Deceased Before Delivery - Need Advice
12-07-2017, 05:50 PM
#62
I exchanged a couple of calls with the general sales manager today. I asked him to reconsider his offer of $15k and to do the right thing and refund the full $20k. He came back upping the offer from $15k to $18k. He claims they will have a holding cost due to a 4.5% interest rate. They don't anticipate selling the car until late spring/early summer. They claim the $20k deposit was my step-father's idea. There is no contract from what I understand only a receipt. At this point I think we'll take the $18k and move on. I still have a 2015 Ford F-150 Platinum and a house to sell. We now just need to figure out who they write the check to and what paperwork is required.
I really do appreciate the replies here. You all probably saved me $3k. Thank you for your advice and condolences.
I really do appreciate the replies here. You all probably saved me $3k. Thank you for your advice and condolences.
The following 9 users liked this post by Steeveau:
AORoads (12-07-2017),
Crossed Flags Fan (12-08-2017),
DWS44 (12-07-2017),
Gonzo (12-07-2017),
jimmie jam (12-08-2017),
and 4 others liked this post.
12-07-2017, 06:25 PM
#63
Le Mans Master
I exchanged a couple of calls with the general sales manager today. I asked him to reconsider his offer of $15k and to do the right thing and refund the full $20k. He came back upping the offer from $15k to $18k. He claims they will have a holding cost due to a 4.5% interest rate. They don't anticipate selling the car until late spring/early summer. They claim the $20k deposit was my step-father's idea. There is no contract from what I understand only a receipt. At this point I think we'll take the $18k and move on. I still have a 2015 Ford F-150 Platinum and a house to sell. We now just need to figure out who they write the check to and what paperwork is required.
I really do appreciate the replies here. You all probably saved me $3k. Thank you for your advice and condolences.
I really do appreciate the replies here. You all probably saved me $3k. Thank you for your advice and condolences.
All the best.
12-07-2017, 07:36 PM
#64
Every dealers paperwork when you order a new car has terms for canceling a car that is built to spec. Have your estate attorney review the docs and get his opinion. Personally I would take the $15k and not run up a big legal bill which will, more than likely, top $5k if you fight it.
12-07-2017, 08:32 PM
#65
Race Director
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: Bonneville Salt Flats, 223mph Aug. '04
Posts: 17,404
Received 5,202 Likes
on
3,451 Posts
Jeeez, talk to your lawyer... not us.
12-07-2017, 09:18 PM
#66
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Mar 2000
Location: Pottsville, PA. USA Home Of America's Oldest Brewery Yuengling
Posts: 9,063
Received 2,239 Likes
on
1,033 Posts
I think the $18K is more than fair!!!
12-07-2017, 09:32 PM
#67
Le Mans Master
I’m sorry, not trying to be difficult or argue with anyone, but I don’t understand how anything less then a full refund is fair or legal. The client has passed away before the transaction was completed. This is not by choice. As a business owner myself, I know in my line of work this is simply known as a cost of doing business, that simple. If you cannot complete the transaction due to death, you can’t hold the family responsible for a contract that the deceased signed. Not only is that the right (and legal in my world) thing to do, but that’s also the ethical thing to do.
The following users liked this post:
ElGreco53 (12-08-2017)
12-07-2017, 09:52 PM
#68
Team Owner
Member Since: Mar 2012
Location: Anger Island
Posts: 45,945
Received 3,289 Likes
on
1,399 Posts
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
He accepted $18k. Arguing is done. 
12-07-2017, 09:56 PM
#70
Le Mans Master
I think the offer is fair, it is a lose lose lose situation. I hope the 2k is not an overwhelming loss, and that the comfort of not having a fight on your hands is worth the loss. My condolences on your loss, it is a terrible loss. 2k hopefully is not such a big loss.
12-07-2017, 10:37 PM
#71
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Sep 2012
Location: Hagerstown MD
Posts: 6,876
Received 1,738 Likes
on
1,174 Posts
St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
Considering the circumstances, this was a prudent decision. Sorry for your loss.
