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Any chance of getting my deposit back?

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cyks

Junior Member
What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? NY

12/19/05 I went to Empire Scion and discussed options/colors of the Scion xB. While viewing them on Scion.com with Mr.Costa, salesman, I requested red or blue; they had neither on lot. Unfamiliar with Salsa Red, Costa insisted that it was the new name for the red, Black Cherry. Due to time constraints, I agreed to a dealer swap. When Costa promised I’d have a vehicle in a few days. I gave a $500 deposit so he could search for a car.

12/20/05 Ms.Williams, business manager, called to discuss credit and request proof of income. Later, she found a lender, but required almost double the down payment I wanted.

12/21/05 To my surprise, Williams called to schedule the transaction. My Insurance Co. called to confirm the purchase. I asked the color and told them I only agreed to two. They called Empire, learned it was neither and stopped the sale. Ms. Williams then attempted to pressure me by stating how hard it was to get me approved at all and that I would not be approved again. She also stated if I did not take one of the vehicles off their lot I would not get a vehicle at all, and my personal favorite: “You do realize you are unemployed and nobody will consider you.” (I am currently under workers compensation and forbidden from seeking employment). I told her again that I wouldn’t take what they had available. Costa called to say he was searching for a car. He later said he found one, options were being installed and it would arrive soon. I stopped by and both Costa and Williams promised it would be there by the weekend.

12/23/05 I called Williams. She apologized for not having the vehicle, assuring me it would arrive on or before Monday at the latest.

12/26/05 I called Costa. He checked the status and said the vehicle wasn’t scheduled to arrive until late the following week. When inquired, he informed me that the color of the “red” vehicle was in fact Black Cherry, a color I was never shown.

12/29/05 After researching the color on my own, I called Costa to inform him that due to color variations and severe time delays, I was no longer interested in the vehicle.

12/30/05 I went to collect my deposit and was told repeatedly they would not return my money and my options were to wait 3-4 weeks or take what was available. I became loud. Two employees began to physically threaten me. I left the store and waited for the police who had been called.


I never received a copy of the contract the night I signed it, just a receipt for the deposit. They gave me a copy of it on 12/30. The contract says "Not refundable" and does not list the timeframe promised by either of the employees. Oddly enough, it is signed and dated by Ms. Williams on the date I was first there even though she had already left for the day... so I don't know if anything else was added afterwards.

I have already contacted Scion directly who are unwilling/unable to help me. I have also put in a claim with the BBB. Are there any other avenues I can take to get my deposit back and if not, any way I could legally alert the masses of their empty promises and tactics (leaflets, signs, or so on)?

Thank you.
 
Last edited:


T

Trucking Mad

Guest
Are you?

:cool: My friend, if everything is as you stated, go to the manager and request your refund (of deposit) immediately.
Don't go in with an attitude, you are only go to create problems.
Bottom line-- no product, no contract, no purchase! :cool:
 
cyks said:
What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? NY

12/19/05 I went to Empire Scion and discussed options/colors of the Scion xB. While viewing them on Scion.com with Mr.Costa, salesman, I requested red or blue; they had neither on lot. Unfamiliar with Salsa Red, Costa insisted that it was the new name for the red, Black Cherry. Due to time constraints, I agreed to a dealer swap. When Costa promised I’d have a vehicle in a few days. I gave a $500 deposit so he could search for a car.

12/20/05 Ms.Williams, business manager, called to discuss credit and request proof of income. Later, she found a lender, but required almost double the down payment I wanted.

12/21/05 To my surprise, Williams called to schedule the transaction. My Insurance Co. called to confirm the purchase. I asked the color and told them I only agreed to two. They called Empire, learned it was neither and stopped the sale. Ms. Williams then attempted to pressure me by stating how hard it was to get me approved at all and that I would not be approved again. She also stated if I did not take one of the vehicles off their lot I would not get a vehicle at all, and my personal favorite: “You do realize you are unemployed and nobody will consider you.” (I am currently under workers compensation and forbidden from seeking employment). I told her again that I wouldn’t take what they had available. Costa called to say he was searching for a car. He later said he found one, options were being installed and it would arrive soon. I stopped by and both Costa and Williams promised it would be there by the weekend.

12/23/05 I called Williams. She apologized for not having the vehicle, assuring me it would arrive on or before Monday at the latest.

