Reneging on a deal

[Monkeybusiness]

I agreed to buy a telehandler from a dealer this week, over the phone and all terms/prices/delivery etc agreed via email. No money has changed hands but I twice offered a holding deposit. The agreement is based on me physically seeing the machine next week and ensuring it is as described/photographed (everybody in agreement on both sides). I have no reason to believe anything is untoward as the salesman has sent me loads of pics and info, and told me everything works fine.
All negotiations have been with the company’s sales manager, who seems to be a very decent chap. I originally called about another machine but he put me onto this one instead that is yet to be advertised.
He let slip this morning that his boss (the director of the business) thinks they are selling the machine to me too cheaply, but told me they would stand on as we have agreed a deal.
This afternoon I have received an email from the boss apologising but they have discovered a significant oil leak from the machine and it now has low transmission oil pressure, so is being withdrawn from sale. Nobody would subsequently take or return my calls this afternoon.
Am I right to smell a rat, and if so do I have any grounds for recourse?...

 

[doobin]

Name and shame

 

[Monkeybusiness]

Name and shame

Not yet, I don’t think it would be fair as they haven’t actually done anything wrong that I can prove. It may be me being a bit paranoid!...

 

[V8Druid]

Not yet, I don’t think it would be fair as they haven’t actually done anything wrong that I can prove. It may be me being a bit paranoid!...

turn up there unannounced .... soon suss whether it's legit or not

 

[Monkeybusiness]

I would have gone there today but they are 3 hours away unfortunately, and I don’t have any time to pop over until the middle of next week.

 

[pettsy]

Get a friend to ring from another number and say Someone has told them they have “x” machine in their yard, how much is it and is it available ASAP?

 

[V8Druid]

where are they @Monkeybusiness .... anyone on here stick their head in perhaps

 

[Monkeybusiness]

Near Scunthorpe.

 

[doobin]

Get a friend to ring from another number and say Someone has told them they have “x” machine in their yard, how much is it and is it available ASAP?

Don’t say someone told you. Ask if they have any 13m telehandlers or whatever it was.

 

[DaveDCB]

Ah pretty obvious who that’s going to be then...
I’d been messaging the ‘sales manager’ about a machine earlier in the year, he’s really keen to do a deal.. wouldn’t say there is much you can do regarding them pulling a machine, best you can do is call in and show interest in the said machine! They have some nice kit in I must say, and a really good turn over of it too.

 

[Regy53]

I’m afraid you should have put some money on it. Everything is for sale until a deposit is received at mine as we often here the oh we definitely want it but as soon as you ask for readies they say they will call you back and that is that
a deposit is a commitment on both sides

 

[doobin]

He said he twice offered a deposit.

 

[Monkeybusiness]

I’m afraid you should have put some money on it. Everything is for sale until a deposit is received at mine as we often here the oh we definitely want it but as soon as you ask for readies they say they will call you back and that is that
a deposit is a commitment on both sides

I offered a deposit by email and also over the phone.
The sales manager reassured me the machine is mine by email.
I’m pretty fed up to be honest.

 

[DaveDCB]

I offered a deposit by email and also over the phone.
The sales manager reassured me the machine is mine by email.
I’m pretty fed up to be honest.

What is it your after exactly?

 

[Monkeybusiness]

Them to sell me the machine as agreed.
Manitou MLT731.

 

[DaveDCB]

Them to sell me the machine as agreed.
Manitou MLT731.

Sorry I meant what machine were you after, try Richard Careless - https://www.shifnalplant.com/product-category/telehandlers/

He sells all of Ashbrooks plant , might have something local?

 

[Monkeybusiness]

Sorry I meant what machine were you after, try Richard Careless - https://www.shifnalplant.com/product-category/telehandlers/

He sells all of Ashbrooks plant , might have something local?

I’ll give him a shout if this pans out as I fear it will - thanks.

 

[DaveDCB]

Loads of 7 meter machines in euro auctions this week too

 

[Regy53]

I offered a deposit by email and also over the phone.
The sales manager reassured me the machine is mine by email.
I’m pretty fed up to be honest.

Ah sorry I thought they asked you and you said you wanted to see it first.

Sounds pretty shitty to me like they had a lack of commitment and they knew it. If somebody offers me a deposit I’m on it as it’s guaranteed business

 

[Monkeybusiness]

Ah sorry I thought they asked you and you said you wanted to see it first.

Sounds pretty shitty to me like they had a lack of commitment and they knew it. If somebody offers me a deposit I’m on it as it’s guaranteed business

I’m as annoyed with them for not answering/returning my calls and emails since pulling the plug as anything else - I’m sure the sales director (who seemed a genuinely decent bloke on the phone) has been put in a really awkward position and is probably too embarrassed to talk to me.