When you hear the word "Deposit.."

Contributor: bayosgirl bayosgirl
..And the wording given does not state "refundable" or "non-refundable" which one do you assume? Let's say it's for a class series taught by a private instructor (not college courses.) I do not want to go into the full story, but there is a story for this.
Answers (public voting - your screen name will appear in the results):
I would assume it was refundable unless otherwise stated.
Catan , Cindi025 , CaseyDeuce , bayosgirl
4
I would assume it was non-refundable unless otherwise stated.
Gunsmoke , surreptitious , eri86 , K101 , Gary , Rokmai , charmedtomeetyou , Stagger13 , mpfm , U3H , llellsee , Taylor , treehugger , indiglo , twelve13 , Adriana Ravenlust , SneakersAndPearls , Kitka , Eyesonfire , Sbmsvschoolgirl , GONE! , KinkyKatieJames , namelesschaos , Bullfroggy and Rose , sunflower , Beautiful-Disaster , Llewey , Deeder , gorgeous
29
Don't know/other
Gone (LD29) , ViVix , Sammi
3
Total votes: 36 (36 voters)
Poll is closed
05/06/2013
  • Upgrade Your Hands-Free Play!
  • Long-distance pleasure set for couples
  • Save Extra 20% On Love Cushion And Toy Set!
  • Complete strap-on set for extra 15% off
  • Save 50% On Shower Nozzle With Enema Set
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
All promotions
Contributor: Gunsmoke Gunsmoke
I remember the old saying - 'assuming makes an ass of you and me'. I'm not sure where it comes from - but it suffices to say, ask for clarity even if you think you know. Sorry you had a problem - hopefully it didn't cost too much!
05/07/2013
Contributor: surreptitious surreptitious
To me, the whole point of putting down a deposit is that it is a non-refundable assurance of something. Unless it's otherwise stated that it's refundable - or, more likely, partially refundable - it's my opinion that it's gone as soon as you place it whether you partake in a service or not. I also hope that you're simply having trouble with someone claiming that a deposit they placed with you should be refundable. If a deposit were refundable, there'd be no point at all in making it - I mean, even if it were only necessary because there were costs involved with setting something up, you should still have to cover those costs if you cause them to be incurred. And all of those "you"s are general except for the ones in the third sentence, because my beliefs aren't directed at you as a person, just in the nature of deposits in the business field, which I have a fair amount of experience with through my family's personal dealings.
05/07/2013
Contributor: Catan Catan
"Deposit" just says you have to pay in advance, not whether it is refundable or not. Deposits for things borrowed, like cleaning deposits on rental apartments, are refundable.
I understand that often deposits are non-refundable because the provider has to spend them in advance on set-up, whether the purchaser actually shows up or not. I just don't think that is implied by the word itself. They need to specify.
05/07/2013
Contributor: K101 K101
Quote:
Originally posted by bayosgirl
..And the wording given does not state "refundable" or "non-refundable" which one do you assume? Let's say it's for a class series taught by a private instructor (not college courses.) I do not want to go into the full ... more
I would definitely assume it was non-refundable unless otherwise stated. Just like I wouldn't go to the store and see an item, go pay for it& just expect it to be refundable. Actually, in an instance where you're buying something from a store, you do kind of just expect it to be refundable, I guess. So bad example. But no, if it's something online or classes or anything that costs a good deal, I would not automatically assume it was refundable unless there were big specifics such as "100% no-questions asked money back guarantee." Unless I see that particular sign, I will expect it to not be refundable, especially something like classes/courses.

P.S. when I signed up for a certain course, they were really clear about saying (over and over, actually, which was appreciated) that only half of my entire tuiton could be refunded if I'm not satisfied before completing the course. They were clear to say that it is NOT refundable if I complete the course & that I would only get HALF of what I paid back if before the completion, I decided I wasn't happy. Totally clear. A company who can't be totally clear up-front is shady. Or one who uses the word "deposit" in hopes of duping people into assuming something. Just seems real weird that a company wouldn't be more clear about refunds when it comes to classes/courses of ANY kind.
05/07/2013
Contributor: Gary Gary
In my opinion*** it should be made CRYSTAL CLEAR if deposit is a non-refundable deposit, or when and if their is a non-refundable deadline.

