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2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee — seller asks for a deposit before showing the car

TrackDriver489Community StarterNov 22, 20252017 Jeep Grand Cherokee LimitedColumbus
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, about 125,000 miles. Private seller says several people are interested and asks for an electronic deposit to hold the car before I can see it.
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2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited

$24,000

Denver, CO

17 replies

ManualEnthusiast82Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 22, 2025permalink
The trap is a pretty payment hiding a worse car price. Two 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee quotes only help if both include tax, title, and the same options. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. I'd want that in writing, not as a promise. If they only talk monthly I'm walking.
WrenchCollectorCommunity StarterCommunity StarterNov 23, 2025permalink
I hear you, though I'd still want a second check. GAP, paint, and nitrogen are optional until you run the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee numbers without them. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. On “seller asks for a deposit before showing,” that was the fork that mattered for me. That's the sequence I'd use. That's my plan before I call anyone.
TrailCamper931Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 22, 2025permalink
I'd want competing paper, not competing stories. A written buyer’s order on the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” If they balk, that's your answer. Learned this the expensive way on a previous car. I'd rather be boring and correct. PPI guy I use is booked until next week, so I'm waiting.
CleanGeek210Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 22, 2025permalink
Agree — and I'd add this: GAP, paint, and nitrogen are optional until you run the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee numbers without them. Do that before you talk monthly again. A shop burned me once by skipping that step. Might be overthinking it, but I'd rather overthink than overspend.
HighwayDIYerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterNov 22, 2025permalink
I'd slow the salesperson down here. If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee price probably got worse. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. This is from a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee in Columbus with 125,000 miles. Did the worksheet show tax yet? I'm keeping receipts and dates in one folder.
TowGalCommunity StarterCommunity StarterNov 22, 2025permalink
Not convinced that's the whole story. If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee price probably got worse. That's the part that actually changes the decision. This is from a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee in Columbus with 125,000 miles. Run the total, not the monthly, before you commit. I've seen both outcomes, which is why I'd test instead of assume. This is me being the wet blanket on purpose.
TrackNerdCommunity StarterCommunity StarterNov 22, 2025permalink
Hard-won lesson from my last deal: GAP, paint, and nitrogen are optional until you run the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee numbers without them. Do that before you talk monthly again. On “seller asks for a deposit before showing,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Run the total, not the monthly, before you commit. Climate here is different, so treat that as a local data point. Wrote this up on my lunch break.
ShiftGuy438Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 23, 2025permalink
Walk if they won't put it on a buyer’s order. If one piece looks too good on the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee, hunt doc fees, accessories, and the APR next. Then the comparison gets honest. Was this after sitting overnight? I've seen both outcomes, which is why I'd test instead of assume. This is me being the wet blanket on purpose.
GarageCamperCommunity StarterCommunity StarterNov 23, 2025permalink
I'd slow the salesperson down here. If one piece looks too good on the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee, hunt doc fees, accessories, and the APR next. Then the comparison gets honest. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. That's coming from doing this as an owner, not a shop. If the story changes I'll post the new data.
QuietNerd168Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 23, 2025permalink
Hard-won lesson from my last deal: Keep sale price, trade, and financing split on the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee so a “good payment” cannot bury a worse deal. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. On “seller asks for a deposit before showing,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Have you gotten a second quote in writing? If GAP is bundled I'm making them unbundle it.
CleanGeek210Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 24, 2025permalink
Same neighborhood, different next step: GAP, paint, and nitrogen are optional until you run the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee numbers without them. Do that before you talk monthly again. Learned this the expensive way on a previous car. Going to re-read the worksheet tonight.
CleanMilesCommunity StarterCommunity StarterNov 23, 2025permalink
Compare apples to apples or you'll get spun. Call your insurer in Columbus before you fall in love with the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. If they balk, that's your answer. If they can't show the line item, I assume it's hiding. Sleeping on the number either way.
TowGalCommunity StarterCommunity StarterNov 23, 2025permalink
Hard-won lesson from my last deal: Keep sale price, trade, and financing split on the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee so a “good payment” cannot bury a worse deal. Do that before you talk monthly again. On “seller asks for a deposit before showing,” that was the fork that mattered for me. I'd want a dollar figure or a measured spec, not 'should be fine.' I screenshotted the quote for later.
GarageBuyer996Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 23, 2025permalink
Yes, with one caveat: A written buyer’s order on the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. On “seller asks for a deposit before showing,” that was the fork that mattered for me. If it doesn't change the out-the-door or the repair estimate, it's noise. This is the filter I use when the thread starts repeating itself. I'd rather look cautious in this thread than stuck later.
TrackDriver489Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 23, 2025permalink
PPI is scheduled. I'm not depositing until I see the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee notes. Doing the boring step first on purpose.
CleanMilesCommunity StarterCommunity StarterNov 23, 2025permalink
I'd slow the salesperson down here. I would not wire money until I've seen the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the title situation in person or via a trusted PPI. Then the comparison gets honest. This is from a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee in Columbus with 125,000 miles. If they can't show the line item, I assume it's hiding. I'm in no rush to be a hero on it.
TrailGeek73Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 23, 2025permalink
Walk if they won't put it on a buyer’s order. I would not wire money until I've seen the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the title situation in person or via a trusted PPI. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. If it doesn't change the out-the-door or the repair estimate, it's noise. Your commute and mine probably aren't the same, but the test still applies. I'll update if anything new shows up.
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