I saw the earlier post about Repo laws and I was wondering if anyone can also provide anything they may know about what a Repo agent can and can't do in regards to seizing your vehicle? I am SO embarrassed to even have to ask for advice with this matter but Iâ??ll be honest, my husband and I really got ourselves into a hole over the last few months. We are just finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel with getting our house refinanced and losing the car loans (plus other bills) but still I have a few more days until I can make that fresh start. Specifically I am wondering if you have 2 cars; 1 is marked for repo the other is not, and you 'block' the 1st car with the other, can they move the 2nd car to get to the 1st car? They are financed with different companies. I am in just such a risk at the moment and I am desperate to buy a little time until I can pay off the car loans. (We are in the process of refinancing our house and we are rolling both the car loans into the new home loan BUT closing is at least 10 days away) :O I'm just not sure what I can do to thwart the Repo man in the meantime. Since we live way out in the middle of nowhere it would be pretty difficult to hide the car. Any suggestions? For now I have been covering the VIN number (as seen through the windshield) by covering it with a notebook, turning my wheels in (like you do when you park on a steep hill), applying the parking brake and (naturally) keeping it locked as tight as a drum. Is there more I can do? Someone suggested that I switch plates with my other car and keep both VINâ??s covered. In the off chance that I do get pulled over for having the wrong plate I am supposed to just play the â??naïve girlâ?? role since both cars are mine and it clearly wouldnâ??t be a case of â??stolenâ?? plates. Has anyone here tried this trick? Thanks for any advice you can offer.
Do you have maybe a relative or friend who could keep the car with them that is not listed as a reference? Maybe if they ask say it is in the shop or a friend borrowed it for a couple weeks.
I wish I did but when I took out the loan HAFC pratically got the names, addresses, blood types and SSN # of anyone I had ever spoken to in my life. LOL! Seriously though, I can't think of anyone or anywhere that they wouldn't look or haven't already called looking for me. It seems like they specialize in car loans for people with poor credit and know exactly what tricks those people use when they are late on their bills. <Sigh>...I'm starting to sound like a deadbeat.
I WOULD NOT do that. First of all it is illegal naive or not, and you may end up with a ticket and or court. Plus I don't think repo men are fooled by those tactics...I think they have seen them all. Including and NOT limited to, the notebook on the dashboard ) I am not certain of the laws concerning moving another of your vehicles to get at the repo vehicle, my first thought is that would not be legal. More over, Repo er's like to get in and out quickly, so I think they would simply pass that by and wait until they get you when you let your guard down. They are good. So keep parking your repo-able car with your other car, close and tight and make sure there is no way to get the second car out without moving the first. Being far out helps a bit, I would think...because they would spend alot of time driving out to check if they could get your car, and may just say forget it after a while. Your BEST bet would be to work with the creditor to strike a deal on the past due payments and remaining balance so that you can return in good standing. The creditor will want to work with you because they REALLY do not want the car back, they want the cash. Use your feminine wiles (you know you all have them to negotiate with the creditor and stop the repo process that way. Good Luck! -Peace, Dave
I think Dave's advice is good. The best way to delay the repo is to convince the creditor that it is in their best interest NOT to repossess. If you call them and let them know about the 10 day timeline, they might give you the 10 days. I have seen a repo man in action, and I must say it really is kinda impressive. They do not want a confrontation, so they will be in and out in a matter of seconds. Blocking the car with another will probably work short-term. After a while though, they would just come out with the cops.
Rats. I was hoping that someone would think that was a clever trick. I just had a mental picture of myself driving around like some jetsetting and suave 'Secret Agent Deadbeat' with a .007 license plate switcher! I even have the Secret Agent Man song playing in my head...ROFL! If you knew me and my cruddy car you would be ROFL too! I will probably call my finance company and beg for their mercy for a few more days. I know that they only want their money (not particularly the car) I am just afraid that I will get verbally attacked by their 'meat eaters' again. After all, I am a total chicken at heart! LOL! Thanks for the advice!
I've seen cases where the repo company and the bank aren't always on the same page. What I mean is if you strike a deal with the bank for more time the repo company may not be notified in a timely manner. I've been through this and have always hidden the car. Maybe even rent a self storage, park in someones garage, or the airport. If someone you know has a auto business they can put a mechanics lein on it and store it. It might buy you some time. Make sure it's kept inside if you do this. Blocking the car in is a good idea but the may move the other car. Not sure if they can. At least disconnect something so they can't start it.
Disconnect something? That seems simple enough. What do you suggest? Remove the battery? Here's an idea...how about I take all 4 tires off it and leave it balanced on H-blocks? Just kidding. Thanks for the ideas, everything helps.
hey just give me the car "WINK WINK".. anyhow.. how late do you have to be in payment to actually get your vehicle repo'd?
usually you need to be 90 days or more past due. Do you have a garage? If you leave the car in a locked garage, they cannot get the car. If the open the garage to get it, it is called breaking and entering. The OC will then have to take you to court to "force" the repo. This advice is only given as long as you are trying to work with the OC. BTW, it can depend on state/repo company. I know of 1 repo company that came to the door, asked to speak to the person and then told them to get their stuff out. The other repo guy was sitting in the car and both were huge and someone you would not mess with.
I'd be careful about doing some of those things. At least in Arizona concealment of the vehicle from a repo man is a felony. http://www.doney.net/code/ars13-2204.htm
SCMom is correct. It is my understanding as well that they cannot break in to get it, but that doesn't mean they won't. I was in this position for about 4 years while they tried to find the car. It helped that I moved and used a PO Box, but if they want it they will get it! Best thing is to keep it in a LOCKED garage (no law against that) AND use some sort of mechanical device to keep the garage door from being opened if they happen to break the lock. These guys are quick and ruthless. The car will be on the hook or flatbed quicker than you can blink an eye! If you have to keep it outside, make sure ALL your personal effects are out of the car so you don't have to go down and get them back from the repo company. These people are total buttheads to deal with. All you need is for them to get hold of a checkbook, paycheck stub, credit card receipt, etc and you'll be living in credit hell forever! smog
