Left deposit on car, seller was unprepared to do sale, wont return deposit or calls, advice appreciated?

Question

Hello,

I left a deposit on a car to private seller, and when talking about payment options, I asked about a wire transer to bank to pay off the loan on the car, seller said they would inquire to bank, well when it came time to do transaction, i asked seller about wire transfer, they were unprepared, didnt know how to send on to their bank ,said they expected cash, i tried to schedule another meeting when they could be better prepared but said they were busy. Now they wont return calls and i have left request for return of deposit on voice mail. Has anyone been in similar situation and have advice? or any one have advise on how to get deposit back? i only have their phone number i don't have their address.

appreciate your help

Answer 1

Call your local police and tell them you believe you are the victim of "theft by deception" if you cannot contact the owner within 15 days of the original deposit date.  From there you might have to go to court, but you will get your money back, eventually.  Good Luck.

Answer 2

The seller could have been spooked by you not wanting to pay cash.  If you can do a wire transfer, you certainly can do cash or bank check.  Is this car in another state?  The deposit may be tough to get back unless you take him to court.

Offer to pay by bank check, or cash, see if he bites on that.

Answer 3

You got some good advice so far.  Time to get your lawyer and the police involved.  

Leave one last message that if you do not hear from them by end the day Tuesday, you'll report this incident to the police as fraud by deception and will file a lawsuit.  And do it!

Answer 4

You were foolish to not get their actual address and other information before sending any money. It sounds like they were just out to rip someone off and it turned out to be you. Try to look up their address by using the phone number and name. I hope you have a receipt for the deposit or some way to prove it was given to them.

Answer 5

It sounds like you handled it properly. It could have been much worse if you gave them money for the car. Even if nothing else becomes of it, at least you only got screwed out of the deposit. I'd still try to track those scum bags down, but that's the way I am. They'd "pay" now, if you know what i mean.

Answer 6

I hope you got a receipt for your deposit, if not, you're screwed!  You have no way of proving you left a deposit or to whom!  Nobody wants to deal with your wire transfers, bring cash when you want to buy something!