QuestionHi, I live in Seattle, Washington
I had a guy work on a new deck for me. I found him on Craigslist and it has been the biggest nightmare of my life.
We had an agreement that he would take my non-running WaveBlaster (like a SeaDoo) as part of his pay because he wanted one and thought he could fix it.
Everything is done and he came and got the WaveBlaster (which the entire time I said was as-is) and then found out it was going to be more money than he wanted to pay to get it running.
He then came back and dropped it off in front of my house and said he wants money now.
He says he never signed the title when he took the paperwork away which I couldn't really do anything about because I was inside and he just hooked up the WaveBlaster and grabbed the paperwork and left without telling me he was leaving.
My question is in regards to liability for having the WaveBlaster towed.
I haven't touched it since he dropped it off and I'm concerned it might get stolen in front of my house. I submitted a Report of Sale online through the Dept of Licensing the day he took it.
Can I have it towed from in front of my house or is that going to be drama if tries to go to court or something?
Thanks for any advice!!!
AnswerWow complicated issue here. I would suggest that you check with DMV and see if they have recorded the "transfer of title".
If that happened then, technically it is his baby and what ever happens is on his dime.
As to him not wanting to spend all the money on repairing it, I am sorry but that sounds like he was stuck with it as it was sold - transferred - traded "AS IS" according to your information.
If DMV has transferred the paperwork when you check on it, I would call him up and tell him that it is in his name and you would like it removed.
You can not have it towed from the street, but if it is deemed as an abandoned vehicle (or reported to the police) then it can be towed and the "legal and registered owner" is responsible for towing and storage fees. And if the vehicle is not paid for and removed from the tow company, a lien will be filed and after the vehicle is sold at auction, any and all fees owed will be the responsibility of the legal owner and there are laws on the books where "that persons drivers license can be suspended for non payment of towing fees on a police ordered tow"
But I also have to say that this also sounds like no matter what happens there will be some drama involved also. Small Claims Court or regular court, there will be issues and drama.
Good luck and I hope things work out for you.
