My sister told us about a car dealer that was offering sales on 2006 minivans. We went and looked, I didn't like the 2006 models they had because they had no options, but I did find a van I fell in love with, it was a loaded 2002 Town and Country Limited Edition, for only 13, 000. I left a reasonable deposit since the banks were closed. This was Saturday evening. They told us they'd do the financing Monday morning and we could return after work Monday, sign the paperwork and pick it up. Well today I called to tell my sister about it and imagine my suprise when she tells me she did the same exact thing for the same exact vehicle Friday evening, and they called her Saturday morning to tell her that her paperwork was ready to be signed and that she could come pick it up Saturday afternoon. She couldn't make it Saturday so she told them she'd come get it Monday. I cannot understand why they showed me the vehicle and took my money and are putting points on my credit for something sold?
2006-11-12 08:12:20 · 4 answers · asked by screwed in Illinois 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Buying & Selling
Unfortunately it's not illegal ... just really, really unethical. Once someone commits to selling or buying something to or from you, the ethical thing is to follow through with the sale even if they later find a better deal or whatever. Taking a deposit is basically just Earnest money so they know you are serious about the deal ... but until the contract is signed, they're isn't legally a "sale" yet, so provided they give you all your money back, you're out of luck. But, I probably wouldn't deal with that dealer again as they aren't very forthright or ethical. And you have no recourse on the credit report ... anytime someone runs an inquiry on you it will effect your credit report at least a little bit ... but that's the normal course of doing business. Sorry it didn't work out for you.
Good luck on the next one.
2006-11-12 08:28:40 · answer #1 · answered by Informed1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This really isnt a difficult question...
The car was not sold. The car is only considered sold when the paperwork is completed, financed, and delivery taken by the buyer.
It is sad that dealers work this way but a deposit does not guarantee the dealer to take the car off the market and make it not for sale. They probably werent convinced that you sister could get financing approved within the terms she agreed to.
The only thing a dealer actually gets to agree to is the selling price since the terms, interest and payments are set by the finance company.
It is actually a good thing that they didnt sell the vehicle out from under her after they told her she was approved since they had other consumers interested in purchasing the same van. Most dealerships I have worked with would have kept dialing until someone came in to buy it and then told her they couldnt hold it for sale...until the paperwork was signed, financed and delivery taken...
2006-11-12 18:31:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't even blame the dealer on this one. The customer is the problem. Someone will come in, put money on the car, which the dealer marks as sold, and losses the opportunity to sell that vehicle later. Then the customer says " well i found the guy down the street that'll do it for 200 less, i want my money back"
If she had not blown off her appointment to pick up the car, this wouldn't have happened. The dealer has the right to sell the car to whomever, whenever they want. Blame your sister.
2006-11-12 21:18:10 · answer #3 · answered by jay 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
hopefully you get the deposit back , the ethical thing would have been to advise you that there was a deal pending, i worked at a Honda dealer for a while and the amount of dishonest buyers is amazing, they had a saying, the sale isn't final until you see the taillights disappear
2006-11-12 16:41:20 · answer #4 · answered by sterling m 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