I had ordered a 09 Turbo coupe from a local dealer last summer the car came in October and I ended up not taking it. At the time I placed a $5k deposit, I was told that if I don't take the car the deposit will be refunded when the car is sold to someone else. I ended up purchasing a 2007 TT from another dealer. I waited patiently through the winter for the 09 to sell to get my deposit back. Well it finally sold two weeks ago. (I would check the dealer inventory online)
I called my salesman on Friday and asked if the car was sold and he said yes, I asked if he would be sending me my deposit back and his response was: "the owner said we can't give your deposit back" I ask why? he says you have to speak to him. So I went there today and spoke to the owner. He says that the car sat for 7 months before he sold it so I can't have the deposit back.
On my receipt it clearly states "Refundable Deposit." Do you guys think I should just let it go (b/c it took him 7 months to sell the car?)or should try to get my money back.

 

A contract is a contract. Make him pay you. I would guess they are just hoping you'll give up. Plus if it's a refundable deposit I'm not convinced that they are able to make you wait for them to sell it first.

If I were you, I would just file suit and ask for interest and costs.

 

Many states prohibit dealers from holding deposits like that. Check your state laws. Sounds fishy. They should have turned it over to you upon your earlier decision not to take the vehicle.

 

I agree. They have no refund your deposit. Of course, they are hoping that you just give up on the claim. Don't.

 

sorry. I mean they have to refund your deposit.

 

same thing happened to me when i ordered a 07 997 tt at the auto gallery except they sold the car 20k over sticker when the 997 tt first came out ...

 

did you get your money back??

 

Pure and simple --they suck!!!
Every person I have ever known in yoiur shoes eventually got his money back from a dealership but they earned every cent of it in unnecessary aggravation .
Have an attorney draft a letter and incude a deadline for them to pay . This way your request is documented in writing rather than verbal .
If they don't comply .. that letter plus your contract receipt ought to be enough to file a claim.

It will take months . You will get it back .

 

^ completely agree, get your money back, no reason to just let them have 5 grand, just like someone else said, get a lawyer to draft a letter.

 

thanks for the good advice, I will contact my attorney ASAP.

 

Why didn't you demand your money back right then and there when you chose not to take delivery?
Every Porsche dealer uses the same line, it's "Porsche's policy not to refund deposits" Well it is 100% against the law in the USA to keep it.

You had a ton of leverage months ago to get that ordered car for far less then you contracted to originally pay for it.

All of that is water under the bridge, now you'll need to hire a lawyer and go after him. The cost of doing so will be your time, legal fees, etc.

Try writing the owner a letter, it will probably work if they see it in black and white. Deposit laws can be googled.

Lastly, I went through this with a dealer in October. I walked from an ordered 09 and they tried keeping 10k. I got my car with a hefty price reduction and they knew they had no leg to stand on.

 

Remember...ask for costs and interest!

 

What a dishonorable dealership! They are obviously waiting to see how hard of a fight you'll put up, hoping that you'd just roll over, which you clearly won't. At a minimum, I suspect you'll need to retain or find a friend who is an attorney and have them send a letter demanding the money back on your behalf. If there weren't any explicit terms/conditions provided when you signed up for the deposit, then the dealer should quickly acquiesce at the first hint of potential litigation.

 

Post the name of the dealership so we know who NOT to deal with.

 

+1

I'm in LI also and would like to know who to avoid.