Thread: Car Dealer withdrew from sale - my deposit has not been refunded

Hello everyone, I'm looking for some advice regarding a refund of my deposit paid to a dealer on a used car - someone must know more than me...

I travelled a 250 mile round trip to view a car that I had seen on the internet as it was exactly what I was looking for. After a test drive etc I paid a deposit on my debit card and agreed to collect the vehicle in a week.

Three days later I received a telephone call from the sales "executive" to say that there was a problem with the car and that they would have to send it to a dealership for repairs, they didn't know how long the repairs would take, it would be costly and that when the car was returned to them they would have to put a higher price tag on the car etc and therefore they were withdrawing form the sale. I was told they would send a cheque to me for the full refund of my deposit plus an extra £20 to cover my fuel costs.

No cheque has arrived so I contacted them this morning to enquire what was happening with my refund. I was told by the same sales person that cheque may or may not have been posted and that the company owner would call me back. I got the owner's number and tried to call but was put through to same sales person again who told me that the owner's phone must be on divert and they would get the owner to phone me. I have heard nothing.

I get the feeling that I am being fobbed off by a dodgey dealer.

I have tried to get as much info together as possible on this company but so far have only come up with a website that is available through Autotrader, they don't appear to have their own...I have 3 telephone numbers and sales person's name plus the first name of the owner.

I feel that I should now be putting a letter together requesting my refund so that if it does not materialise I can follow it with an lba.

Any advice/info or similar experiences to share would be helpful,

THANKS

did you sign a contract when you gave the deposit

Yes and I have the original copy plus debit card receipt etc. The "contract" only states that the deposit payment is not refundable if I withdraw from sale...I did not withdraw from the sale they broke the contract

You need to claim your refund back in writiing and give them 7 days to respond and advise them you will take further action if they do return your deposit.