Repossessions up amid downturn / LJWorld.com

Archive for Sunday, November 8, 2009

From inside his tow truck, repo man Bryan Sorenson waits outside a Lawrence home Oct. 11 as he looks for a vehicle owner who faces repossession. Sorenson explained that although there will always be repossession orders to follow, the down economy has sent plenty of business his way recovering collateral from those who have fallen behind on their monthly payments.

By Chad Lawhorn

November 8, 2009

Repo man talks business

Listen as Lawrence "repo man" Bryan Sorenson talks about his business relative to the current economic downturn. Enlarge video

The rumble of the diesel engine is constant.

That steady growl from Bryan Sorenson’s Ford dually pickup is probably what raised the red flags at this home near the eastern edge of Lawrence.

Something did.

When Sorenson started to ease his specially equipped pickup truck into the short driveway, the light of a television shone through the home’s picture window. By the time Sorenson got the truck in park, it was off.

Evidently, this fellow knows the repo man cometh. Evidently, though, he doesn’t know the repo man can see through the picture window.

“The guy is laying right there on the floor,” Sorenson, an owner of Lawrence-based Lighthouse Investigations and Recovery, said as he came back to the truck after failing to get anyone to answer the door. “I mean, he’s awake and everything. He’s just laying there on the floor, hiding.”

“Well, that’s about childish,” said Debbie Sorenson, Bryan’s wife and business partner.

Ah, children and delinquent debtors — you never know what you’re going to get.

•••

Sometimes it is easier than this.

Debbie remembers a recent “run” that she made to “hook” a minivan. When it became obvious that the van wasn’t in a spot where it could easily be hooked up to the company’s special tow truck, she went to the home’s front door to see if she could talk the owners into voluntarily surrendering the car.

“A woman answered the door and she said it was her ex-husband’s,” Debbie said. “She said, ‘You can have it.’”

But the majority of the nearly 800 vehicles Lighthouse repossesses each year — the company generally does repossession work throughout eastern Kansas and into Missouri — fall somewhere in between the just-take-it category and the let-me-lie-on-the-floor-and-become-invisible category.

“About 50 percent of the time we just get it and go,” Bryan said.

And when he says go, he means go quickly.

“We have a guy who can have a car hooked up and rolling in 20 seconds,” Bryan said.

The average time is about 45 seconds. A specialized towing system allows the speed. The company’s large Ford extended-cab pickup trucks have a system called “Sneeker” lifts that are hidden underneath the trucks’ chassis. The system uses a night-vision camera attached to the bumper. That allows the driver of the truck to operate from inside the cab two arms that slide out from underneath the truck and hook around the front or rear wheels of the vehicle.

Other times, Bryan simply cuts a key for the vehicle, using a code provided by the finance company. He can even cut the keys that require a special computer chip.

But sometimes, even quick isn’t quick enough.

About 50 percent of the time, Lighthouse crews end up having to make contact with the owner of the vehicle. Bryan said what ensues usually isn’t the high drama that is portrayed on some popular cable television programs that detail the repo business. But sometimes it is dicey.

“There will be some who want to come out and fight you,” Bryan said.

Unfortunately, he said, his drivers have had both knives and guns pulled on them, although the number of such incidents could be counted on one hand. Once, a driver had to mace an aggressive pit bull that an owner of a vehicle wouldn’t control.

Almost always, there’s an uneasiness that hangs in the air.

“You have to watch your surroundings,” Debbie said. “If somebody is hooking, you had better be watching his back. You can’t trust anyone. You have to assume everybody is there to deceive you.”

•••

Back at the eastern edge of Lawrence, a white KU ball cap pops over the picture window ledge. It promptly ducks back down after the head inside the cap sees the repo truck parked on the street.

This little scene — white hat here, white hat gone — goes on for several minutes.

In the meantime, Bryan has called the Lawrence Police Department for a “citizen assist.” The police have no legal ability to make the person inside the home open the door. A repossession case is not a criminal matter. Rather, it is a civil matter between the vehicle owner and the finance company.

Most repossession matters never show up in a court file anywhere. Instead, the process gets started with a delinquent notice to the owner, and then usually a fax from the finance company to Bryan telling him to pick up a specific vehicle. It is that fax that gives Bryan the legal ability to pick up the car — as long as he doesn’t break other laws in the process. No special license is needed to be a repo man. But the faxed repossession order is important. Without it, Bryan is just a car thief with a fancy truck.

Bryan has called the police officer in hopes that if an officer knocks on the door, the person inside will answer. As the officer arrives, it becomes obvious that Mr. White Hat has grown restless.

Or, maybe, just bored.

