The Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessors (GALR) 2024 Conference exceeded the expectations of its organizers. “We registered 77 people as of last night,” commented GALR Treasurer Clayton Merritt on the first day of the event, held at the scenic Lanier Islands Resort in Buford, GA. Attendees came from across Georgia as well as from North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, and Texas, more than doubling last year’s attendance.

Lanier Islands Resort, a 1,200- acre retreat, offers a variety of activities, including golf, water sports, and snow tubing. The Lodge Hotel, where attendees stayed, is an ornately decorated venue featuring a rustic cabin theme, complete with multiple restaurants, bars, and a poolside fire pit. But I digress…

Day 1 Highlights

Day 1 featured a half – day program, starting with GALR’s annual business meeting and elections. No changes were made to the board, as all current members were re-elected to their respective positions.

Following the meeting was a scheduled 2.5- hour locksmith training session led by Jessica Merritt of Artis Recovery. Jessica demonstrated the programming of two universal remotes for different makes and models of vehicles, offering insight into how today’s advanced equipment is used. After the demonstration, she spent over an hour answering attendees’ questions about equipment and how automotive locksmithing can be integrated into repossession services.

Day 2: A Full Schedule of Events

Day 2 was packed from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. “We apologize, but the program kept expanding,” Clayton Merritt explained, referencing the growing interest and the volume of information GALR felt was essential to share with the industry.

If the goal was to deliver a wealth of valuable information, GALR certainly succeeded. Numerous topics were explored from multiple angles. Contracts, for instance, were examined from an insurance perspective by Jon Pollard and Renee Lowe of Harding and Brooks, a legal perspective during Mark Howk’s session on frivolous lawsuits, and in the Client Panel Discussion. Each session built upon the last, ensuring attendees gained a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.​

While it’s difficult to cover every session in detail, GALR acknowledges the invaluable contributions of all participants. “We couldn’t have had a convention without their willingness to share their knowledge,” said GALR President John Newberry of Eagle Eye Recovery.

Here’s a quick look at some of the key sessions and presenters:

• Locksmith Demonstration – Jessica Merritt, Artis Recovery
• Contract Review – Jon Pollard and Renee Lowe, Harding and Brooks Insurance Agency
• Client Panel Discussion

Moderator: Wes Carico, Artis Recovery

Panelists: Bill Sheehan (COO, Trinity Financial Services), Jason Clark (Managing Partner, Resolution Management Group), Jeremy Turner (Director, Vendor Management, Location Services), Keith Daymond (Executive VP, Victory Recovery Services), Ryan Medina (VP Vendor Management, MVRecovery MVTRAC)

• GA Personal Property Law and Frivolous Lawsuits – Mike Howk, JD, Risk Manager, RSIG
• MBSI Software Update – Ray Peloso
• Preventing Breach of Peace – Mark Lacek, Repossession Litigation Consultant
• Improved Relations Between MVTrac & Vendor Network – Ryan Medina, James McGee, Josh Harley, and Johnnie Renfro of MVRecovery MVTRAC

Panel Discussion

“People are worried about getting ambushed,” Clayton Merritt shared when discussing the process of organizing the panel. To ease concerns and build credibility, the format, objectives, topics, and sample questions were sent to the panelists well in advance. This approach allowed for deeper exploration of complex issues, explained Moderator Wes Carico.

The discussion covered several pressing topics, including stagnant rates, contractual language, and agent safety. Each panelist shared insights into how their businesses viewed and addressed these challenges. A few key takeaways emerged:​

Wes highlighted the unique role forwarders play in the industry as both clients and competitors. He suggested that repossession companies should observe and emulate forwarders’ successful business practices.

Negotiation was another common theme. Both pricing and contract language, panelists emphasized, can and should be negotiated. “We ‘red-line’ every word of our contracts,” one panelist remarked, stressing the importance of scrutinizing terms. Another panelist reminded attendees of the need to review contracts annually, especially to request adjustments for inflation if such provisions aren’t already built in.

Safety was a major concern for all panelists, who recognized the role of forwarders in keeping dangerous or rogue companies out of the industry. The implication was clear: providing opportunities to these risky organizations not only threatens the industry’s reputation but also diverts funds from legitimate clients (lien holders) and supports potentially harmful activities. Though I’m no expert in liability, this seems to be an area where many in the industry need to tread carefully.

