Backing out after paying a deposit?

[Goose and Fig]

Well- stupid me didn't say if the deposit was or was not refundable. We've never had someone back out- this was for furniture. The wood is already cut to order (unuseable except for a rare duplicate). Many man hours were put into the work. The customer wants to back out because it's 2 weeks late due to the crazy snow storms we had. We even offered a "weather delay discount"!

This guy has been harassing me from the start. At least 10 emails a day, many of them threatening.

 

[Katy]

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Well if he's being an a** about it you might have to give him at least part of it back.....Make sure you get it in writing from now on.

 

[WalkingWolf]

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Report the threatening emails, it is against the law. But if you are late he may have a case, sorry. Unless it was on ebay though I do not think the buyer or the seller has any protections.

 

[herefordlovinglady]

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I know, I thought I would be the 1st to respond and when I got done typing I was about the 7th!

I'm looking at it from a "sellers" point of view, and maybe some of these are from the "buyers" point!

but in the quote here is says 2:22.. what is happening?

Sorry hit the send button too quickly.

I feel a deposit is seller protection, so that if the buyer backs out at least some of the cost is paid for. We always ask for a 100 deposit on beef. That way we are not stuck with the processing cost should the buyer decide not to take it. we don't mention it is not refundable. It is a given as far as we are concerned.

 

[toletiquesbysam]

You know what, this guy sounds like he's got buyers remorse! So if it was me, I'd take the loss and give him his deposit back, but tell him you will not make anything for him again since you are taking a loss on this!

 

[Goose and Fig]

I told him I'd give him part of his deposit back- minus the cost of the materials. Not good enough- he wants to sue me. He only put 50% down. I said- OK- I will sell it, and when it sells you can have your deposit back. No- still wants to sue me. He's such wacko- I can't even repeat the threats on a family forum

 

[Mrs. Turbo]

I guess from a sellers point of view....will you be able to sell it to someone else? Most people know that special order deposits are non-refundable. Depending on what the deposit was you could give back half to make him happy, but doesn't sound like he will be happy with anything.

 

[Mrs. Turbo]

tell him to sue....I hate a** holes.

 

[Goose and Fig]

Paypal said he can file a claim, but they will NOT issue him a refund. As part of their policy, they do not refund deposits.

I knew from the get go that this guy was trouble. I'm going to name the pieces the "I'm off my meds" collection.

 

[TeaKettleK]

Yeah, I think the threatening emails would be considering menacing.

From a buyer's standpoint- If I ordered a custom piece of furniture, paid deposit, even being late I would probably assume the deposit was gone. I mean, you would be out not only time and labor, but if he gets to walk away you are stuck with a bunch of materials you don't want and can't easily reuse as well.

Maybe contact a lawyer, just in case? There's a workbook I got at the library once that had a CD with most important (generic) legal documents. A contract is rarely a bad idea...

Good luck!