That being said, if I don't think to ask, or cannot find any clarification, I would operate under the assumption a deposit would not be refundable.
05/07/2013
Contributor: Stagger13 Stagger13
Quote:
Originally posted by bayosgirl
..And the wording given does not state "refundable" or "non-refundable" which one do you assume? Let's say it's for a class series taught by a private instructor (not college courses.) I do not want to go into the full ... more
I always stick with what is clearly stated. Ask questions above an beyond what you might need to know to be totally clear.
05/07/2013
Contributor: surreptitious surreptitious
Quote:
Originally posted by Catan
"Deposit" just says you have to pay in advance, not whether it is refundable or not. Deposits for things borrowed, like cleaning deposits on rental apartments, are refundable.
I understand that often deposits are non-refundable ... more
I didn't even think of that kind of deposit because of the nature of the situation (online courses). If it were a security deposit, that's a totally different story, though I'd still check and make sure that it was refundable before placing it.

Another thing that I've thought to add is that if for some reason the person you placed the deposit with was unable to provide the service (for example, the class was cancelled) in that case, I would expect it to be refunded or turned into credit for a future class.
05/07/2013
Contributor: Taylor Taylor
Usually when I've taken classes for continuing education or whatever, the deposit has been non-refundable since it is there to hold your place in the class. That way they can recoup some of the costs if someone cancels last minute and they can't find another student to fill it on late notice.

I just tend to assume if I give money for something like a deposit, there's a pretty good chance I'm not getting it back.
05/07/2013
Contributor: Mr. John Mr. John
Quote:
Originally posted by Gunsmoke
I remember the old saying - 'assuming makes an ass of you and me'. I'm not sure where it comes from - but it suffices to say, ask for clarity even if you think you know. Sorry you had a problem - hopefully it didn't cost too much!
You stated exactly what I was thinking.
05/07/2013
Contributor: Kitka Kitka
I would assume it's non-refundable but I'd definitely ask about it to be clear.
05/07/2013
Contributor: Wicked Wahine Wicked Wahine
Quote:
Originally posted by Gunsmoke
I remember the old saying - 'assuming makes an ass of you and me'. I'm not sure where it comes from - but it suffices to say, ask for clarity even if you think you know. Sorry you had a problem - hopefully it didn't cost too much!
'assuming makes an ass of you and me', I can explain where the saying comes from! When you break down the word assume, it looks like this: ass/u/me, so it's an ass, out of, u, and, me. Get it? The slashes stand for 'out of' + 'and'

As for the deposit, I would assume it was non-refundable unless otherwise stated. However, if the instructor reneged on fulfilling the service, I would expect a refund or credit towards something.

(If you paid with a credit card, you can dispute the charge with them, they offer protections that cash just can't.)
05/07/2013
Contributor: stacylyn stacylyn
Quote:
Originally posted by bayosgirl
..And the wording given does not state "refundable" or "non-refundable" which one do you assume? Let's say it's for a class series taught by a private instructor (not college courses.) I do not want to go into the full ... more
non-refundable
05/07/2013
Contributor: Sbmsvschoolgirl Sbmsvschoolgirl
I would assume non-refundable in any situation unless it specifically states that it is refundable.
05/07/2013
Contributor: Gone (LD29) Gone (LD29)
I said other, because of a few reasons. One, they really should tell you whether it's refundable or not. If you're not sure, ask. Two, even if it's technically a non-refundable deposit, you should be able to recoup your funds if they cancel on you rather than the other way around.
05/07/2013
Contributor: dancingduo dancingduo
Deposits normally mean you can withdrawal them. A fee is not returned.
05/07/2013
Contributor: Beautiful-Disaster Beautiful-Disaster
Non-refundable.
05/07/2013
Contributor: ViVix ViVix
Quote:
Originally posted by bayosgirl
..And the wording given does not state "refundable" or "non-refundable" which one do you assume? Let's say it's for a class series taught by a private instructor (not college courses.) I do not want to go into the full ... more
The only thing I've ever put a deposit on is an apartment, and it's income-based, so I will never see that money again. I kind of assume all deposits disappear.
05/07/2013
Contributor: Sammi Sammi
I've seen it mean both, so I'd definitely ask to make sure.
05/07/2013
Contributor: Gunsmoke Gunsmoke
Quote:
Originally posted by Wicked Wahine
'assuming makes an ass of you and me', I can explain where the saying comes from! When you break down the word assume, it looks like this: ass/u/me, so it's an ass, out of, u, and, me. Get it? The slashes stand for 'out of' + ... more
Thanks for breaking it down for me! There are a lot of smart people out there - it makes it worth tolerating those who are less so!
05/08/2013