I went shopping for my teenage daughter's first car and found one. The owner said the car was sound. We agreed on a price $200 less than the list price and my mechanic could check the car.

I offered a deposit and was told this wasn't necessary.

I made it clear that if the car was sound I would buy it. We had a deal.

Later, she call to say she had sold the car to someone who came after us. This person had cash, offered full price so she sold it to them instead. She justified breaking our deal due to the contingency of my mechanic's inspection.

The inspection shouldn't have been seen as a barrier if indeed the car was sound and if she believed me when I said I would buy it.

I was never offered first refusal or told I would need to pay full price given the other offer, both of which I could have understood and accepted.

Did this woman lie about the soundness of the car or did she sell her integrity for $200?

When I said I would buy her car if it checked out I meant that. I would have honored my word. Was she unable to trust in this because she doesn't value honor and integrity and doesn't believe others do either?

I value these ideals and I believe that giving your word and making a deal ought to stand for something and she could have and should have trusted this truth.

Susan Ames

Cornville