There was also a call for industry software providers to improve their tracking tools for identifying potential risks in high-risk accounts or addresses. “You are their revenue stream,” Wes explained, urging forwarders to push for better solutions. The panel also agreed to explore ways to support the Recovery Agents Benefit Fund (RABF) so Ed Marcum and his team can continue to assist families impacted by their loved ones work in the repossession industry.

Overall, the panel addressed sensitive topics, provided valuable insights, and fostered commitments around safety and industry support.

GALR wanted to extend its deep appreciation to the panelists for their participation and dedication. These five individuals are among the most successful leaders in the industry, and their willingness to share their viewpoints on key issues was a tremendous benefit to everyone in attendance.

Liability in the Industry

Liability was a central theme throughout the conference, with several presenters offering insights from their areas of expertise. Jon Pollard emphasized the importance of reviewing Garage Keepers policies, noting a disturbing trend where Direct Primary Garage Keepers policies exclude coverage for acts of God, such as rain, hail, or wind damage. This exclusion, he explained, negates the purpose of Direct Primary coverage and leaves insureds exposed.

Renee Lowe stressed the need for every repossession company to have a contract in place with its clients, even if it’s just a simple one-page agreement. She also highlighted the importance of ensuring that contracts with brokers or forwarders extend coverage to their clients as well. Both Renee and Jon encouraged attendees to reach out with questions and review contracts. “We can’t give legal advice,” Renee clarified, but she explained they would point out where contract language might negatively affect your coverage.

Mike Howk, RSIG’s Risk Manager and a national expert in repossession law, warned of a troubling new trend: “You cannot insure against a crime.” He explained that if you’re sued and the allegations are purely criminal, your insurance will not cover the case. However, if there’s at least one civil allegation, the insurance will help defend against all claims under a “commonality of defense” principle.

In a side conversation, Ed Marcum further explained that this trend is becoming more common in states where possession laws are being more clearly defined. “It eliminates the common civil allegation of breach of peace,” leaving lawsuits to focus on criminal sections of state code or parts of the FDCPA (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act) considered criminal. He cited a case in California where the insured will likely not be covered, as no civil allegations were made, and the way the law is written leaves no room for one to be added.

As more associations consider sponsoring or proposing legislative changes, this should serve as a cautionary tale: poorly considered legislation can have unintended consequences, so it’s crucial to involve all industry stakeholders in the conversation.

Repossession Litigation Consultant Mark Lacek delivered dynamic content on the importance of policies, documentation, and employee training. He began by holding up a copy of Nostalgic Towing/Artis Recovery’s “No Follow, No Chase” policy recommending everyone adopt a similar policy.

He also urged attendees to consider how their company’s image could impact potential litigation, recalling a case where a defendant’s company was named “Rambo.” “Who do you think the jury is going to believe?” he asked.

Mark’s overarching message was clear: credibility and image stem from every aspect of a business, including its name, policies, procedures, equipment, attire, and documentation. These elements all contribute to how a company will be perceived in court, even though most cases never go before a jury.

Experts like Mark are often hired to assess a company’s professional and operational standards as they relate to any case. Throughout the conference, the recurring message was that failing to maintain professional standards increases the frequency of claims. Jon Pollard summed it up: “Frequency breeds severity.”

My takeaway – Illegal, improper, or improperly motivated actions lead to claims, poor image and documentation lead to larger payouts directly from your profits!

Fundraising and Fun

GALR also welcomed four new members during the event. The day ended with a lively fundraising e ort that began with a raffle and auction. The real excitement, however, came when an anonymous donor pledged $600 if Ed Marcum, CEO of RABF, would jump into the pool. Ed enthusiastically accepted, declaring, “Anything for the cause.”

This sparked a series of challenges, with several professionals in business attire attracting everyone’s attention by diving into the pool. Credit Acceptance Corp’s Tiny Sebastian and MVRecovery MVTRAC’s Johnnie Renfro wrapped up the plunge, raising an impressive $3,000 combined. The event raised over $11,000 for GALR and the Recovery Agents Benefit Fund (RABF), although the exact allocation was not known at the time of this release.

Networking and Industry Connections

As with any great conference, some of the most valuable exchanges took place during breaks, meals, and evening gatherings. GALR provided an ideal platform for vendors to meet new clients. Clayton Merritt worked closely with client representatives to address coverage gaps, while many new business relationships were formed through casual introductions. This reflects the growing credibility and influence of GALR, especially considering this was only its second annual conference.

While it’s uncertain whether GALR will o er deeper dives into any of the sessions, you can stay updated by following their Facebook page (search for “Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessors”) or visiting their website at https://galr.org .

