Buyer changed her mind. Should I return her deposit?

Tyler_Du

Did you supply a receipt for the deposit marked as non returnable ?

Andy_L

You can keep as much of the deposit as necessary to cover any costs you have incurred as a result of her breaching the contract to buy the conservatory

gerdo

Are you sure the deposit is safely in your bank account? It sounds like a familiar Gumtree scam where someone buys something, changes their mind and asks for the money back.

Innocent seller returns money only to find that the original payment was fraudulent and the bank takes the money back from your account.

moneyistooshorttomention

I wouldn't.

The whole point of a deposit is that you have a guarantee someone will stick to the arrangement they made and, if they don't, you at least get something for the trouble/any losses they have caused you.

The onus was on her to check with her Council first BEFORE arranging to buy the conservatory. Her fault that she didn't do so.

Cookiecrumble

Play nicely guys. I didn't mean to start an argument.
BTW I'm a She not a He!

We all seem to be thinking along the same lines that the 'buyer' should forgo her deposit. I'd like to state the position to her in writing but I only have her phone number, and don't want to risk an argument on the phone.
When I spoke to her yesterday I didn't agree to anything I just took her bank details. I was taken by surprise and didn't know what to say other than I was disappointed.

I've re-advertised today so hopefully I'll find a new buyer in time.
It's 7.3 x 4.5m Victorian style if anyone's interested buyer collects from Dorset!!

DaftyDuck

Agree with Avoriaz 110% (ducks and runs from the wrath of Dan).

Keep the deposit. Sell conservatory, if you can. If it sells for more than the £500 (plus any additional expense) then you can send difference to her. ... if you wish!

However, the deposit covered the fact she may not buy it, your loss of sale, increased inconvenience and stress (cost THAT, angry pull-out buyer!), any other costs you incur in doing so, and the possibility you might have to pay for a skip to dispose of it in a hurry.

Anyway, Dan's just jealous, as he had to knock down his conservatory last year. Oh, and I'm peed off, 'cos MY conservatory is leaking like a sieve - and the company (expectedly) went under!

DaftyDuck

Cookiecrumble wrote: »

Play nicely guys. I didn't mean to start an argument.
BTW I'm a She not a He!

We all seem to be thinking along the same lines that the 'buyer' should forgo her deposit. I'd like to state the position to her in writing but I only have her phone number, and don't want to risk an argument on the phone.
When I spoke to her yesterday I didn't agree to anything I just took her bank details. I was taken by surprise and didn't know what to say other than I was disappointed.

I've re-advertised today so hopefully I'll find a new buyer in time.
It's 7.3 x 4.5m Victorian style if anyone's interested buyer collects from Dorset!!

NOW I'm really ANGRY!! DORSET!!! East kent is a little far, isn't it? Does yours leak like mine? :D:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Edit: Can't you turn it upside down and sell it as a boat down there?

Avoriaz

Cookiecrumble wrote: »

....We all seem to be thinking along the same lines that the 'buyer' should forgo her deposit. I'd like to state the position to her in writing but I only have her phone number, and don't want to risk an argument on the phone.

Send a text message and keep a record of it.

Ask for her address.

DRP

waiting for someone else to buy it and then refund a proportion is a bit of a no-no for me. How long do you wait?

I'd 'spend' the 250 getting rid of the darn thing...

Cookiecrumble

I didn't issue a receipt as it was all agreed over the phone. - Will that make a difference?
The £250 was paid into my a/c on 7th Jan. It's cleared OK and still there. I was surprised when she offered such a large deposit, but she was so pleased that she had found the conservatory she wanted at such a good price, she didn't want to lose it. She paid the deposit very quickly after agreeing to buy.