What is the likelihood being able to see and sit inside a Mach E before our own shows up?

[jlauro]

As Johnny Mc says: "you can't be serious"!

Of course the dealer is going to give you your money back.

Nearly all of us put our deposit on a credit card

Most credit cards timebox the transaction to a max of 30-90 days. By the time you get to test drive, it will probably be too late to dispute if the dealer charged at time of order.

Sponsored

 

[JTK44]

Most, yes, but not all. We've already had some people here report on dealers that said the deposit is non-refundable. It's totally up to each dealer, which is why it was wise to get that clarified up-front before giving a deposit to the dealer. (Not Ford, the reservation deposits were different than the dealer's order deposit.)

Whether it was on credit card or other payment form is irrelevant.

The deposit was always subject to driving the car.

If the deposit was on a credit card, and I cannot imagine any other way, remember the conversions to orders were during the height of covid and most of us were not wandering into dealerships and even if we did, how many gave a check instead of putting in on your credit card? IF the dealer refuses to refund, you can always dispute it with your credit card company.

I have used AMEX for over 50 years and they are wonderful when I have a dispute with a merchant.

If that fails a call to our local newspaper will be sufficient. No dealer wants that kind of bad publicity.

So I am not worried at all about getting back my deposit.

Neither should anyone else!

 

[JTK44]

Most credit cards timebox the transaction to a max of 30-90 days. By the time you get to test drive, it will probably be too late to dispute if the dealer charged at time of order.

Nope: not AMEX and most other credit cars.

 

[jlauro]

Nope: not AMEX and most other credit cars.

Reference if higher... I found some credit cards that are 120 days, but 90 or less are more common. General rule by law is two billing periods or 90 days.
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0219-disputing-credit-card-charges

 

[trutolife27]

The deposit was always subject to driving the car.

If the deposit was on a credit card, and I cannot imagine any other way, remember the conversions to orders were during the height of covid and most of us were not wandering into dealerships and even if we did, how many gave a check instead of putting in on your credit card? IF the dealer refuses to refund, you can always dispute it with your credit card company.

I have used AMEX for over 50 years and they are wonderful when I have a dispute with a merchant.

If that fails a call to our local newspaper will be sufficient. No dealer wants that kind of bad publicity.

So I am not worried at all about getting back my deposit.

Neither should anyone else!

So are you saying if the dealer told you and you have it in writing you won't get your deposit back, still go ahead and dispute it?

I know I got mine in writing even posted on here. I know my dealer and many others that called the week before the build went into the waterfall to confirm the mache the customer wanted and build specs. This is an order to purchase. Not the same as buying off the lot.

Tesla had such a problem and money lost with the 7-day free trial they had to end it.

 

[jlauro]

The deposit was always subject to driving the car.

If the deposit was on a credit card, and I cannot imagine any other way, remember the conversions to orders were during the height of covid and most of us were not wandering into dealerships and even if we did, how many gave a check instead of putting in on your credit card? IF the dealer refuses to refund, you can always dispute it with your credit card company.

I have used AMEX for over 50 years and they are wonderful when I have a dispute with a merchant.

If that fails a call to our local newspaper will be sufficient. No dealer wants that kind of bad publicity.

So I am not worried at all about getting back my deposit.

Neither should anyone else!

Just because you think it is so, doesn't make it so. The deposit was always non refundable for special orders, that is why it's a deposit so the dealer isn't stuck with a vehicle they can't sell. Offering a refundable deposit on the mach e is special and makes sense in the supply limited vehicle, covid times, but not all dealers are doing that.

How many times have you filed a dispute over 120 days after the charge?

Most people shouldn't be worried about getting back their deposit if they are planning on purchasing the vehicle. If they ordered multiple vehicles planning to decide later which one to actually purchase, then yes they should worry about getting back their deposit.

 

[dbsb3233]

The deposit was always subject to driving the car.

Only if you got that stipulated from your dealer. Or your dealer chooses to refund it without prior stipulation. Or if you have a state law governing it (motor vehicle purchase laws vary by state).

But don't just assume that all dealers make their deposits refundable. Most do, but some make theirs non-refundable.

If the deposit was on a credit card, and I cannot imagine any other way, remember the conversions to orders were during the height of covid and most of us were not wandering into dealerships and even if we did, how many gave a check instead of putting in on your credit card? IF the dealer refuses to refund, you can always dispute it with your credit card company.

I have used AMEX for over 50 years and they are wonderful when I have a dispute with a merchant.

If that fails a call to our local newspaper will be sufficient. No dealer wants that kind of bad publicity.

So I am not worried at all about getting back my deposit.

Neither should anyone else!

Credit card companies may refund your money if it's a valid claim of fraud or illegality. But a dealership taking non-refundable deposits for a special-order vehicle (like the MME is at this point) is neither fraud nor illegal (usually anyway, unless there's a state law outlawing it).

 

[JTK44]

So are you saying if the dealer told you and you have it in writing you won't get your deposit back, still go ahead and dispute it?

I know I got mine in writing even posted on here. I know my dealer and many others that called the week before the build went into the waterfall to confirm the mache the customer wanted and build specs. This is an order to purchase. Not the same as buying off the lot.

Tesla had such a problem and money lost with the 7-day free trial they had to end it.

Of course I cannot prove a negative - no one can.

Unless you have in writing that the deposit is "non refundable" then the default position is that it is, and for that matter, always has been that deposits are refundable.

I cannot imagine anyone has signed an order that says the deposit is non-refundable.

If it does not say "non-refundable" then it is.

