Car Purchase Something Changed

[BBS-LM]

Hi all

Been viewing a car online this week, agreed on a price, and even done a finance application which got approved by the finance company, with conformation by email my end. Go to see the car today for inspection and the agreed price has gone up £400 for no apparent reason, they say they had the price wrong, and I say you agreed on a price 2 days ago.

The thing is they have a deposit which is not refundable, and I’m not too sure where I sand on the deal from a legal stand point?

[cayman-black]

Bloody well is refundable they have changed the deal. Who are these scum bags?

[rotaryjam]

Yes this is very simple, the deposit sealed the car at the agreed price.

The price changed, thr original deal is invalid and your deposit should be returned.

[BBS-LM]

So if I have proof from the finance which I applied for this week, listing the payment details, and on the road price agreed on, I have every right to ask for my deposit backs, and if I want to, walk away.

[loskie]

does the deposit not form a contract? So if you can be bothered for the money pursue them. Sadly as and when thiungs go wrong with the car they will be no where to be seen so best thing is to get deposit back and leave bad reviews

[ninjag]

Not that it justifies it, but I wonder if they had to do £400 worth of repairs, or stick new tyres on or something?

[lost in espace]

They don't like pricing their cars in round numbers, £32,977 for instance. Any obvious reason for this, the finance doesn't end up in a round number either.

[bolide]

Moneyclaim online is your friend. Set the claim up, ready to go, then email them and suggest they might want to refund your deposit before you action it

[james6546]

lost in espace said:

They don't like pricing their cars in round numbers, £32,977 for instance. Any obvious reason for this, the finance doesn't end up in a round number either.

Some dealers put £1 onto the price for every week the car has been on sale. I know Evans halshaw do this (or used to) as the dealer told me.

No reason for starting on £70 though, unless it's been for sale for a long time!

[twing]

lost in espace said:

They don't like pricing their cars in round numbers, £32,977 for instance. Any obvious reason for this, the finance doesn't end up in a round number either.

Probably so they appear top of the list on websites like AT as nearly everyone else prices at 995/999

[T5SOR]

Wasn’t there a case a year or so ago where someone on here took a deposit, with an agreed price, but then decided to sell to someone else for more money. Taking the original deposit formed a binding contract. The original buyer, who gave the deposit, raised a small claims court action against the seller for the deposit and the difference to purchase the same car elsewhere (which was a few thousand more)?

[MitchT]

T5SOR said:

Wasn’t there a case a year or so ago where someone on here took a deposit, with an agreed price, but then decided to sell to someone else for more money. Taking the original deposit formed a binding contract. The original buyer, who gave the deposit, raised a small claims court action against the seller for the deposit and the difference to purchase the same car elsewhere (which was a few thousand more)?

Yes, the prospective buyer sued for "loss of bargain" and won. I think the sum in question was about £2,000. Whether it would be worth doing the same for £400 is another matter.

Thread here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[T5SOR]

MitchT said:

Yes, the prospective buyer sued for "loss of bargain" and won. I think the sum in question was about £2,000. Whether it would be worth doing the same for £400 is another matter.

Thread here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

That’s the one I couldn’t remember the phrase!

[Bobupndown]

Have you nothing in writing, the original sales price listed on the finance application?
Very bad business practice and one I'd be spreading far and wide to everyone I could think of.