Help advice needed

[coscoroba]

Can anyone help me. someone makes a part payment for a horse with a verbal agreement that they will pay the balance in a few days, after over a week they say they no longer want the horse but want their money back. Having been telling other callers that the horse is sold, do I really have to give their money back??

 

[jumpthemoon]

Have they given a reason ie the horse failed a vetting? If not then I would say they are not entitled to their money back.

 

[0ldmare]

It sounds like they have contracted to buy the horse, whether its verbal or not. Unless the horse has failed a vetting then you wont have to give the money back. Did they give you a high percentage of the money or was it just a deposit? If it was a lot of money you might like to do a deal with them if you think they will get nasty/take legal action. ie you could reach an agreement to keep some of the money for the cost of readvertising, your time wasted etc but refund a bit to them. But thats up to you, I dont think you have to!

 

[coscoroba]

No they haven't had a vetting although it was open to vet, it wasn't a large percentage less than 10%, they have not really given a reason, horse didn't put a foot wrong, have offered for them to come and try again, perhaps have a lesson on horse etc

 

[BBH]

If they have just changed their mind without any extenuating circumstances I would say its a non refundable deposit.

 

[Mac1999]

I agree, that deposit is a security for you and for them - its stop you selling the horse to someone else & is a commitment from them. If they pull out than unfortunately they lose the money - surely that's the whole point of a deposit?!?

Keep it as a payment for your wasted time and put it towards readvertising etc

 

[tickety_boo]

[ QUOTE ]
"If they pull out than unfortunately they lose the money - surely that's the whole point of a deposit?!?"

[/ QUOTE ]

Absolutely!

 

[Donkeymad]

I agree in that I do not think you need refund the deposit. If you feel you want to then you, of course, can, but I guess from your post you don't want to, so don't.