The light of a television now shines through an upstairs window. (Hey, it’s Sunday night. There might still be a game on.) The officer directs his flashlight beam to the upper window. The television goes off.

All this over a 2003 Kia, which Bryan assumes is behind the closed garage door.

“This is pretty crazy,” Debbie says. “A grown man hiding in his own house.”

Some may say pretty sad.

•••

Photo by Nick Krug

Repo man Bryan Sorenson prepares to unchain a vehicle repossessed from a Topeka owner Monday. During the recession, business has been up as it becomes harder for people to pay.

There’s a lot of sadness to be seen these days in the repo business.

Since the beginning of bank notes, there always have been people who have had the size of their car outpace the size of their wallet.

“In the six years I’ve done this, I’ve never been without a car to find,” Bryan said.

But there’s been a definite difference since this economic downturn began. Reliable national estimates on the number of repossessions can be difficult to find, but some reports for the National Automotive Finance Association have estimated that repossessions since 2005 have been rising by about 15 percent per year. Other indicators suggest even more.

Bryan said his business is way up. In the early years of his business, Bryan said his company would do 200 to 300 repossessions per year. Now, it does between 600 and 800, he said. Part of the increase is due to his business becoming more established. But part of it is just because more and more people can’t pay. And that has created more and more desperation.

“I probably have more people who will try to do whatever they can do to keep their car rather than just do the right thing and give their car up,” said Bryan, who said some have even begun switching cars with friends in hopes that will throw the repo man off.

And it is not just cars that people are falling behind on. It is not unusual for Bryan’s company to do repossessions of motorcycles, boats, RVs and, occasionally, even lawn tractors.

“They make loans for those too,” Bryan said.

But cars and trucks are by far the most common. And there’s one vehicle that may be the toughest emotionally — the kind with a car seat in it.

“We’ll get ones that are for single moms with two or three kids at home, and she’s trying to work to keep her head above water, but I still get a repossession order to pick up her car,” said Bryan, who worked at Lawrence’s Hallmark plant before getting into this business. “It sometimes is emotional to pick that car up not knowing how she is going to get to work or how the kids are going to get to school.

“But then there are others who are so aggressive and obviously have a job and could pay for the car, but just won’t. So they kind of offset each other.”

And at the end of the day, this isn’t a job that allows for much sappy sentimentality. Not if you want to get the car, anyway.

Bryan tells one story about a recent repossession in Junction City. It was a single mom with three kids who was constantly late on the bill. Sitting outside her apartment, he saw the upstairs light go on as she went to put her children to bed.

Bryan’s repo mind thought one thing: “It’s a perfect time to get this car. There was a lady across the aisle that was watching it, and as soon as she figured out what was going on, she ran to get the lady.

“Too late. We were gone.”

•••

Back at the eastern edge of Lawrence, there’s a new development — a car pulls up to the house.

No, not the 2003 Kia. It won’t be that type of night.

“Oh my gosh, a delivery driver,” Debbie says like an engrossed fan of a soap opera.

Maybe pizza to go with the show?

Not quite. No delivery driver. Just a girlfriend or a wife. Still, maybe it could be a break. Maybe she could get Mr. White Hat to come out. Instead, she says she’s not sure anyone is even home. Bryan and the police officer tell her that they are confident someone is. They convince her to go into the house and come back out with a report.

There’s some waiting.

“He’s got his house for sale,” Bryan says matter of fact. “It doesn’t sound like he’s working right now.”

The woman comes back. Nope. He’s not here. Nobody’s home.

Perhaps the repo man’s eyes played a trick on him. Perhaps not. More likely, the trick in this story is yet to come. There’s a saying Bryan has.

“Sooner or later, we will ultimately get our car — whether it is willing or not.”

Discussion

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8 November 2009
at 2:38 p.m.

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snap_pop_no_crackle (Anonymous) says…

“A lot o' people don't realize what's really going on. They view life as a bunch o' unconnected incidents 'n things. They don't realize that there's this, like, lattice o' coincidence that lays on top o' everything. Give you an example; show you what I mean: suppose you're thinkin' about a plate o' shrimp. Suddenly someone'll say, like, plate, or shrimp, or plate o' shrimp out of the blue, no explanation. No point in lookin' for one, either. It's all part of a cosmic unconciousness.”, from Repo Man.
8 November 2009
at 3:27 p.m.

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homechanger (Anonymous) says…

Greasey looking fellow!
8 November 2009
at 3:52 p.m.

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kessman (Anonymous) says…

actually he is a nice guy.
8 November 2009
at 3:56 p.m.

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sandersen (Anonymous) says…

A thug, a vulture drinking in the misery and misfortune of others for a profit.