12/26/05 I called Costa. He checked the status and said the vehicle wasn’t scheduled to arrive until late the following week. When inquired, he informed me that the color of the “red” vehicle was in fact Black Cherry, a color I was never shown.

12/29/05 After researching the color on my own, I called Costa to inform him that due to color variations and severe time delays, I was no longer interested in the vehicle.

12/30/05 I went to collect my deposit and was told repeatedly they would not return my money and my options were to wait 3-4 weeks or take what was available. I became loud. Two employees began to physically threaten me. I left the store and waited for the police who had been called.


I never received a copy of the contract the night I signed it, just a receipt for the deposit. They gave me a copy of it on 12/30. The contract says "Not refundable" and does not list the timeframe promised by either of the employees. Oddly enough, it is signed and dated by Ms. Williams on the date I was first there even though she had already left for the day... so I don't know if anything else was added afterwards.

I have already contacted Scion directly who are unwilling/unable to help me. I have also put in a claim with the BBB. Are there any other avenues I can take to get my deposit back and if not, any way I could legally alert the masses of their empty promises and tactics (leaflets, signs, or so on)?

Thank you.
Poster:

Honestly, few people on this forum will take the time to read your entire story. You need to provide a brief, coherent s u m m a r y of the facts and ask your questions succinctly.
 

dallas702

Senior Member
OP;

If you didn't want the car, and you couldn't afford the car, and you didn't have a job, and you won't pay the higher interest that is going to be charged because of your financial status......why did you keep stringing the dealership along?

You did sign a deposit agreement that stated it was nonrefundable. BIG mistake, but done. And, although your version makes it almost sound like an illegal maneuver I'm sure the people at the dealership will say otherwise. I suspect the $500 deposit is to discourage looky-loos from doing exactly what you did---waste their time.
 

cyks

Junior Member
dallas702 said:
OP;

If you didn't want the car, and you couldn't afford the car, and you didn't have a job, and you won't pay the higher interest that is going to be charged because of your financial status......why did you keep stringing the dealership along?

You did sign a deposit agreement that stated it was nonrefundable. BIG mistake, but done. And, although your version makes it almost sound like an illegal maneuver I'm sure the people at the dealership will say otherwise. I suspect the $500 deposit is to discourage looky-loos from doing exactly what you did---waste their time.

I was injured while working a few years ago. I get weekly checks from workers compensation insurance, but they are untaxed and don't show up on any records. I also own rental property, but for just under a year- so again, no tax records.

I never strung them along, they strung me.... taking advantage of the fact that they knew I was without a car and disabled and attempted to pressure me into either taking one of the cars they had off their lot, or walking from my $500.

On a side note, when they told me it would take a few more weeks to find either of the 2 colors I requested, I made a few phone calls to other (relatively) close dealers, found one with what I wanted on lot and owned it within 24 hours.
 

HomeGuru

Senior Member
cyks said:
I was injured while working a few years ago. I get weekly checks from workers compensation insurance, but they are untaxed and don't show up on any records. I also own rental property, but for just under a year- so again, no tax records.

I never strung them along, they strung me.... taking advantage of the fact that they knew I was without a car and disabled and attempted to pressure me into either taking one of the cars they had off their lot, or walking from my $500.

On a side note, when they told me it would take a few more weeks to find either of the 2 colors I requested, I made a few phone calls to other (relatively) close dealers, found one with what I wanted on lot and owned it within 24 hours.

**A: so you paid all cash for the car?
 

cyks

Junior Member
HomeGuru said:
**A: so you paid all cash for the car?
The other dealer was able to find and secure a loan agreement within a few minutes. The interest is high, but well within my means.
 

HomeGuru

Senior Member
cyks said:
The other dealer was able to find and secure a loan agreement within a few minutes. The interest is high, but well within my means.

**A: then you don't really own the car. The owner is the legal titleholder.
 

cyks

Junior Member
HomeGuru said:
**A: then you don't really own the car. The owner is the legal titleholder.
Fair enough. Either way, I had a vehicle in my possession within 24 hours after the first dealership said it would take additional weeks.
 

HomeGuru

Senior Member
cyks said:
Fair enough. Either way, I had a vehicle in my possession within 24 hours after the first dealership said it would take additional weeks.

**A: yes, we know that from your posts.
 
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