Extreme Rant Warning - Ethics of selling cars, or...

[John Cassidy]

Wayne,
 
I'm sorry the deal didn't work out for you and your son.  Obviously,
listers here aren't privy to all that was said and done, therefore
suppositions are made here.  From what I've read of the rant, I cannot
fault Dave for selling the car out from under you if there was no
deposit.  Unless there was a firm aggreement to hold the car until a
specific time, or a deposit sent, Dave didn't stiff you.  
 
I've bought and sold several Audi Turbo Quattros (often through the
list) in long distance deals, and would never expect someone to hold a
car for an unspecified time without a deposit.  An exception might be an
instance where an ad comes out on say Thursday and I'm intending on
driving/flying several hundred miles on Saturday to view the car and buy
it if it's what it's advertised to be.  In these cases, I get an
agreement that the car will be held until I can get there at a specific
time.  Even then I'd offer a deposit.
 
Many times, almost every time in fact, when I'm selling a car, there's
someone who's "getting the money together because I really want it..."
only to never be heard from again.  As most have said in this rant, he
who shows up with the cash, gets the car!
 
If Dave did accept a deposit, your rant is valid, unless the deal
dragged on and on.  That's why deposit agreements need expiration dates,
after which the deposit is non-refundable.
 
Long run?  Probably a good lesson on buying and selling for both you and
your son.  Don't worry, there are plenty of decent $2000 vehicles out
there.  Maybe not CGT SBs, but he can always save money waiting for the
right one in the mean time!
 
JC