I say this having worked in the automotive industry. The scenario where a leech like this is necessary is the exception rather than the rule as long as the lender is compassionate, creative and establishes a professional, empathetic line of communication early in the relationship.
8 November 2009
at 4:19 p.m.

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leedavid (Anonymous) says…

The economy is in the tank and the government is doing nothing to help it only make it worse. Of course repossessions are up. So are home foreclosures, unemployment goes up weekly as do business closings. We just started the path to raising the national debit an additional trillion dollars and we are suprised repossessions are up. Heck the fastest growning business would be the repossession industry.
8 November 2009
at 4:24 p.m.

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bigmike (Anonymous) says…

How is it the fault of the repo man that people don't pay their bills?
8 November 2009
at 4:34 p.m.

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scott3460 (Anonymous) says…

““We’ll get ones that are for single moms with two or three kids at home, and she’s trying to work to keep her head above water, but I still get a repossession order to pick up her car,” said Bryan, who worked at Lawrence’s Hallmark plant before getting into this business. “It sometimes is emotional to pick that car up not knowing how she is going to get to work or how the kids are going to get to school.

“But then there are others who are so aggressive and obviously have a job and could pay for the car, but just won’t. So they kind of offset each other.”

No they don't.

No good vigilante man.

8 November 2009
at 4:37 p.m.

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sandersen (Anonymous) says…

It is not the fault of the repo man that someone falls behind on their vehicle. It is, however, his choice to glorify feeding on the misfortunes of others.

Not a very redeeming trade if one values helping one's fellow humankind. It is an angry, ugly industry, filled with glorified car thieves, former high school bullies and ex-cons.
8 November 2009
at 4:41 p.m.

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scott3460 (Anonymous) says…

“In the meantime, Bryan has called the Lawrence Police Department for a “citizen assist.” The police have no legal ability to make the person inside the home open the door. A repossession case is not a criminal matter. Rather, it is a civil matter between the vehicle owner and the finance company.”

Citizen assist? Let's call this what it is, taxpayer subsidy of private industry. Our tax dollars at work helping the favored few turn a buck and spreading misery among our friends and neighbors.
8 November 2009
at 4:50 p.m.

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leedavid (Anonymous) says…

Scott ….. uh since the quote you give shows the police do not have legal ability to make a person inside open their door……what are you talking about?

Surely you would want payment to you of all funds owed to you. If not, may I borrow some money? LOL
8 November 2009
at 4:50 p.m.

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autie (Anonymous) says…

My other cousins down in Oklahoma used to be a repo man…he quit after getting shot for the third time.
8 November 2009
at 4:50 p.m.

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Boeing (Anonymous) says…

Everyone needs a job. I agree that it is not the repo guys fault that someone isn't paying their bills. Is it better that he be out of work too?

So now you have this decision - what is worse? The guy who has a job because others cannot pay their bills, or the guy who does not have a job because we're allowing those who cannot pay their bills to keep on not paying their bills?
8 November 2009
at 4:58 p.m.

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labmonkey (Anonymous) says…

Sanderson-

Ususally lenders have tried being nice by the time they call the repo man. The scumbuckets are the people who won't work with the lender in the first place. Not saying the repo man is a nice guy….but it is a needed profession.
8 November 2009
at 6:19 p.m.

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Boeing (Anonymous) says…

I guess I just have trouble saying/agreeing that the company who sold the product deserves to get screwed but the guy who will not pay his bills does not deserve to get punished. But, this is anti-big business Lawrence where the little guy is always right and the big guy is always wrong so, I should expect it…
8 November 2009
at 6:40 p.m.

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beobachter (Anonymous) says…

Having worked in repo business, understand how it works. Simple question, you agreed to pay for product, you can't or won't, so what happens? The seller simply says, gee, not his fault, so forget it. So now seller can't pay his bills, do you think his supplier says the same?

8 November 2009
at 7:37 p.m.

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cheeseburger (Anonymous) says…

scott 3460 - get real! Your entitlement mentailty is blatently obvious and sickening! Can't afford that house or that car you bought? No problem - here, just take it, and have a nice day!

Puleeez!

Bryan is a nice guy just doing a job that needs to be done, and one that few others are willing to do. If people were responsible and paid their bills, there wouldn't be a need for repo guys and collection agencies, would there, scott? Oh, but I guess that's OK - just spend way more than you have, and blame the repo guy or the collection agency, just like scott!
8 November 2009
at 7:50 p.m.

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ComradeRedRooster (Anonymous) says…

Oh, some day repos will be a thing of the past. The socialist government will allocate the vehicle you are authorized to operate, when and where you can drive it. Private property is the cause of this tragedy. Private property is evil. If the state owns everything, there will be no more crime. People will work for the common good of each other. Government will take care of us.

