Vehicle Deposit Dispute Resolution

Summary

Texas law prohibits dealerships from misrepresenting vehicle conditions and engaging in deceptive practices. If a dealership fails to deliver a vehicle after accepting a deposit, you may have legal recourse under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Consult a consumer law attorney for a detailed assessment of your case.

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Thank you, I recently put a 1k deposit on a new vehicle and signed paperwork (not contract). The paperwork outlined the negotiated price, trade-in value, add-ins, taxes. The particular vehicle I wanted was at another dealership, both managers agreed on a dealer swap and I then gave them the deposit. I was suppose to pick up vehicle on Tuesday, however; now Thursday the dealer emailed me and said the other dealership sold the vehicle. Is this legal? Normally, I would not let it bother me, but the vehicle is a high-denned and certain color and finding another one will be very hard, if I can find it.
Hello ****, I'm sorry to hear about your situation. It's important to know which country or state you're in to provide applicable laws. Could you please share your location?
USA, Texas
Hello ****,
Texas law regarding vehicle sales is:
- Dealerships can't misrepresent the vehicle's condition.
- The Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act prohibits false, misleading, or deceptive acts.
If you feel the dealership acted in bad faith, you may seek legal recourse. Contact a local attorney for advice.
Thank you. I would like to think the action was not in bad-faith
Hello ****,
Understanding your point, it can be difficult to establish "bad-faith". If you wish, you can still discuss the issue with a consumer law attorney. They could provide a better assessment based on the facts of your case.