Repo Gone Wrong: Company STEALS My Car Despite Perfect Payments!

Seamus O’Brien, an art student from Nevada, is facing a financial nightmare after his car was wrongfully repossessed, despite being ahead on his payments. The ordeal has left him contemplating bankruptcy as he now finds himself burdened with over $20,000 in debt, a situation he never imagined when he purchased his vehicle.

O’Brien, who is studying animation, had been diligent with his payments on the van he bought from a local dealership. In fact, at one point, he was even ahead on his payments. However, a series of unfortunate events turned his life upside down, culminating in the wrongful repossession of his vehicle.

Last year, O’Brien experienced a shocking turn of events when his van was repossessed without any warning. “Remember last year when my car got repossessed, even though I was a month ahead in my payments? Then the company went out of business and didn’t send out any legally required notices to their customers?” O’Brien shared in a Facebook post.

The repossession, which O’Brien believed was a mistake, led to a frustrating and lengthy battle with the finance company. He was forced to wait for weeks while the company dragged its feet in admitting their error. Eventually, they did acknowledge their mistake, but not before O’Brien was out $1,300 in towing fees just to get his van back.

To make matters worse, the finance company continued to harass O’Brien, demanding an additional $500 as a “repossession fee” when he was ready to make his final payment. This added insult to injury for O’Brien, who was already reeling from the unexpected financial burden.

In total, O’Brien has lost nearly $2,000 due to the wrongful repossession, and he’s had enough. “The great thing is I have them admitting fault in writing, and documents showing how much I paid and when, with receipts,” he stated. With this evidence in hand, O’Brien is prepared to take legal action if the company doesn’t clear the fee from his records and provide him with the van’s title.

O’Brien has given the finance company two weeks to resolve the issue, warning them that he’s ready to take the matter to small claims court if necessary. “Then it’s finally small claims time, baby!” he wrote, indicating his determination to seek justice.

In court, O’Brien plans to not only recover the towing fees he was unfairly charged but also seek damages for the time he was without his vehicle. During that period, he had to cancel appointments and was unable to run basic errands, causing significant inconvenience in his life.

O’Brien’s story is a cautionary tale for anyone purchasing a vehicle, highlighting the importance of being prepared for the unexpected. If you’re considering buying a car from a dealership, here are some expert tips to help you avoid a similar fate:

1. Set Your Budget: Before you even step onto the dealership lot, make sure you’ve calculated your monthly budget. This should include the car’s loan payment, insurance, fuel, and regular maintenance costs.
2. Do Your Research: Know which cars you’re interested in before you go to the dealership. This will save you time and help you make a more informed decision.
3. Secure Financing: Get pre-approved for a loan before visiting the dealership. Sometimes, having an outside loan can help you secure a better interest rate when the dealership tries to compete.
4. Test Drive: Never buy a car without test driving it first. Make sure you’re comfortable with the vehicle’s feel and performance before making any commitments.
5. Negotiate: Always negotiate the price. With so many good cars available, buyers have the upper hand in negotiations, so don’t be afraid to haggle.

O’Brien’s ordeal serves as a reminder that even when you do everything right, unexpected challenges can arise. However, with determination and the right preparation, you can navigate these obstacles and protect yourself from undue financial hardship.