chevy blazer

[celeste1st]

I was in the process of buying a 1999 chevy blazer from a friend for 3,500.00 In the beginning I paid 1000 dollars down, and since then made one payment for 200 dollars which makes 1200 dollars total. They called me last week saying that we needed to talk about the payment, so I explained to them why I hadn't paid because I didn't have it. They said they were going to talk to each other about the situation. Two days later I wake up to a note on my honda accord saying that they took the car. No notice, nothing, it was just gone. They refuse to talk to us saying its our fault. We missed one payment. Now we have 1200 dollars gone and no car to show for it. I would like to have at least 600 dollars back and call it even. Do I have a case?

 

[army judge]

I need some information before I can answer your question.

In what state was the purchase made?

Was there a written contract involved?

If there was a written contract, what were the payment terms?

When did you pay the $1,000 and take possession of the vehicle?

Did they sign the title over to you?

Did you register the vehicle in your name?

Did you secure insurance in your name?

Were all parties adults (above the age of 18 years old) at the time of the sale?

How late were you with your $200 payment?

 

[celeste1st]

Purchase was made in Tennessee. There was no written contract, only a verbal contract saying that we would pay 200 to 300 a month depending on what we were able to do, she said it wasn't a big deal, just pay what we could when we could. We took possesion at the end of April, that day is the day we purchased insurance and gave the 1000 payment. Car insurance was in my name, but the title or registration was not. All parties are above the age of 18, and we were a month late on payment.

 

[mightymoose]

Your solution is quite simple. If you can not come to an agreement that gets you the vehicle back, file a suit in small claims court.
If a judge does not order the vehicle returned to you, the judge may at least consider any compensation you are entitled to.
As you have probably heard before, and it sounds silly... not having the money is no excuse for not making the payment. Your friend was likely worried, and reasonably so after only one month into the deal, that this was going to become an ongoing headache that he was not willing to endure.
You have a civil dispute over property- either settle it yourselves or go to small claims.