Dealer Not Refunding Order Not Built

[Davebeats]

I would start here

Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

www.fdacs.gov

Sorry to hear about your troubles and I hope they resolve this for you

 

[myemira]

They are trying to hold onto a sale but if you do not submit for a 2026 build, then they have no order and have no right/reason to hold your reserve. Here is the language I used when my 2025 build was cancelled similar to yours. I received my full deposit and reserve money back. You have legal grounds here and shouldn't give up the fight for your valid refund.

Given that my original 2025 Emira order can no longer be fulfilled as submitted, and may require a new order to be placed for a 2026 model year vehicle, I understand this constitutes a cancellation of the original transaction. In the event that re-submitting the order becomes necessary, I would expect that any deposits or payments made toward the 2025 order be fully refundable, as the delay and model year change are outside of my control.

 

[JoelB]

Hi I had an almost identical situation, I had a 2025 on order and got a VIN shortly before tariffs, then after tariffs I got uneasy with waiting and uncertainty if I'd ever get a 2025, V6 , Manual, so I found a car that came in on last ship before tariffs at Post Oak Motors in Houston, Steven Hill sales, and purchased (wonderful sales experience). Then after purchasing received a communication from my original dealer, where I still had an initial $2,500 deposit and a follow-up $7,500 upon Lotus accepting the build. My original dealer, Gator Motorsports Lotus Indy, sent out a notice to holders like myself after they finally knew exactly what price increases were going to be, price increases due to tariffs that were specific to my car, and offered to process the order again, or to credit the deposits to a car purchase of any kind at their dealership, or refund the deposits if I did not agree to the new Emira pricing increase (also, as was stated earlier by this same dealer, the dealer would also then not need to honor the build with Lotus as their price went up also). So I elected for the refund as I'd purchased a car elsewhere, and Tony Pechiney at Lotus Indy refunded my entire deposits, and I just received them last week. I had no written contract other than the initial $2,500 that stated that this was non refundable once the order was accepted by Lotus...So, Lotus Indy is totally doing the right thing here, and I would highly recommend their dealership and I plan to have my service work done there on my Emira in the future. I'm delighted to have received my 2025 V6, Manual...It's been a blast to drive and own rather than wait and think about it every day wondering if it will ever even be built this way.. I hope the other Lotus dealerships get my message and do the right thing with their customers as Tony at Gator Motorsports in Indianapolis has done with me. Hats off to Tony at Gator Motorsports Lotus Indy and also to Steven Hill at Post Oak Motors in Woodlands/Houston TX for making my final purchase possible with no hassle, perfect sales experience with Steven and Post Oak. Motors.

 

[FLTPA]

The dealer reached out today and is refunding my deposit without issue now. Did not have to contact any legal authority thankfully. In other good news, my car was delivered last night

 

[Tteape0]

Glad your issue was resolved. Great looking car!

 

[me73]

Hi I had an almost identical situation, I had a 2025 on order and got a VIN shortly before tariffs, then after tariffs I got uneasy with waiting and uncertainty if I'd ever get a 2025, V6 , Manual, so I found a car that came in on last ship before tariffs at Post Oak Motors in Houston, Steven Hill sales, and purchased (wonderful sales experience). Then after purchasing received a communication from my original dealer, where I still had an initial $2,500 deposit and a follow-up $7,500 upon Lotus accepting the build. My original dealer, Gator Motorsports Lotus Indy, sent out a notice to holders like myself after they finally knew exactly what price increases were going to be, price increases due to tariffs that were specific to my car, and offered to process the order again, or to credit the deposits to a car purchase of any kind at their dealership, or refund the deposits if I did not agree to the new Emira pricing increase (also, as was stated earlier by this same dealer, the dealer would also then not need to honor the build with Lotus as their price went up also). So I elected for the refund as I'd purchased a car elsewhere, and Tony Pechiney at Lotus Indy refunded my entire deposits, and I just received them last week. I had no written contract other than the initial $2,500 that stated that this was non refundable once the order was accepted by Lotus...So, Lotus Indy is totally doing the right thing here, and I would highly recommend their dealership and I plan to have my service work done there on my Emira in the future. I'm delighted to have received my 2025 V6, Manual...It's been a blast to drive and own rather than wait and think about it every day wondering if it will ever even be built this way.. I hope the other Lotus dealerships get my message and do the right thing with their customers as Tony at Gator Motorsports in Indianapolis has done with me. Hats off to Tony at Gator Motorsports Lotus Indy and also to Steven Hill at Post Oak Motors in Woodlands/Houston TX for making my final purchase possible with no hassle, perfect sales experience with Steven and Post Oak. Motors.

I had a closer dealer in Chicago and more convenient situation if I'd have bought the car in Denver but I chose to buy it through Gator just because of stories like this. I can't say that communication with Gator was flawless through my entire purchase process but Tony is a very personable guy and in the end they were good to work with. I appreciate that they didn't play any games like ADM or other hidden charges and provided assurances that I wouldn't be charged with any unexpected costs during the tariff situation. I'd also recommend them.