Dealer wants non refundable deposit on a factory order. Is this standard practice?

Has anyone done this? How much did your dealer request as a non-refundable deposit on your factory order?

 

Yes, typically I just do the minimum and then they add it towards the down payment.

Otherwise they have to pay for freight on something that wasn't intended for the dealer.

Other option is to find out where your model is and travel there to buy it.

 

They asked for $1000. Does that sound right?

 

I haven’t had to put a deposit for either of my 2 orders.

 

Probably depends on dealer and/or if it is something they can easily sell if you don’t get it.

 

Nor have I but I had a reputation with my Toyota dealer, where my Subaru I ordered required it.

It's not unreasonable. But if you don't feel comfortable, don't pay it.

 

I had to put a deposit on a factory order for the launch of another brand. It was a very short supply at launch and couldn’t get it shipped out of other regions of the country. I put a deposit down of $500 that they applied to the first payment. I could see a dealer doing that on the Tacoma if they have a limited supply on hand but not in normal times.

 

I had to put a deposit down for the dealership to locate the exact specifications for the truck I was looking for. I think it was $500, but it was refunded back to me, or I had the option of putting that toward to accessories. so I bought the bed mat, and got the rest back.

 

They are going to get a vehicle that may not be equipped with options/packages that do not sell well in the area. If it's an extremely popular vehicle they may relent and refund your deposit should you decide not to go through with the purchase.

I put down $500 on a what started as an order for a '20 Taco. After the fight to get it equipped as I wanted it, it took so much time that I ultimately got a '21.

Given my history with this dealer, I probably would have gotten the $500 back had I not bought the Taco.

 

Appreciate the fast responses, I’m gonna do it I guess. With this market and the truck I’m ordering, which is rarely available in my region. I think it’s probably worth it since I feel like I’m getting a pretty decent deal.

 

Deposits have always been refundable for me. Need to beware.

 

I've heard and personally put deposits down of$1000 to hold the truck /order it but I've never heard of the deposit being non refundable.Ive gotten several deposits back on deals that fell thrue because the dealer tried to play shady games.

 

Me either. I just walked in and ordered my truck and they told me it should be here 6 to 8 weeks. That was it

 

I put a 1k deposit down but was fully refundable

 

Yeah that’s what has me suspicious.

 

Have you already made the deal on the truck price wise?

 

Have you told them your willing to put a deposit down but will not agree to a non-refundable deposit?

 

It’s not uncommon.

Typically the refundable deposits are for “holds”.
Basically, they hold the truck for you, that way no one buys it before you get the chance.
(This is usually a truck they order, not one you ordered)

The Non-refundable are usually on “custom”.
(You placed the order, they did not)

However, this is not always the case.
Each dealership usually has their own refund policy.

 

If it were me I’d find a dealership that would refund my deposit. You never know what might happen.

 

I made a 500 dollar deposit on my 2020 TRD OR (purchased on September 15, 2020). It was also refundable, at the end when I made the purchase it went as part of the down payment. Look elsewhere if it's not refundable.