Getting deposit back from private sale.

[KimiClaire]

Hey,
About 2 weeks ago I left a $300 on a VT Commodore after test driving it, the owner said he just needed to pink slip it and put rego on it and it would be ready to go.
After I left the deposit he told me he couldnt afford to put rego on it and would sell with a pink slip. Last week it still wasnt pink slipped and was failing because it was too low, he asked me if I could find a set of stock VT springs, which I did costing me $90. I went to his mechanic yesterday and the car was supposed to be ready and when I got there the car still wasnt ready and he told me the horn didnt work and he couldnt figure out what was wrong with it but was willing to pink slip it anyway, I immediately got the feeling the mechanic was dodgy and that the car wasnt in proper condition.
I told him today I didn't want to continue with buying the car as it came across dodgy and asked if I could have my deposit back and he refused saying it was gonna cost him to rego it and re-lower it to sell it to someone else.
What should I do about getting the money back?

[thekid93]

give him the lower springs back and put them in for him. or tell him to take it to a mechanic of ur pick for a full rwc

[Troy711]

Did you get a written receipt for the deposit?

[Cameron P]

grow a back bone and get your money back.. he shouldnt be stuffing you around!

[naf33n]

did you inpsect the car yourself??? do you think its ok??? cause a horn aint a major issue, deffently wouldnt stop me buying a car.

also the mechanic cant be too dodgy if he knocked it back for been too low

[Brett_jjj]

I agree ^^.If its only the horn thats not working then thats no real reason not to buy it still.

[Reaper]

I would:

1. Warn the mechanic that you expect a proper RWC
2. Tell the vendor that you are ready willing and able to complete the deal as per your agreement, remind them that if he can't fulfill the agreement then he is obligated to return any deposit paid.

If the tool lives with his parents then I would arrive (say) at dinner time or when his parents etc are likely to be around and take somebody with you. Be calm but firm that they are his options. I would be dogged - but it's very important that you remain calm. As for the legal route, unfortunately the police are unlikely to want to know about it but are worth a shot.

Reaper

[Reaper]

did you inpsect the car yourself??? do you think its ok??? cause a horn aint a major issue, deffently wouldnt stop me buying a car.

also the mechanic cant be too dodgy if he knocked it back for been too low

ROFL - of course he's dodgy if he knocked it back for being too low.

Reaper

[calais24/7]

Why would you pay the 90 for springs? it's his problem..

[Jamesmaier]

Even without a receipt you both entered an oral agreement. If worst comes to worst you can take him to court. But as Reaper said just need to remain calm and demand your money back if your not confident buying this car.

The owner said he was going to get rego and rwc done for you as you paid the $300, so already he has broken the agreement, so you are entitled to a full refund.

[Grennan]

Why would you pay the 90 for springs? it's his problem..

Yeah thats where I would have told him to jump.

If hes offering a RWC, he should be the one covering the costs of getting the car into a fit state for sale. The deposit is not a "Here go get it roadworthy" fund.

[wraith]

Good luck proving anything if you haven't gotten it written down. This is why it always pays to get something written up at least then your covered. You don't have much of a leg to stand on if he won't return it if all you did was talk because he can quite easily come back and say I told him it was non-refundable. Hope you get your money back and I hope you learn your lesson.

[calais24/7]

Yeah thats where I would have told him to jump.

If hes offering a RWC, he should be the one covering the costs of getting the car into a fit state for sale. The deposit is not a "Here go get it roadworthy" fund.

Exactly right, when i sold the vl, i had to spend a little bit of money to get the rwc, that's the buyer's problem at all, i was the one that said rwc can be included for the right price so therefor i was expected to get it to a rwc condition. I would never have even thought of asking the buyer for springs or new tires or anything to get it passed.

[304runner]

God I love "phone in rego's"..... Im finding it hard to understand why you wouldnt but the car just because the mechanic said the horn isnt working.. Are you paying for the work on the car too? Id just pay up and drive away in the car.... At least he has taken it to a licenced mechanic....

[schoey3]

i think just stuff him and get it all back man

[monkeys437]

Its a tough one mate, if the guys still willing to pink slip it and sell it at the agreed price, you cant just change your mind and get your deposit back.
If he refuses to pink slip the car and breaks the terms of your agreement then thats another story and I think your entitled to get it back.

[Brett_jjj]

Kimiclare,if you dont have anyone to go with you to see this clown,then Im in the same town as you,and I will go there with you if you want,just private message me about it..

[KimiClaire]

The mechanic was willing to pink slip it being too low if it was for him, just not to sell to me because Im not a local from where I was buying the car from. I only bought the springs because it was easier to for me to find them, then to wait weeks for him to find a set and I was gonna get him to knock it off the price - fairs fair and all. The mechanic wouldnt tell us exactly why it wasnt passing, told me the horn, an oil leak and a few wheel studs were broken and a few other things but wouldnt be exact (my guess was because I was female and you know 'we know jack all about cars') and never mentioned the springs. They told me they couldnt figure out what was wrong with the horn and there were 5 mechanics standing around talking as I waited 15 minutes out the front with my friend, and not once did they touch the car so I assumed it wasnt of importance to them, they then told me it would take them an hr to finish up. The owner of the car was a mate of a mate and did seem pretty reliable up until last week. Thanks for the offer Brett but I've got a couple of mates wanting to come with me as it is lol!

[Grennan]

Yeah I would walk away from it.

I think youve made a mistake on a) giving this bloke springs to get it roadworthy and b) not getting a written receipt.

Try and get your desposit back, ultimately you may have to just say goodbye to it, but this car sounds like its going to be a headache and the owner is even more of one.

[Brett_jjj]

The mechanic was willing to pink slip it being too low if it was for him, just not to sell to me because Im not a local from where I was buying the car from. I only bought the springs because it was easier to for me to find them, then to wait weeks for him to find a set and I was gonna get him to knock it off the price - fairs fair and all. The mechanic wouldnt tell us exactly why it wasnt passing, told me the horn, an oil leak and a few wheel studs were broken and a few other things but wouldnt be exact (my guess was because I was female and you know 'we know jack all about cars') and never mentioned the springs. They told me they couldnt figure out what was wrong with the horn and there were 5 mechanics standing around talking as I waited 15 minutes out the front with my friend, and not once did they touch the car so I assumed it wasnt of importance to them, they then told me it would take them an hr to finish up. The owner of the car was a mate of a mate and did seem pretty reliable up until last week. Thanks for the offer Brett but I've got a couple of mates wanting to come with me as it is lol!

No worries,hope you get it all sorted..

[Trayner]

sounds dodgy as to me mate , time to walk away

[KimiClaire]

I'm definately not buying the car, just trying to get the deposit back to give me some more money towards my new car (which ended up costing less than the dodgy one and is in A LOT better condition!)