12-07-2017, 11:24 PM
#72
Team Owner
Member Since: Jun 2005
Location: Northern, VA
Posts: 46,103
Received 2,481 Likes
on
1,944 Posts
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Thanks for coming back on and giving us the conclusion to the matter. If it's right for you and the family, I think we'll have no argument. I won't. You are probably going to have many more matters to be concerned with. I, too, have been thru a couple or so executor-ships. No fun, seldom easy, and fraught with issues that pop up.
12-08-2017, 01:37 AM
#73
Burning Brakes
I exchanged a couple of calls with the general sales manager today. I asked him to reconsider his offer of $15k and to do the right thing and refund the full $20k. He came back upping the offer from $15k to $18k. He claims they will have a holding cost due to a 4.5% interest rate. They don't anticipate selling the car until late spring/early summer. They claim the $20k deposit was my step-father's idea. There is no contract from what I understand only a receipt. At this point I think we'll take the $18k and move on. I still have a 2015 Ford F-150 Platinum and a house to sell. We now just need to figure out who they write the check to and what paperwork is required.
I really do appreciate the replies here. You all probably saved me $3k. Thank you for your advice and condolences.
I really do appreciate the replies here. You all probably saved me $3k. Thank you for your advice and condolences.
12-08-2017, 05:53 AM
#74
Race Director
12-08-2017, 07:24 AM
#75
Team Owner
I’m sorry, not trying to be difficult or argue with anyone, but I don’t understand how anything less then a full refund is fair or legal. The client has passed away before the transaction was completed. This is not by choice. As a business owner myself, I know in my line of work this is simply known as a cost of doing business, that simple. If you cannot complete the transaction due to death, you can’t hold the family responsible for a contract that the deceased signed. Not only is that the right (and legal in my world) thing to do, but that’s also the ethical thing to do.
Last edited by jschindler; 12-08-2017 at 07:25 AM.
12-08-2017, 07:29 AM
#76
Team Owner
Exactly why I blame the dealer. $2,000 is not such a big loss. The dealer could have taken it just as easily and look at it as a marketing expense. I would like to think the owner gives more than that to charitable causes.
12-08-2017, 07:50 AM
#77
Melting Slicks
The dealer just made ANOTHER 2k. They are still going to sell the car. Its not like they have distressed merchandise. I guess its easy to throw away money when its not yours.
The following users liked this post:
C6_Racer_X (12-08-2017)
12-08-2017, 07:53 AM
#78
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2005
Location: Big Bend Country, TX
Posts: 29,114
Received 2,186 Likes
on
1,337 Posts
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
12-08-2017, 08:37 AM
#79
Safety Car
I exchanged a couple of calls with the general sales manager today. I asked him to reconsider his offer of $15k and to do the right thing and refund the full $20k. He came back upping the offer from $15k to $18k. He claims they will have a holding cost due to a 4.5% interest rate. They don't anticipate selling the car until late spring/early summer. They claim the $20k deposit was my step-father's idea. There is no contract from what I understand only a receipt. At this point I think we'll take the $18k and move on. I still have a 2015 Ford F-150 Platinum and a house to sell. We now just need to figure out who they write the check to and what paperwork is required.
I really do appreciate the replies here. You all probably saved me $3k. Thank you for your advice and condolences.
I really do appreciate the replies here. You all probably saved me $3k. Thank you for your advice and condolences.
If the Corvette is never built to the order, there will be zero "holding costs." I'd make at least one phone call to Bowling Green and try to get it stopped today. I'm pretty sure GM values their reputation more than this dealership you're arguing with. If you get the order information and the death certificate in front of the production manager in Bowling Green, I'm pretty sure they won't be building your step dad's corvette, and there won't be an issue. I'm not sure how badly you need the money right now, but if you can let it stew until almost delivery date, knowing the car hasn't been built, you can go back to the dealership and say you want the car now, or on the original schedule, or you want a full refund. When they can't get the car, you should get the full refund.
For the F-150, take it to CarMax. They will make you a fair offer on the truck. You can take cash (certified funds) when they make the offer, or anyone in the family wants the truck, you have the current market value of the truck. That's also a great negotiating tool if you trade it on something else. If the trade in offer falls short, you give them the opportunity to beat CarMax, or you can forget about the trade and take it back to CarMax for cash.
