“Can You Hold the Car Until Saturday?” What to Agree on First

Someone wants your car but can only come on Saturday. They offer a deposit and ask you to take the ad down. Sounds good, but what exactly are you agreeing to? Before accepting a car sale deposit in Quebec, sort out the deadline, the conditions and what happens if they change their mind.

Are they buying it or just coming to look?

Is the buyer committing to purchase, or reserving an opportunity to inspect the car? Those are different arrangements. Write down the vehicle, agreed price, deposit amount, remaining balance and exact hold deadline. Include any inspection or financing conditions you’ve agreed to.

Discuss what happens if the buyer changes their mind, discovers an undisclosed issue or misses the deadline. Don’t assume that calling a deposit “non-refundable” settles every possible dispute. If you want binding cancellation terms, get advice on the wording before accepting money.

Give the hold a deadline

Our advice is to avoid an open-ended promise. You might propose: “I can reserve the car until Saturday at noon while we complete the agreed inspection. Let’s confirm the conditions in writing first.” That gives both people something concrete to work toward.

Decide whether you’ll still answer messages during the hold. Tell other interested people that the vehicle is reserved instead of quietly promising it to several buyers. Save the messages and give the first buyer a receipt showing what you actually received.

A deposit doesn’t verify the buyer

Check payment through your own banking channel. A screenshot isn’t confirmation. If the buyer sends too much and asks you to refund someone else, stop and contact your bank. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre warns about overpayment schemes.

Keep possession of the car and keys until the remaining payment and transfer arrangements are properly completed. A small deposit doesn’t make a complicated handover safe.

If managing reservations is becoming another job, request an offer from Car Buyers Montreal. Compare the offer and completion arrangements with the private buyer’s actual commitment, not just their enthusiasm.