendly, I spend a lot of time over there

L-M · 30-03-2012 10:34PM

Yeahh...

Can't really see this going anywhere!

Drummerboy08 · 30-03-2012 10:42PM

Limerick man wrote: »

Yeahh...

Can't really see this going anywhere!

Really?

TestTransmission · 30-03-2012 10:51PM

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

Really?

I think he forgot to click the button...

GarIT · 30-03-2012 10:52PM

My way of dealing with a deposit would be when its sold if you get the asking price pay the deposit back, if you don't get the asking keep the difference.

Keeping the deposit is the whole point of a deposit because then it proves the persons interest, if you didn't keep deposits they would be pointless. If deposits were always paid back the buyer might as well just come over to you and say I have €50 would you like to see it.

Anan1 · 30-03-2012 10:53PM

Why do people take (or give) deposits without written confirmation of exactly what's being agreed to? It saves a lot of bullsh1t down the line.

johnos1984 · 30-03-2012 10:56PM

TestTransmission wrote: »

I think he forgot to click the button...

No it was locked a few minutes ago

Juwwi · 30-03-2012 11:01PM

If the buyer was a young lad and you believe his story about the insurance not working out then just give him back the 50.

After all it was his 50 to start with.

Atlantic Dawn · 30-03-2012 11:01PM

If he didn't check the insurance before putting a deposit on the car he is a backward chap and needs the deposit to be not given back to him so he can educate himself in the ways of the world.

It's a whole £50 deposit we are talking about, he must not have 5 sheets to rub together if he is looking for this much back when the error is 100% on his end. I wouldn't take a deposit for less than €200, I would also declare at point of desposit being placed that car will be held for 7 days after which desposit it lost.

massey390 · 30-03-2012 11:04PM

well a with a depostit he has d right to pull out , on d bright side you have extra money for doing nothing

F-Stop · 30-03-2012 11:04PM

Anan1 wrote: »

Why do people take (or give) deposits without written confirmation of exactly what's being agreed to? It saves a lot of bullsh1t down the line.

Very true. But it does happen.

The whole point in paying a deposit is a committment to buy, with the understanding that if you decide not to buy you forfeit your deposit.

When I bought from a private seller I viewed the car, with a mechanic, agreed a price and time to pay it. No deposit, no bull****. Everyone was happy. It's not that hard to do really.

Of course, the key factor here was the mechanic I hired, who charged a very reasonable fee and did a really good job. In fact the seller asked for his details as he was planning on buying soon.

Drummerboy08 · 30-03-2012 11:11PM

johnos1984 wrote: »

No it was locked a few minutes ago

You sure? YOu must be locked dude

Geddit

johnos1984 · 30-03-2012 11:12PM

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

You sure? YOu must be locked dude

Geddit

Nah I slowbering up now

trixyben · 30-03-2012 11:16PM

if i was selling a car id want a couple hundred as a deposit up front, if the buyer is happy to give couple hundred deposit then he is going to buy the car tbh...

if he decides not to buy then deposit is non-refundable and that would be explained at the start...

from my experience it stops you wasting time with tyre kickers

30-03-2012 11:25PM

I've never taken a deposit and I've sold more than a few cars privately over the years. As mentioned it's awful hassle with all the ifs and buts. You can suss out folk fairly well I reckon and if they seem genuine and ask you to hold the car for a few days for them and for some reason they can't or don't buy it it's not the end of the world imo

dr.fuzzenstein · 31-03-2012 12:12AM

The buyer sounds like a kid that jumped the gun a bit.
I'd give him the money back along with a bit of a lecture on the nature of deposits and to be more carefull next time, another guy wouldn't, don't rush into things, yada yada...
Deposits sound like more trouble than they're worth.
It's up to you OP, if the buyer seems nice enough, give him the benfit of the doubt.

Anan1 · 31-03-2012 09:20AM

F-Stop wrote: »

Very true. But it does happen.

The whole point in paying a deposit is a committment to buy, with the understanding that if you decide not to buy you forfeit your deposit.

It does happen, but it's frankly ridiculous. I've taken many deposits over the years, and a simple 'Received non-refundable deposit of €x from xxx on agreed price of €xxx, balance to be paid within 7 days or deposit will be forefeit.' dated and with car details means that everyone's on the same page right from the outset. I've also taken and given deposits subject to professional inspection, ie refundable if the buyer isn't happy with what the mechanic says. The key here is that both parties be agreeing to the same thing, and that both have it in writing.

mad muffin · 31-03-2012 09:56AM

I'd give it back. You don't know what crazies are out there.

He can come back and put a brick through your window or the car or worse.

Riesen_Meal · 31-03-2012 10:04AM

mad muffin wrote: »

I'd give it back. You don't know what crazies are out there.

He can come back and put a brick through your window or the car or worse.

I would give it back aswell, fair enough he couldn't get insured and he did waste your time for a week, but really what's a week in the grand scheme of things?

Chap must be broke to need 50 quid back, do the decent thing...

StudentDad · 31-03-2012 04:42PM

The title of this thread just made me grin

djimi · 31-03-2012 04:51PM

Ordinarily Id say keep the deposit and let it be a life lesson to the buyer. But the fact that you have had two other callers in the week suggests that there is still interest in the car and you should be able to shift it, so if you have any guilt about it then maybe just give it back to him.

That said its only €50, which is a cheap lesson to the buyer why you never buy/agree to buy a car before checking the insurance out on it, and its €50 in your pocket in case you have to relist the car at a cheaper price to ensure a sale before you leave for Scotland.

carbon nanotube · 31-03-2012 05:00PM

re listing the car costs money

i will give him money back if it sells in a week minus any fees i lose in advertising.

he should have checked insurance first, what a clown

djimi · 31-03-2012 05:08PM

carbon nanotube wrote: »

he should have checked insurance first, what a clown

The amount of people I know of who have the opinion that they can buy any car they want and their insurer "has to" insure them on it. One girl got caught badly when she bought a GT-Four Celica and her insurer initially flat refused to touch it, and then when pressed said that they would transfer her insurance, but her renewal would be in the region of €10k or something ridiculous like that.

The mind boggles why you wouldnt want to have an absolute guarantee that you can insure a car before you buy or agree to buy it...

Voodoomelon · 31-03-2012 06:52PM

Deposits with private sales are a bit baffling.
Unless you sign something, there's no proof you even gave it to the seller.

Not only that, the seller is under no obligation to hold the car for you either and just give you the money back once the car is gone to someone else.
I'd just make it back to the car as soon as humanly possible.

carbon nanotube · 31-03-2012 07:21PM

sold there just now, some polish guy, cash in hand nice clean sale

550 notes i did it for, no quibble..:p

probably worth more but no time to mess around anymore. did not even take it for a drive apart from a spin around the car park

deposit on car.. buyer pulled out.

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