Prop run dropouts

[Clutch]

I have a question for people who do 'runs' of items. I took deposits on my mg-34's and said I need 15 FOR SURE signups in order for the run to take place. I calculated that if I sold 15, I'd break even.

Now that the guns are ready, I've had someone say he doesn't want it anymore and wants his deposit back.

Should I give him a refund or tell him what I said above?

Anybody willing to take his place?

 

[OdiWan72]

As soon as someone paid a deposit it´s a commitment, period.

I see runs going down the road or being delayed due to people jumping off of holding back their payment too often :unsure

Keep the deposit until he finds someone who is willing to take his spot on the list IMO.

Markus

 

[Too Much Garlic]

A deposit is non-refundable. Heck, I would ask the person to complete the sale, as the production moved forward because he joined the list - if he hadn't joined the list, you could have found another one and you'd not have wasted your time with someone who can't live up to his/her commitments.

I'd say that's pretty bad form on behalf of who's planning on dropping out. Buy the damn gun... you can always re-sell it, if you don't need it. And next time... think before signing up and paying a deposit, 'cause you are taking up space for someone else if you don't plan of completing the transaction anyways.

There's no excuse for this, imo. :thumbsdown

 

[Archie Opteryx]

Deposits are not returned when someone drops out of a deal. That's a standard in business. Now you could be a really nice guy and give this person his moneyback, but you're well within your right to keep the deposit.

As suggested above, maybe work out a deal that if he finds you a buyer, he gets his money back.

 

[micdavis]

Did you state that your deposits are non-refundable? Never assume anything.

If the quality is there, you shouldn't have any trouble unloading MG-34 replicas to 501st guys. They usually go like hot cakes.

 

[Funky]

I say keep the deposit. Was it stated if it was non-refundable? Who cares. He KNEWit was a comitment. If it were me, I'd tell the deposit is mine until HE finds someone to take his place. If he doesen't like it tell him to go cry in his ABS bucket!

 

[Rylo]

Unless you spelled out "Non-refundable deposit" I'd say just stick the guy on your flake radar, refund his cash and move along.

Sure it sucks when people flake but it's almost unavoidable to some degree.

Having said that; I don't let anyone get me more than once though...

I like to wash flake & Crazy off as soon as I can. It spreads.

 

[OldKen]

Unless you spelled out "Non-refundable deposit" I'd say just stick the guy on your flake radar, refund his cash and move along.

Sure it sucks when people flake but it's almost unavoidable to some degree.

Having said that; I don't let anyone get me more than once though...

I like to wash flake & Crazy off as soon as I can. It spreads.

Good post Rylo, and Id say youve had your share of this kinda thing.

Clutch, from now on Id deffinately stick a "NON REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT" at the top of your interest list threads.

And while its lame that someone is sticking you with a leftover piece...

Theres no way that its going to stick around for a while, those things are AWESOME! thumbsup

Plus Im sure that it will hurt the guy worse when he realises your passion and skill... he will miss out on the next thing you decide to tackle! lol

 

[defstartrooper]

There are 2 reasons for deposits

1)To secure an item for the buyer
2)To secure a sale for the seller

If you had pulled out then you are breaking the agreement so should return the deposit.
In this case though the buyer has pulled out so should forfeit the deposit.

Maybe the guy has genuine reasons i dont know but he shouldn't automatically assume his money will be returned .
Like others have said though offer him an option if you can like returning the deposit if he finds another buyer.
Or stick it on ebay on a buy it now for the full price and if it sells return him his deposit minus the auction and paypal fees.

I honestly cant see any reason why you should be left out of pocket for something that is not your fault

 

[juno]

Was the run on the RPF?

 

[BOBATAFF]

this has happend to me as well and to tell the truth its happening all to often its becoming like a sort of joke for some guys

from now on i will keep any deposit that is sent to me i tell most of my customers 50% straight away for material and time costs and the rest before i ship anything

but you always get a few who go over the top when you say no you cant have your deposit back

 

[Clutch]

I posted the run on several boards. But I did not include any 'deposits are non-refundable' disclaimer. So I will probably end up calling him a #(#$*#&@_)$%##@ and give him his money back.

 

[ob1al]

I have to agree - if someone pays a deposit, they are committed to that transaction and must accept the consequences of pulling out - i.e. losing the deposit.

But for the buyer, it would make more sense to buy the gun as promised then sell it on. At least they wouldn't lose any money that way.

 

[KnightAsylum]

While if I was the buyer I would not expect it back, if you can resell it why not give him his money back if you are not out anything. I, as a constant buyer, and rarely a seller, avoid this problem by never buying anything where the seller asks for a deposit. Not only for this reason (because something could happen in my life it does everyday to folks) but because it is WAY more common to see people that pay a deposit never getting what was promised (or waiting for years) I know that is not the case here, but it sure seems more common then people asking for a deposit back. I just figure that any seller who needs a deposit is playing it close money wise anyway and (like with the buyer) things come up and you are out your deposit. I suppose if I was to say that the seller should keep the deposit then I also feel that if the product the deposit was paid on is not delivered when promised then it should be returned promptly.
I don't know what the answer is, I always try and error on the side of kindness over greed when possible, but every situation is different and I am just trying to avoid bad karma. My only personal solution is to not buy any "project" that requires a deposit. It just requires too much faith on everyones side, and too many horror stories here about these things.

 

[Jedi2016]

Don't give it to him right away. Make HIM find you a replacement buyer, and he can be the go-between and get his money back that way.

Be a prick about it. If he wants his money back that badly, make him work for it, don't let him think that it's "okay" to just back out of a comittment.

 

[franz bolo]

I'd offer the place to someone else first. If you can't find someone, then tell him you can only refund it after you sell it.

If you needed that many people to make the run happen and that person got on the list knowing that they would be 1 of 15, then they should understand.

FB

 

[Funky]

Was the person on the RPF? If so, I can't believe he hasn't chimed in...

 

[Clutch]

It was someone on another board.

I agree about the deposit thing. It takes faith on both sides and I wouldn't have done it, but this project cost me a lot of $$$ and there was no way I could absorb that kind of a hit without some 'insurance' in the form of deposits.

Since posting this, I've found a replacement, so it's all good again.

Thanks for the comments everyone!

 

[Eaglewood]

Deposits are usually non-refundable unless prior arrangements have been made. You are holding up your end, he didnt his.

 

[ortiz34]

why take a deposit at all then if he can still pull out and get it all back?