Dealer Test drive deposit.....:)

Ralli · #1 01-18-2006, 05:11 AM

Okay so I dont know whether this is in the right section or not, but I wanted to hear your view on the matter, and whether or not anyone else has come across this.

We are currently looking for a second car and found a really nice RVR for sale at a car yard near my work. So we went and had a look on saturday. Sounded nice, engine was clean, ran really well, blew no smoke (that we could see). was clean inside etc.etc. All in all was a good car, from looks. BF asked the guy if we could take it for a test drive. As he was the only one there on Saturday, he kindly said no, which is understandable.
So BF went back on Monday arvo, to ask the guy if he could take it for a test drive. I mean who out there, just buys a car on looks alone, I mean most people would want to test drive a car before they buy it...........right. .......... we were fairly keen on it, but werent prepared to buy it, unless we drove it. BF was going to drive it and bring it past my work as well, so I could get the boys to check it out and chuck it on a hoist.
ANYWAYS...................the dude wanted a $1000 deposit to take this car for a drive. and apparently it was non-refundable.
I was shocked and appalled at this. There was no way I was going, or BF was going to put down this deposit to test drive a car. GODDAMN.

The guy could have come with us (or him).....

Anyways, has anyone else come across this. I have never heard of putting a deposit down to test drive a car, but some people tell me that this is the norm these days.
What are your thoughts?

Cheers
~Ralli~

CraigFL · #2 01-18-2006, 07:32 AM

First, a story about a dealer that deals exclusivly with Ferraris. He let a prospective owner drive the car(with him in the passenger seat). On a freeway ramp the driver came in a little hot and looped the car crashing it into the barrier-- $10K worth of damage. Lucky, the dealer had insurance that covered the repair. But not so lucky, the car really wouldn't be the same again--future buyers would know it was in an accident and because of that it lost value.
Probably the dealer could have tried to sue the driver but since he was in the car with him, and therefore had SOME control, it would be doubtful if the dealer would win(besides making an enemy).

How does a dealer(or anyone selling a car for that matter) know when they have a real buyer for their car. When I've sold cars, I'm very careful about who gets to drive it because of the insurance issue. Some states, the owner is always responsible. Some states the driver is responsible with their insurance(if they have any! or have any that will cover the new vehicle!) It would not be unreasonable for someone to ask for a deposit like that -after all it's their property and they can do anything like that they want. It may scare away a few real buyers but it will certainly scare away all the tire kickers.

If you truly want to pursue this vehicle, you will continue to talk to this person and work out details as to how you can get it inspected. I'm sure as you show them how interested you really are, they will loosen up on the rules they made....

Chevy4life1985 · #3 01-18-2006, 07:49 AM

Well she stated a $1000 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit. I see where he is coming from as for a deposit but a non-refundable. Honestly i would go check out another dealers before u commit to the 1 vehicle.

directory · #4 01-20-2006, 11:38 AM

i would never accept that. i won't pay just to test-drive--especially if i decide not to get the car--and i don't get the money back

foget that--sale lost!

stoned_pimp420 · #5 01-28-2006, 02:18 PM

I got to test drive a ZO6 corvette with NO deposit or dealer riding with me (and the sad thing is I was just driving it for fun)but then again it helps out when your dad has known the dealer for his whole life and you've known him your whole life.

Jeremy02XType · #6 01-29-2006, 02:27 PM

If youve never sold cars you dont understand the value of time, or someone wasting it. A good salesperson (may not know for sure if you are buying today) but knows for a fact if you are a stroker. And will say or do anything to get you out the door so he can get to the next buyer. If you dont like the way a particular dealer treats then buy from someone else. Asking for a deposit to drive a car is not unreasonable and if you damage the car it shouldnt be refundable. Making it non refundable is not illegal, not likeable by probably anyone but again, if you dont like it take your business elsewhere

fredjacksonsan · #7 04-05-2006, 11:02 AM

Damn, $1000 NONrefundable? I call BS. While Jeremy02Xtype has a point about wasting a salesperson's time, a nonrefundable deposit is crap. I can see LOSING the deposit if you wreck the car during the test drive, but not if you return safely.....

soviautos.com · #8 07-22-2006, 11:40 PM

Wrong-O. Anyone who tells you there is a scintilla of reason for this is full of El Toro DooDoo

ilgoldstein · #9 07-23-2006, 07:34 PM

I good saleman tries to sell the car, not drive away someone who has been to the lot twice to see the car, has spent time looking it over, and want to test drive it. They can take a copy of your license, look at your insurance card, go with you, whatever.

Make it hard for me to do business with you, and I will go somewhere else. They aren't in the business of keeping cars on the lot. They need to move them more than I need to buy them.

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