End of story.

 

[trutolife27]

Of course I cannot prove a negative - no one can.

Unless you have in writing that the deposit is "non refundable" then the default position is that it is, and for that matter, always has been that deposits are refundable.

I cannot imagine anyone has signed an order that says the deposit is non-refundable.

If it does not say "non-refundable" then it is.

End of story.

hotdog right it is.

 

[jlauro]

Unless you have in writing that the deposit is "non refundable" then the default position is that it is, and for that matter, always has been that deposits are refundable.

I cannot imagine anyone has signed an order that says the deposit is non-refundable.

If it does not say "non-refundable" then it is.

End of story.

Sorry, but you have the default backwards. If it doesn't say refundable, then legally, the default it is not.
https://findanyanswer.com/goto/94115

 

[JTK44]

Sorry, but you have the default backwards. If it doesn't say refundable, then legally, the default it is not.
https://findanyanswer.com/goto/94115

Nope you are wrong: a much better place to look is your own states statutes rather than an opinion on the internet:

From New York: note the requirement of a CONTRACT with full details, non of which we had when we converted our reservation to an order:

"3. If a retail dealer of new motor vehicles accepts a deposit from a consumer but does not have a bona fide customer order as evidenced by a written sales agreement, that dealer shall give the consumer a written form indicating what, if any, options or equipment are desired by the consumer. This form shall be signed by the consumer and state conspicuously on its face:

"This Is Not An Order Form. There Is No Guarantee That The Motor Vehicle Offered To You Will Match The Description Indicated On This Form Or Will Contain These And No Other Options. Should You Decide Not To Purchase The Motor Vehicle, You Have The Right To Obtain A Full Refund Of Your Deposit."(emphasis added"
"
and

"4. If a retail dealer of new motor vehicles accepts a deposit from a consumer pursuant to a written contract for the purchase of a new motor vehicle, such contract shall contain a provision setting forth the estimated delivery date of the automobile and the place of delivery and a statement in immediate proximity to the estimated delivery date that, if the automobile has not been delivered in accordance with the contract within thirty days following such estimated delivery date, the consumer has the right to cancel the contract and to receive a full refund, unless the delay in delivery is attributable to the consumer. "

see: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GBS/396-P*2#:~:text=The provisions of this section,agreement with a retail customer.&text=Should You Decide Not To,Full Refund Of Your Deposit."

 

[JTK44]

Only if you got that stipulated from your dealer. Or your dealer chooses to refund it without prior stipulation. Or if you have a state law governing it (motor vehicle purchase laws vary by state).

But don't just assume that all dealers make their deposits refundable. Most do, but some make theirs non-refundable.

Credit card companies may refund your money if it's a valid claim of fraud or illegality. But a dealership taking non-refundable deposits for a special-order vehicle (like the MME is at this point) is neither fraud nor illegal (usually anyway, unless there's a state law outlawing it).

Nope again:

With AMEX, they immediately credit back the amount in dispute.

They then give the retailer, the auto dealership, the opportunity to answer the dispute.

The dealership would have to prove that the deposit was "non refundable" by showing in writing that you agreed that it was non-refundable, which of course they cannot do.

End of story!

 

[jlauro]

Nope you are wrong: a much better place to look is your own states statutes rather than an opinion on the internet:

From New York: note the requirement of a CONTRACT with full details, non of which we had when we converted our reservation to an order:

True, many states have consumer protection laws. However, not everyone lives in New York, and the laws are different from state to state.

"3. If a retail dealer of new motor vehicles accepts a deposit from a consumer but does not have a bona fide customer order as evidenced by a written sales agreement, that dealer shall give the consumer a written form indicating what, if any, options or equipment are desired by the consumer. This form shall be signed by the consumer and state conspicuously on its face:

"This Is Not An Order Form. There Is No Guarantee That The Motor Vehicle Offered To You Will Match The Description Indicated On This Form Or Will Contain These And No Other Options. Should You Decide Not To Purchase The Motor Vehicle, You Have The Right To Obtain A Full Refund Of Your Deposit."(emphasis added"
"

That is if they did not do an order form. Most dealers required an order form with the deposit before the vehicle is scheduled for production so this is irrelevant.

"4. If a retail dealer of new motor vehicles accepts a deposit from a consumer pursuant to a written contract for the purchase of a new motor vehicle, such contract shall contain a provision setting forth the estimated delivery date of the automobile and the place of delivery and a statement in immediate proximity to the estimated delivery date that, if the automobile has not been delivered in accordance with the contract within thirty days following such estimated delivery date, the consumer has the right to cancel the contract and to receive a full refund, unless the delay in delivery is attributable to the consumer. "

That may apply if the delivery date slips more than 30 days beyond the original estimate. Some have slipped a week, but it's not expected to slip 30 days beyond the original estimate.

The most import point, none of this mentions a test drive being a valid reason to obtain a refund.

 

[JTK44]

So are you saying if the dealer told you and you have it in writing you won't get your deposit back, still go ahead and dispute it?

Of course not: If you agreed it was non-refundable, unless there is a counter prevailing state statue, then the dealer can keep the deposit. (although I think from a PR point of view that would be very short sighted on the part of the dealer)

But more to the point:

• My deposit does not say it is non-refundable: further I doubt if anyone agreed in writing to make it non-refundable; and
• In New York and I suspect in every other jurisdictions, the presumption is that all deposits are refundable unless clearly set forth to the contrary in a written contract signed by both parties

I have not signed any contract with the dealer.

Have you?

Sponsored