deposit on custom order
So the time has come and I'm getting ready to go in to put my deposit on a 2016 custom s550. The numbers are to my liking but the MF can't be agreed upon until the car arrives. The only thing the dealer has told me is that the deposit is non-refundable and I don't know the amount yet. What's the typical reasonable amount for this? The reason I ask is I don't want to lock myself in then the dealer jacks up the MF sky high when the car arrives.
What's the secret to ordering the car without one or getting it changed to refundable? I have seen some people on this forum get cars ordered from mutiple dealerships without a deposit
Negotiate the MF like this - X points above the buy rate, etc ... or the actual buy rate itself if they are willing to give it to you at cost
If they won't agree to lock it in that way, I'd find another dealer
Last edited by jenz; Oct 20, 2015 at 03:27 PM.
IMHO (In my humble opinion): Part of the problem may be I'm only 26 (and I look younger) and although I have not disclosed income yet I'm sure some assumptions might have been made regarding the affordability of this car in regards to me
Hence the need for the depositThanks,
Last edited by icebeam; Oct 20, 2015 at 03:56 PM.
So the time has come and I'm getting ready to go in to put my deposit on a 2016 custom s550. The numbers are to my liking but the MF can't be agreed upon until the car arrives. The only thing the dealer has told me is that the deposit is non-refundable and I don't know the amount yet. What's the typical reasonable amount for this? The reason I ask is I don't want to lock myself in then the dealer jacks up the MF sky high when the car arrives.
What's the secret to ordering the car without one or getting it changed to refundable? I have seen some people on this forum get cars ordered from mutiple dealerships without a deposit

Don't buy the car unless it is with the parameters you want such as a refundable deposit. In other words, demand it be refundable. If you have never purchased a car from a particular dealer, they may want you to do some type of deposit to show your good faith but for me it must be refundable or it is a deal breaker. Remember every dealer is different since they are all independent business people and make their own rules/decisions.
My factory ordered '14 S550 4matic I did a $2000 refundable deposit whereas for my factory ordered '16 S550 4matic (every option except 3D stereo and fridge) I did a refundable deposit of $1000. They would have done the deals without the deposits but for me I want to "lock down" the scenario such as negotiating the price at the time of order so the dealer does not do something at delivery that would show bad faith on the part of the dealer. By "inking the deal" at time of order with some type of deposit gives the buyer some type of leverage (ok maybe not a lot but something) but I also would not do a deal with a non-refundable deposit--period.
IMHO (In my humble opinion): Part of the problem may be I'm only 26 (and I look younger) and although I have not disclosed income yet I'm sure some assumptions might have been made regarding the affordability of this car in regards to me
Hence the need for the depositThanks,
I learned long ago to never "judge a book by it's cover". In other words, I have clients that are in their 20s that are worth millions. So you may be right about the dealer "judging" you but I do not make that mistake in my business. And if you can truly afford the car with your income or assets, you have the upper hand anyway. So order that car and enjoy one of the best cars around.
Trending Topics
FYI, I placed a deposit on a special order CLA45 AMG when they first came out and I was able to get it back even after the car delivered to the San Francisco dealership.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
I don't think it's legal to ask for a nonrefundable deposit. Anywhere. You have to be able to say no once you get the actual item and test drive it...








