Question on deposit returns
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 746
Likes: 5
From: Williamsburg, Va
Question on deposit returns
I placed an order with a local dealer (low volume) the beginning of October, it was entered in the system (checking found it at 1101). The dealer did not have an allocation to attach to the order.
Two days ago I found a car that matched my specs. I told my original dealer I was going ahead with that deal in place of waiting for an allocation. Of course as Murphy would have it, he received an allocation the next day and now is refusing to refund my deposit since I broke the deal.
My position is we never really had an order since it was not picked up by GM and did not have an allocation assigned to it.
Your thoughts and opinions please
Ron
Two days ago I found a car that matched my specs. I told my original dealer I was going ahead with that deal in place of waiting for an allocation. Of course as Murphy would have it, he received an allocation the next day and now is refusing to refund my deposit since I broke the deal.
My position is we never really had an order since it was not picked up by GM and did not have an allocation assigned to it.
Your thoughts and opinions please
Ron
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
I think you should honor the deal with the original dealer...
unless you have a written contract that spells out the terms under which your deposit will be refunded.
Sounds like your deal was to enter the order when the dealer had an allocation and you just got impatient.
unless you have a written contract that spells out the terms under which your deposit will be refunded.
Sounds like your deal was to enter the order when the dealer had an allocation and you just got impatient.
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Nov 8, 2014 at 03:39 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,867
Likes: 66
From: . Wyoming .
I think you should honor the deal with the original dealer...
unless you have a written contract that spells out the terms under which your deposit will be refunded.
Sounds like your deal was to enter the order when the dealer had an allocation and you just got impatient.
unless you have a written contract that spells out the terms under which your deposit will be refunded.
Sounds like your deal was to enter the order when the dealer had an allocation and you just got impatient.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 746
Likes: 5
From: Williamsburg, Va
While that is true, what is he out? He has an allocation, can order a car and sell it at MSRP. He was selling the car to me at supplier price or about $6000 less than MSRP. So his complaint is??????
Instructor
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 127
Likes: 3
His complaint is because with you he's already got a guaranteed sale. You said the dealer is low volume so maybe he doesn't have a line of people wanting a Corvette.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 746
Likes: 5
From: Williamsburg, Va
He has received 4-5 cars so far this year and has sold all of them in 2-3 weeks. In fact he was planning to go to a dealer in NY to BUY a car from that inventory. That doesn't sound like he is concerned about selling his inventory.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 11,825
Likes: 2,477
From: Ft Lauderdale
Tech Contributor
if i was still in retail I'd give you the money back , no questions asked...see the general manager....the only time I kept a deposit was when the car ordered was individual, like a special pink painted 911 or such...no good GM wants the publicity that he kept a deposit.... tell him you'll press the issue on social media...
besides, he can still change the order....
besides, he can still change the order....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 826
Likes: 3
From: Seabeck WA
Order Placed
Queued for Production
Production Complete
Shipped/En Route
At the Dealership
No codes are ever shown. You must have gotten this information from a dealer.
My only comment is: Yeah, it would be nice if the dealer returned your deposit but he certainly has no obligation to. You were the one that broke the deal.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I guess my first question is: How did you find out it was at 1101? Chevy Order Tracking only shows broad categories:
Order Placed
Queued for Production
Production Complete
Shipped/En Route
At the Dealership
No codes are ever shown. You must have gotten this information from a dealer.
My only comment is: Yeah, it would be nice if the dealer returned your deposit but he certainly has no obligation to. You were the one that broke the deal.
Order Placed
Queued for Production
Production Complete
Shipped/En Route
At the Dealership
No codes are ever shown. You must have gotten this information from a dealer.
My only comment is: Yeah, it would be nice if the dealer returned your deposit but he certainly has no obligation to. You were the one that broke the deal.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 746
Likes: 5
From: Williamsburg, Va
I guess my first question is: How did you find out it was at 1101? Chevy Order Tracking only shows broad categories:
Order Placed
Queued for Production
Production Complete
Shipped/En Route
At the Dealership
No codes are ever shown. You must have gotten this information from a dealer.
My only comment is: Yeah, it would be nice if the dealer returned your deposit but he certainly has no obligation to. You were the one that broke the deal.
Order Placed
Queued for Production
Production Complete
Shipped/En Route
At the Dealership
No codes are ever shown. You must have gotten this information from a dealer.
My only comment is: Yeah, it would be nice if the dealer returned your deposit but he certainly has no obligation to. You were the one that broke the deal.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 746
Likes: 5
From: Williamsburg, Va
Refund
Do all you guys own dealerships? No "order" existed, at 1100 it is in the computer only. BTW this would have been the second car I bought from him I bought a 2015 Suburban in May 2014. However that will be my last purchase.
Someone suggested I speak to the GM, the refusal to refund the deposit was the decision of the owner (a guy I considered a friend). Go figure.
