Is it normal/a good idea?

[idiggit]

....for an importer to ask for a deposit to be transfered directly to their bank account to hold a deli? There was a bit of a language barrier, but I think that's the gist of what I'm being asked to do. I want to come to Van next week to buy a deli, and was asked for a $ 2000 deposit to hold it.

[kootenaydeli]

who are you buying it from? seems a bit excessive.

[idiggit]

MK autos/riseingsunautos.com. They are registered, and I can understand them wanting a deposit, I just don't know how comfortable I am with directly depositing cash into an unknown account.

[Golf Cart]

With all of the Delicas already landed/certed on Canadian soil, Im wondering if bringing one over id really neccessary, unless its a real real gem. At least if its already here , you can inspect it personally.

Once I finally decided to get one myself, I checked into picking one from overseas. I ended up going with one locally, on a private deal.

I'm pretty sure you could come down to the coast and within 2-3 days be able to find one you'd be happy with , and end up driving it home. There are some nice ones that have been posted on here in the last few weeks I would be interested in if I was in the market. Some really good dealers to help you too.
Good luck

[The Pinkfingers]

Could very well be legit, but I would be uncomfortable doing that as well.

If you're coming to Vancouver, why not visit a few dealers - perhaps you can buy one off the lot.

[Golf Cart]

I'm with Pink on that too.

Lots of coinage to drop on a sight unseen deal.

[idiggit]

It is here at the importer/dealer. I'm in Alberta, and won't be able to fly to Van until next week, which is why they want the deposit (I think, as I said, a bit of a language barrier). Just wondering if anyone els has been asked for a cash deposit to hold a vehicle?

[marsgal42]

That was how it worked when I bought Gumdrop from Japanoid. I discussed what I wanted, they sent me some pictures from Japan for approval, I said "yes, please!", gave them a (fully refundable) deposit, and paid the balance when I took delivery.

If you're not comfortable giving them money, don't. But you may have to buy from somebody else as a result.

...laura

[39Ronin]

I think the van is on Candian Soil, he is not talking about using an importer to buy one overseas to be brought here. Direct deposit into a business account would be more acceptable but into a private account... sounds kinda shady.

Iddgit,

Why that van? Is it the only van of its type or km's ? Why not shop a bit while in Vancouver?

[fishslapper]

be careful!! it all depends on who you are dealing with. The people i was dealing with were registered as well. They fled the country owing $100,000 to various people and it took me a year to get my van !! BUT ...........That was a very rare case. Check with the vehicle sales authority to see if there are any problems with the company. It is a free service for the public to call and check on a dealerhip.

otherwise i would say to get one from 1 of 5 dealers that people on this forum have had no problems with.....pm me for the list or do a seach and some reading and you find out pretty quick who is good.

deposits are not unfair to ask for. You just have to be careful.

[patty]

I put down 500 bones in cash, to hold mine for a week... Needed time to talk my parents into why I'm going to spend ALL my money on a imported van

[Golf Cart]

Sorry Idiggit, I misread.

Like Ronin said, sound a little fishy. And Fishslapper knows better than anyone. Sounds more like they re trying to keep the sale off the books.

I'd be more inclined to wait and see what available out here before jumping in on that particilar one. I know its hard to wait after being bit by the Delibug.

You have a choice of 4-6 reputable dealers here in Greater Vancouver, all with websites, and all with customers from this forum. You could hit all of them over a 2 day period , and still have time to sit down and decide over a few wobbly pops before sundown.

[Loc]

I bought mine in the fall after looking at locally owned and talking to a couple of dealers and this thread on the site helped me alot.
http://www.delica.ca/forum/delica-deale ... -3086.html

If you want to know, I ended up going with Mardy at Amazing Auto Imports and transferred my deposit into their business account once I committed to my Deli. I had no issues but had more of a comfort level because of his reputation on this site and I am a happy camper - no pun intended - well maybe a bit!

-Loc

[jessef]

If you are buying a JDM that is either

a) in Japan

or

b) in transit

and the importer/dealer is asking for a $1-2k deposit, that is quite normal for some of the importers that I've delt with.

They normally require between 1-2k usually for a custom order (if you're specifically looking for something) as well.

If the JDM is already in Canada, registered and sitting on their lot, then a deposit to hold it is up to each used car dealer.

Personally, the only time I would put a deposit on a vehicle that is already in Canada would be if it's an exceptionally unique or the 'one' that I really want.

If the Delica that you're looking at is just a run-of-the-mill (no offense to anyone), then I would NOT put a deposit on it.

There are probably I'm guesstimating about 100 or so Delica's for sale on the used car lots combined in the lower mainland.

That's a lot to choose from.

If you need a ride to a few dealers to check them out and pick one out, I would be happy to drive you around and show you what to look for.

Shoot me PM if you're interested.

I'd need a day in advance to make some time.

Jesse

[idiggit]

Thanks all, I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the replies. Yes, it is on Can. soil, apparently sitting at their lot in Coquitlem. I found the Deli on the for sale by reg. dealer link on the forum.
http://www.delica.ca/forum/1992-super-exceed-with-crystal-roof-arrived-4105.html
(sorry, can't seam to hyperlink for some reason)

I had read the dealer feedback section, and done a serch for MK Autos/Risingsun Autos, but did not come up with much info.
And Yeah, when I saw the pix, I kind of fell for the old girl sight unseen.
I checked most of the dealers stock/in transit, and this one seems to be the best deal (emphisis on seems).
I just feel a little leary doing a chas deposit with a company I know so little about. For the record, It is apparently their buisness account, not a personal account, But really, how do I know?