In Closing

GALR extends its heartfelt thanks to all the participants and speakers for making the 2024 conference a memorable and successful event. A special thank you to the staff at Lanier Islands for providing excellent facilities and support.​

Thank you to all the sponsors:

Gold – DRN, MVTRAC, Trinity, Harding Brooks, MBSi Corp, RDN

Silver – Loss Prevention Services

Bronze – Resolvion

Kudos to the entire GALR team for their hard work and dedication in organizing this event. Having attended numerous industry events over my 17- year career, this one struck the perfect balance of education, camaraderie, and business. Well done, GALR!

Wes Carico

Nostalgic Towing

Artis Recovery

​GALR 2024 Conference Wraps Up with Record Attendance – ​GALR 2024 Conference Wraps Up with Record Attendance – ​GALR 2024 Conference Wraps Up with Record Attendance – GALR 2024 Conference Wraps Up with Record Attendance – GALR 2024 Conference Wraps Up with Record Attendance – GALR 2024 Conference Wraps Up with Record Attendance – GALR 2024 Conference Wraps Up with Record Attendance – GALR 2024 Conference Wraps Up with Record Attendance

​GALR 2024 Conference Wraps Up with Record Attendance – State Repossession Associations –  RABF – Recovery Agents Benefit Fund – Repossess – Repossession – Repossession Agency – Repossessor

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GEORGIA ASSOCIATION OF LICENSED REPOSSESSORS (GALR) ANNOUNCES MARK LACEK TO BE INCLUDED IN THE GALR 2024 CONFERENCE SPEAKER LINEUP.

For Immediate Release

Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessors (GALR) Announces Additional Room Availability for Upcoming Conference – LIMITED TIME The Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessors (GALR) is excited to announce that more rooms have become available for our highly anticipated annual conference, taking place on September 13th – 14th at the beautiful Lanier Island Legacy Lodge.

Due to high demand, additional rooms are now open for booking, but only until Sunday at 6 PM. This extension provides a limited-time opportunity for attendees who have not yet secured accommodations, do so while they last.

The conference will feature a variety of sessions, networking opportunities, and industry insights that are pertinent to professionals in the repossession industry. Don’t miss this chance to connect with industry leaders, expand your knowledge, and stay ahead in the business.

Event Details:

Dates: September 13th – 14th

Venue: Lanier Island Legacy Lodge, Lanier Island, GA

What to Expect:

• Educational Workshops: Gain insights from industry experts on the latest trends, best practices, and regulatory updates.
• Networking Opportunities: Meet and network with fellow professionals, industry leaders, and potential business partners.
• Guest Speakers: Hear from distinguished speakers who will share their knowledge and experiences to help you navigate the evolving landscape of the repossession industry.

Important Note: Extra rooms are available for booking until Sunday at 6 PM. We encourage all interested attendees to act swiftly to secure their accommodations. To book your room and for more information about the GALR Conference, please visit GALR.org  

We look forward to seeing you at this year’s event!

John Newberry

President of GALR

GALR Mission and Vision

The Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessors (GALR) is an organization comprised of collateral recovery agency owners/employees/industry vendors. Our goal is to educate our members, financial institutions, law enforcement, and communities with regard to business requirements and ordinances set forth by the cities and counties in the state of Georgia.

The vision of the association is to strengthen understanding between recovery agency owners, law enforcement, financial institutions, regulatory agencies and the consumer. GALR will provide continuing education to our members, financial institutions, and law enforcement officials. Education platforms will focus in the fields of professionalism, business principles, public relations and innovations in the industry

Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessors

P.O. Box 1922

Villa Rica, Georgia 30180

Email: Office@GALR.org

Phone: (888) 425-7324

Fax: (770) 234-6386

Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessors Conference Announces New Speaker – Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessors Conference Announces New Speaker – Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessors Conference Announces New Speaker

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Fallen Agents Day: A Day of Moratorium and Reflection, Urged by John Newberry and the Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessors

For Immediate Release

1/29/24 – Nationwide – As the owner of Eagle Eye Recovery, Inc. and the President of the Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessors, I, John Newberry, stand with the repossession community in solemnly commemorating Fallen Agents Day on February 25th. Because the 25th lands on a Sunday this year, we are suggesting that it be observed on Monday February 26th instead. This year, we assert a call to action for a day of moratorium across the industry.

In memory of Tommy Deen Morris and many others who have sacrificed their lives, we urge a complete cessation of repossession activities on this day. This pause is not merely symbolic but a vital act to underscore the critical importance of safety and respect in our profession.

