Contacted two dealers in my area regarding a White LX Manual Fit, and have been told that the deposit is nonrefundable and it will delivered in September. Kind of discouraging, and I get the impression it may take a bit longer. Anyone else having similar waits?

 

No one here can beat my wait time. Deposit made last Feb. Car spec'd in April. Fit to arrive by Aug.

Although paying published MSRP plus freight, they will add only PDI charges which I expect not to exceed $250. They won't stick me with any other charges.

The good news is I know its headed out to our sandy shores!!!

My continuing saga should put you at ease!!!

The bad part is during the interim, have been keeping myself busy buying all sorts of toys for the new puppy. Its approach a level of epidemic spending.

 

They are just quoting you what it will be if you custom order one since none are currently available in your area. You can just wait and keep an eye out until one is on its way.

 

There are plenty of ex cvts in other colors, the hard part is the manual tranny and white color. I don't think I'll be seeing one of those combos soon. For some reason they are all being sent to the northern states!

 

Yeah, It's either a pay up or take a risk. Everyone seems to do a refundable at time of delivery deposit for cars they are already receiving, but it's more of a risk if they order one for you.

 

That far out, there is no point at all to a deposit.

Remember, a deposit ropes you into a deal where the dealer doesn't have to deliver until the date specified. If they've said "September" and a car becomes available in August they will sell the car to another person because you're already committed and the other person isn't. If you find the car you want at another dealer you can't buy it because your money is being held by the first dealer.

Even if they don't deliver on time, what are you going to do about it?

As long as the money is in your pocket you have the initiative.

 

We "ordered" a blue manual EX last week. They took a credit card but charged nothing and indicated that there is now commitment and that there would be no penalty if we don't take the car when it arrives. According to the sales rep there was no blue manual EX on order by the dealer prior to ours. Expected arrival mid-late August.

 

So I was told by mouth that my deposit is refundable and did the deposit over phone with a credit card. I called the guy to request my deposit back after finding a fit elsewhere but got no call back. I called to speak with a sales manager and he is saying that my deposit is not refundable. I signed no contract and was given no vin number or anything. Do you guys think I have a good chance of getting it back?

 

We had placed a deposit with one dealer, and ended up buying our Fit from another. The reason we continued to look, was the original dealer was never able to provide us with a VIN number, so we suspected they were just stringing us along. We asked for the deposit back after we purchased our car elsewhere, but felt the dealer was dragging it's feet, so rather than wait any longer, we filed a dispute with the bank. We did not claim fraud, but we did dispute the charge on the basis the dealer was never able to provide a service. Our bank credited our account immediately for the deposit amount, and then went after the money from the dealers bank.

Yes, I think you can get your money back, but don't fight with the dealer, just utilize the bank. They have a team of people that deal with these types of situations daily.

 

Thank you Vanguard this info means a lot as im a broke college kid lol. Aloha

 

I think your nuts to make a deposit on anything at anytime. How about if the Honda dealer goes out of business you just lost big time. I have been an electrical contractor since 1970 and I never asked any customer for a deposit and contractors that do are to be avoided.

 

Like to take a little road trip? Galpin Honda in SoCal has two white EX manuals with desirable VINs>15,000:

2013-2014, 2015 Honda Los Angeles Area Dealer Sales, Lease, Specials - Galpin Honda

The inventory on their site seems to be pretty well maintained, as compared to Cars.com.

Never put down a deposit. It ties you to the dealer who really doesn't have to provide anything in return. What are you going to do, sue them if they don't produce the car on schedule? Read the stories on this board about folks who put down a deposit, found their cars at other dealers, and then had to go through the hassle and delaying tactics of getting the deposits back.

 

I put a $500 deposit on my Yelliw Fit EX in-transit. It arrived a few days later and they held it over the weekend until I returned. I have no doubt it would have been gone as soon as it arrived without the deposit. The second yellow one arrived a couple days later and immediately sold to another Apple employee.

 

I also gave a deposit for my Fit, and the salesperson worked like a dog to make sure it was there when I needed it within a several day window at the end of June (I had no car and was using a rental). He even switched me from a silver car to a red one because I preferred red. I got the car exactly when I needed it, if at a small premium (proctology package, all of which I'm glad I have).


Joseph Childers at Courtesy Palm Harbor Honda.

 

You live in the wrong state. In Arizona all vehicle deposits are refundable till you drive it off the lot. Even after signing paperwork

 

I'm trying to picture this, beyond the obvious fact that dogs usually lay around doing nothing. What did this salesman actually do that involved the implied arduous labor?

Usually a deposit is a disincentive to work for the customer's good. They've got you on a monetary leash so why do anything beyond wait for the car to arrive naturally?

 

Called me every few days to keep track of my closing and my moving schedule, and, well, he delivered exactly when he knew I needed the car.

 

OK, I'll have to update my definition to include making a phone call every few days: