Why Do 4S Stores Charge a Vehicle Registration Deposit of 10,000 Yuan?
2 Answers
This is an abnormal practice. Consumers have the right to freely choose where to purchase insurance. A 4S store forcing consumers to buy insurance in-store and additionally charging a renewal deposit constitutes an infringement of consumers' right to choose and fair trade. When encountering such situations, consumers can report and complain to 12315. Below is an introduction to the differences between a deposit and an advance payment: 1. Nature of Guarantee: A deposit refers to a certain amount of money paid as a guarantee before or during the contract's performance; an advance payment is merely a unilateral act and does not have an obvious guarantee nature. 2. Amount Limitation: The amount of an advance payment is subject to certain legal restrictions; the "Civil Code" stipulates that the deposit amount shall not exceed 20% of the principal contract's subject matter. Below is extended information on the role of a deposit: 1. Guarantee Function of Deposit: A deposit involves one party delivering a certain amount of money or other substitutes to the other party, linking the fulfillment of the contract to the gain or loss of the money or substitutes, thereby encouraging the parties to keep their promises and diligently perform the contract, which determines the deposit's guarantee function. 2. Nature of Deposit: The mere fact that one party accepts a deposit from another can serve as evidence of the contract's establishment, thus this type of deposit also has the nature of a contractual deposit.
Last year when I bought a new car at the 4S dealership, I encountered the issue of a license plate deposit. The salesperson asked me to pay 10,000 yuan as a temporary deposit, specifically to ensure the vehicle license plate registration process. The reason was that the 4S dealership needed to assist buyers in completing the license plate registration process, including submitting vehicle documents and paying taxes, such as the vehicle purchase tax, which is approximately 10% of the car's price. If buyers took the car without registering the license plate, the vehicle would become an unregistered 'black car,' and the 4S dealership could be held accountable by tax authorities. The deposit is not a fee but a security measure, and it can be fully refunded once the license plate is successfully registered. At the time, I signed an agreement to ensure there was written documentation to avoid disputes. The entire license plate registration service was quite convenient, but it's important to clarify the refund timeline before making the payment. It helps maintain transaction fairness and prevents potential fraudulent activities.
