Sure, we've got our creditors-rights attorneys like Bassford Remele. What about someone who represents the other side...the consumer who wants to sue us ? Pat talks with pro-consumer attorney Nathan DeLadurantey about ways we can avoid facing him in a court of law.
Jun 09, 2023•36 min
Unity in the repossession business? Is that even possible? Or can we be one big happy family? Bryanna interviews Pat Altes, winner of the Art Christensen Award, along with discussions with Kelly McGivern about family histories and friendships in the repossession industry, and Pat closes with a short discussion with the man himself, Art Christensen.
May 16, 2023•37 min
What if you could speak with an industry expert who's area of expertise is opposing repossessors and creditors in a court of law? Couldn't you learn about areas where repossessors habitually screw up, and work to avoid those? How about suggestions in how to best protect yourself in the event you get sued over handling a repossession? And how might forwarders be a major detriment in handling a legal repossession? Pat speaks with Atty Nathan DeLadurantey of Milwaukee Wisconsin, with a followup pod...
May 12, 2023•27 min
Tired of providing insured storage for free? Having weird, unknown locksmiths wandering around your secured lot? Tired of getting stiffed over handling AWD vehicles? Yeah, us too. Pat talks with Jenny Liagre at the recent NARS event, the owner and operator of Rockwood Recovery in Michigan, and is currently the president of the Michigan Association of Repossession Agencies who are ramping up to deal with some of these troublesome issues.
May 05, 2023•11 min
This is a short chat with Mike Peplinski from Harding Brooks about changes in the industry, how we might have a slight upper hand in negotiating prices and beating back adverse legislation, but continue to be thrown under the proverbial lawsuit bus due to language in our contracts.
Apr 28, 2023•9 min
We thought LPR technology would spell the end of old-school skip tracing, that cameras would find virtually all the cars wanted for repossession. Not so, as it turns out. Pat talks with the legendary Alex "SkipGuru" Price about the hybrid approach to locating skips in 2023.
Apr 25, 2023•29 min
Whether its Jeremy Cross, Corey & Bryanna Cox, Kevin Wilson, Brandon Pineiro, Brennan Hamilton, or dozens of others, there's a new wave of intelligent, thoughtful, and fully professional repossessors out there. Repo America had a chance to sit down and discuss things with Austin's James Waldron.
Apr 19, 2023•10 min
Florida has a long history of having a state association for the repossession industry, sometimes marked with division and politics in the past. With a wave of new and restructured state organizations, the new FALR has another chance to really get it right. Pat interviews Suzanne Chartier with the Florida Association Of Licensed Repossessors at the recent NARS event in Orlando, Florida.
Apr 17, 2023•6 min
You've heard on previous podcasts about the tools required "back in the day" to repossess a car...a hot wire, or later on, a dent puller; a slim jim; a heavy duty chain; and most of all, nerves of steel. Nerves of steel are still a requirement, but now the industry relies on $100k trucks specifically designed for repossession, equipped with LPR cameras, laptop computers, cameras recording surrounding environments...in other words, a highly complex and an insanely expensive piece of equipment. An...
Apr 14, 2023•25 min
Listen to this, and send to your drivers...the #1 area of legal exposure in the repossession industry isn't CFPB violations or even claims of damage to repossessed vehicles...its auto collisions involving your repo truck. What to do to best protect yourself from the upcoming lawsuit filed by Morgan & Morgan? Pat caught up with Harding Brook's award winning Renee Low at the recent NARS event to talk about it.
Apr 11, 2023•14 min
The North American Repo Summit (NARS) has always been a hot-button issue, in that all are invited to come. Your friends, your competitors, your favorite friend, or your most-hated enemy. Should "forwarders" be viewed as unwelcome interlopers, or is this the platform that keeps us in conversation with them? Are they a permanent part of the repossession eco-system? Pat and co-host Bryanna Cox talk with ARA President Vaughn Clemmons and ARA Director Joel Kennedy and see their goals, hopes, and expe...
Mar 30, 2023•40 min
Tired of having to provide free storage? Tired of being told "no" to getting paid for legitimately- incurred personal property storage expenses? Most of all, surprised to discover that third party forwarders are getting paid huge fees for their services and paying the actual service provider around a 1/3rd? Yes, we all are. One state association is making some noise about that.
Mar 24, 2023•42 min
I always wondered why a massively profitable lender would feel the need squeeze their repo vendors for a few dollars to accept or report on repossessions. Imagine paying to accept hundreds of repo accounts that wind up being closed with no fees to the agent as contingent deals. Plus all the different platforms for various lenders. I talk with industry entrepreneur Cort Dehart about MBSi's latest move to get at least one client to pick up the tab.
Mar 15, 2023•31 min
Yeah, its going to be a little nerdy and technical, but the Patricks talk about CFPB slamming Credit Acceptance, Wells Fargo, and others, as well as self-repossessing cars, sloppy information handling, and and the need for repossessors to get along with America's auto lenders.
