Theft by Dealer

[Teri66]

My question involves a consumer law issue in the State of: Mi


I dont know if I am posting this in the right place, this is some what different.

In sept, my husband took my ford explorer to his friend who is a dealer, who told me he was taking my explorer to the auction to sell it for me, and in return I was gonna buy another vehicle. The explorer was sold and since Sept I still don't have a vehicle. He made arrangements with my husband supposedly to keep the money till he found another vehicle. Now he was suppose to be looking for me another vehicle, and everytime I ask about it he tells me he hasn't found anything with low miles, or whatever. Or he finds one and it has major problems.

A couple of days ago I told him time is up I want the money for the vehicle that you sold. He then tells my husband that he put a bid in on a vehicle at a auction, and wouldn't know about it till middle of next week. I told him no I want the money so I can find myself a vehicle. But I keep getting told he doesn't have the money and to give him time. He is my husband's friend and it is putting a problem between the two of us, but I don't care cause he shouldnt allow his friend to pull this crap.

What are my options, I have threatened him that I will go to the prosecuting attorneys office if I don't get the money. But in reality I don't know if I can do that. I don't know what to do. I am without a vehicle and am getting ready to move out of state.

Please help me Im desperate!

[jasminw]

do you have the situation written in an agreement and signed by both parties?

[LawResearcherMissy]

I have threatened him that I will go to the prosecuting attorneys office if I don't get the money. But in reality I don't know if I can do that.

Yes, you can, and you should.

One assumes you have in writing what he was supposed to do for you?

[Mr. Knowitall]

I suspect that, given the passage of time and your husband's reluctance to pressure his 'friend', that a prosecutor would end up viewing this as a civil matter - something you would bring a lawsuit to resolve. If your husband will get squarely behind you in demanding a refund, the police may be more interested - but if he's telling his 'friend' to not give you the money and not to worry about what you're saying, it would likely become really difficult for a prosecutor to establish a case.

I hate to be cynical, but are you sure your husband and the 'friend' haven't worked out some sort of deal between the two of them, and that your husband isn't backing your pressure for either the cash or a new car because he doesn't want you to have either? Will your husband back you up that, if the auction "in the middle of next week" doesn't pan out, he'll insist upon getting the money so you can buy a car yourself?

[BMW mechanic]

I agree, talk to the husband first and nag him that you want a car now..

[Teri66]

Well the thing is I do thank my husband and him had some kind of agreement. On tuesay I went to his lot, he had a Jeep that I liked and I told him I wanted it. He said fine, it will be ready by two days. I said ok, it was a deal. The jeep for the money he owed me. Then Tuesday night I get a phone call from my hubby, he is a truck driver and otr. He tells me I will get the Jeep, but the catch is I have to take the Jeep back to the lot the first of next month and leave it for 5 days, because the owner "supposedly" has a deal with a bank and gets vehicle's on credit. I told him no, I have never heard such crap, and to tell him I wanted the money. Immediately hubby tells me just go to his lot tomorrow and get the Jeep don't worry about taking it to the lot, The next morning I got a call from hubby again. This time it was some crap about he need 3500 dollars to pay his lawyer. He wanted me to forget about Jeep, and let him have 3500 of the money his buddy owes me. Hubby got into some trouble with one of his other "Good" buddies, they stole a semi trailor, and sold the merchandise. His "buddy" that was in on the theft, fled the states, The Feds have been investagating him. He is suppose to be a informer or some crap, But who really knows. Anyway, He needed the money so his lawyer, also another "good" buddy, the lawyer would get his case dropped. I told him, how convenient that was, all of a sudden the lawyer calls and can get his case dismissed. Mind you he has never been formally charged with anything, or spent a day in court. But suddenly it can be dropped. I didn't know a lawyer could get the case dropped without being charged for a crime? Is that possible?
Now im waiting for the jeep, the guy told me today I will get it, he has to put something on it first and have it cleaned. If I don't get the jeep today, I am going to file a police report. I have spoken with the attorney general and prosecuting attorney and they have told me what to do.

[cyjeff]

Let me help.

The reason that the Jeep has to be back on the lot for 5 days is because that is when the bank's auditor is supposed to show up... and wants to see the cars on the lot available for sale.

your husband... um... you may want to review your relationship.

I am trying very hard to be delicate here.. but I have found that when one spouse feels comfortable in lying and cheating the other spouse, that it is best for the honest spouse to cut their losses.

[PandorasBox]

Hi there,

I really agree with CyJeff....you need to examine your relationship with your husband. At this point, it does appear you are questioning your trust in him. Believe me - trust is the most important part of a relationship.

There are a lot of shelters in Michigan where you can turn for help in getting out, if that is what you should choose.

Look at it this way...and I'm also trying to put this gently...hubby has already lied to you for more than 3 months, wants you to fork up the money for a legal issue he never told you about. He is in trouble...and has been lying to you and using you for a bailout. Trust me from being in a bad relationship, the cycle does not end....

[cyjeff]

And I give even money that he has already spent the money from the sale of your car.

[jk]

it sounds like OP has actually relinquished $3500 of the debt so I would not expect that to be part of any future deal.



I don't know about you guys but unless there is some abuse, being the wife of an over the road trucker allows one to be, ahem, less than committed to the trucker yet he still pays all the bills which is often sweet revenge.