Was i right ?

[Vikdikdok]

I advertised my Honda Innova scooter for sale & buyer came & laid £50 deposit . . A week later he backed out of buying it as he couldn't raise the money - then asked for the deposit back, to which I said no. Was I right ?

 

[Podney]

If you told him it was a non refundable deposit,then yes you were right.

 

[PP Bear]

Depends. Technically you are right, but did he look like the kind of person who would put a dent in the van or key it or worse.

Think I’d give him it back, good karma

 

[Vikdikdok]

No he was a genuine chap who apologised profusely & recognised he had 'counted his chickens before they hatched' & miscalculated his available money.

 

[CazPaul]

I would have given it back I always like to be right with people.

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[suavecarve]

I d have given him 40 quid back.

Told him he was lucky but had to cover other things like time etc.

 

[Minxy]

Once you sell it, assuming it hasn't cost you more to do so (eg you lost a sale because he was buying it so have to re-advertise), then I'd give the money back, but only then.

 

[Vikdikdok]

Once you sell it, assuming it hasn't cost you more to do so (eg you lost a sale because he was buying it so have to re-advertise), then I'd give the money back, but only then.

I obviously did lose a sale & told 3 other interested people that it's been sold, so on balance I feel justified in not returning the £50

 

[TinaLes]

Yes Like Minxy has said, if you have to incur advert costs for another period, just deduct that cost then refund the difference.
LES

 

[CazPaul]

I obviously did lose a sale & told 3 other interested people that it's been sold, so on balance I feel justified in not returning the £50

You never said that in the first post so people replying not knowing the full story

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[Phill D]

I obviously did lose a sale & told 3 other interested people that it's been sold, so on balance I feel justified in not returning the £50

Under those circumstances I would tell him that he would get his deposit back if and when it was sold for the agreed price as you had turned other buyers away

 

[Minxy]

You never said that in the first post so people replying not knowing the full story

You've gotta be psychic... Or in my case psychotic!

 

[Tombola]

I wouldnt have even asked you for the deposit back, Id just apologise for messing you around and losing my sale and potentially turning other sales away, and realise you would be keeping it.

 

[Norfolk Nige]

If he backed out because he couldn’t raise the money he was probably in need of money. Think I would have returned the deposit if that was the case.

 

[stevewagner]

I obviously did lose a sale & told 3 other interested people that it's been sold, so on balance I feel justified in not returning the £50

If you feel justified why are you asking?

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[Vikdikdok]

If you feel justified why are you asking?

I guess I thought everyone would have felt I was justified in light of other potential buyers I had to decline

 

[Nirvanauk]

Give him the money back. He obviously needs it.

 

[Jackd]

You can afford a MoHo, he can’t afford a scooter .

Give him his money back and enjoy the good feeling it gives you.

 

[Vikdikdok]

He’s got a motorhome and a merc car

 

[Jackd]

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[Gromett]

I would sell it and give him back the balance after you have deducted any costs such as advertising etc. If no costs then deduct a £5 and thank him for the beer.

It is good to do the nice thing even if you are in the right.

 

[haganap]

Yes you are probably right technically,
But
I would give it back because he obviously needed it far more than you.

 

[Odd job]

When I sell anything, if someone asks me to hold it, I always tell other potential buyers it's pending collection and take their contact details so if the sale falls through I can get back to them.

 

[Grianan]

We sold our caravan and a wee guy came out £500 down. He then couldn’t afford balance. We gave him the £500 back. Figured he needed it more than we did.

 

[Jim]

It depends how he asked. You're under no obligation, but a polite request, would have seen me give his deposit back.

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[dawsey]

Were you clear it was a non refundable deposit ?

Was there clarity on the time he had?

Was anything put in writing? (for example a receipt for the £50 with words like “received £50 as a non-refundable deposit for….”)

If the answer is no I’d be inclined to return him the cash out of decency, tell him he’s a very lucky boy and just take it as a lesson about clarity in even the most trivial financial matters. I agree with others that if he’s asking for it back and doesn’t have the money to follow up he probably really needs it. He may be a bit silly but is that a reason to make his life potentially considerably harder? What if he needs transport to get to work and put food on the table for his family?

An appropriate deduction for your own real costs, eg re-advertising may be appropriate.

 

[bobnick]

Personally i wouldn't have taken the deposit.
Not talking about the town hall clock.
I would have said bring the full amount soonest, meanwhile the bike is still on sale, first come first served basis.
If it was big money then that's different.