What should I do? Won't pay for the car?

Question

My husband and I own a small used car dealership. Couple months ago one of friend was looking for a car and we got it for him. He said he will come back with a loan check to pay for the car. The car worths $13,000. One day, he said the finance company needs to look at the car before they can approve for the loan, so we gave him the car to let the people look at it. However, he has never returned us the car, and the loan fell thru. He was avoiding us and we went to house and found that his wife is driving it, she didn't know that we were not paid. She promised if they don't pay the next couple days, she will give us back the car, but never happened. We called the friend everyday and he kept telling us he is in the process of getting another loan. We waited for another 2 weeks and he said he finally got the check but the bank will hold it for couple days to clear. Couple days later, he said the check is cleared but he has no time to get the money to us. Everytime we talk to him, he will either say he can't get out from work, in training classes..... all kinds of stupid excuses. Two days ago, he said the court has taken part of the loan money for his child support case and he doesn't have enough to pay us. We told him to either give us back the car or give us whatever he has and we can consider to let him pay the balance monthly. He said he will do it, but again, didn't happen. Then he said he will give us back the car this morning, and again, no show and won't answer our calls.

It has been almost 3 months now since he took our car without paying for a dime. The car worths $13,000. Unfortunately my husband is still considering him as a good friend and doesn't want to be too harsh to him. But it is way beyond what i can tolerate, it was not in the agreement that he can 'borrow' our car. And i don't think i have to provide him with the car while he has his financial problem. I don't know what to do, husband find me being too mean. Should i go their house by myself? I won't be able to pick up the car by myself while i'm already driving one, i need someone to go with me.

Answer 1

No one can run a business like this. This is the ultimate in being silly. Now one of two circumstances is possible (you won't like either one):

1. This friend has something on your husband that is keeping your husband from dealing with this in a way that a businessman would - filing a stolen car report. What that could be is interesting... or

2. Your husband is very weak. If this is the one you would not be wondering what to do because you have probably worn the pants in the family for some time.

If neither of these is possible you may need to suggest an arbitrator for this situation.

Fact is that the friend has stolen from you and you are getting taken in this transaction.  

Answer 2

I say call the cops. Basically, he's driving a stolen car.  

Answer 3

You should ask for a police escort when you go.  They will usually do that.  You call the police and explain the situation.  They may ask you to file a report.  You are not being mean, he is!  This is way beyond helping someone out.  He is taking advantage of you guys and relying on you to not get him in trouble.  You aren't helping him you are hurting yourself.  Call the police and ask them to escort you there.

Answer 4

Running your own small business is tough enough these days without so called friends ripping you off. He has stolen the car. Tell your 'friend' that your legal department is threatening to call the police, your accountant is giving you a hard time, your insurance company won't cover you unless the car is returned or paid for. There are a dozen ways to blame it on the business if your husband is too nice a guy to confront him. Personally, I'd send a couple of seven foot repo men after the guy.

Answer 5

can i be your friend? ...Id reposes ASAP!!!

Answer 6

You should go get the car, unless you gave him all the keys and the title also, just go drive it away.  Tell him he can have it when he pays.

The value of the car is going down with each mile he puts on it.

If he is a friend he will understand.  If not you are better off knowing.

Good Luck

Answer 7

If the guy were a good friend, this would not be happening.  Whose name is on the title?  Report it stolen.  and get it repoed.  He has no intention of paying for the car, never did.