What would you do.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 72
He was quick to come get his money. I not told him a couple hours ago and he came right over. Gave me some sad story about spending a bunch of money on his Mom right now. Didn't say much but Merry Christmas and I hope she gets better.
I had just thrown a price out there on the Vette to start at. I would have dickered down with him if he thought it was to much. He never said anything about the price so I don't think it was that. I think he would have called up and said something about finding ones cheaper, I know he wouldn't find one nicer. That's all right. I really like that the top comes down. I just don't like getting kicked off the drag strip for going to fast without a roll bar and I just don't like the way a roll bar looks in a convertible. I'm putting a Supercharger on the Vert next year and it's only going to get me in more trouble
The Z06 was that dark blue and I'm really not a big fan of the color blue except the Nassau blue on a 1967 427 Corvette convertible, now that's sweet.
Merry Christmas and Have a Happy New Year
I had just thrown a price out there on the Vette to start at. I would have dickered down with him if he thought it was to much. He never said anything about the price so I don't think it was that. I think he would have called up and said something about finding ones cheaper, I know he wouldn't find one nicer. That's all right. I really like that the top comes down. I just don't like getting kicked off the drag strip for going to fast without a roll bar and I just don't like the way a roll bar looks in a convertible. I'm putting a Supercharger on the Vert next year and it's only going to get me in more trouble
The Z06 was that dark blue and I'm really not a big fan of the color blue except the Nassau blue on a 1967 427 Corvette convertible, now that's sweet. Merry Christmas and Have a Happy New Year
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 3
From: Hawaii
Well, it's a done deal. You did what you felt was right. (I would have kept it.) You could have donated the money to a charity IN HIS NAME. That would have given you a nice warm fuzzy feeling and taught him a lesson in the meaning of the term DEPOSIT as well as a small tax write of for him.
I'm just wondering.... what if you drove by his house in a week or two and saw a Vette in the driveway; would you still feel good....?
I'm just wondering.... what if you drove by his house in a week or two and saw a Vette in the driveway; would you still feel good....?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
Refundable deposit? Isn't the point of a deposit to ensure you don't sell the car at the next opportunity? What would be the good of giving it back. That's a "have your cake and eat it too" situation.
As others have said, the right thing to do is keep the $300. I don't know if you believe in Karma, but depending on the vibe you got from this guy, giving him back the money may be right as well.
That being said, I would hold onto the money and see if he gets belligerent. If so, give him the money back. You can simply explain to him that the point of a deposit was that you didn't sell the car at the next opportunity and therefore if he didn't give you the deposit, you WOULD have sold the car and been able to buy the Z06 you wanted.
Besides, $300 isn't even 1% of the cost of the car. A normal deposit is $1000. If this guy wasn't wasting your time, I'd imagine that he would have given you more for the deposit because he'd likely have the money to back it up.
As others have said, the right thing to do is keep the $300. I don't know if you believe in Karma, but depending on the vibe you got from this guy, giving him back the money may be right as well.
That being said, I would hold onto the money and see if he gets belligerent. If so, give him the money back. You can simply explain to him that the point of a deposit was that you didn't sell the car at the next opportunity and therefore if he didn't give you the deposit, you WOULD have sold the car and been able to buy the Z06 you wanted.
Besides, $300 isn't even 1% of the cost of the car. A normal deposit is $1000. If this guy wasn't wasting your time, I'd imagine that he would have given you more for the deposit because he'd likely have the money to back it up.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 72
He was the one that said he would give me a deposit to hold the car, I was the one who said $300. I'm glad that's all I asked for, I think my greedy side might have taken over if $1000 was involved but $300, no big deal.
Refundable deposit? Isn't the point of a deposit to ensure you don't sell the car at the next opportunity? What would be the good of giving it back. That's a "have your cake and eat it too" situation.
As others have said, the right thing to do is keep the $300. I don't know if you believe in Karma, but depending on the vibe you got from this guy, giving him back the money may be right as well.
That being said, I would hold onto the money and see if he gets belligerent. If so, give him the money back. You can simply explain to him that the point of a deposit was that you didn't sell the car at the next opportunity and therefore if he didn't give you the deposit, you WOULD have sold the car and been able to buy the Z06 you wanted.
Besides, $300 isn't even 1% of the cost of the car. A normal deposit is $1000. If this guy wasn't wasting your time, I'd imagine that he would have given you more for the deposit because he'd likely have the money to back it up.
As others have said, the right thing to do is keep the $300. I don't know if you believe in Karma, but depending on the vibe you got from this guy, giving him back the money may be right as well.
That being said, I would hold onto the money and see if he gets belligerent. If so, give him the money back. You can simply explain to him that the point of a deposit was that you didn't sell the car at the next opportunity and therefore if he didn't give you the deposit, you WOULD have sold the car and been able to buy the Z06 you wanted.
Besides, $300 isn't even 1% of the cost of the car. A normal deposit is $1000. If this guy wasn't wasting your time, I'd imagine that he would have given you more for the deposit because he'd likely have the money to back it up.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 3
From: Hawaii
Well, it's a done deal. You did what you felt was right. (I would have kept it.) You could have donated the money to a charity IN HIS NAME. That would have given you a nice warm fuzzy feeling and taught him a lesson in the meaning of the term DEPOSIT as well as a small tax write-off for him.
I'm just wondering.... what if you drove by his house in a week or two and saw a Vette in the driveway; would you still feel good....?