Mar 08, 2023•34 min
This is the audio from a hugely successful YouTube channel called ATI Auto Business that focuses on auto transportation, auto auction, and auto repossession agencies..the whole chain of custody in the repossession process. The host is a Jay Werzberger, and the guy really is a trip, in a good way, lots of fun, really digs into these businesses at all levels. This show was called the Repo Bunch, and the screen layout on the YouTube show was just like the Brady Bunch with all the little screens and...
Feb 03, 2023•1 hr 53 min
Pat did a podcast back in October with another dealer group about what we wished THEY knew about our crazy business. Repo America's Bryanna Cox is interviewed by Dealer Refresh, who speaks to another huge segment of the used-car industry about Lizard Lick, near-fatal bullets, nasty personal property, restrictive federal laws, and how it really does take a professional to handle this crazy process with safety and expertise.
Jan 18, 2023•1 hr 6 min
We hear everyone complain about fees at repo events, online, and at conventions. But now someone is doing something about it. Pat talks with David Johns of Done Rite Recovery Services, and Santino "Sonny" Datoli of Armor Recovery Solutions about their involvement with the Alliance of Illinois Repossessors and their intentions to raise the bar....and change a few policies...in the repossession industry.
Jan 09, 2023•39 min
Repo America talks a lot about repo trade associations...there's a reason for that. Only collectively will we have any hope of making any changes in this once-thriving business. Today we talk with former auto lending executive Joel Kennedy is finding some inner peace now leading the charge for making changes in the repossession industry.
Dec 02, 2022•35 min
Whether it's taking cars....or making chocolate....Kevin Richards knows his stuff. How does the Canadian bailiff system work? How are repossessions different, or the same, as here in the States? Are Canadians really all that polite? Pat talks with Canada's colorful Kevin Richards in this week's episode.
Nov 04, 2022•36 min
So, what would you tell BHPH or used-car dealers about the repossession business? Should GPS-related repossessions be cheaper? What about personal property? LPR hits? Why are repossessions even allowed in America any more? Pat does his best representing the repossession industry in this interesting show on the Independent Dealer Podcast. And sorry they used the phrase "repo guy"....so much of the industry are now "repo girls"!
Oct 14, 2022•47 min
Why join a state trade association for the repossession industry? What's in it for you? Pat and Bryanna talk with Gerry Hall Weir, the president of the new Recovery Agents of The Carolinas for some answers. Bryanna shares some of her thoughts as a former association-hater, and thoughts about the hopes of a new future working together in this crazy business.
Oct 14, 2022•32 min
Bry and Pat talk with Harding Brook's Mike Peplinkski about the insanity of our struggling industry providing millions of dollars of free insurance to America's richest auto lenders.
Sep 01, 2022•36 min
Pat talks with ARA's new director, Joel Kennedy, about the end of juvenile politics for the repossession industry....hopefully. Also the Wells Fargo Bonus, firebombs and insurance, and the need to change to survive in this struggling industry.
Aug 26, 2022•40 min
Based on an article on CU Collector, Pat talks with Scott about the possibility of one major lender ceasing self-help repossessions...a movement which could end the repossession industry. Is it possible?
Jul 07, 2022•27 min
Pat and Bryanna speak with the new president of the American Recovery Association, Vaughn Clemmons, and its new director Joel Kennedy. Joel is the former president of the National Automotive Finance Association. Is ARA sleeping with the enemy via roundtables with forwarders? What can a trade association do to benefit your business? Pat and Bryanna intend to find out.
Jul 06, 2022•46 min
Competition is good, right? Well, another entity is entering the LPR market...Location Services, launching their insightLPR division. How will it be better/worse/different than the current leader in the LPR marketplace? Bryanna and Pat are going to find out!
Jun 07, 2022•43 min
Repossessors are an intriguing and colorful lot. Kevin's book, "Repo Blood" documents the history of the repossession industry, outlining warring trade associations, murders, family tragedies, and stellar successes in this crazy business. Stories about industry legends, stolen blimps, and Steve Job's father, just to name a few. Pat Altes and Bryanna Cox interview author Kevin Armstrong about this latest book on the repossession business.
May 12, 2022•47 min
Yessir, the CFPB has it out for lenders, repossessors, or collectors overstepping the lines with consumers in the US military. Nissan, Wells Fargo, Santander have all been busted by feds for improper handling of military-related repo's. What's a repossessor to do? We speak with SCRA expert Jarrett Carson about how to keep ourselves out of hot water.
May 06, 2022•42 min
Over 30+ stakeholders in the repossession process here in America agreed to sit down in Dallas, Texas, to discuss pain points, inefficiencies, and growth areas for everyone's mutual benefit. Pat talks with ARA Director Les McCook and ARA board member Jeremy Cross about how it went, and what we might expect in the future.
Apr 29, 2022•43 min
Some clients employ incentives are producing poor results that are far worse than they ever imagined. Forcing a repossession vendor to work assignments on a contingent basis have tanked repossession recovery ratios. Clients are losing countless $20k vehicles by lowballing the very people that could recover them.
Apr 21, 2022•8 min