Reply to "Broken Deals"

When I bought my car, I was actually out "doing something else", and my wife said "BUY IT".
(So I was not really prepared.) - The FIRST car I looked closely at too. Ugh.
So I went to a ATM and took max cash, along with everything in my wallet, I came up with $1,000, as a "deposit", we filled out a little paper. He had to get it smogged, which gave me time to get all cash, which he REQUIRED. But it also spanned about a week, time enough for a problem to occur.

Before I left, I justified loading up ALL the parts he had, including the rear luggage tray,
since all this stuff would not fit in the Pantera when the deal was done. I figure if he stiffed me on the deal, keeping my cash deposit,
(Hey we all know people that flake on a deal - right ?)
I would at least have a pile of parts. Maybe not worth the deposit, but it might defer the next buyer. This pile included ALL HIS PAPERWORK. As it was, a guy did try to buy it out-from-under me, but the seller was an honest
guy. I guess it didn't hurt that I accepted his initial asking price. He seemed real happy that I was the kind of guy to really appreciate his car, and his work put into it.
He grinned when I asked for a photo of us shaking hands on the deal, to begin the story of "my dream car". Hey for buyer or seller, these cars are "emotions" too.

Bottom line ?

Get "something" (more than paper or a handshake) in exchange for your cash deposit.

Somehow, "fate" may have kept you from a deal you would regret later. The right car is still ahead of you.

Tell us about it when it happens.

Chuck