Q: Knowing that I wanted to move out of my parents' house, a friend from work told me about this great little guest house that her aunt had available. I went over and it was just what I needed, but I wanted to think about it some more. However, she said she had two other people call on the guest house who were coming over to see it that afternoon. I was planning on moving in after my next paycheck in a couple of weeks, and she agreed and promised that she wouldn't rent it to anyone else as long as I gave her a "holding deposit" of $300. She didn't make me sign the 12-month lease, but offered me a blank one to take home.

I didn't want to lose the place so I wrote her a check, which I noticed online had barely cleared my bank account the next day. The problem is that since putting down the deposit I have changed my mind and would rather save money for a new car by continuing to tolerate old Mom and Dad and their archaic house rules. I called and told my friend's aunt that I changed my mind, and she is refusing to return my deposit saying that she now has to start all over again and place ads and it will take her at least two weeks to find a new tenant. Don't I have the right to simply change my mind? I can return items to my favorite store at the mall even after I have worn the items and I get a full refund. Why can't I get my money back from this lady?  more...