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AIBU?

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Original poster

Car buyer backing out and asking for deposit back!

99 replies

LemonyFresh · 07/01/2017 18:13

A few days ago I sold a car for £250 (about half the price I could've sold it for easily) as I needed a quick sale as I'm picking up my new car on Monday. I needed it gone quickly as I only have one parking space for my house, so asked for a £50 deposit to ensure the woman was a serious buyer and would pick up the car at the weekend. She readily agreed to this, gave me the £50 straight away and said she would be round on Sunday to pick it up.

I was very clear that I needed the car gone quickly, hence the cheap price and need of deposit. I also told her I would cancel all other viewings (3 in total) and the car was hers.

This morning I received a message saying the car insurance would be too high for her so she didn't want the car anymore and she would be round today to get her deposit back! I messaged back saying sorry she didn't want it but I won't be returning the deposit as this is the reason I asked for it on the first place - to secure a sale and to ensure a serious buyer wanted it. I have no where to keep the car after Monday and I would have to relist and arrange more viewings, wasting my time and effort.

She has sent me back another shitty message saying it's not her fault and it's not like she's let me down Hmm

AIBU in keeping this deposit and not feeling guilty about it? She should've checked the insurance before viewing the car or leaving the deposit with me. What's the point of the deposit if she does this anyway?

OP posts:
Original poster
LemonyFresh · 07/01/2017 21:46

Oh and pays me Wink

OP posts:
pinkblink · 07/01/2017 21:58

Get a valuation from we buy any car and drop it off tomorrow. They will knock money off the value but if you're underpricing anyway then you may end up with the same amount of not more

timeisnotaline · 07/01/2017 22:07

But she has let you down! Whatever the reason that's what's happened!

StrangeLookingParasite · 07/01/2017 23:33

She has sent me back another shitty message saying it's not her fault and it's not like she's let me down

She's a dick. It is her fault and she has let you down. Idiot.

(But I understand why you've told her she can have the deposit back.)

mirokarikovo · 08/01/2017 03:10

Make sure the transfer of ownership part of the log book v5c form gets filled in and sent off at the same time as she hands over the money. If she is planning to sell it on as suggested upthread she could be planning to leave that step undone - which leaves you vulnerable to all sorts of grief if the car is officially still in your name but no longer under your control.

Casschops · 08/01/2017 07:49

What does she think the deposit is for she is an adult. Although unless you have something in writing to say that the was a deposit and not part payment towards the car you could be on shaley ground. Tell her to look up the definition of deposit then don't enter into conversation about it again.

CheeseFiend36 · 08/01/2017 08:01

Pidgey - because she knows where she lives, is 9 months pregnant and doesn't want any aggro? Not everybody walks around ready for a confrontation just because they are in the right

Collaborate · 08/01/2017 08:47

I've only read the first page of replies, but feel compelled to reply to those posters who think for some reason you're wrong to keep the deposit.

You could compel her to buy the car for the balance of £200 - it's called specific performance. Or if you can only find someone to buy it for £200 you have your £50 loss covered. You have an enforceable contract with this buyer, and the taking of a deposit is an attempt to quantify losses in the event of breach. Keep the deposit and contact the other 3 whose visits you cancelled.

Original poster
LemonyFresh · 08/01/2017 10:51

You really can't make this up Grin

Just received another message from her saying 'I can't get to you for 12pm now so keep your money!'

Fine by me. Blocked her and relisted the car!

OP posts:
EweAreHere · 08/01/2017 10:56

Any chance you reach out the the three parties who were previously interested? It's only been a few days, it sounds like; they may still be looking!

PigletJohn · 08/01/2017 11:02

you've seen ads that say "Relisted due to timewaster?"

HeavenlyEyes · 08/01/2017 11:03

did she pay cash? Make sure cash only from any future buyer.

Original poster
LemonyFresh · 08/01/2017 13:22

I've never felt more scared and intimidated in my life.

The last contact I had from the buyer was what I posted below, at 10am today she messaged me saying she couldn't get to me today so she didn't want the car and I can keep the deposit.

So all is good and I re list the car.

At 12.45, her dad comes to my door unexpected, saying she can't have the car now and can she have the deposit back. Very polite, and I said oh she messaged me this morning saying keep the deposit, I've got the messages, with a confused face. So he says something like ah ok then, and goes back to his car, and I lock the door (I'm alone in the house as DP is working)

A minute later, my doorbell is ringing continuously, my door and letter box being banged and screaming coming through my letter box. I'm assuming this is the woman buyer. I obviously don't answer the door as I'm scared and alone, and call my parents who are a few streets away to come round. They arrive and the woman and her parents drive away.

I'm so shaken and angry. I offered the deposit back last night! She said no, she would buy the car, then this morning texted saying she now didn't want the car and to keep the deposit!

I would've happily given her the deposit today if she told me she wanted when I offered her it, but didn't have the chance today as she came round unannounced and intimidating me.

OP posts:
RubyPumps · 08/01/2017 13:27

Tbh I'd make a note of this incident with the police. Sorry this happened to you.

LagunaBubbles · 08/01/2017 13:27

I wouldphone the Police.

Marynary · 08/01/2017 13:35

She can't keep changing her mind like this. I would call the police.

MrsSchadenfreude · 08/01/2017 13:39

Ring police non emergency number to log it, in case she comes back. Then ring webuyanycar.com and get rid of it that way.

WaitrosePigeon · 08/01/2017 13:40

That's really intimidating! Absolute cowbag.

Celaena · 08/01/2017 13:52

Jesus christ what crazy woman!!

A deposit is to hold it, and if you change your mind well you lose it

CheeseFiend36 · 28/01/2017 13:30

Did you resolve this OP??

Justalittlelemondrizzle · 28/01/2017 21:41

YANBU! ABSOLOUTELY keep the money. Does she not understand what a deposit is for?
Time wasters give me the rage!! I hope you manage to sort something out. Have you tried facebook selling sites, my car went within hours on Facebook after a week of time wasters on auto trader and gumtree

Celaena · 28/01/2017 22:01

@LemonyFresh

what happened??

Original poster
LemonyFresh · 28/01/2017 23:36

I didn't hear anything else after that, and sold the car a few days later.

I was really anxious for a while though!

OP posts:
Celaena · 29/01/2017 11:25

thanks for the update!!

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