I went to look at a vehicle yesterday,came to an agreement on a price with the owner,and left a good-faith deposit. His buddy offered to trailer it for me,so I accepted (less trouble). I tell him to call me if he has any questions. Well,not 2-hours later he sends me a Private Message telling me that someone else gave him a better offer and had the cash in hand and he took it. I did till him originally that I would have paid all the $$ up front no problem,but he didn`t have the title with him at the moment. And to call me if he has any questions. Gracious him "offered" to return my deposit though. So now I have to drive a half hour away to get my deposit $$$ back?? This seriously put me in a bad mood today,I am sooo pisssed it`s not funny. Anyone else have this happen to you? How did you handle it??
Pretty crappy of the guy. Very few stand by their word any more. I've seen lot's of post like this, most answers are when you go to buy, have all the money and get the car and title right then and there.
the world is full of them.. its like walking thru a farm field. You have to be really careful not to step in it ..if you know what i mean?
Obviously not a HAMB kinda' person. Sounds like he's a real POS. His name would be Mudd at least in my small circle of associates. Everyone I know would understand just how he conducts his business. Just how much did it take for him to smear his name and reputation, a couple hundred bucks? Hardly worth it. Karma my brother, you gotta believe he'll get his due somewhere down the line.....Don.
That's just wrong !!! I think a mans word should be good. I guess I'm just old fashion !! What and the hell is the world coming to ??? >>>>.
You have a legitimate lawsuit. Him taking your deposit is a legal contract to sell the car to you. Someone else posted a while back when they did this, they sued and won the total price they had agreed to pay for the car.
when you go back to collect your dough why not tell him its all good you were really having a change of heart anyway due to the cobbled up and shitty workmanship he (the owner) had done to the car anyway.. try to keep a smile on your face and maybe mention how a handshake doesnt mean shit to folks with no moral compass on a pillgramage of greed.. fuckin hose bag! , a wise man once said "some people are alive only because its against the law to kill them!"
Sellers remorse on his part. Some people's word is worth less the air their sound waves disturb. Tough break.
I'd go this route too. Get your deposit back then go to the courthouse in the town that he lives and file a small claims case against him. It will cost you about $50 the last time I heard and you don't need a lawyer. You just show up on the count date nicely dressed and explain to the judge what happened. Last I heard the maxium amount was $1750.00 but that was here and a few years ago. Could be more now and in your state.
I'd just get the deposit back, be a 'bigger man' and walk away. He'll get his in the end, and you'll know of one less person who is trustworthy. shitty deal dude.
Sounds like Wall Street, Trickle down effect. That was how Wall Street recieved its named. There were so many wild pigs attacking people they created a wall to keep them out.
It is a legal contract, and legally you're entitled to the deal you made - basically the car at the deal promised, or the difference between what you agreed to pay for it and what he sold it for (or the actual value, whichever is higher). If he sold it for a bunch more, small claims might be worth it (depending on jurisdiction, usually a limit of $5,000 or $10,000). Getting the car (specific performance) is a different deal entirely, and small claims doesn't have the authority to force it in most jurisdictions.
There are plenty of honest people out there. You just happened to stumble across a jerk. Years ago I went to look at a car and came to an agreement with the seller to buy it for $4000. It was after the banks had closed so I told him I'd be back in the AM with the cash. After we loaded the car the next morning, he gave me the title and a piece of paper with a name & phone number. He said "if you want to make a quick $2000 Call this guy. He offered me $6000 right after you left but I told him the car was sold". I still have the car and no, it isn't for sale.
Since we're sharing similar stories. In 1984 I had a beauiful '69 Firebird convertible but I wanted a brand new Fiero so I put the Firebird up on the corner of my street with a For Sale sign on it. Within minutes I got a phone call, the guy came straight to the house and he handed me a deposit. Before I could go get the car from the corner the phone was ringing off the hook and when I got to the car there were a few people milling around it trying to make me better offers then what I was asking. I felt sick right then and there knowing I had not asked enough. I did take everyone's phone number in case the first guy flaked BUT I was raised properly and standing by a handshake means everything in my family therefore I sold the car to the first guy for what I said I would. Funny thing is he lived the next street over and every now and then I would stop by and ask if he's willing to sell it back to me yet. He kept saying no but I had first dibs on the car when he was. Yep, you guessed it, I never got a call before he sold it to someone else. Some people were raised where their word means everything, others are raised where their word means nothing and that's a shame.
had that happen a few times in the past and it's pretty maddening. the court route is in my opinion a waste of time. figure out how much time your out,plus gas bank that figure and down the road you will figure out how to recover it plus interest. remember when you spring your revenge to do it with a smile!
You admit that in public?! You got that right. You have a legally binding contract with the guy, whether he likes it or not. He agreed to the price, he is obligated to honour that. Verbal or written, it's still legally binding.
just chalk it up to experience. He's a douche and dont do buisness with a douche....unless your a girl and it smells. I wouldnt waste your life suing him. Think of what you could accomplish in the time it would take to get a lawyer, go to court, wait around, deal with extentions...blah blah blah. My time is at a premium and I dont have any to waste on a frivilous law suit. You will probably find a better car now anyways.
Something similar has happened to me twice this year! Both times it involved motorcycles...both on Craigs List I should add.I call guy #1 8:00 am on a Sunday morning,he says that I am the first one to call..asks me what time I want to come look at it,I tell him between 10 and 11 am,he says fine.I get there about 10:40 after driving about 40 mins to get there and he says oh dude,I sold it about 20 mins. ago..left pissed and let him know it in a civil way. Guy #2 calls me shortly after I emailed him and tells me that I am the first person that he's talked to about the bike.He proceeds to tell me all about the bike,I tell him that I will take it sight unseen,just show me the title.He says that he might be able to come see me during his lunch hour at my place of business.Then an hour or so later,he emails me again asking when I want to look at it.I email him back and tell him once more that I don't even have to look at it,but if he insists I can drive up around 7:00 p.m. that evening.He emails me back and tells me that he has a guy coming over in two nights and if he doesn't take it THEN I can look at it.I even offered the guy $150.00 more than his asking price and he still wouldn't sell it to me. I really wish that Craigs List would prominently display a buyers and sellers guide..kinda like a code of ethics.Thanks...I feel better now.
This past spring, I found a 53 Jeep and went over to look at it. We made a deal, and shook hands. I told him I'd be back the nest day with a trailer to get it and handed him the money. He handed it back, smiled kindly, and said "just bring it with you when you come get it". The next day, I lined up a trailer, got it hooked to the truck, and for some reason checked my email before I went to get the Jeep. Sure enough, there was an email from the guy saying that someone else showed up with a trailer and cash that morning, and that the Jeep was "no longer available". I was pissed, but it saved me a ton of work.