Team Honda
Back to Sales Reviews
Dealership Sales Review
sales Rating
Buyer Beware
Written byon 07/15/2015
Spoke with this dealership over the phone. Was interested in a specific vehicle. They listed that the vehicle had arrived on their website when in fact it was still in transit. Dealership promised that the vehicle would be delivered to their lot within a week. They asked for a deposit (for a vehicle that had not arrived yet) and we believed them that it would arrive on time. Called the dealership 7 days later only to find out that the vehicle had not arrived as promised. Was told again that the vehicle would arrive "soon". I stated that is not what we discussed and asked for a refund of the deposit for the vehicle that they still did not have on their lot. I was instructed to speak to another manager who told me that decision was above his pay grade and I would have to speak with someone else. The manager was extremely disrespectful and rude. At no time over the phone did is work to earn our respect or business. He did not try to make the situation right. He only argued and his unprofessional tone offended me and concerned me about the way they treat their customers. If the vehicle is not available-on the lot...keeping a deposit for the vehicle is unprofessional...it is simply taking advantage of the customer. It was never explained that the deposit would be non-refundable. It is unreasonable to be expected to wait past the expected time frame when another dealership has a vehicle that is on the lot and available. What was discussed and promised over the phone is not what was happening. In addition to not having the vehicle as promised, they were 2,000 over priced from another dealership with the exact same vehicle. Again, questioning their sales tactics and "earning" business. This is simply unprofessional and dishonest. Losing business over a $500 "deposit" for a car that they don't have doesn't make long-term sense when the vehicle costs tens of thousands of dollars. Highly dissatisfied and frustrated with the ease at which they are willing to take your money. After several phone calls and discussions, the dealership finally released the deposit. Very disappointed and would not recommend this dealership.
- Recommend this dealer? No
- Purchased a vehicle from this dealer? No
- Did the dealer honor all commitments made? No
Showing 1 comment
Sort by:
tturbo on 01/04/2017
Your car deposit CAN be 100% refundable depending on the circumstances on which you gave the deposit.
If you never signed a contract to purchase or a purchase order for a specific vehicle, then yes you CAN get your deposit back.
A non-refundable deposit can happen if and only when a customer actually signs a purchase order for a SPECIFIC vehicle, and ALL charges are clearly printed and stated on that purchase order.
If a customer simply gives a deposit over the phone as a "good faith" gesture so that the dealership will hold a particular car for them, that deposit is absolutely refundable as long as that customer did not sign anything promising to purchase that particular vehicle.
If you do sign a purchase order and give a deposit, and you are only going to do so, then make sure that you demand the sales manager write that on your purchase form and initials it. That protects you from losing your deposit if your financing falls through. IOW, if your promise to by a particular and specific vehicle is contingent upon obtaining financing from a particular bank, then make sure that is understood, written, and signed by BOTH you and the sales manager. That way if your financing falls through, then you can get your deposit back and not be forced into taking their financing that may not have the best terms.
A deposit can absolutely be refundable as long as the customer has not signed an actual full disclosed purchase order that clearly states ALL included charges and fees.
Even if a purchase order is signed and a deposit made, if the dealership then alters the agreement by adding a new fee or demands adding a new service or product, then the original agreement is void, as the dealer can not alter the signed purchase order and demand including additional charges or services or products that were not disclosed originally.
In your case of giving a deposit for a SPECIFIC vehicle that then never showed up, your deposit is absolutely and 100% refundable because the dealer could not provide the specific agreed upon vehicle.
And you are correct in that that dealer should have never asked for a non refundable deposit on a vehicle they never had on the lot for your inspection.
If you ever decide to give a good faith deposit in the future for a vehicle that you want to inspect first and prior to purchasing, then simply make sure to have that written on any document you sign, and make sure the sales manager signs that information as well.
If the sale is contingent upon a specific vehicle arriving at the dealership, and then only on your actual acceptance of purchasing that vehicle after having test driven and wanting it, then make sure your deposit is written on a document stating that exact thing with your signature and theirs, and get a copy for yourself.
YES, deposits can be and are refundable depending on the circumstances.
Your case is a clear refundable type.
Report