Want to be a Repoman

You think you want to be a Repo Agent? There are many advantages to working for a repo company rather than owning your own. If you choose the path of repo agent rather than agency owner, here are a few things to remember and understand. There are many more, but these are clearly the most important. These are things that you should tell yourself on a daily basis. 1) YOU are an arm of the lender (bank or finance company) and your boss's company when you are in the field. Anything and everything that you say and do reflects on them, including the way you dress. Dress neatly in clean clothing. Think about the fact that you may have to knock on a door, make certain the debtors are not afraid to open it due to your appearance. 2) YOU do not have any personal dislikes of the debtors. They are people who for whatever reason have chosen not to make their car payments. It is possibly because they are deliberately trying to rip off the lender and get by with it. It is also possible that they have fallen on hard times due to illness, a lay off, etc. While you prefer not to have any contact with them, you will no doubt have to at times. When you have debtor contact remember, they are not your enemy. Also remember, you nor your boss gets paid if you do not repo their car. This being said, it is in your best interest to carry yourself in a professional manner. Always trying to be very polite, sympathetic if necessary. They probably assume you are an employee of that bank who has been calling them non stop for money for the last three months! Offer to allow them to remove their personal property from the car IF they hand you the keys to open it. This not only relaxes them a little but also puts a key to that car in your hand. They may have the wheels turned and locked or your boss may simply want a key to each car on his lot. Regardless, it is helpful to have that key. Most debtors will appreciate you allowing them to remove their property (car seats are a big deal with parents) and this saves them money if they have to go to your boss's lot and pay an inventory fee the next day for their property, all while giving you the keys. Keep in mind that it is a very good idea that YOU open the car with the key not them. Some debtors do keep loaded guns in their cars. If you are able to keep a steady eye on your surroundings and help them then by all means offer to help them remove their property. ALWAYS WORK SMART NOT HARD! 3) There will be times when you are forced to "drive away" a car. This may be because your partner (if you have a teammate in the wrecker) already has one car on the hook and now you have picked up another. Chances are you will have keys to one of the two. First and foremost get it off the debtors property. Once safely away from the debtors property, check this car over well before driving it any further. Always remember that you know absolutely nothing about this car. Check the oil, tires, etc. You do not want to be 5 miles down the road and blow the motor due to no oil. Nor do you want to blow a tire and lose control causing an accident. This step is for your your safety. as well as your boss's liability. 4) The hours you will work will not be good ones. You will quickly learn that in order to avoid debtor contact and find cars at home address, the hours to repo are normal sleeping hours. You had better hope that you have an understanding family. Those dinners out with your other half will become non existent. If there are children in your family, someone has to cook their dinner, see that they have homework done, take a bath, etc. That person will also be sleeping alone! YOU will likely not be there to help with those things. It is important to understand that your "need" to become a repo agent is going to put many added burdens on people other than yourself. It is of utmost importance to have a good solid relationship and plenty of understanding. Remember to let that person know how much you appreciate them on a daily basis! Other than that there are three simple yet important things to remember: 1) That equipment is not yours, you did not pay $50,000.00 for it. Pretend you did and take very good care of it. You will be a very valued employee if your boss sees this in you. 2) One major lawsuit can close a repo company. Pretend it is your company and do everything in your power to avoid the risks of a lawsuit. If his/her doors close, you have no job. 3) If you are being humane to debtors, driving cars safely, using the wrecker safely, and have support waiting for you at home, all while working the hours required by your boss...........then you should be fine as an agent. Just do not ever say you were not warned!