The risks and challenges faced by repossession agents are often underappreciated. Their losses impact families, friends, and the entire industry. By observing a day of moratorium, we honor their sacrifices and encourage a collective commitment to fostering a safer, more respectful working environment.

This call to action is directed to all stakeholders – lenders, forwarders, and repossession agencies. Let us unite in solidarity, recognizing the inherent risks of our profession and reaffirming our dedication to the safety and dignity of every individual involved.

Let this day of remembrance also be a turning point towards a safer future in the repossession industry. Together, we have the power to transform our profession into one characterized by safety, respect, and dignity for all.

Contact:

John Newberry Owner, Eagle Eye Recovery, Inc. President, Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessors john.newberry@eagleeyerecovery.com

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Guest Editorial

It’s been said by many for years and it’s true.  Anytime you attempt to bundle multiple services into a single line item you drive the value of the included services to zero.

Once the pain point of seeing the line item disappears, the associated psychological value also disappears, and the actual service becomes absorbed by the billed item.  It becomes expected as part of the core service if the trend continues to long and to pluck this service back out or associate cost to it becomes nearly impossible.

Try It!  Start calculating storage on day 1 and apply a discount to every invoice for the number of obligated free days before billing your client. 

Two things will happen, you will start feeling the pain of how much you’re “giving” away to support their annual bonuses and the client will understand you are paying attention to it.  They will complain and want you to stop the practice.

Wes Carico

Nostalgic Towing & Sales, LLC

GALR Member

About the Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessors

The Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessors (GALR) is an organization comprised of collateral recovery agency owners/employees/industry vendors. Our goal is to educate our members, financial institutions, law enforcement, and communities with regard to business requirements and ordinances set forth by the cities and counties in the state of Georgia.

The purpose of the association is to strengthen understanding between recovery agency owners, law enforcement, financial institutions, regulatory agencies, and the consumer. GALR will provide continuing education

to our members, financial institutions, and law enforcement officials. Education platforms will focus in the fields of professionalism, business principles, public relations and innovations in the industry.

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Editorial

One of the more common thoughts regarding industry pricing involves “standard” rates. The only way to legally establish these rates is through legislation, and we could write an entire article about why that’s a bad idea.

You can never go wrong by improving your business skills and gaining a better understanding of your own business. Capitalism will naturally handle the ebbs and flows of profit when we become more responsible business owners.

There are two basic cost centers: “Fixed” and “Flex.” Fixed costs are the expenses that do not change based on the number of recoveries, such as lot rent, phone bills, lights, truck payments, insurance, and more. Flex costs are associated with the number of recoveries or assignments, such as payroll and fuel. You can place the administrative staff’s basic hourly rate in the fixed center if you prefer (although we place all payroll in our flex center, but we’ll discuss that shortly).

Calculate your fixed cost by dividing it by the number of units (just use data from last month for now). Now, do the same with flex costs. Your flex cost will increase your gross expenses with every car you recover, while your fixed cost remains constant and is spread across all units. Your average fixed cost is easily influenced by missing or hitting goals. Because you included fuel and administrative payroll in the flex center, it will also fluctuate based on the number of recovered units, although not as significantly.

Now you have two numbers. The crucial one is the flex number. This represents roughly how much every car will cost to recover. If your number is $150, when you pick up a car at $275, you’ve already spent $150, leaving you with $125 to cover your gross fixed cost.

Take your total fixed cost and divide it by this number (let’s use $10,000 as an example): 10,000 / 125 = 80. At $275, you need to pick up 80 units just to break even. If you pick up 100 units that month at $275, you’ll keep a substantial $2,500 for your efforts.

If you divide that by 40 hours a week, you’re making roughly $15 an hour (likely much less because owners typically work 70+ hours a week) for the risk, trouble, and aggravation of dealing with net 45 to net 60 payment terms.

I won’t add to the depression by discussing damage claims, lawsuits, and other boring business management issues. Instead, let’s figure out how to determine what you should be charging.

Remember, our flex cost remains constant unless you reduce pay or become more efficient in routing and recovery (reducing the number of assignments you manage is a great way to lower CSR costs, by the way).

So, let’s focus on the fixed aspect. Assuming your fixed cost is $10,000 and your flex is $150 per unit, you want to make $10,000 per month for yourself and set aside 10% every month for contingencies/emergencies. Take your receivables for the same month (let’s use $22,000), and since we picked up 80 units before, divide 22,000 by 80: $22,000 / 80 = $275 (it won’t be that clean, I promise).

