prozzi

I e-mailed a bunch of dealers and one finally got back to me, he said that they woul give me 1,000 dollars off the Msrp throw in the protection package and lease no money down 464 including tax for 4 year 60000 miles on a 6 speed Nav. But he wanted a non refundable 1,000 dollar deposit, so I said to him that I needed assurances that the price and lease would stay the same before I put my deposit down.

I don't know if any of you remember my last deal were I drove almost 3 hours to get the car and the dealer shafted me. So I want to make sure this doesn't happen to me again. Well I have not heard from him since.

Novice

I think dealers should not demand non-refundable deposits, period.

However, if you decide to go ahead with this deal, make sure you get all the numbers, including residual, money factor, etc. If you end up getting your car next month, the residual will go down and you know what that means. Have them fax you the final numbers and signed by the sales manager before you give them any money (although dishonest dealers will try to scam you anyway).

casooner90

I've never heard of non-refundable deposit. It's not like they're having a tough time moving these cars. Personally, I woulnd't put down a non-refundable deposit down on any car. I would put down a deposit on a car I want, but better get it back if I change my mind. Sounds like a shady sales practice to me - kind of like holding for ransom?

legendguy

I can see non-refundable deposit in the case of:
1. Car promised by a certain date or dealer has to give you some money.
and
2. Everything in writing and signed by the dealer-owner with clause that states that there will be no add-ons.

I don't think too many dealers would agree to these clauses so, no, I have never done a non-refundable deposit. Basically a deposit just gives you first dibs on a car when it comes in at the price that you were quoted. If you try to deal more off at that point the salesman has the right to be upset with you and withdraw offer. If the salesman tries to hike things up you have the right to be upset with him and walk. What bothers me is that if the car is selling better than anticipated then there is a tendency for the dealer to sell your car to someone else at a higher price and just make you wait. I am not sure if you can always get a VIN# if it is going to be a few months.

VTEC=happiness

non-refunable=scary (could be the Jew in me talking)

Now that he gave you those numbers in writing, I wonder if they are binding in any way?? Usually, things are only talked about, but now you have hard proof as to the numbers he gave you. If you reach an agreement via e-mail (where it is documented), then a deposit does not seem so bad. If he screws you over, you threaten a lawsuit, and you have some good ammo.

Am I way off base?

perrymaxima

Trust your gut instincts a lot of time dealers will promise you a certain price and change it stating that your beacon scores were not high enough to give you the car at that price the Service Managers are trying to make as much of a profit on the sale as possible they are not going to give the car away with out getting their plus some.

prozzi

No not off base at all, he just e-mailed me and said that its a rare car that many people don't want the 6-speed and doesn't want to get stuck with it. I told him that if he can give me in writing, the sale price and lease numbers, I don't have a problem with the deposit. So I will see what happens. The deal sounds good for the lease so I hope its right.

VTEC=happiness

Definately sounds like an awesome deal....good luck

JetJock

Prozzi, I just put down $500 (refundable) for a 6speed, navi, anthricite/ebony, and got $2000 off MSRP from my local dealer in Pennsylvania. I'm a 4X repeat customer, so maybe that had something to do with the deal I got.

prozzi

Hey JetJock, that is a really good deal. It must say alot about the dealer too, if you have gone back to them 4 times. I can't even find a dealer around here that I want to go even once.