Can I Repossess?

[gryndor]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA

A year and a half ago, my Durango broke down and I was neither inclined nor able to fix it. I put an ad on CraigsList selling it as a Mechanic’s Special for $500 Firm. A guy wound up buying it but while we agreed to $500, he only actually handed me $400. I didn’t realize this until later. He put a sale price of $500 on the title when I signed it over to him. Then it was over, or so I thought.

Now he’s telling me he can’t get it registered in his name and he needs a bill of sale. I told him I was not inclined to be helpful because he shorted me $100 at the time of sale. He’s being horrible and keeps harassing me. I told him I was happy to provide an honest bill of sale with original date and price of $500. He lost it and doubled down on being a jerk. I’m about to block him but I’m wondering:

Since he didn’t complete full payment and it’s still in my name, can I go repossess the Durango?

 

[Zigner]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA

A year and a half ago, my Durango broke down and I was neither inclined nor able to fix it. I put an ad on CraigsList selling it as a Mechanic’s Special for $500 Firm. A guy wound up buying it but while we agreed to $500, he only actually handed me $400. I didn’t realize this until later. He put a sale price of $500 on the title when I signed it over to him. Then it was over, or so I thought.

Now he’s telling me he can’t get it registered in his name and he needs a bill of sale. I told him I was not inclined to be helpful because he shorted me $100 at the time of sale. He’s being horrible and keeps harassing me. I told him I was happy to provide an honest bill of sale with original date and price of $500. He lost it and doubled down on being a jerk. I’m about to block him but I’m wondering:

Since he didn’t complete full payment and it’s still in my name, can I go repossess the Durango?

Let's be clear about what you're asking. You are asking if you can steal the car from him. This is, by no mean, a repossession. Don't be a jerk about this.

 

[gryndor]

I was hoping to threaten this to make him leave me alone. He’s calling my work and yelling at my boss. I just wanted to shut him up.

I neither know where he is nor do I have a key. But he knows where I work because I broke down at work and he picked it up there.

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

No the right to repossession would come from an agreement to finance the truck. You have no such agreement.

If he takes you to court a judge is likely at best order you to provide a duplicate bill of sale because there is no way you can prove he didn't pay you $500 because you signed a the title and it said $500 and you gave him the title and the truck.

Don't be that guy. He may well think he gave you $500 and if he didn't it was your error.

Plus people that buy $500 trucks may just hit you upside the head with a tire iron.

 

[Zigner]

Now he’s telling me he can’t get it registered in his name and he needs a bill of sale. I told him I was not inclined to be helpful because he shorted me $100 at the time of sale. He’s being horrible and keeps harassing me. I told him I was happy to provide an honest bill of sale with original date and price of $500. He lost it and doubled down on being a jerk. I’m about to block him but I’m wondering:

I was hoping to threaten this to make him leave me alone. He’s calling my work and yelling at my boss. I just wanted to shut him up.

I neither know where he is nor do I have a key. But he knows where I work because I broke down at work and he picked it up there.

The next time you talk to him, tell him you'll fill out the form. Ask him what he needs, and take care of it. It's really not that hard.