We’ll come back to those numbers in a moment. Now, add your $10,000 salary to your monthly expenses of $10,000 for a total of $20,000 in fixed costs. You want the 10% to come off every unit’s base price, so we aim to increase what we bill by 10% ($275 * 10% = $27.50). Since you’re only keeping $125 per unit, let’s divide 22,000 by 125 (22,000 / 125 = 176). Now, we can put the numbers together to find our bottom line: $150 + $27.50 + $176 = $353.50.

Any gross receivable for any unit under this amount will make it harder for you to turn a profit since it’s based on an average of recoveries at a $275 rate. Voluntaries, impounds, unbilled items, denials, or uncollected payments all impact this and should be considered when evaluating this loss potential. We refer to these as “Loss Leaders” and send them to our competition.

One more tip: when dealing with base recovery rates below this mark ($275 in our example), ensure you have ample ancillary opportunities to make up the difference. For example, you may only work assignments for one lienholder for this client due to associated key contracts, etc.

Here’s the beautiful thing: you don’t care how it’s billed—whether it’s mileage, keys, redemption fees, storage, or client aggravation fees. When dealing with brokers directly, steer the conversation towards, “You tell me what the opportunity is to reach my number (never disclose this number), and I’ll bill it how you want it.”

One more tip: when dealing with base recovery rates below this mark ($275 in our example), ensure you have ample ancillary opportunities to make up the difference. For example, you may only work assignments for one lienholder for this client due to associated key contracts, etc.

The same math applies to individual clients; just take a couple months receivables and divide by the number of recoveries these receivables represent.  This will get your average pay per recovery for the client.  ~It’s about what they are paying, you cannot operate on what you are promised.

How did you do, was your guess as good as your math? Are you being fed “Loss Leaders” by your competitors? How can you reverse this trend?

Your cost is going to closely resemble your competitor as will your bottom. When math is used instead of emotion or the latest number on the street, Capitalism will handle the profit issue for you and no rate standardization was needed.

~ Happy Hunting,

Read the Entire Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessrs Newsletter Here!

Wes Carico

Nostalgic Towing & Sales, LLC

GALR Member

Finding Your Bottom Line – Finding Your Bottom Line – Finding Your Bottom Line

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NOVEMBER 17 – 18 2023

Elections for President and Secretary are being held this year!

When: November 17th and 18th 2023

Where: 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford, GA 30518

Registration: $25.00 Per Person ~ Deadline 10-17-2023

Click Here To Register

Lodging: Call Lanier Islands ~ 678-318-2050 ~ Tell Them You’re With GALR!

Itinerary:

November 17, 2023

6:00 – 9:00 Meet and Greet

November 18, 2023

09:00 – 11:30 GALR Business

12:00 – 1:00 Lunch @ Sidney’s Restaurant

1:30 – 5:00 Guest Speakers

6:00 – 9:00 Networking @ Bullfrog’s Bar and Grill

Plenty of time for talking shop, exploring, or simply relating and taking advantage of the local life at Lake Lanier in GA. It’s fall, so the views should be amazing.

About the Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessors

The Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessors (GALR) is an organization comprised of collateral recovery agency owners/employees/industry vendors. Our goal is to educate our members, financial institutions, law enforcement, and communities with regard to business requirements and ordinances set forth by the cities and counties in the state of Georgia.

The purpose of the association is to strengthen understanding between recovery agency owners, law enforcement, financial institutions, regulatory agencies and the consumer. GALR will provide continuing educations to our members, financial institutions, and law enforcement officials. Education platforms will focus in the fields of professionalism, business principles, public relations and innovations in the industry.

Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessors

P.O. Box 1922 Villa Rica, Georgia 30180

Email: Office@GALR.org

Phone: (888) 425-7324

Fax: (770) 234-6386

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In March of 2021, Allied Finance Adjusters (AFA), American Recovery Association (ARA), Eagle Group XX, California Association of Licensed Repossessors (CALR), Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessors (GALR), TexasARP, and the now disbanded Massachusetts Association of Professional Recovery Agents (MAPRA) sent the open memorandum below to its client partners, auctions, dispatchers, and carriers on behalf of the agent network: Joint Repossession Association Memo on Transporter Access –

Read The Original 2021 Memo Here!