GM might be interested; in the last 10 years I have purchased 4 Corvettes (including the C7), 4 Cadillacs, a Tahoe and 2 Suburbans. I like new cars.
Someone suggested I speak to the GM, the refusal to refund the deposit was the decision of the owner (a guy I considered a friend). Go figure.
GM might be interested; in the last 10 years I have purchased 4 Corvettes (including the C7), 4 Cadillacs, a Tahoe and 2 Suburbans. I like new cars.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 767
Likes: 7
From: New Orleans Louisiana
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Do all you guys own dealerships? No "order" existed, at 1100 it is in the computer only. BTW this would have been the second car I bought from him I bought a 2015 Suburban in May 2014. However that will be my last purchase.
Someone suggested I speak to the GM, the refusal to refund the deposit was the decision of the owner (a guy I considered a friend). Go figure.
GM might be interested; in the last 10 years I have purchased 4 Corvettes (including the C7), 4 Cadillacs, a Tahoe and 2 Suburbans. I like new cars.
Someone suggested I speak to the GM, the refusal to refund the deposit was the decision of the owner (a guy I considered a friend). Go figure.
GM might be interested; in the last 10 years I have purchased 4 Corvettes (including the C7), 4 Cadillacs, a Tahoe and 2 Suburbans. I like new cars.
Don't go back.
BobD
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 746
Likes: 5
From: Williamsburg, Va
I am sure you are right, but It'll make me feel better. I did not sign a contract for the deposit, nor did he suggest one. We know each other fairly well through some charity events so it was sealed with a handshake. Bad move.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,070
Likes: 162
From: Coralville Iowa
It's a business transaction - as such, it should have been in writing. Friendships mean nothing when money is involved - that's a tough lesson everyone has to learn in life. Appears you have had your education in this now.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 746
Likes: 5
From: Williamsburg, Va
Now, my easy question to you is: 1. Give back the deposit or 2. Tell me to go to hell and find a new golf partner.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,070
Likes: 162
From: Coralville Iowa
C'mon, give me a break. I'm 75 and have been in business all my life, I wasn't looking for lectures on what I should have done. Your sage 20/20 advice is not what I posted this for, I am looking for opinions on this specific transaction with the parameters that are set. As I said, the owner is a guy I participate with at golf charity tournaments. Don't give me that c%$p about my life learning experiences!! Do I know about contracts? Hell yes. Do I know about friendships? I thought I did and that is my ONLY life learning experience with this transaction. Never make a purchase with/from a friend.
Now, my easy question to you is: 1. Give back the deposit or 2. Tell me to go to hell and find a new golf partner.
Now, my easy question to you is: 1. Give back the deposit or 2. Tell me to go to hell and find a new golf partner.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 746
Likes: 5
From: Williamsburg, Va
Your vote is Dealer 1; Purchaser 0 Fair enough.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,070
Likes: 162
From: Coralville Iowa
Sorry for my caustic nature - I just don't trust ANYONE when money is concerned except for one person - my wife. After 31 years we both know we can trust each other. Sadly, I've found that most car dealers who profess "friendship" do it only to exploit that relationship in order to get money out of your pocket into theirs. I'm a skeptic when buying anything major (cars, houses, etc.). Have a good one!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 746
Likes: 5
From: Williamsburg, Va
Sorry for my caustic nature - I just don't trust ANYONE when money is concerned except for one person - my wife. After 31 years we both know we can trust each other. Sadly, I've found that most car dealers who profess "friendship" do it only to exploit that relationship in order to get money out of your pocket into theirs. I'm a skeptic when buying anything major (cars, houses, etc.). Have a good one!
This was unfair to discuss here because there where a lot of other discussions along the line. I told them that I was anxious to purchase a car and that I was surfing to find one. I was told by the GM that if "you (me) do find one that works for you (me) that I should go for it". Now that "seemed" to lessen my "no contract" contract. Would you not agree with that?
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,854
Likes: 535
Unless there was a verbal agreement that you'd have to wait "indefinitely" for the order to be picked up by GP, you have an out, as no one can be expected to wait indefinitely.
Tell them part of the deal was for them to get GM to build you a car, which unfortunately for them they have not followed through on in a "reasonable" amount of time , so THEY are in breach of the verbal contract, not you.
It sounds like the order still has not been "picked up" by GM and all the dealer is doing now is trying to string you along. Tell them it's been too long already and you're not going to be strung along any further and if you don't get the deposit back immediately you'll be contacting the BBB and the Attorney General.
Tell them part of the deal was for them to get GM to build you a car, which unfortunately for them they have not followed through on in a "reasonable" amount of time , so THEY are in breach of the verbal contract, not you.
It sounds like the order still has not been "picked up" by GM and all the dealer is doing now is trying to string you along. Tell them it's been too long already and you're not going to be strung along any further and if you don't get the deposit back immediately you'll be contacting the BBB and the Attorney General.
Last edited by RedC7AZ; Nov 8, 2014 at 09:48 PM.