What should I do?

[Sparky73]

I purchased 3 GT's from a guy out in Vassar like 3 weeks ago. I drove the one home, paid the full $2500, and got the "available" titles. I did not have a trailer at the time to trailer the others home. I now have a nice trailer I can use, so I planned on picking the other two cars up. For like 5 days now, I have been trying to call him, no answer. I get his voicemail and have like 2 or 3 messages. When purchasing the cars (beforehand) he answered every time, any time of day really. What should I do? He seemed like a real nice guy, and I don't want to get pushy incase he is just on vacation or something, but since it is a cell phone.. you would think he would at least let me know.

Now, he claimed the parts car did not have a title with it.. but I already have the titles for the car I drove home, and modified street/strip car.

Should I just wait it out? Go to his house, and just see if anyone is home? Just take the cars since they ARE in my ownership? Any information is appreciated.

Thank you.

[jvandyke]

I'd wait it out, while they are legally yours, they're on his property and I'd sure want his full knowledge of my presence there. Give him a few more days at least.

[sugg578]

Just take the cars since they ARE in your ownership

[Paul]

If after a couple more attempts to contact him, I'd drive over for a visit. If he is not home, leave a note on the front door saying you have been trying to contact him and wish to discuss a date/time to pick up the other cars.... On the note, give a date and time you would like to come and get them. Then, if you don't hear from him to the contrary, show up at the date and time listed in your note with truck and trailer ready to go...

[West Coast GT]

It's a balancing act between:

• Allowing adequate time (in case he has a family emergency or other situation)
• Moving fast enough to protect your rights and property.

Send communication that "date stamps" your attempts to contact him such as email or telephone calls (use your cellular phone because it lists every call made and the length of each).

After one week, send a registered letter.

After one more week file in small claims and have papers served.

Save everything, throw nothing away. Make sure your messages are polite, professional, and calm. Don't threaten. No hints. Don't be vague. Whatever you say, make it crystal clear. It may very well end up recorded. Give specific dates, times, actions. Non of this, "Hey, buddy, if you've, hem, ya know, like got time, let's see if, heh, maybe, ya know, next week get together sometime to take care of this thing." Do not say anything you do not want a judge to hear you say.

Assuming you prevail in court, you'll go pick up your property with a court order in hand and a sheriff with you. Don't let the sheriff catch you pissing on this guy's dog, car, or house.

Chances are this'll resolve itself long before court, but treat it like you'll be standing in front of a judge trying to convince him or her you're not the A-Hole in this situation. The other guy is.

It's a pain-in-the-ass way of having to deal with situations (and certainly not the way us guys are encoded to handle things) - but hey, what can I say? We went and made all these laws and created systems.

The good old days are gone.

[BobCGT]

Jon,

When I went to look at these cars, they were stored at a farm belonging to the car owners father.

I believe the owner lives and works in Saginaw, at least not in Vassar.

Bob

[Sparky73]

Jon,

When I went to look at these cars, they were stored at a farm belonging to the car owners father.

I believe the owner lives and works in Saginaw, at least not in Vassar.

Bob

Its actually Birch Run, and I completley understand that. All's I would like is a returned call, or a message or something just to let me know whats going on so I'm not stuck here wondering.

[soybean]

West Coast Gts response is the correct way to go. Along with the registered letter, send a regular letter at the same time. Don't go on the property and get the others until this is resolved. You can be prosecuted for trespassing and a host of other charges.
Trust me, I've had to deal with the legal system enough to know. Renting houses, and boundry line disputes and a host of other things, have tought me that patience and calmness are the correct way to go. Keep us posted and good luck.
Jarrell

[Lindsay]

Decade ago, I had problems with Licensed Calif. Auto Repair Shop. I followed all noted steps which included letters and telephone calls to BAR (Bureau of Automotive Repair). Visited repair shop, and he was moving cars and tools.

Three weeks later when BAR finally responded by telephone (and U.S. Mail). I found out that shop closed (Dah?) and owner left the state. Then, BAR told me to contact local police dept. I then found out owner had prior records of fraud. Of course, BAR could tell me nothing on the phone, three weeks prior, when I was asking questions!

I would politely telephone DMV and state/ local police to inquire what your legal rights are. Start the small claims court action NOW or talk to the court. You can always cancel if needed, but will lose the court cost.

How far away from your residence are the Opels?

[Sparky73]

I live about 45 minutes away. How much is the fee for small claims? (On Average)

[soybean]

Here in N.C. at least my county, $55 at the Sheriffs Dept. You start at the Clerk of Court, and start a small claim form, multiple forms, then you go to the Sheriffs Dept and you pay them to serve the papers on the person. Go back to the Clerk of Court, and they stamp the papers and give you a court date. Some procedures and fees may be different, State to State. P.I.B all the way around. Before you do this, as West Coast Gt said give it a week, call, start writing letters. Document everything.
Jarrell

[Lindsay]

If Opels are visible from public road, or you are just curious, I would probably drive (45) minutes to relax any tension. If cars are visible from road, then they were not moved. Maybe somebody may be home?

"Now, he claimed the parts car did not have a title with it.. but I already have the titles for the car I drove home, and modified street/strip car."

You should have "Bill of Sale" for the three Opels, even if Seller can not find the tittle.

[Sparky73]

Yes I do have the bill of sale. And I really don't know how much I want to dump into fee's, especially if I do have to end up going to court. It's not like these cars are worth THAT much money.. lol

[Paul]

Still, I would drive by and check things out. You can not get in trouble by stopping and knocking on the door. If the person is home you can talk to him in person and probably get things resolved. If they are not home, leave a note on the door.......