I bought a car from a friend that ended up needing repairs, now he won't give me my...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Corey C
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Corey C

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...money back.? I recently bought a car from a friend for 1000. It ended up having transmission problems within a couple of days and was going to cost more to fix than I gave him for it. I returned the car to him wanting my money back. He wouldn't return my calls, and I ended up contacting his wife who didn't even know I had given him 1000 for it. He told her that I was paying him a little weekly on it. He said he was going to get it fixed for me and get me a rental for the time being. That was over a week ago and hasn't been answering my calls. He also told me that when I returned it to his house, the police towed it away. I found out later from a mutual friend that it has been sitting in the same spot where I returned it this whole time. What do I need to do to just get my money back? He also lied and told me that the 1000 I gave him for it had been taken out of his account because the sate had taken it for child support, but him and his wife are still married and have only been separated for a month. So, I don't understand why he keeps lying about everything and putting me off. It is very apparent the he has no intentions of giving me my money back any time soon. What should I do now?
I do have a copy of the payment because I have a copy of the check as well as my statement from my bank showing where the check came out (picture of front and back of check and all)......as far as signing over the title, we never did that. We were going to meet up at the DMV and do that, but when the car started having problems, I just returned it to him with intent to get my money back. I have documented every conversation that we have had since then as well as the ones with his wife. He has lied to the both of us a total of 6 times. He keeps telling me that he is going to get me a rental and get the car repaired. That has been over a week ago and nothing has happened yet.
 
This is another example of why it is always "risky" doing business with friends. There is a chance that he was not aware of the impending Transmission Issue prior to the sale to you. He may have already spent the money, especially since he did not tell his wife about it. You could try and take it to Small Claims Court and try to recover your money or damages that way, but the costs involved on your end in doing so may not be worth it.
 
Yet another example of buying something "as is" you can't rely on friends, or family to give you a "great deal" on something like that. Some cars need repairs, in his defense this may be something he had no idea about. Keep in mind you only spent $1000.00 I'm sure that may be alot of money to you but for a car you tend to get what you pay for.

I would suggest taking the car back and getting it repaired rather then losing the car AND the money. And from now on deal with strangers and written contracts, at least that way you don't wind up in dramatic situations with ex wives, girlfriends, and brothers uncle's cousins involved over a busted ass car.
 
without a written bill of sale or cash receipt, it will be your word against his.

you have 2 choices forget it and chalk it up to experience or take him to court.

if you can afford to take off work to go to court, it might be worth it.

consider making better friends, and don't do business with them.
 
He doesn't have to give you the money back. Any private party used vehicle sale is "as-is", and there are no warranties or guarantees unless provided in writing.

You don't have any specific time period for return by law. Not 3 days, not 30 days. Once you sign the title and drive off, it's your car, problems and all.

You "can" take him to small claims, but you'd probably have a 95% chance of losing. Without anything in writing, it'll become a battle of hearsay and "he-said, she-said", which will be very difficult to prove.

Best to get the car back, get it fixed, and write him off as a liar. Lesson learned. Might not be the advice you want to hear, but the law is not on your side once you sign the papers.

**Side note - If anyone answers on here with "use the Lemon Law", I will slap them.
 
Well, you can decide if you want to end the friendship and take him to small claims court or remain friends, and realize he is a liar and the car was a big mistake in life. We learn from our mistakes. When you buy a car from a friend or a relative, you are taking a chance. Just be happy that you did not lose more money and time over this car. It could have been a worse mistake. Maybe the friend is going through a hard time and needed the money to pay a bill or something.
 
Well, you can decide if you want to end the friendship and take him to small claims court or remain friends, and realize he is a liar and the car was a big mistake in life. We learn from our mistakes. When you buy a car from a friend or a relative, you are taking a chance. Just be happy that you did not lose more money and time over this car. It could have been a worse mistake. Maybe the friend is going through a hard time and needed the money to pay a bill or something.
 
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