Link to find a nearby CarMax and schedule an appointment for appraisal/sale: https://www.carmax.com/sell-my-car/used-car-offer
I’m sorry, not trying to be difficult or argue with anyone, but I don’t understand how anything less then a full refund is fair or legal. The client has passed away before the transaction was completed. This is not by choice. As a business owner myself, I know in my line of work this is simply known as a cost of doing business, that simple. If you cannot complete the transaction due to death, you can’t hold the family responsible for a contract that the deceased signed. Not only is that the right (and legal in my world) thing to do, but that’s also the ethical thing to do.
Add me to the list. I hope OP doesn't sign any kind of non-disclosure as part of this deal, and I hope he'll come back and tell us about this dealership so we can all avoid the place.
Last edited by C6_Racer_X; 12-08-2017 at 08:44 AM.
12-08-2017, 08:50 AM
#80
If you're happy with that, it's your life. I wouldn't be.
If the Corvette is never built to the order, there will be zero "holding costs." I'd make at least one phone call to Bowling Green and try to get it stopped today. I'm pretty sure GM values their reputation more than this dealership you're arguing with. If you get the order information and the death certificate in front of the production manager in Bowling Green, I'm pretty sure they won't be building your step dad's corvette, and there won't be an issue. I'm not sure how badly you need the money right now, but if you can let it stew until almost delivery date, knowing the car hasn't been built, you can go back to the dealership and say you want the car now, or on the original schedule, or you want a full refund. When they can't get the car, you should get the full refund.
For the F-150, take it to CarMax. They will make you a fair offer on the truck. You can take cash (certified funds) when they make the offer, or anyone in the family wants the truck, you have the current market value of the truck. That's also a great negotiating tool if you trade it on something else. If the trade in offer falls short, you give them the opportunity to beat CarMax, or you can forget about the trade and take it back to CarMax for cash.
I agree. I wouldn't be happy. As I've said, I'd be on the phone with Bowling Green talking to GM to stop the thing from being built. I'm pretty sure GM doesn't want to be involved in fleecing the grieving survivors of one of their potential customers. The thing hasn't even been built yet, so there's no cost to the dealership for selling the thing if you stop it from being created.
Add me to the list. I hope OP doesn't sign any kind of non-disclosure as part of this deal, and I hope he'll come back and tell us about this dealership so we can all avoid the place.
If the Corvette is never built to the order, there will be zero "holding costs." I'd make at least one phone call to Bowling Green and try to get it stopped today. I'm pretty sure GM values their reputation more than this dealership you're arguing with. If you get the order information and the death certificate in front of the production manager in Bowling Green, I'm pretty sure they won't be building your step dad's corvette, and there won't be an issue. I'm not sure how badly you need the money right now, but if you can let it stew until almost delivery date, knowing the car hasn't been built, you can go back to the dealership and say you want the car now, or on the original schedule, or you want a full refund. When they can't get the car, you should get the full refund.
For the F-150, take it to CarMax. They will make you a fair offer on the truck. You can take cash (certified funds) when they make the offer, or anyone in the family wants the truck, you have the current market value of the truck. That's also a great negotiating tool if you trade it on something else. If the trade in offer falls short, you give them the opportunity to beat CarMax, or you can forget about the trade and take it back to CarMax for cash.
I agree. I wouldn't be happy. As I've said, I'd be on the phone with Bowling Green talking to GM to stop the thing from being built. I'm pretty sure GM doesn't want to be involved in fleecing the grieving survivors of one of their potential customers. The thing hasn't even been built yet, so there's no cost to the dealership for selling the thing if you stop it from being created.
Add me to the list. I hope OP doesn't sign any kind of non-disclosure as part of this deal, and I hope he'll come back and tell us about this dealership so we can all avoid the place.
Seriously guys, I have seen some very insightful info on here but then stupidity like this exists!
The following 2 users liked this post by JALLEN4:
Mikegerm_C5 (12-09-2017),
Steve_R (12-08-2017)