How long to repossess a car

[gak555]

I have already filed bankruptcy and was discharged in Oct. 2007. I owe a lot to the forum feedback I received from some very sharp people.

This question is for a friend: How long after a person stops making payments on a vehicle does the repo process start. He knows he will have to give up the car, but would like to keep it as long as possible after he stops payments.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,
GK

[Flamingo]

Anytime after the first missed payment. That puts you in breach of contract on the agreement you signed as to payments on the vehicle. Repossessions are up now all over the US so business is brisk with some people out of work getting into it since they are making money (big article in our local paper the other day about that). You can bet that repossession will take place by the time of the second missed payment. They will attempt to contact your friend via letter or via phone several times prior to the repossession.

[oldbaddebts]

Depends on the type of lender, and how long the the person has been making payments.

A few years ago, I was able to go 5 months. They even reported payments as ontime until a month after the repo. But, this took so much communication that it seemed at times that me and the collection rep were going to end up being life long friends. LOL

[cj0203]

We stopped paying in January, so we've missed 2pmts and the car is still in our driveway.

It's broken and we're surrendering, so we will be kinda happy to see it go when it does!

[aachudneymiles]

had one go 7 months it was a new car too.

then the other 6 months but they would call everyday allday... they did tell me they could repo if one day late... depends mostly on the lender..

[technoreid1]

can they break into yor garage to get it?
I guess what I am asking is how would they get the car if it never left your garage?

thanks, techno

had one go 7 months it was a new car too.

then the other 6 months but they would call everyday allday... they did tell me they could repo if one day late... depends mostly on the lender..

[aachudneymiles]

can they break into yor garage to get it?
I guess what I am asking is how would they get the car if it never left your garage?

thanks, techno

hell no, and if they do you can sue.. but trust one day they will catch you slipping and you will be at the mall or store and come out to nothing... its best to keep everything out of the car and be prepared for repo at in moment.

[HHM]

What would be the point of keeping a car you never drive

[SUB]

hell no, and if they do you can sue.

Many years ago, one tried. Broke into the garage, and another person's car, to move it to get to mine. Caught the fool because the alarm went off. Told him, "you should be careful, people around here carry guns". He left and never came back.

Side note. All payments were current. It was a straw purchase made by an old girlfriend on my behalf. On the direction of the dealer's finance officer, I might add. I eventually gave the car to her.

Then there was the repo guy who caused the bank to absolve my brother's car loan.
Two repo guys showed up one night and blocked my brother's parallel parked car on the street, with their car. Then one of them took off on foot to find a pay-phone to call a tow truck. While he was gone my brother pulled onto the sidewalk and drove off. Once the remaining repo agent saw he was about to make a successful getaway, he jumped into their car. Wishing to cause him delay, I sat on the hood of their car. He kept telling me to get off, I refused. Then he drove off in the direction his buddy went, with me on the hood of his car.

Wait it gets better.

I had a cast on one hand. So now I'm freaking, hanging on with one hand. I bring the cast down on the windshield to make him stop. He does, and I get off and walk the block back home.

About an hour later the Police show up at the door. Seems a repo agent wants to file a complaint because of a cracked windshield I allegedly caused. When I told the officer my account of events, he turned beet red and yelled at the two.
He then asked me if I wished to press charges. I did. Then contacted an attorney.

[technoreid1]

No point - I just wanted to know how they would repo a car if it was left in your own garage and you just let the car sit there......?

*could they get a court order to make you open up the garage?

*I guess I just think that at some point wouldnt it be a criminal case? stealing?

What if they dont get the car after 6 months? 1 year?
what can they do (within the law)

thanks, techno

What would be the point of keeping a car you never drive

[HHM]

There is someone who posts occasionally on this forum that used to do repo's. Maybe they will pop in and comment.

But you are correct, short of a court order, they can only take a car when it is in plain site and doing so would not disturb the peace.

I am not really sure what their options are if they cannot find the car or if the determine that the debtor is intentionally hiding the asset.

[SUB]

*I guess I just think that at some point wouldnt it be a criminal case? stealing?

Not stealing. But failure to follow the court order, contempt, or whatever. Could lead to criminal charges.

I guess I'm thinking we are talking about a special car to motivate someone to take it that far though.

[technoreid1]

It would be interesting to know.... It would be great to have guy chime in!

There has had to have been many cases where the debtor hides the car somewhere.....(i.e., their own garage, friends garage, storage, drives it to mexico...ect)

thanks, techno

There is someone who posts occasionally on this forum that used to do repo's. Maybe they will pop in and comment.

But you are correct, short of a court order, they can only take a car when it is in plain site and doing so would not disturb the peace.

I am not really sure what their options are if they cannot find the car or if the determine that the debtor is intentionally hiding the asset.

[HHM]

I got this off of an attorney's website

Can I go to jail?
Conceling the car can be a crime. Concealment of a vehicle with intent to hinder a creditor is a felony in some states. You need to read your state statute and see specifically what the rule is. It is probably listed under business or commercial fraud.

[technoreid1]

I would think that would be pretty accurate....


techno

I got this off of an attorney's website