Car dealer to return deposit after failing to fulfil deal

A carpenter wants his RM3,000 deposit for a reconditioned Japanese-made multipurpose vehicle (MPV) back from a car dealer who failed to deliver the vehicle.

The claimant Hong Soon Seng, had gone to the car dealer who was located in an industrial area in Larkin, Johor, last April.

“I paid the deposit to the salesperson as a booking fee,” he said when met outside Johor Baru Consumer Claims Tribunal.Hong: The car dealer kept me in the dark about the status of our deal.

Hong said he told the salesperson that he wanted a brown 2010 model and was willing to pay no more than RM320,000.

“The sales person told me that it was quite difficult to get a brown MPV as there were not many such models, but black or white versions were easily available.”

The claimant said he was willing to wait and gave the company until July to deliver the brown MPV.

“Even when July was fast approaching, the dealer kept me in the dark on the status of our deal,” said Hong.

He then requested help from a friend in Kuala Lumpur who found him a brown MPV for RM315,000.

Asked why he insisted on having a brown MPV, he said it was good feng shui.

Hong went to the car dealer in August and requested the company return the RM3,000 deposit but the dealer declined, saying it was non-refundable.

During the hearing, the respondent told the tribunal that it was the company’s policy not to return deposits.

Tribunal president Lee Chee Thim asked the respondent to produce supporting documents or notices on the company’s non-refundable deposit policy but the respondent replied that there was none.

Lee then allowed the claimant and the respondent to discuss the issue to reach an amicable solution.

The respondent later indicated that he was willing to return RM2,000 within 14 days and the claimant agreed.

Those who need to reach the tribunal can call 07-227 1755/ 1766.