Deposit on 3.5k Car ???

Whats the point in giving the deposit then?

A few things...

• I wouldn't be holding the car for him now or telling other potential buyers he is coming out to take it, if someone calls in the meantime and wants to buy it they beat him to it, tough. He may never show, could be an armchair classifieds caller, lots of them around since Covid and ruins potential sale to others.
• When he comes out and wants to put a deposit down don't be under too much pressure to accept a low ball offer, a Yaris will sell itself, plenty more people will have interest.
• If he puts a deposit down give a strict limit on when you want final payment, make it clear to him that if full amount not given at that date he loses the full deposit.

I think you're overthinking it.

People usually say that just to show that they are serious.

Generally if someone gives a deposit on a car like that it's to hold it for a short space of time, a day or two tops. Until they can organise a lift back to collect/ organise insurance/ withdraw cash etc. He's not going to ask you to keep it a fortnight.

You'll probably spook him if you go oj a spiel about full cash on collection etc.

Makes complete sense to me.

You can't show up to a random persons house with 5,7, 10k in your pocket.

Find there is no car, get robbed.

Deposit is protecting him from the unknown.

Yeah, i wouldn't give the logbook to anyone. That's the ownership of the car, i dare say it's more important than they keys. You're not even supposed to give it to the new owner post purchase. Terrible idea to give it to anyone.

Handing over the logbook in exchange for a deposit is madness. Never heard of it before

I’m dying to know why people need the logbook for a couple of days!

I left a deposit once. Only for a day or 2, I forget. It was for a runabout for herself, she wanted to be there to view it, but she’d be a nervous driver, and didn’t want to test drive it or drive it home in the dark. €50 on a €2k car. Didn’t really wanna meet some random bloke on a winters evening carrying wads of notes with me either.

No issues whatsoever, transferred insurance next day, texted the bloke, got a friend to bring me out, paid the balance, signed the book and job done.

Honestly I just assumed it was the done thing.

Bought my first car at 19 or 20 and local lad gave me it when I gave deposit.

Seemed sensible. No body has objected since.

Thinking back I've bought 6 cars/vans private over the years.

Still don't see the huge issue.

Sure you learn something new everyday.

The logbook is literally the proof of who owns the vehicle.

You don’t need it to arrange insurance or anything else so I’m amazed anyone with half a brain cell would hand it over and still oblivious as to why you’d even ask for it.

It’s a mad ol’ world!