[Merrily Gather]

I hate to see this happen to someone.

Something similar happened in our family, but they made sure they were co-signers to protect their rights to the property. Still family ended up burning family by not making regular payments and then eventually not paying.

They got the help of other family members and went and picked up the vehicle. Lost a lot of money on it because the other family member had trashed it as well. Then they sold it and took the hit.

Could have put a lien on the other family for the rest of the back money that was owed and garnished their wages, but it was getting more expensive than it was worth. So they took it as a lesson learned.

It tore my immediate family apart and now some of my siblings will never talk to each other ever again. It's been years and they're dead to each other.

I would call the free Legal Aid services in Southern Nevada to see what your options are. See if the texts, verbal agreement and check would work in court, ect.

http://www.lacsn.org/

[ChinkChink]

Originally Posted by johntaylorny

Last year, a family friend I've known for 8 years asked for a car loan of $6,000. Their credit is terrible and they could not qualify for a loan. Being the pushover I am, I agreed, and I also never put myself on the title as a lienholder. We never signed a written agreement, just texting back and forth the terms. I gave them $6,000 cash and they bought the used car and have the title. They were suppose to pay $300/month until paid off. They made 1 payment of $300 and never paid again. I've been asking them for the $ and keep getting the run around. I also gave them the option of just signing the title to me and I'll sell the car and try to recoup the money. But they refuse to sign the title to me. They still use the car daily and it's parked in front of their house.

Here is the best part...I drove by their house yesterday and noticed the side of the car damaged and the other side saturated in yellowish gooope. I called and they told me they came home drunk last week and side swiped their garage wall. As far as the yellowish stuff, my friend told me he and his buddy were using the car as a target for paintball practice! To top it off my friend's father called me and told me, very threatening, they assumed the car was a gift and are not obligated to pay me. Apparently I just go around buying people cars!

Would anyone here recommend going to small claims court? My friend works for the LV muni gov't and makes approx $35-$40k/year. In NV we can garnish wages to 25% of gross pay with a judgment. So I guess if I win the judgment they city will send me 25% of their paycheck every friday. I also have their bank acct # from the check they made the payment with.

It's unreal how people, even one you know, just think it's your obligation to buy them expensive things.

Dave Ramsey calls it the STOOPIT tax.

[Packrat1]

Unfortunately you will need to sue to get your money back. There is a fair amount of legwork involved but you need to do it. They are not going to pay you voluntarily.

Here is a good site to start with. Filing Your Small Claims Case - Civil Law Self-Help Center

Follow the instructions exactly. You actually have a chance collecting something since they have a job. Don't let any grass grow under your feet begin the process this week.

[froglipz]

Life lesson learned!

[Ohky0815]

You paid for the car, its not in your name. Whether you paid for it or not, it doesnt matter how they treat it. Its not yours. Do you complain like that if you buy someone a sweater?

Yes they should pay you back( something, even if its not the $300/mnth but at least make an effort!). THAT you should be mad about.

[Packrat1]

Actually it is good that you are not on the title. You can bet that they are driving without insurance. If you were on the tiitle you could be liable if they got into an accident.

[airics]

How did you pay them...? Check in their name? Cash - you're screwed. They will just lie in court... Oh the 300 check I gave them was not a payment for a car.. I owed them on a bet... You will have to prove your case and it's as weak as hell.

[nickydim]

Break your friends wrist and you see he either pays or signs the title over. Just break the other wrist he signs with.

PS: If you didn't guess, your friendship is already over.

[convextech]

Originally Posted by johntaylorny

Last year, a family friend I've known for 8 years asked for a car loan of $6,000. Their credit is terrible
...
It's unreal how people, even one you know, just think it's your obligation to buy them expensive things.

What's unreal is you deflecting this off on your friend, instead of taking personal responsibility for your actions. You gave him the money, knowing he had crap credit. That puts it all on you. He's not doing anything different; he wasn't paying anybody else, either.

You will never see that money, even if you spend the extra cash taking him to court. Why would he care? His credit is already in the can.

[Packrat1]

That's why you garnish his wages. I have done this in another state where I won in small claims and then was paid via his bank account via judgement.

There is nothing sweeter than making them pay when they don't want to.

If you win don't cut him any slack take the full amount allowed by law every week until paid.