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Interesting side note to this talk of repos (and no, I had no idea this movie was coming out when I made my original post). Movie that is coming to theaters this week called "Repo Men" it is a Sci-Fi film about a futuristic business that sells organs and body parts to people (for medical necessity or non-medical vanity) on credit. When the recipient of the new body part doesn't pay on time, the main character goes out to "reposess" the body part

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1053424/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Anyway, thought that was an interesting wrinkle to throw into this conversation. And it's sort of possible now. If you get a heart transplant and stop paying your bills, should the hospital/health insurance company be allowed to reclaim their "property" (your new heart)? After all, you didn't pay for it, therefore you are in effect stealing it, and the property is theirs after all since they loaned you the money to buy it which you haven't paid back per your agreement.

On a completely random note, this article popped up today in my news feed:

http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/30/3081.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (link to download the original source report is included at the link)

Report Warns Of Private Car Repo Dangers
National Consumer Law Center report outlines concerns with private automobile seizure industry.

Private companies that repossess automobiles without the involvement of law enforcement are creating potentially deadly situations, a report released Thursday by the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) warned. The Boston, Massachusetts-based non-profit legal advocacy group examined the consequences of turning car seizures over to private firms, particularly during the recent economic downturn.

"In just the past three years, the publicly reported toll from self-help repossessions is shocking," John W. Van Alst and Rick Jurgens wrote in the NCLC report. "Six deaths. Dozens of injuries and arrests. Pistols, rifles, shotguns, knives, fists and automobiles wielded as weapons. And, in at least three cases, repo agents towed away automobiles with children under the age of nine inside."

An estimated 1.9 million repossessions take place each year. In 33 states, no license or background check is required for the companies that repossess cars on behalf of lenders and car dealers. This means convicted felons can, and do, operate repo businesses.

The NCLC report takes issue with the practice of allowing a lender to unilaterally seize a car from its owner for missing a payment without first having a neutral third-party judge or administrative officer verify the claim.

"With the ability to repossess on a whim, dealers and lenders can use repossessions not simply as a means of retaking collateral when a debtor defaults," the report stated. "Lenders can also use the threat of repossession to intimidate consumers. For example, the prospect of having a car seized can be used to keep a consumer from asserting the right to withhold payment for a warranty violation or other breach of contract in the sale of the car or the right to revoke acceptance of a car with substantial defects."

The report cited court documents that showed one major repo company forced its agents to work up to 90 hours a week without overtime pay. "Each of you have the ability to do WHATEVER it takes to pick up more cars," an email sent to employees urged. Those who failed to meet a minimum weekly quota of twenty cars were forced to work longer hours. The pressure to take extreme actions in several cases has resulted in violence both against vehicle owners and the repo men themselves.

NCLC recommended that states adopt laws that require lenders to provide notice and provide car owners with a set period to remedy missed payments. It also recommended that lenders obtain a court order prior to seizing a vehicle. This, the group says, would allow motorists to have the opportunity to have a chance to challenge an improper seizure in a neutral setting. The report also urged that repo companies be licensed to prohibit the hiring of individuals with violent criminal histories.

marksiwel wrote:

ericlw wrote: Im sorry but I seriously dought you can break into someones garage in the USA and not be arrested or shot at or both.also Canada is a socialist country so they may give you more "rights", but not here.

Saw this might help
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_ ... s_in_Texas" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also if Canada is a "Socialist Country" why are they letting a Private Business practice Capitalism at its finest (Get my money regardless)?

I am so stealing that.

mctowalot wrote:Sounds like a "clean shoot" to me. I wonder if the repo man's family misses him and wished he had announced himself - perhaps he did but the noble shooter did not hear him.
I'm surprised there were no bloggers whining about tow hearings, Mr. Hand. I'll PM the details to you so as to not bend the thread any further.
Re: $400.00 fees, etc. Yup, that is indeed highway robbery - and one reason TDLR took over regulating the tow industry in Texas. Fees are now set in stone, but that doesn't mean a wrecker driver might not lie and try to scam a vehicle owner into giving them an arm and leg.
While I don't know about the legality of it, entering/crossing someone's property to perform a repo unannouced certainly seems like a receipe for disaster. I look foward to this being cleared up. The fact is there are plenty of folks ready, willing, and able to shoot at "shadows in the dark", and I suppose that under the right circumstances they would be labled "clean shoots".
For the record, I've found that charm works best - sometimes I'll even flash my tooth at 'em. Chicks dig that! :).

I think the only relevant quetion is, what kind of pizza do you order?

austinrealtor wrote:Interesting side note to this talk of repos (and no, I had no idea this movie was coming out when I made my original post). Movie that is coming to theaters this week called "Repo Men" it is a Sci-Fi film about a futuristic business that sells organs and body parts to people (for medical necessity or non-medical vanity) on credit. When the recipient of the new body part doesn't pay on time, the main character goes out to "reposess" the body part

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1053424/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Anyway, thought that was an interesting wrinkle to throw into this conversation. And it's sort of possible now. If you get a heart transplant and stop paying your bills, should the hospital/health insurance company be allowed to reclaim their "property" (your new heart)? After all, you didn't pay for it, therefore you are in effect stealing it, and the property is theirs after all since they loaned you the money to buy it which you haven't paid back per your agreement.

Repo Men, why does that sound familiar?
Oh wait that came out years ago
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0963194/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Repo! The Genetic Opera
A worldwide epidemic encourages a biotech company to launch an organ-financing program similar in nature to a standard car loan. The repossession clause is a killer,

As for your organs, hmmm I guess the Hospital has yet to repossess a Pacemaker

That report leaves me wondering how many repo men (or ladies) towed cars with children 9 years of age or older.

In regards to the pizza - sorry Frazzled, trade secret!

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... smartbrief" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This article talks about repo men who "pick locks" and use other questionable tactics to repossess people's airplanes or boats.

Comments?

LarryH wrote:http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... smartbrief

This article talks about repo men who "pick locks" and use other questionable tactics to repossess people's airplanes or boats.

Comments?

Well, should have made the payment is the typical answer I guess. After all, the person they're taking the property from doesn't legally own the property so the repo men have been cleared by the owner to do get the property back to them no matter what they have to do. ( Within the law )

LarryH wrote:http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... smartbrief

This article talks about repo men who "pick locks" and use other questionable tactics to repossess people's airplanes or boats.

What questionable tactics? They picked the lock on the airplane they repossessed, not on a building or gate or other enclosure.

I also like this quote from the article.

"Here we were, taking minivans with child seats in the back, or going to someone's job to take their car," he says. "I had a tough time with that."

Separating flashy toys from their owners seemed to be much easier—especially from a logistical perspective.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... 1b022.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ninemm wrote:http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... 1b022.html

Yeah I saw that this morning. Classy...

ninemm wrote:http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... 1b022.html

SwimFan85 wrote:I hope they prosecute the man who shot him and endangered the baby.

I believe the shooter was a teenager...15 years old.

I saw the movie Repo men, it was okay. Sorry everytime I see this thread I think of the movie