As stated in the memo, our goal is for our members and all agents to have adequate protection for claims they are not responsible for. Since this memo was distributed to the industry, the state associations have grown to 15 associations, representing 16 states and all are in full support of it. We are grateful to the client partners, auctions, dispatchers, and carriers that have been complying with these policies since the release of these requirements or beforehand.

This policy has not wavered and has spread to be used as common practice among most of the agent networks. Repossession agencies have become more cautious and protective of consumers, our staff, facilities, assets, and client collateral than ever before. Regardless of who we choose to partner with for our insurance, our insurance is not an expendable tool in our businesses. We can’t simply “make a claim” without preparing for significant increases in our policies or the possibility of non-renewal.

Many of our insurance policies require the practice of requiring transporters to sign a site entry agreement and provide a COI with our company listed as a secondary insured if they come on our lots, but this is no longer just an insurance requirement. It is a repossession agency requirement, which we reserve the right to enact.

Every repossession company is different – some do, and some don’t have staging areas, some do and some don’t have the capability of moving the units outside the lot, and the transporters must come onto the lots. Regardless, we cannot have a different set of standards for each and cannot be held to such. We believe in a reasonable standard for all.

The fact remains, that transporters are third parties that repossession companies must accommodate with appointments to pick up units to fulfill our expectations with our client partners, unless agents are offered the first right of refusal to transport the units themselves. However, these third-party contractors must comply to a similar set of expectations that our client partners expect from us. Again, this is to protect consumers, our staff, our facilities, our assets, and client collateral.

It is not unreasonable to ask for transport companies to sign a site entry agreement and provide our repossession companies with a COI, having the agency listed as a secondary insured to protect our company from ANY incidentals.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter. If you have any questions, your state or national leaders listed below are available to address them with you directly.

Respectfully,

Allied Finance Adjuster

American Recovery Association

Eagle Group XX

Alliance of Illinois Repossessors

California Association of Licensed Repossessors 

Florida Association of Licensed Repossessors

Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessors

Indiana Professional Repossessors Association

Michigan Association of Repossession Agencies

Minnesota Association of Repossession Professionals

Nevada Association of Licensed Repossessors

New York Professional Repossessors Association

Ohio Association of Repossessors

Oklahoma Association of Professional Repossessors

Pennsylvania Repossession Association

Recovery Agents of the Carolinas

Tennessee Association of Accredited Repossessors

Texas Accredited Repossession Professionals

Joint Repossession Association Memo on Transporter Access – Joint Repossession Association Memo on Transporter Access –

Joint Repossession Association Memo on Transporter Access –  American Recovery Association – ARA

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On Wednesday June 28th, 2023, 14 State Associations collectively sent a correspondence out to the industry regarding the Santander / Chrysler Capital fee reduction of the industry standard Flatbed / Dolly Fee, and we requested to have a productive conversation within 10 days.

Since we have not received a response, the undersigned state associations have all agreed that each state will make their own decision on how they will service Santander / Chrysler Capital accounts moving forward.

In light of the possible disruption in services, we look forward to having a conversation to resolve our concerns as soon as possible.  If you would like to speak to us, please reach out to statesrepo@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Alliance of Illinois Repossessors– President, Santino Datoli

California Association of Licensed Repossessors – President Marcelle Egley

Florida Association of Licensed Repossessors – President, Suzanne Chartier Burns

Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessors – President, John Newberry

Indiana Professional Repossessors Association – President, Todd Case

Michigan Association of Repossession Agencies – President, Jenny Liagre

Minnesota Association of Repossession Professionals – President, Kayihan Seran

New York Professional Repossessors Association – President, Salvatore LoDico

Ohio Association of Repossessors – President, Amy Bednar

Oklahoma Association of Professional Repossessors – Lisa Hancock President

Pennsylvania Repossession Association – President Jeremy Cross

Recovery Agents of the Carolinas – President Gerri Gentry

Tennessee Association of Accredited Repossessors – President Lauren Kimbrell

Texas Accredited Repossession Professionals – President Bryanna Cox

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State Repo Associations Reach Deadline in Efforts to Discuss Flatbed Fees Cost Cutting with Santander/Chrysler Capital

On Wednesday June 28th, 2023, 14 State Associations collectively sent a correspondence out to the industry regarding the Santander / Chrysler Capital fee reduction of the industry standard Flatbed / Dolly Fee, and we requested to have a productive conversation within 10 days.

Since we have not received a response, the undersigned state associations have all agreed that each state will make their own decision on how they will service Santander / Chrysler Capital accounts moving forward.

