Dealer backing out of used car sale

[trab1965]

I tried to purchase a car at a dealer.
on Saturday 10/13/12. My wife and I meet M the salesman and we decided to purchase the car. The car is a 1999 Toyota Camry and M told us the price is $ 4800.00 - We agreed to pay that price and sat down with him to write up the paperwork and leave a deposit of $ 200.00. I have been on and off the phone with Matt all week trying to get things in order to pick up the car. I asked if they could bring the car to my mechanic on Tuesday 10/16/12 and M brought the car to them himself. I gave them a couple of thing that need to be repaired before I pick up the car.
M checked with the owner of the car CC about fixing the car and C told him they will just fix
the things to make the car pass the inspection. I asked M to give me a list of things they will fix so I can get the other done on my own. No one called me Wednesday 10/17/12 and I called back on Thursday 10/18/12 @ 12 pm I spoke with
PB, a person at the lot, and he told me that M should have called yesterday to let us know C changed his mind he didn't
want to sell the car for that price. Is there anything I can do about this? I can't believe a dealer can just decide to not sell the car for that price after we have given a deposit.

 

[army judge]

I tried to purchase a car at a dealer.
on Saturday 10/13/12. My wife and I meet M the salesman and we decided to purchase the car. The car is a 1999
Toyota Camry and M told us the price is $ 4800.00 - We agreed to pay that price and sat down with him to
write up the paperwork and leave a deposit of $ 200.00. I have been on and off the phone with Matt all week trying
to get things in order to pick up the car. I asked if they could bring the car to my mechanic on Tuesday 10/16/12 and
M brought the car to them himself. I gave them a couple of thing that need to be repaired before I pick up the car.
M checked with the owner of the car CC about fixing the car and C told him they will just fix
the things to make the car pass the inspection. I asked M to give me a list of things they will fix so I can get the other done on my own. No one called me Wednesday 10/17/12 and I called back on Thursday 10/18/12 @ 12 pm I spoke with
PB, a person at the lot, and he told me that Matt should have called yesterday to let us know C changed his mind he didn't
want to sell the car for that price. Is there anything I can do about this? I can't believe a dealer can just decide to not
sell the car for that price after we have given a deposit.

Here's a tip for the future, never leave a deposit on anything.
If you do, leave a dollar.
If the entity wants more than a dollar for a deposit, don't do the deal.
Go buy your thing from another entity.
That way, if the deal goes awry, you lose nothing.

I don't think the dealership is a dealer.
It sounds more like a consignment lot.
So, I suspect you ask for your $200 back and walk away.
They might say no, then you'll have to take them to small claims court.
I wouldn't, but you can waste time doing that.
Otherwise, I would be smarter the next time.

Never leave deposits, either buy the thing, or find another place to buy.

 

[disagreeable]

You changed the deal by requesting repairs be made for that price. You put a deposit down agreeing to buy at that price, in that condition. When you changed the offer, you voided their first acceptance and opened everything up to a new negotiation.

 

[trab1965]

Thank you - I got my money back & found a different dealer.

 

[trab1965]

Remember when a person's word meant something? What was I thinking ! you shake hands and sign paperwork and think everything is
all set. I guess I need to grow up.

 

[disagreeable]

Remember when a person's word meant something? What was I thinking ! you shake hands and sign paperwork and think everything is
all set. I guess I need to grow up.

You are the one who changed the agreement. I assume the dealer agrees with that perspective, hence his confusion as to why you renegotiated the deal, after accepting it.