I left a deposit on furniture I want to buy

Question

I left a $200 dollar deposit on furniture I want to buy. How long does the merchant legally have to hold my merchandise, and can they resell it without my authorization, even though I left a deposit?

Answer 1

Well, I don't know about all the legal info on this but.....

I've done this at a few furniture stores. Most of them only hold for 90 days and want payment in full by then or they can resell the item and you are out the money you left on it. Sad but true. Why didn't you ask the store at the time that you made the deposit?

If it's a store where everyone there knows your name and back ground, they may be willing to work with you longer. I've taken as much as 6 months on items before with no issues.

But if this is a "rent to own" type place, I don't know anything about those.

Seriously, your best bet is to call the store and ask their policy.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I have worked in many high end furniture stores in the past.  Furniture frames and fabrics had to be chosen before an order was written and then and only then was a required minimum deposit required. Furniture pieces would then take anywhere from 30 to 60 days to be made and shipped to the store for pick up.   I haven't heard of a "holding" deposit for just a piece off the floor. In the stores I worked in a piece on the floor could only be sold if it was discontinued so we could make room for a new collection.