To P.K. Willis – A Call for Fairness

“…time is money, and uncompensated work erodes both our profitability and our professional standing.”

Recently, an email was circulated from P.K. Willis outlining new procedures for handling Tesla vehicles. Under this directive, agents are instructed to submit a Hold Harmless request through Etracker or apply a nominal key fee of $0.01. This step is designed to alert the key department and initiate the key process. Following that, agents are required to create a user profile through Tesla, granting temporary access to the vehicle.

At first glance, this procedure may appear straightforward. However, in practice, it undermines the core of our professional service. This new process effectively removes our ability to produce keys while obligating us to perform uncompensated administrative and technical work. It consumes our time and resources while providing no financial return.

Our agencies operate within tight margins and bear significant costs of doing business. In California, we face continuous increases in insurance premiums, fuel expenses, and regulatory overhead, all of which make operations more costly than ever. Against this backdrop, requiring agents to perform additional services at no cost is not only unreasonable but unsustainable.

Our industry is built on professionalism, reliability, and the value of our time and expertise. When we are asked to perform services without compensation, that value is diminished. We must collectively recognize that time is money, and uncompensated work erodes both our profitability and our professional standing.

We therefore urge all members to contact their vendor representatives to express that this directive is neither fair nor acceptable. While this policy originates from Santander, and not directly from P.K. Willis, we call upon P.K. Willis to advocate on behalf of its agents. It is essential that Santander understand that agents cannot and should not be expected to provide services without appropriate compensation.

If we fail to stand firm on this issue, we risk setting a precedent that invites further uncompensated demands in the future. By uniting and asserting the value of our work, we send a clear message.

It is time for our industry to draw a line and reaffirm our collective commitment to fairness, respect, and sustainability.

CALR is asking to meet with P.K. Willis. We will keep you informed. We appreciate your engagement, support, and participating in the process.

CALR Board of Directors

About CALR

The purpose of CALR as an association is to strengthen understanding between licensed repossessors, law enforcement, financial institutions, regulatory agencies and the consumer, while offering continued education.

Mission Statement:

CALR is comprised of licensed members operating repossession agencies within the State of California and affiliate members outside California. The purpose of this Association is to strengthen understanding between licensed repossessors, law enforcement, financial institutions, regulatory agencies and the consumer. CALR also provides safety training to its members, continuing education in the field of public relations, business principles and professionalism via newsletters, special bulletins, seminars and conventions.