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

I would guess that there is something that made them think you are not serious or you ordered a configuration that may not easily sell should you rescind. Just purely a guess.

 

$500 to reserve mine.

 

Well they just got back to me and said it’s now REFUNDABLE! After I told them to forget the deal. SMH

 

Bro, go to a different dealership until you find one that will play your game, not theirs.

 

if it's the deal you want and the truck you want i don't see the issue leaving a deposit

we used to have non refundable deposits at a place i worked at, customers had to acknowledge and initial next to it. it was rare that we actually kept the customers money, but we did one time to compensate the salesperson for the work they did

 

I put a $500 deposit down, in June .. For what the dealer had coming in in Aug. Just to hold what I wanted.
I never had any intentions of not buying, so this was basically 'Here's $$ .. That will be my truck' ...
The dealer I bought mine from got 6 Taco's (Various models) in and 4 were already sold.
I was never told that my deposit was non-refundable .. But was also included into the final price.

 

I usually buy (order) popular cars within the first few months after they come out. Last 3 times it was for cars/trucks with a waiting list and they wanted a deposit. Twice non-refundable around the $500 level. And usually I'm happy to do that to keep my place in line with the stipulation that we agree on purchase price now and I get a guarantee that it becomes refundable if they can't deliver the car by the date they get to pick. Twice, they've missed that date and both times different dealers have offered to return my deposit without me asking. Also never had a problem with a dealer not honoring the price we've agreed to.

 

Yes, if it’s not the agreed upon price in writing with signatures I will definitely walk.

 

Totally understand, there’s just something about these southeast Toyota dealers that doesn’t sit right with me.

 

if you have a signed copy of the purchase and sales from them, they can't really do anything to change that

 

Most dealers I've talked about non refundable deposits tell me it's to discourage people from putting down deposits at 5 dealers and buy from whoever can produce a vehicle first. Most would refund for any decent reason.

 

Are you also paying MSRP? What did you order?

 

Invoice on the truck is $32,658 and I’m supposedly paying $33,216
Trd sport access cab 4x4 MT. That’s the preliminary agreed upon price. Now when I get into the dealership they may totally change it up. I’m hoping I’m not right.

 

They are asking for the deposit because it’s an access cab manual.

 

Yes, I was fine with giving a deposit. Just not a non-refundable deposit.

 

A deposit, by law is refundable!

 

I put down a $500 deposit on an order, but due to the covid factory shutdown, it didn't arrive before I moved so I called the dealer and he refunded the deposit.

"non-refundable" is not standard practice.

 

Phone call to the dealer first to ask if a deposit is needed. If it is ask if you just need to call another dealer. End of need for deposit. When I ordered a 2015 Sport DCLB 4x4 on Nov 3, 2014 I did it all by phone. NO DEPOSIT. They said I had to place one and I told them that wasn't going to happen. I also told them that I would not pay the price that they were asking. Told them I'd give them invoice plus $500. They laughed, but they blinked. Told them they could order it in and get it on the lot and THEN we'll haggle. If I found one I wanted before then I would call them to give them their last shot at beating my other deal. They agreed. They ordered it, NO DEPOSIT, NO DEAL. I never even went to the dealer almost 100 miles away. It arrived March 17th 2015. They called me to say it was in. Because of heart problems that had developed between the two dates I was in no position to take delivery of it, so I told them to sell it. It sold in three days. You never know what is going to happen between ordering and delivery. If they want to sell you a vehicle they need to get it on their lot. That is the business they chose to be in.

Take control of the sale, or be controlled in situations like these for the rest of your life. Some people fish, and some people are destined to cut bait all of their lives.

 

FTYF

 

You Sir are a gentleman and a scholar.