So, when you make an offer?

[hagbard]

Do you have to present it with your credit card number ($1000)? I'm new to buying from dealers.

[Shaner]

Absolutely not! That is the last thing you want to do.

The only time you should ever leave a deposit with a dealer is if you are 100% sure that you plan on buying the vehicle from them. If you are unsure, or if you are simply negotiating a price, the last thing you want to do is leave a deposit.

Once you leave that deposit, you lose all leverage. You can't simply walk away at that point, because the dealer isn't required to return it to you.

Negotiate the price, make sure you are 100% sure you want the car, then sign the documents and leave a small deposit if necessary.

Some people will say to never leave a deposit, but if the dealer has to get the car from another dealer, they may not do it without a deposit being left. They don't want to get stuck with that car.

[hagbard]

Absolutely not! That is the last thing you want to do.

The only time you should ever leave a deposit with a dealer is if you are 100% sure that you plan on buying the vehicle from them. If you are unsure, or if you are simply negotiating a price, the last thing you want to do is leave a deposit.

Once you leave that deposit, you lose all leverage. You can't simply walk away at that point, because the dealer isn't required to return it to you.

Negotiate the price, make sure you are 100% sure you want the car, then sign the documents and leave a small deposit if necessary.

Some people will say to never leave a deposit, but if the dealer has to get the car from another dealer, they may not do it without a deposit being left. They don't want to get stuck with that car.

Here's the deal. The car is sitting on a lot in town (Victoria), this dealer is in Vancouver and was the recommended dealer by CarCost. He says he can get me the car that's here but I have to give him my card and the $1000 and then make my offer. Seems screwy and I said no thanks. I'll try the local guy again and if I don't get it for what I want, no big deal, I'll buy something else.

[thephenom]

Here's the deal. The car is sitting on a lot in town (Victoria), this dealer is in Vancouver and was the recommended dealer by CarCost. He says he can get me the car that's here but I have to give him my card and the $1000 and then make my offer. Seems screwy and I said no thanks. I'll try the local guy again and if I don't get it for what I want, no big deal, I'll buy something else.

Just tell him to make the offer without the credit card, that's what I did when I bought my car. They'll eventually do it, and come back with all the paperwork for you to check over before signing the bill of sale.

[Shaner]

Here's the deal. The car is sitting on a lot in town (Victoria), this dealer is in Vancouver and was the recommended dealer by CarCost. He says he can get me the car that's here but I have to give him my card and the $1000 and then make my offer. Seems screwy and I said no thanks. I'll try the local guy again and if I don't get it for what I want, no big deal, I'll buy something else.

That sounds very shady. Leaving a deposit for a car that you haven't agreed on a price is very risky. If you don't get the price you want, you probably wouldn't be able to get your deposit back.

Tell him if he wants to sell the car, he'll agree on a price first, then you'll just give him the full amount for the car.

[evolution921]

No you don't have to give them your CC with the offer, it's just a tactic they use. Deposit should be the last thing you give them after agreeing to everything else.

[dealmeone]

Cash is King when negotiating a car deal...you hold all the marbles. There are thousands of other dealers who want your business....especially now.

[hagbard]

Well, the door is shut firmly behind this guy. I won't deal with sneaky car dealers.

[Jeff-TheBiz]

It is common to leave a deposit after all of the pricing/details are agreed upon.

If the car is in stock; your bill of sale will most likely have your VIN on it.

If it is an ordered car (incoming/dealer trade) ask for a condition to be written on the bill of sale that the VIN will be provided within XX hrs/days or the deal will be void and deposit refunded.

You should never have to give you credit card to show that you are serious to buy a car... you are there aren't you??

No restaurant asks for a cc before you get a menu.

[hagbard]

You should never have to give you credit card to show that you are serious to buy a car... you are there aren't you??

No I'm not. Like I said, I'm in Victoria, they're in Richmond. The CarCost site is supposed to give me the special CC price, and the dealer who will honor it. It didn't, just gave me the dealer who I contacted for a price. They won't give me a price without my deposit first. I'm going to pass on that. I'll give the local guys one more try then move on.

[Cough]

No I'm not. Like I said, I'm in Victoria, they're in Richmond. .

Jeff meant "are you serious about buying?" Having seen all your other posts about buying anwhere from Victoria to Toronto, with stops in between, I would really question how serious you are. I note that in the last two weeks you have posted about everything from a Corolla to a Prius to a Camry to a Jeep; still talking about buying from the US. Maybe the dealer is an RFD member and also doubts your intentions. I mean why would he ship a car from Vancouver to Victoria for free just for you to kick its tires??

Feel free to put me on your ignore list. I would never deal with you

[hagbard]

Jeff meant "are you serious about buying?" Having seen all your other posts about buying anwhere from Victoria to Toronto, with stops in between, I would really question how serious you are. I note that in the last two weeks you have posted about everything from a Corolla to a Prius to a Camry to a Jeep;

And your problem is?

still talking about buying from the US. Maybe the dealer is an RFD member and also doubts your intentions. I mean why would he ship a car from Vancouver to Victoria for free just for you to kick its tires??

The car is not in Richmond, its in Victoria, as stated in my second post. Its less than a mile away from where I'm sitting.

Feel free to put me on your ignore list. I would never deal with you

Will do.

[B0000rt]

NEVER PUT DOWN A DEPOSIT UNLESS YOU AGREED UP A PRICE AND WILL 100% BUY THE VEHICLE, THIS INCLUDES TALKING TO YOUR WIFE ABOUT IT.

This is a buyers market. If the salesman wants you to "put down a deposit to show that you're serious" just walk out the door and go to the next dealership.

[grumps]

This sounds fishy. The APA dealer I talked to basically gave me the price upfront and would only take a deposit to place an order on the car. So, no, don't give him your cc number.

[ES_Revenge]

It is common to leave a deposit after all of the pricing/details are agreed upon.

Exactly. You do NOT leave a deposit when you make an offer, but only when they accept that offer. If they aren't accepting, why in the heck would you give them any money? So they can say "that wasn't the deal, we didn't agree" and then keep your $1000? LOL.