A Calgary man is warning other Canadians after a frustrating car-buying experience left him without a vehicle and $500.
Amin Maherali told Global News that he was looking to buy a Hyundai, so he went online to the company’s used car site in February. He discovered a vehicle he liked and said the value was correct. He then contacted the dealership that had this vehicle in stock. , than in Montreal.
“Without delay I told him, ‘In order for us to take you seriously, we want a bond,'” he said. “This is one of the situations for him to continue with the sale. “
Maherali said the merchant didn’t tell him the amount of the deposit, but he didn’t think it would be much, so he gave him his credit card number so he could continue. He added that his idea was to simply “hold” the vehicle until he checked shipping prices from Montreal to Calgary.
“The shipping prices were very expensive, more than $3,000,” he said. “So we canceled and that’s it. “
Maherali said he was surprised to see a fee on his credit card bill a short time later.
“I saw a $500 payment there and I called (the seller) and said, ‘How come you charged me $500?He replied, “Because we had to prepare his car. “
“The agreement was never concluded. There was nothing written. I never gave them anything in writing.
Maherali said he contacted the broker and told him he would not receive a refund. He then insisted that the government respond and finally told him that maybe he would just get the cash back in the form of a qualified check.
The problem: he had to go to Montreal and pick him up personally.
“I explained to them that I was very far from you,” he said. I can’t just pick up the check and they said, ‘That’s our policy. ‘”
Global News contacted Coiteux Hyundai. Officials told us that all purchases require a deposit to guarantee the “reservation of the vehicle. “They also said they didn’t know why Maherali hadn’t received the refund sooner, adding that they had “a replacement in the workforce and he probably stayed behind. “(sic).
The broker told Global News on Tuesday that Maherali would get a refund on his credit card.
Hyundai Canada said it “reviewed the file in full with the broker in question and can verify that Mr. Maherali reimbursed directly and fully. “
Maherali said that he had not received any refund or notification, even though several months had passed. He even contacted the Better Business Bureau and couldn’t get a solution.
So, frustrated, he contacted Global News.
“It’s very much for consumers. For the little people,” he said.
The Alberta Automobile Dealers Association (MDA) said that requesting deposits is “a very common practice” these days, adding that it makes sense both financially and in terms of time.
“Especially in the case of used vehicles, there are a number of things that need to be done in terms of inspections and so on to be prepared,” said MDA President Gerald Wood.
“I can tell you that the general practice among our members is that if the customer ultimately makes the decision not to buy the vehicle, they will refund that deposit. “
Wood said this assumed the dealership made no effort to bring the vehicle in from other jurisdictions or prepare it for the customer. He also said that it is possible that there is simply an agreement signed between both parties stating that the deposit is non-refundable.
“So there are no surprises,” he said.
The Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC), which regulates Alberta’s auto industry, reiterated Wood’s comments.
In a statement, he told Global News: “A customer can make a deposit and buy a vehicle, but the company can suspend the deposit even if it agrees to cancel the contract, depending on the deposit agreement. “
AMVIC also noted that there is no “cooling-off” period in Alberta. This means that once you have signed, you have agreed to purchase the vehicle. Wood said a “cooling-off period” isn’t as smart as it sounds.
“It seems smart to let the customer sit for 48 hours, but the cost of it. . . If there is a transaction, the broker deserves to retain it. What happens if the vehicle is driven during those 48 hours?It feels really smart. ” However, there are many other problems.
Wood recommends that consumers pay a deposit when they’re sure they need to buy, or at least verify the vehicle’s driving.
AMVIC would possibly investigate court cases similar to filing dockets if there is evidence that the client has been deceived or that there has been an unfair practice.