I'm just wondering.... what if you drove by his house in a week or two and saw a Vette in the driveway; would you still feel good....?
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Race Director
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 16,574
Likes: 13
From: Winfield IN
Good for you for giving it back. Good karma. Although I can't say that I would have, unless of course I got bad vibes from the guy and that he might press the issue and try to bother me further.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
Likes: 47
From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I would of kept the money for 2 reasons.
1, Because of him you missed out on the car you wanted.
2. By giving him his money back you have taught him nothing about life.The real world.
Mr.Bill
1, Because of him you missed out on the car you wanted.
2. By giving him his money back you have taught him nothing about life.The real world.
Mr.Bill
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18,643
Likes: 14
From: Norman Oklahoma - The Only State in the Union with no Blue Counties!
Just read the first page. I would give the money back but next time I would ask for $1000.00 and make the terms clear. Don't know how your deal was made. I laid down a $1000 on my car after banking hours on a Saturday evening with a promise to pay the balance on the following Monday morning. The guy had a non deposit buyer coming to look at the car a few days after my promise. I own the car now but if I hadn't come through,,,,, he would have been up the money. That was our clear deal at the hand shake.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 772
Likes: 23
From: Carlisle PA
If I understand correctly, you didn't lose the bidding because of this guy and you still have a great Vette - instead of none. Take the high road - wait a couple days or so and let him know he welched and make arrangements for to come to you for his refund, give him a check and mark it clearly as a refund of deposit - you'll have a receipt.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 291
From: Allyn WA
He was quick to come get his money. I not told him a couple hours ago and he came right over. Gave me some sad story about spending a bunch of money on his Mom right now. Didn't say much but Merry Christmas and I hope she gets better.
I had just thrown a price out there on the Vette to start at. I would have dickered down with him if he thought it was to much. He never said anything about the price so I don't think it was that. I think he would have called up and said something about finding ones cheaper, I know he wouldn't find one nicer. That's all right. I really like that the top comes down. I just don't like getting kicked off the drag strip for going to fast without a roll bar and I just don't like the way a roll bar looks in a convertible. I'm putting a Supercharger on the Vert next year and it's only going to get me in more trouble The Z06 was that dark blue and I'm really not a big fan of the color blue except the Nassau blue on a 1967 427 Corvette convertible, now that's sweet. Merry Christmas and Have a Happy New Year
I had just thrown a price out there on the Vette to start at. I would have dickered down with him if he thought it was to much. He never said anything about the price so I don't think it was that. I think he would have called up and said something about finding ones cheaper, I know he wouldn't find one nicer. That's all right. I really like that the top comes down. I just don't like getting kicked off the drag strip for going to fast without a roll bar and I just don't like the way a roll bar looks in a convertible. I'm putting a Supercharger on the Vert next year and it's only going to get me in more trouble
The Z06 was that dark blue and I'm really not a big fan of the color blue except the Nassau blue on a 1967 427 Corvette convertible, now that's sweet. Merry Christmas and Have a Happy New Year
Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
From: Tsawwassen BC
Bet if you drive by his place in two days there is another yellow vette in his driveway....I think he realized he overpaid and lied his way out of the deal...Gramma is fine I'm sure....but you did what felt right for you...move on....
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 671
Likes: 10
From: Tulsa OK
I've paid a lot more than $300 to learn the value of another person's word. You did the right thing by taking the "high road", but next time get a bigger deposit and put in writing that it will be applied to the purchase price only and is non-refundable.
OBD
OBD
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
It's good CARma.
Lepus-temperamentalus
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,827
Likes: 5
From: Roswell Ga
I have a beautiful 02 yellow convertible with a few tasteful add on's. Nothing that can't be removed and Vette put back to stock. I have just over 5000 miles on it. I was thinking about selling it to bid on a low mileage super charged Z06 that was on ebay. I was asking $32K for it. I know, top dollar but it's a brand new car or better in every way. Anyways, I have a guy come check it out, falls in love with it and dosen't dicker in any way. Gives me a $300 deposit and says he will give me the rest on the 12th. We write up a bill of sale and everything. The 12th comes around and no money. I call him and leave him message after message on his cell phone with no response. I lose the bid on the Z06. Today he calls me and says his mother was sick and that he had to fly back east and didn't have anytime to call me or arrange for the money. Says that he won't be able to buy the Vette and wants me to give him his deposit back. This was all left in a message on my home phone, not even my cell phone. He had both. I haven't called him back yet. Should I give him his deposit back. I'm pissed at not getting the Z06 but I feel funny about keeping the money, especially at Christmas time. What's the right thing to do guys?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 72
Thank you for all your wisdom. I've sold a few cars in my life but always for cash. I didn't even bid on the Z06 so I was out nothing and to tell you the truth, my convertible is a lot nicer looking and it's not blue. I was thinking about the supercharger and not getting kicked off the drag strip anymore. I did not know I had to have a roll bar to run low 12's in a convertible. I was a little embarrassed when the track ****'s tracked me down. I was having a blast and it all came to an quick halt. I'll have to find a roll bar I can live with when I put the super charger on it. I have the chrome hoops but they wouldn't fly.
I did learn no deposit less then a $1000 and to make it clear in writing that it is non-refundable.
Happy Holidays
Dave P.
I did learn no deposit less then a $1000 and to make it clear in writing that it is non-refundable.
Happy Holidays
Dave P.
Be the better man, and refund his money.