Buying a new car comes with realized dreams until it gets snatched away after one month. A family from San Diego was shattered and angry after they purchased a car, then shortly after it was towed away due to another entity fighting for the car rights.
“This has been draining in so many ways, economically, mentally, and physically, in just so many ways,” Sonia Ruiz said.
Ruiz paid $21,000 for a 2022 Toyota Camry from an ad posted on Facebook Marketplace.
“I personally took the car to the DMV, took my documents, and at the DMV I did not have a single problem. They registered the car for me, that day they changed the plates, gave me my stickers, my registration, and two weeks later, I received my title,” Ruiz added.
It was a pleasant drive for about a month until it was taken right off her driveway.
“We were at work and a tow truck came to my home, picked up the car and took it,” Ruiz said. The towing company informed her that the vehicle belonged to Hertz.
Ruiz was caught off guard by the situation and notified the police. “The police requested the paperwork of my car, they checked them, and they told me the car had no stolen vehicle reports,” Ruiz said.
During the investigation, it became known that there was an outstanding contract with Hertz where the car was rented out through Hertz’s licensee in Mexico called Avasa. Later, it was picked up at the Cross Border Xpress (CBX) and supposed to be returned back at the same pick up location. However, the vehicle never made it back to the designated area.
Then, the vehicle was picked up by Cortes Towing San Diego, which was sold at an auction with Lientek Solutions. After a month, it was posted for sale on Facebook Marketplace where she Ruiz learned about the car and purchased it.
“This is not my fault. Somebody here made a mistake or is making a mistake so then why is it me paying the consequences?” Ruiz said.
A spokesperson clarified the situation on their end explained: “Hertz is disappointed to learn of this situation. Upon an initial investigation, we have learned that Avasa, Hertz’s licensee in Mexico, and the original owner/operator of the vehicle, did not receive notifications from the towing company about the sales transaction.
“Avasa has informed us that at the time of repossession, they believed that they were the rightful owner of the car. Avasa is working to resolve this situation in accordance with the Hertz brand standard and we will continue to work with them to support a positive outcome.”
In extreme cases, a bargain price for a car in the used marketplace may have hidden costs in the form of legal fees. This case was just a headache for the car owner who had a blissful one month followed by a stressful period of reclaiming her possession.