Sold a car to a friend, have not received payment

[miaa26]

Jurisdiction

Arizona

I sold a car to my sister in laws ex husband in the amount of $900.00 the agreement was that he would pay $200 every month. He has stopped answering our messages via text the day he was suppose to make his first payment. We have tried several times to get a hold of him and have had no luck. I live in Nevada and he lives in Arizona. I have the title. What can I do?

 

[txls]

What type of paperwork do you have that he signed?

 

[ElleMD]

If you have the title, it is your car. You take the car back and sell it to someone else for cash, up front.

 

[miaa26]

What type of paperwork do you have that he signed?

No paperwork, just a text message agreement where he states how much he will pay and when he will pay it.

 

[miaa26]

If you have the title, it is your car. You take the car back and sell it to someone else for cash, up front.

I can go and take the car off his property? Like a self repo?

 

[zddoodah]

As noted, if title has not been transferred, then it's your car. If you are able to take possession of the car without disturbing the peace, then it would not be illegal to do so.

 

[army judge]

I can go and take the car off his property? Like a self repo?

Yes, you CAN legally repossess YOUR vehicle.

You should NOT trespass on or over private property to do so.

For example, you could DISCRETELY follow the vehicle to a Walmart parking lot.

You watch the occupants of your car park and exit it.

You might slowly take 60 seconds to make your way to your parked car.

You COULD simply unlock the vehicle, start it, and drive away to parts unknown.

Once you've recovered the car, contact the local police about what you did.

Be sure to have proof of ownership and insurance with you.

No insurance?

Place the vehicle on a tow dolly.

You're going to have to do a great deal of work to obtain a car worth less than $500 to a CASH buyer.

You might wish to THINK this through before taking any actions.

The lesson here is as old as time, don't hand over the merchandise until you have ALL of sales price in CASH in your hands!!!!!

 

[Highwayman]

I sold a car to my sister in laws ex husband in the amount of $900.00 the agreement was that he would pay $200 every month.

You are not a bank. If a buyer can't pay you cash up front then there is no sale.

You never answered the question about whether you ever signed the title over to your "sister-in-law's ex-husband".