Hi, we have a small day boat up for sale, a chap called 3 or 4 different times for information and then arranged with my husband to view it, on the day it was pouring down but the guy and his wife went on board decided it was just what they wanted, they had a mooring and asked my husband if he would bring it up by river to their moorings he said yes but not that day due to the weather but on the next dry day suitable to them both, this was agreed and my husband was given a �100 deposit. that evening the chap phoned up and said he didn,t want the boat as he couldn't get a mooring !!!!! he suggested they split the �100 50-50 and keeps calling us to ask why we havn't returned it yet , what would you do ?
Seems a pretty generous offer, after all he gave you the �100, and is offering you �50 for the inconvenience he put you to. Perhaps you should accept his offer and return �50 to him. You could hardly expect to keep the �100 just because you suspect he told a fib about having a mooring.
If he hasn't caused you any inconvenience, and you haven't turned down anyone else's offer, I think I would return the whole amount. Not saying that's right, but I would be too soft to keep any of it.
Give him his money., it's his and you done nothing for. If you moved the boat and he then canceled the deal you can claim for your effort and any other potential sales you might have lost and keep it!