Buyer backed out of bike sale hours before delivery... Deposit debate?

[Slick_Steveo]

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I would give it back after i sell the bike.

If you had to sell it for less, i would just give him back the difference.

In my books this is being nice.....

A few years ago I put a deposit on a bike, conditions of sale was that seller was going to safety it. They called me a week later and told me to come get my deposit back because it was going to cost them too much to safety it. Lame excuse....I know they found another buyer at a higher price, but what could I do.

Gone are the days of honesty and integrity

 

[xfactor]

I have the luxury to have morals...so not going to force mine on you. Do whatever you want man, it all evens out in the end.

 

[nfq]

Future bills of sale are going to have a little info saying 'deposit not refundable'.

I'd offer half back, or none at all if he puts up a stink.

 

[kellen]

I have the luxury to have morals...so not going to force mine on you. Do whatever you want man, it all evens out in the end.

The one without morals here is the one asking for the deposit back.

 

[Furpo]

I totally get that, believe me I do. But imagine if it were a dealership/bike shop and he'd made the same decision. In their eyes, it's a signed agreement and deposits are non-refundable, even if it was a full payment.

I'm not going to lie, I don't feel good about it, but I also don't feel good about the fact I wasted most of last night taking everything apart and double-checking everything prior to delivery, as well as turning down other offers, all for nothing.

What is the point of a deposit if it is not going to be honoured? You are already allowing him to breach the contract of sale: he can pay the agreed penalty ($500). The buyer is in reality asking you to give him some of your money. Say no (and watch him take the bike after all).

 

[CanadianTundraGuy]

Keep the deposit bro.... time for buddy to put on his big boy pants...

 

[ZX600]

A few years ago I gave 500 as a deposit, I had to back out of the deal, I called the guy and apologized for it and told him to keep my deposit.

That is the point of a deposit.

 

[fzrcraig]

Tell him you will meet him half way and give $250 back. You are doing him a favour, and not getting screwed yourself. Keeping all the money could cause potential problems, especially if the person is desperate.

I think half would be fair... IMO.


Could easily say --> "I had another offer... which fell through because you made a deposit and I spent my time organizing all this etc etc. I will meet you half way and give back $250" done and done.

If he puts up a stink... he gets nothing.

This.

 

[ZX600]

100 percent agree with this. People are trying to put it on the OP when in reality his good morals are shown just by him having the through of returning the money.

The one without morals here is the one asking for the deposit back.

 

[xfactor]

100 percent agree with this. People are trying to put it on the OP when in reality his good morals are shown just by him having the through of returning the money.

Nobody is putting it on OP. There was an ask and now it's up to the OP to respond to the ask. He's not super awesome people like you guys and a little torn on what to do next, so people are chiming in with their "opinion" on what they think he should do. You say keep it, others say keep some return the rest and I say do what you're comfortable with.

 

[YZFer]

i would keep it all, a deposit is for final sale nothing else.

 

[El Cockblock]

Hey, I would keep $200, refund the rest. We all know that the deposit was yours from the start but, as a reasonably moral person, I'd chose to give him back something.

Whether or not he was lying, it's his problem, be the better person.

 

[mr.walczak]

I'm surprised at most of the opinions in here .. I'm pretty much a total ******* (seems to be the general consensus anyways) but I would only keep what I was out ie if I had to spend any money safety-ing the bike etc. It's part of kijiji, I don't feel I'd deserve 500 bucks for doing nothing .. **** happens... Buyer is a goof but at the same time do you feel you earned that 500 that he worked for?... Either way ..Karma lol .. Do what ya gotta do though

 

[El Cockblock]

i would keep it all, a deposit is for final sale nothing else.

Mmmmhhhhyeeeahhh but it was not written on paper, it's arguable. Why get into a beef with a stranger that knows where you live? Saner heads prevail and succeed.

 

[Macs]

I understand the ethical dilemma but look at it this way:

- The deposit was given as a promise of complete payment at a later date.
- Payment will not be rendered
- Deposit is forfeit

If he had the thousands of dollars your bike would have cost, he can afford his car repair bill. **** happens, but that saying works both ways in this case.

 

[El Cockblock]

I'm surprised at most of the opinions in here .. I'm pretty much a total ******* (seems to be the general consensus anyways) but I would only keep what I was out ie if I had to spend any money safety-ing the bike etc. It's part of kijiji, I don't feel I'd deserve 500 bucks for doing nothing .. **** happens... Buyer is a goof but at the same time do you feel you earned that 500 that he worked for?... Either way ..Karma lol .. Do what ya gotta do though

What he said.

 

[ZX600]

Nobody is putting it on OP.

It certainly sounds like it

I have the luxury to have morals...so not going to force mine on you. Do whatever you want man, it all evens out in the end.

Hey, I would keep $200, refund the rest. We all know that the deposit was yours from the start but, as a reasonably moral person, I'd chose to give him back something.

Whether or not he was lying, it's his problem, be the better person.

I would keep what you think you deserve for what you did and return the rest, it's not worth the hassle of pissing a guy off who(if he is telling the truth) really needs the money. .

$500 is a lot of money. I wouldn't keep the whole deposit, but maybe 100-200.
Put yourself in the other person's shoes before making a decision.

 

[ZX600]

Why take a deposit at all then? What is the point if the "buyer" will expect to get it back if he changes his mind?

Lack of morality is to give a deposit for a promise to buy and then expect it back when you back out for whatever reason.

I will admit, if the guy is a decent guy while I interact with him/her and he sounds legit on his reason I might consider it but if I return it is because I chose to and not because morality calls for it.

Mmmmhhhhyeeeahhh but it was not written on paper, it's arguable. Why get into a beef with a stranger that knows where you live? Saner heads prevail and succeed.

 

[TwistedKestrel]

I basically don't ask for deposits for this reason, unless the buyer thrusts one into my hand. Also is convenient to not have to turn down higher offers (i.e. what "best offer" actually means)

 

[xfactor]

I will admit, if the guy is a decent guy while I interact with him/her and he sounds legit on his reason I might consider

That's all I'm saying man.

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