What I learned in our car saga

I learned that giving someone who is out of control more chances doesn't work.
I learned again what it feels like to be lied to consistently.
I learned how to ride the bus to work.
I realized we could live with 1 car.
I learned I could pray for someone who was lying to me.
I learned how to use a repossessor.
I learned what it was like to meet with a lawyer.
I learned what it was like to go to court.
I learned how to sue someone.

Our Car Saga - Part 4

So, our kind lawyer gave the scoop on what to do. First, we write him a letter sent certified mail demanding that he return our car to us. We did that, no response.

Next, the lawyer sends a nasty letter threatening to sue him if he doesn't return the car. Our lawyer said that this letter works about 60% of the time. No response.

So, the lawyer drew up the papers to sue the mechanic for our car and for damages. As a final gesture, we had him send the court papers with another nasty letter just in case that might get a response. No response.

So, the court papers were filed. And, about 6 weeks later we got a court date in the state circuit court. We had our lawyer go with us. We were fairly certain he wouldn't show up to court but there was a little angst wondering about it.

The court hearing was very anti-climatic. In about 3 minutes the judge granted the order for the mechanic to give up the car. We never had to say a word.

Then, our lawyer sent another letter with the document signed by the judge giving him time to voluntarily give up the car. No response.

So, finally, we had a tow company arrange to meet a deputy sherriff at his house to get our car. They knocked and the mechanic wouldn't come to the door. Unfortunately the paperwork we supplied wasn't filled out properly so they couldn't seize the car that day. And, our car was parked in by a couple other cars. We'd need a warrant to move the other cars.

The tow company we used is primarily a repossession company and they know how to motivate people. So, the tow guy got on the phone and talked loudly just outside the living room window about more warrants and coming back to his house with the police again.

And guess what, the mechanic appeared at our door the next day! My poor wife was at home with our little guy and had to talk to him. He knocked on the front door and gave her the keys. She desperately wanted to confront him about this situation but knew it would be futile. He said the he didn't know we wanted the car back. He went on to say that he wasn't there when the police were there but he had heard about it. Hmmm...

We had the car checked out and it was fine! He had actually fixed it. We figured out he drove it about 1,000 miles. We turned over the keys to him at the end of January and we got the car back the middle of August.