In light of the possible disruption in services, we look forward to having a conversation to resolve our concerns as soon as possible.  If you would like to speak to us, please reach out to statesrepo@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Alliance of Illinois Repossessors– President, Santino Datoli

California Association of Licensed Repossessors – President Marcelle Egley

Florida Association of Licensed Repossessors – President, Suzanne Chartier Burns

Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessors – President, John Newberry

Indiana Professional Repossessors Association – President, Todd Case

Michigan Association of Repossession Agencies – President, Jenny Liagre

Minnesota Association of Repossession Professionals – President, Kayihan Seran

New York Professional Repossessors Association – President, Salvatore LoDico

Ohio Association of Repossessors – President, Amy Bednar

Oklahoma Association of Professional Repossessors – Lisa Hancock President

Pennsylvania Repossession Association – President Jeremy Cross

Recovery Agents of the Carolinas – President Gerri Gentry

Tennessee Association of Accredited Repossessors – President Lauren Kimbrell

Texas Accredited Repossession Professionals – President Bryanna Cox

Related Articles:

Santander/Chrysler Capital- We Need to Talk

Santander/Chrysler Capital- Time’s Up! – State Repossession Associations – Alliance of Illinois Repossessors – Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessors – Texas Accredited Repossession Professionals – TexasARP – Repossess – Repossession – Repossession Agency – Fight for Fair Fees

The post Santander/Chrysler Capital- Time’s Up! first appeared on CURepossession.

On behalf of the State Repossession Associations, we appreciate what Santander / Chrysler Capital has done with the recent absorption of MBSI fees in an attempt to reduce costs on the agent level.  As one of the largest lenders in the nation, you can set the pace and pave the road for other lenders. That being said, we were surprised to see that Santander / Chrysler Capital decided to reduce the industry standard $150 flatbed fee / dolly fee to $110, and we are asking for Santander / Chrysler Capital to reconsider its decision. 

Read the Santander / Chrysler Capital Letter Here

This reduction in fees comes at a time when the majority of the vehicles being manufactured and sold are 4×4, AWD, and or electric vehicles that require the use of a flatbed or dollies to properly tow these vehicles. Also, many vehicles on the road today have electric e-brakes that are engaged once the vehicle is shut off, requiring a flatbed or dollies.

In addition, this is not standard equipment. When a truck is ordered, dollies are considered a $3,000-$3,500 add-on and require special mounts to also be installed on the truck, not to mention the monthly maintenance and care to keep them operational.

Once equipped with this equipment, due to its weight and size, the agents must be trained on the proper handling and use to avoid potential injuries and damages. Nationally, many repossession companies have fewer flatbeds, primarily due to 20% higher purchase price, higher fuel and maintenance costs, and specialized training required for their use.

In case you need to understand more, please read; “Why do Flatbed Tows Cost So Much?”

We understand that the repossession industry is under much scrutiny, however there is a cost of doing business the legal and compliant way.  The $150 flatbed / dolly fee merely assisted in this expense and was never considered full compensation for this service.

Reducing the rate to $110 makes these services less cost-effective and feasible for recovery companies, thus adding to the financial burden placed on the industry at the agent level. In addition, you are now requiring a photograph of the unit on a flatbed / dollies to be uploaded in order to get paid.  This process is time consuming and not ideal for agents in the field.  Unfortunately, these changes will impact the sustainability of recovery companies causing there to be less agents to secure your collateral.

We would like to have a productive conversation within the next 10 days regarding this matter, and we are willing to provide our supporting metrics. We are confident, that together, we can work towards a solution that is beneficial for both sides.  If you would like to have a conversation, please respond to statesrepo@gmail.com.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Alliance of Illinois Repossessors– President, Santino Datoli

Florida Association of Licensed Repossessors – President, Suzanne Chartier Burns

Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessors – President, John Newberry

Indiana Professional Repossessors Association – President, Todd Case

Michigan Association of Repossession Agencies – President, Jenny Liagre

Minnesota Association of Repossession Professionals – President, Kayihan Seran

Nevada Association of Licensed Repossessors – President, Mark Zane

New York Professional Repossessors Association – President, Salvatore LoDico

Ohio Association of Repossessors – President, Amy Bednar

Oklahoma Association of Professional Repossessors –  Lisa Hancock President

Pennsylvania Repossession Association – President Jeremy Cross

Recovery Agents of the Carolinas – President Gerri Gentry

Tennessee Association of Accredited Repossessors – President Lauren Kimbrell

Texas Accredited Repossession Professionals – President Bryanna Cox

Santander/Chrysler Capital – We Need to Talk – State Repossession Associations – Alliance of Illinois Repossessors – Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessors – Texas Accredited Repossession Professionals – TexasARP – Repossess – Repossession – Repossession Agency – Fight for Fair Fees

The post Santander/Chrysler Capital- We Need to Talk first appeared on CURepossession.

