Returning a flake buyer's deposit: WWGRMD?| Off-Topic Discussion forum |

rotard Dork
8/12/12 5:19 p.m.

So, let's say that a guy trying to buy his midlife crisis mobile from you flaked after you got a "non-refundable" deposit and had taken said car off of the market. The guy texts you less than 24 hours before the agreed upon transaction saying that he can't manage the purchase. What would you do?

wearymicrobe HalfDork
8/12/12 5:21 p.m.

Keep the deposit, it is just that simple. Put the car back up for sale.

BoxheadTim UberDork
8/12/12 5:23 p.m.

There's a reason e deposit is non-refundable...

Keep it.

Ranger50 UltraDork
8/12/12 5:33 p.m.

It has already been said. Non-refundable is non-refundable. And just like taking a gamble, risk only what you can afford to lose.

Trans_Maro SuperDork
8/12/12 5:34 p.m.

Keep it.

I kept a deposit when I caught a guy trying to pass me a rubber cheque.

rotard Dork
8/12/12 5:34 p.m.

Man, I think I'm going to spend this on hookers and blow.

Karl La Follette SuperDork
8/12/12 6:05 p.m.

rotard wrote: Man, I think I'm going to spend this on hookers and blow.

for the win

John Brown MegaDork
8/12/12 6:42 p.m.

IF he asks for the money back I would recommend offering him 50% of the deposit back upon sale of the vehicle but not before. Depending on where you are you may not be able to legally offer a no refund deposit and it may cost a fair amount in legal fees to find that out.

poopshovel UltimaDork
8/12/12 6:48 p.m.

Depends on the guy, your relationship with him, the car, and the amount of the deposit.

All that said, if it's totally understood that the deposit was non-refundable, yeah, it's your money.

rotard Dork
8/12/12 6:53 p.m.

It was made clear that it was non-refundable, but I still gave him back half of it. He did waste a lot of my time and caused me to take the car off the market for almost two weeks.

Anti-stance Dork
8/12/12 6:55 p.m.

rotard wrote: It was made clear that it was non-refundable, but I still gave him back half of it. He did waste a lot of my time and caused me to take the car off the market for almost two weeks.

Thats pretty fair. But I wouldn't fault you if you kept the whole thing.

friedgreencorrado PowerDork
8/12/12 7:06 p.m.

rotard wrote: It was made clear that it was non-refundable, but I still gave him back half of it. He did waste a lot of my time and caused me to take the car off the market for almost two weeks.

You're acting in good faith. At least the guy didn't try to stiff you like the case TransMaro's talking about. I wouldn't sweat it. He inconvenienced you, but didn't try to cheat you. Sometimes, things happen.