Hey all. Just got back from a scion dealer and they had the RS 1.0 that I wanted. I put down $500 on it.

Only problem is, I already have a $500 retainer on the same car that has not come in yet at another dealer. They told me time and time again that they will refund my money without question should I decide not to buy the car. In all truth, this makes sense because the RS 1 will sell quick...but at the other dealer, they told me to be cautious about how I ask for the refund. They said they might not give it to me if they knew I was buying it from them.

They also said that all scion dealers are required to refund a deposit put down on a scion or they suffer a penalty.

Can anyone shed some light on this?

Thanks.

 

I'd just go tell the other dealership that you decided to go a different way with your new car, just don't drive in with a new RS1 when you do it, lol.

 

Did you sign anything stating that they would have to give you back your deposit in full with no questions asked? Honestly the dealer doesn't have to know you're going to another dealer to get the same car. Just tell them you've changed your mind and want to think it over for a while longer.

If they give you a hard time, then call Scion Corp. on their phones on the floor and then they'll have to give you back your deposit.

 

Nice, didn't know you could do that.

And no I didn't sign anything like what you described. They actually told me MANY times that I could get it back any time I wanted. But my dad was totally screwed over this way in the past, saying he could get the deposit back then saying he couldn't after he tried to get it back.

 

Before you waltz in to the dealership, call Scion Corp. from where you are right now and ask them about the situation so when you walk in to the dealership they don't confuse you. If they try that.

Dealerships are getting more desperate to make sales since their bigger vehicles aren't doing so well, so they will probably give you a hard time for trying to get your monies back.

Good luck!

 

Wow...just WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW....

Right after I answered the first message I got a call from the other dealership I was gonna get a refund from and they tell me they really went mad trying to find me one and they located one for a trade from another dealership.

It will be available tomorrow or thursday.

Now I'm going to have to get a refund from the second dealer I put a payment down with today....sigh...if only I just waited. dammit.

well good thing is I have one either way.

I'm going with the initial dealer because they are just a lot nicer...

 

Maybe they read this board.

 

lol

I wouldn't be surprised. I hope it doesn't affect my chances of getting a refund.

 

They are probably doing the trade with the second dealer you have been dealing with

Make sure they don't hit you up with some kind of transfer/shipping fees to get it from the other dealer.

 

Just wanted to clarify, if you call Scion corp, we cannot force the dealer to give you your deposit back. We do not own dealerships, every dealer is independently owned and operated so legally we cannot force a dealer to give back a deposit.
Also, when it comes to the sales process, we really can't get too involved period because again, the dealers are privately owned businesses. Just wanted to clarify that !

 

OK, thanks for the info. The dealer I'm getting my money back from is under the impression that Scion will give them a massive penalty if they don't give me my money back...but don't tell them I told you : P

edit: got them to start the refund. won't know if they did it till a week or two I'd guess.

 

lol really? The dealer thinks we will penalize them? hehehehe that's awesome I'm glad its working out in your favor! =]

 

Deposit refund laws vary by state. Most places shouldn't have a problem on a deposit if it's a vehicle that's coming in. Some dealers will throw a fit if it's a custom order (talking BMW M-series, Merc AMG-series custom stuff). Most dealers will hand it back w/o problem. It just takes some time for all the processing Usually 1-2 weeks is the turnaround.

Edit: -- Some term the non-refundable deposit as an "Acquisition Fee" or something to that effect, lol.

 

I'm going through this nightmare right now too... It's a bit complicated, but I'm out $500 at the moment. I've even called the dealership's GM and left a message yesterday and haven't heard back. I did a blog post here with the full details: Bad Experience with Phil Bachman Toyota Johnson City, TN

The good news is that the dealership I did buy from guaranteed that I'd get my money back even if it was from them. So the next step is to contact my bank and dispute the transaction since they didn't provide any product or service to me, and I did pay with my Visa check card.