It works in communist countries, no crime…right?
8 November 2009
at 9 p.m.

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sandersen (Anonymous) says…

Last year, I helped 56 families not have their vehicles repossessed. Was this easy?

No.

Whom, may I ask, benefitted from the extra time, effort, communication, empathy and negotiations required to attain this feat?

The lenders, who got there money and didn't have to send a vehicle to auction at a loss. The families- whom were still able to get to work, or find another job if they had lost one, as well as eventually redeem their credit. The children- whom were able to get to school and the doctors office when necessary. The dealer- whom was able to not suffer a drop in their dealer/lender rating, which made/saved them substantial amounts of money on the front and back end.

It was well worth the time to truly create a positive impact all around by attempting a win-win scenario. Quite frankly, too many in the industry are too lazy to go the extra mile if it interferes with doing the minimum amount absolutly necessary.
8 November 2009
at 9:19 p.m.

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notajayhawk (Anonymous) says…

sandersen (Anonymous) says…

“A thug, a vulture drinking in the misery and misfortune of others for a profit.”

Until that last payment is made, the vehicle is owned by the bank or finance company. They have every right to take possession of their lawful property, and every right to hire someone to collect it for them.

“It is not the fault of the repo man that someone falls behind on their vehicle. It is, however, his choice to glorify feeding on the misfortunes of others.”

Methinks there is a reason why sandersen dislikes repo men.

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scott3460 (Anonymous) says…

“Citizen assist? Let's call this what it is, taxpayer subsidy of private industry. Our tax dollars at work helping the favored few turn a buck and spreading misery among our friends and neighbors.”

Just curious, scottie - if an employee of an abortion provider requests a police assist in walking past the protesters to get in or out of the clinic, would that be a taxpayer subsidy of private business?

And we won't even get into the bailout of GM and Chrysler to keep the autoworkers employed …
8 November 2009
at 9:41 p.m.

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lawrenceguy40 (Anonymous) says…

Repo guys are the lowest of the low. Making a living out of those folks that have hit on hard times.

Scott - is it really surprising LPD assist? Spreading misery amongst their neighbors is their specialty! They'll be all over every call.
8 November 2009
at 10:15 p.m.

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notajayhawk (Anonymous) says…

lawrenceguy40 (Anonymous) says…

“Repo guys are the lowest of the low. Making a living out of those folks that have hit on hard times.”

If those 'folks that have hit on hard times' simply surrendered the vehicle they can't pay for, then there would be no need for repo men.

Hey, lawrenceguy, can I borrow your car?
9 November 2009
at 8:50 a.m.

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sandersen (Anonymous) says…

Notajayhawk-

As I quite clearly stated before, I have personally watched families whom could have been the victim of the repo man get back on track through hard work and diligence, alongside compassionate and concerted efforts on the part of the dealer/lender. There was a tremendous amount of communication necessary on both sides, but the efforts payed off for all the parties. When there is an atmosphere of fear and distrust, little to nothing of value gets accomplished in any venue.

No innuendo necessary as to why I lack respect for those who choose this profession. I must say I find it amusing that my distaste, even though I clearly stated having worked in the automotive industry and assisting others in avoiding repossession, is turned to a negative jab at me personally.

My advice to anyone having difficulty with your car payments: Call the lender before they call you. If you have had the vehicle over a year, and get behind, call and ask for an extension, which generally allows 1-4 payments to be added on to the end of your loan. If you don't feel your lender rep is responsive, call and talk to a different rep or ask for a supervisor or manager. Have a plan written down as to what you hope to accomplish by making arrangements on your past due payments, and clearly state any hardships ( loss of employment, health issues, children, disabilities, recent change in family situation, etc.) that you have encountered or that may be exacerbated by not finding a win-win solution to the past due amount. Offer to send in money weekly to show good faith/progress on the loan. Remember, no one but the repo man wins if your vehicle is repossessed.

If you are unable to accomplish this before a repo is called on your vehicle, and you still feel you are potentially able to salvage the situation in fairly short order, don't give up! Even after a lender has ordered a repo, it can be lifted at any point if you get arrangements in place and/or money to your lender. It does not have to be the full amount all at once, just an agreement that allows you and the lender to be in agreement on a feasible amount of progress. Make sure that you call your lender each and every time you send them money, and call again to verify receipt. If you have an active repo order, and are still working out the details, stay in close contact with your lender to hasten the process of lifting the order, keep your car garaged at all times and do not answer the door for strangers. The repo guy does not care if you have arrangements with your lender, they get paid to take your car, not to help you keep it.
9 November 2009
at 11:23 p.m.

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toe (Anonymous) says…

I have seen these guys in West Lawrence too.