A mate of mine asked a stealer to hold a used car for him over the phone and he paid a £300 deposit on his credit card. He's changed his mind about the car, because he's seen something else. What are his chances of getting his deposit back? No paperwork has been signed.

Talk to the stealer I suppose and if no joy, talk to the card company.

I'd say that unless they informed him that it was non-refundable then he should be fine.

Might be more of an issue if they've held the car for him for a while.

A deposit is an entry into a contract with a dealer whether written or verbal it does not matter. I would say he has no right to his deposit back.

Why should he?

Deposits

If you put a deposit on a vehicle and later decide not to buy it, you will not be able to get the money back unless the seller agreed that the deposit was returnable if you changed your mind, for example, after having an independent inspection done. If you change your mind before you get the vehicle, the seller can't force you to buy it.

In England and Wales, for more information about your right to cancel a contract to buy a second hand car from a dealer, see Second hand cars, in Consumer Fact Sheets.

Buying secondhand vehicles

If the deposit was paid less than 7 days ago he may have rights under the Distance Selling Regulations which entitles him to a "cooling off" period according to....

Buying goods - your rights

you're dead right I forgot about that. You have more consumer rights purchasing online, phone or mail order

Thanks for the replies. He got his money back.