View Single Post
      10-20-2011, 11:24 AM   #41
ceb
NHTSA Nazi
27
Rep
1,983
Posts

Drives: 335ix
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MD

iTrader: (1)

Putting down a deposit means nothing. All it shows is your intent to buy something that the dealership has - it does not mean that they have to sell it to you.

The whole concept of a deposit is psychological. Putting down a deposit binds you mentally to the purchase but the same does not hold true for the dealer. Until they sign on the dotted line there is no commitment on their part.

Deposits are always fully refundable on most anything but a special order. I know of no state that allows a dealer to keep a deposit if you back out unless the dealer can show that he either special ordered a chartreuse car with a pink and lavender interior or had some other major financial outlay that cannot be recouped.

The bottom line here is the BLUF (bottom line up front) - a deposit means nothing. Only a purchase order signed by the dealer's authorized rep means anything.
Appreciate 0