Buyer Beware user LTuned

[imprezza]

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98786

Heads up about this seller. He fails to put in his advert that the car (monogram) has been in a major accident. After asking him for the repair bill he reluctantly sent me a mishmash (not complete bill), After manually totaling it up, it was more than 6k in damages. much more damage than he initially disclosed to me. Frame needed straightening, every major panel upfront replaced (he told me only hood and bumper), new welds etc etc. if you look at the hood/bumper gap, its much larger than on other cars.

I obviously did not want to pay his asking price after seeing the repairs and now he refuses to give my deposit back ($500), (1 day after seeing the car I told him to return it). we never agreed that it was a non-refundable deposit.

what do you guys think my options are?

edit: money has been paid back in full.

[go_a_way1]

Originally Posted by imprezza

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98786

Heads up about this seller. He fails to put in his advert that the car (monogram) has been in a major accident. After asking him for the repair bill he reluctantly sent me a mishmash (not complete bill), After manually totaling it up, it was more than 6k in damages. much more damage than he initially disclosed to me. Frame needed straightening, every major panel upfront replaced (he told me only hood and bumper), new welds etc etc. if you look at the hood/bumper gap, its much larger than on other cars.

I obviously did not want to pay his asking price after seeing the repairs and now he refuses to give my deposit back ($500), (1 day after seeing the car I told him to return it). we never agreed that it was a non-refundable deposit. The kicker is he works for Toyota/Scion Canada as a brand/sales/promotion manager in Scarborough

what do you guys think my options are?

If its not a private sale they have to give it back unless you signed a paper agreeing non refundable. I used to sell new cars at a dealership and all deposits were refundable unless you ordered a car in (i.e. Corvette) that was built to your specs at that point we would take a non refundable deposit before we placed the order.

[Summerwolf]

If you paid by paypal or a major credit card dispute the transaction immediately.

[imprezza]

unfortunately I gave cash. It was private sale. The deposit was never agreed to be non-refundable, only to hold the car for me in his words 'to show seriousness'

[Summerwolf]

Involve local police. Hoping you signed a letter of intent or agreement of deposit.

[Who8myrice]

Nvm, forgot about hearing other side

[DAEMANO]

Originally Posted by Summerwolf

Involve local police. Hoping you signed a letter of intent or agreement of deposit.

This

[imprezza]

only verbal agreement to 'hold vehicle' nothing stating that my deposit was in jeopardy. He's now trying to say the 'intent' was that it was non-refundable.. yeah his intent.. never once mentioned it to me until now that deal is gone bad

[Summerwolf]

So you have no documentation of any kind? Text, contract, emails, nothing?!?! AND you gave a private seller cash?

[fumanchu1]

Did he mention to you he worked for Toyota/scion? if so you could get his job involved, as if he stated he worked for xx dealership and fucked you over,it makes the dealership look bad by association.


As others have said, call law enforcement and possibly a lawyer.


Next time do your due diligence to prevent bs like this from happening.

[mav1178]

Why anyone would buy a car and put down a cash deposit without anything in writing is kind of.... absurd.

I understand the deal may be good, but playing Devil's Advocate... what if you never paid a deposit and are the scammer?

For all we know, it's your word versus the seller's. And given that you just joined this month with no previous record on the forums, I am not sure who to trust.

-alex

[imprezza]

My bad on not getting anything signed, in hindsight it was a newbie buying mistake. I have his contact info and have logged a formal complaint against him with Toyota. He holds a high position at corporate so his antics are sure to catch up to him. He decided to give back half my money which is still not ALL my money. next step is to call the cops and lawyer up.

[ZionsWrath]

Originally Posted by imprezza

My bad on not getting anything signed, in hindsight it was a newbie buying mistake. I have his contact info and have logged a formal complaint against him with Toyota. He holds a high position at corporate so his antics are sure to catch up to him. He decided to give back half my money which is still not ALL my money. next step is to call the cops and lawyer up.

Do it. Get some kind of text message voicemail email from him confirming he took $500 from you.

[KR-S]

Mav is right. We have absolutely no idea if the OP here is the scammer, and we have to give @LTuned the benefit of the doubt.

For reference, here is LTuned's post from his other thread.

Originally Posted by LTuned

There are two sides to every story. The accident was disclosed, visual inspection and test drive completed and price discussed. A deposit was never requested. Upon hearing two other people were interested in seeing the car the same day the seller requested that the other people be turned away with an on the spot cash deposit. He had previously lost out on another FRS and did not want to lose this one. There was no paperwork. We depart and the other interested parties are declined. The buyer texts about picking up the car on Friday and ensuring UVIP is ready. Then the Buyer inquiries more about the accident. The VIN is provided followed by three photos of the list of parts from insurance. Buyer then offers a lower price stating this is what a body shop recommended. The low price is declined. Buyer then requests deposit back. This is declined due to non-refundable deposit. An agreement is made to inquire on the two other interesting parties and return deposit if one is interested; one purchased a BRZ and the second is too busy and declines. Buyer demands deposit back. He disagrees with the condition of the deposit and threatens legal action. He then states this is a scam as the car was posted in December and is not worth the price. After discussions, an EMT of $250 is sent to buyer to settle the disagreement on the deposit. The buyer accepts the $250. Buyer then sends threats for remaining $250. In which contact is cut and phone number of lawyer is provided.

I won't point fingers here; however, there are two questions that I'd like to know:

1. To what extent was the accident disclosed when mentioned for the first time? How much information was requested about it, if any?
2. Why is the seller posting in third-person, assuming this is the seller?