[ufjaz]

I've been talking to a dealer about purchasing a TH. We've worked out the price, trade-in, options, etc. This is a long distance deal over the phone.

They sent a document titled "Vehicle Buyer's Order". It details the TH price, tax, SRT trade-in value, and doc fees. I signed where the trade-in value is detailed. I initialed acknowledging an arbitration clause. And I signed where this agreement supersedes any prior agreements.

We had a discussion that details the timeline expectations. Supposedly the next step was that the dealer would request an allocation from FCA. Once accepted by FCA, the dealer would contact me for a deposit.

When I asked about the allocation I was assured it would be no problem getting approved. It's been about a week and no word from the dealer.

In the mean time I was still looking around and found a better deal. My question is - Is it too late to back out of the deal with the first dealer? I am no lawyer, but it appears to me that the Buyer's Order is a document to define what the deal is and there are no further deal implications, but not a binding document that I must purchase. That document would come when I provided the deposit, or probably when the vehicles actually trade hands.

Those of you who are familiar with auto buying - anybody have an opinion?

 

[JMS935]

It sounds like you haven’t even put a deposit down yet, and that’s besides the fact that the dealer can’t even place the order for you. To me it sounds like there is no deal here regardless of what you signed since the dealer hasn’t been able to place the order and you haven’t put down any money on it. If so, just walk away and put the other deal together, because you have nothing at risk.

 

[Texman500]

The dealer can technically come after you but with such high sough after car its not really worth there time. Plus you didn't put a deposit down so really nothing to loose...

 

[JMS935]

Come after them for what?!? There was no deposit made because there was no car ordered. The deal was dead before it ever got signed. It’s not like the dealer placed the order and they’ll be stuck with inventory that they don’t want. In order for them to “come after you” there needs to be actual damages. Without actual damages there is no grounds for a lawsuit, so that’s some bad legal advice Tex, maybe stick to your day job. The dealer has no damages, there is nothing at risk, nobody lost anything. So no - they can’t come after you for walking away from a deal that never happened. Kindly thank this dealer for attempting to place the order for you, but since they couldn’t you’ve moved on already and located one yourself. That’s all that is needed.