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.

In case you haven’t had the chance to listen to J. Patrick Altes’ most recent episode of Repo America, you will be enlightened with a frank conversation very relevant to the state of affairs in the repossession industry. Joining Pat are, David Johns of Done Rite Recovery Services, Santino “Sonny” Datoli of Armor Recovery Solutions and Ryan Miller of Northwest Repossessions of Chicago, Illinois who discuss their creation, struggles and successes with the newly formed Alliance of Illinois Repossessors (AIR).

If you are a member of a state or national association or are considering joining one, this is an episode well worth listening to. Even if you have no interest in joining or creating a state association, you owe it to yourself to get a good listen to the value that a state association can have to your business.

If you haven’t been following Repo America with J. Patrick Altes, you’ve been missing out on getting the inside track on the real discussions going on inside the automobile repossession industry in America. No war stories, no repo politics, just discussion about the struggles and victories in this most difficult and fascinating business.

Related Articles;

AIR Sounds the Alarm

Indiana Puts Major Lenders and Forwarders on Notice

GALR Intends to Follow the AIR Lead

AIR Now Rejecting Four Major Lenders and One Forwarder Over Storage

Lead or Follow, But Don’t Get Out of the Way

Alliance of Illinois Repossessors to Require Storage on ALL Assignments!

A FINAL NOTICE to Primeritus

PAID IN FULL – Primeritus pays up

Alliance of Illinois Repossessors enforcing fuel surcharges

There’s Something in the AIR – Fight for Fair Fees – Alliance of Illinois Repossessors – Repossess – Repossession – Repossession Agency

The post There’s Something in the AIR first appeared on CURepossession.

Illinois started to sound the alarms on October 11, 2022, in regard to the storage crisis on the horizon. On January 1st, 2023, AIR members began declining four major lenders along with one forwarder and only after thousands of cases were declined, conversations began with the majority of the parties involved. While there have been some resolutions to the issues addressed, others have refused to begin the conversation even after being providing factual data regarding the crisis on hand. The conversations have finally brought some transparency to all in the space, but some of the facts discovered are truly concerning.

Facts that AIR has discovered:

– Forwarders are collecting storage from some clients that is not passing through to the agent network

– Some lenders are paying spiffs/ bonuses that are not passed on.

– Repossession fees charged by the forwarders are well over $1000 and agents who actually recovered the vehicle are only being paid $275.

– Some lenders kept vehicles stored on agents’ lots for extended periods because auctions do not hold the same insurance coverage recovery agencies do.

– Invoices that were meant to be sent to the lender but were accidently sent to the agent show that declined items, such as flatbed fees, were still being billed to the lender.

AIR is seeking a transparent relationship with the forwarding network. This is by no means is an attack on the forwarders, as AIR recognizes they are a vital part of our industry. However, the agent network has been left in the dark for way too long and it’s time to shine light on some of the discrepancies in billing.

It is time to knock down the wall that has been built between agents and the lending network.

David E Johns Jr.

Vice-President, Alliance Of Illinois Repossessors

About The Alliance of Illinois Repossessors

The Alliance of Illinois Repossessors is a gathering of Repossession companies that will unite for the progression of the repossession industry within our state. AIR is composed of licensed members operating repossession agencies with the State of Illinois. The purpose of this Association is to strengthen understanding between licensed Repossessors, law enforcement, financial institutions, regulatory agencies, and the consumer.

The Alliance of Illinois Repossessors

We are stronger together

Related Articles;

Indiana Puts Major Lenders and Forwarders on Notice

GALR Intends to Follow the AIR Lead

AIR Now Rejecting Four Major Lenders and One Forwarder Over Storage

Lead or Follow, But Don’t Get Out of the Way

Alliance of Illinois Repossessors to Require Storage on ALL Assignments!

A FINAL NOTICE to Primeritus

PAID IN FULL – Primeritus pays up

Alliance of Illinois Repossessors enforcing fuel surcharges

AIR Sounds the Alarm – Fight for Fair Fees –  Alliance of Illinois Repossessors – Repossess – Repossession – Repossession Agency

The post AIR Sounds the Alarm first appeared on CURepossession.