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The legal system... works? (sometimes)

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 6:18 pm
by free5ty1e
Well, talk about a total mind blow; I just won a $5,000 judgement against U-Haul of Orlando for selling me a truck I couldn't register back in April 2005. Finally got to the point where I filed in small claims court against them in Dec 2005, then had the trial/hearing last Wed, the preparation for which was stressing me the hell out.

Today the judgement arrives in the mail. I won! Now, to figure out how to collect on the judgement. I'm going to look back through all the small claims court paperwork I've got here and see what I can do. Anyone have experience with this sort of thing...?

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 7:17 pm
by BAC5.2
Once the courts deem that you are the winner, it is up to the defendant to cough up the money. The court can't actually pay you, and they can't really hold a lein on U-Haul.

The court just tells you "Chris, you were right. U-Haul owes you money. UHaul, pay the man." Then they are done.

Unfortunately the US Court System isn't as cool as the mafia, where they will break legs if money isn't paid.

I'd call Uhaul's Accounts payable department and let them know the situation, and that the court ruled in your favor. Have your court paperwork ready and I'd imagine that they would issue you a company check for the $5g's without any problems. Make sure that court costs are included ON TOP of the 5g's. You won the 5g's PLUS court costs, not less court costs. If they give you a problem, you'll probably need to go BACK to SCC. There is no court issued leg-breaker or any kind of muscle. Courts don't work like that.... unless you owe THEM money.

Congrats on the win though! I've been screwed by Uhaul too (they rented me a car trailer that had no functioning brakes. Didn't find out until I got to Ohio to pick up the car I needed to tow. They refunded me all of my money).

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:28 pm
by evolutionmovement
I ran out of patience getting the runaround from U-Haul to recoup costs on a nearly dead truck (wouldn't get over 65...downhill) and car trailer not highway rated that I rented to bring the junk turbo back from ME. They knew the route I was taking and everything. Every time I tried to call the right prick, they'd be conveniently gone and I eventually gave up as I don't have time for that bullshit, which is what they wanted, of course. U-Haul and UPS can blow me. I don't think I'll ever use any company that's name begins with a U again.

Congrats on the win! Hope they actually pay, the douche bags.

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 11:33 pm
by free5ty1e
Well it seems I'm not the only one pissed at this company :lol:

Yeah, looking through my information here, it seems as though I should be able to bring a sheriff with me to U-Haul of Orlando to seize things they own to sell to pay my judgement off -- if they don't cooperate, that is.

I will be contacting them about this tomorrow. They've held up this money for almost a year now, I was kinda hoping that the judge would have this guy arrested for all the laws he was breaking. But hey if I get my money back it will really help for this cross-country move.

Thanks guys.

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 11:41 pm
by entirelyturbo
I saw a serious accident with a U-Haul truck in front of Toyota a few years ago. Apparently, the brakes went out completely. The driver pulled into the grassy median and coasted for a block trying to slow it down, and he still took out a car in the entrance to Toyota.

I dunno what happened after that, legally speaking.

Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 1:53 pm
by free5ty1e
Yeah, the 24' GMC U-Haul truck I've got here (the one that was sold to me correctly and legally) had a busted brake line in the back when I first bought it; just standard hydraulic disc brakes on that monster (with hydroboost and electric assist). Every time I stepped on the brake, only the front pads squeezed, the rears never got pressure. About 10 predal presses and the brake reservoir was squeezed empty.

Yeah, it's a good thing I didn't have far to go when I first drove it home, and had a chance to work on it and notice the huge leak. Replaced that piece of brake line and it's all good now. But U-Haul apparently is not very good with brakes.

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 3:07 pm
by free5ty1e
Hey hey, apparently this judgement really got U-Haul movin -- yesterday they paid me off, I made sure to have them sign a simple document stating they paid me (in case the check was bad or something) but this morning the funds cleared and are in my bank, available to assist the building of a new lab in NV :-D

I finally beat those fuckers!!

Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:40 am
by NICO
BAC5.2 watch's to much sopranos LOL

free5ty1e GOOD JOB. i was about to get on a plane to go break some legs hahhah.

Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 3:42 pm
by free5ty1e
heh... thanks Nico. How coincidental, I was planning something similar if they gave me any more trouble.

It's in the Italian credo: "When all else fails, send a third party to mediate with a crowbar."

My peoples know how to get results, apparently. :-D