Deposits, holds, and “we’ll keep it back for you”
Deposit disputes are the most common complaint we see that has nothing to do with the machine itself. They are also the easiest to prevent, because everything hinges on paperwork you can ask for in advance.
- Filed by
- Dale Wexler
- Head of standards
- Published
- Length
- 2 min read
The phrase “fully refundable deposit” is spoken far more often than it is written down. When a disagreement arrives weeks later, what governs it is the receipt and the terms attached to it, not anyone’s recollection of a conversation on the lot.
Four questions to settle in writing
- 01
Is it refundable, and under which conditions?
Get the specific circumstances written out: financing not approved, inspection findings, the machine not matching its description, a delivery date missed. “Refundable” without conditions is where disputes begin.
- 02
What exactly does it secure, and for how long?
A deposit that holds a specific unit by stock or serial number is a different thing from one that credits a general order. Establish which you are paying, and the date the hold expires.
- 03
Who holds the money, and how is it returned?
Ask whether it sits with the dealership or a finance company, and by which method and timeframe a refund is issued. Card payments leave you a chargeback route that cash does not.
- 04
What happens if the dealer cannot supply the unit?
Sold-from-under-you and never-arrived are both common. The terms should state what you receive if the dealer is the party that cannot complete.
One practical note on our own register: a deposit dispute that a dealer will not resolve is grounds for reporting the listing. Reports are read by an inspector who was not on the original audit, and a credible one triggers an out-of-cycle re-audit. That is a slower remedy than a chargeback, so use both.