Stolen Laptop??

[slimsky31503]

I recently offered to sell my laptop to my friend for $300, He gave me $100 and said he would pay the rest later. So I wrote a receipt saying what he paid and what he owed. Now months later he wont pay. What can I do? Can I report it as stolen? I think I deserve the money thats owed or the computer. Please Help!!

[mcsap]

You made a CIVIL contract just like buying a car. Car dealers can't report a person who fails to make car payments as a stolen car. They have to repo it. This doesn't mean you can go in his house and grab your puter.

Send him a certified letter " threatening " to file a civil suit and if he doesn't respond....you'll have to file the suit in small claims court.

[cobravenom1]

Sounds like a civil court action for breach of contract. Can't report it as stolen when you gave it to your friend under a verbal contract agreement of owed money. Maybe it's different in your state?

[slimsky31503]

I figure that it is a civil issue, which will cost more than the 200 owed. Should there atleast be a police report made, to have something to take to court?

[slimsky31503]

You made a CIVIL contract just like buying a car. Car dealers can't report a person who fails to make car payments as a stolen car. They have to repo it. This doesn't mean you can go in his house and grab your puter.

Send him a certified letter " threatening " to file a civil suit and if he doesn't respond....you'll have to file the suit in small claims court.

how do you get this certified letter, do i just write a letter myself?

[Piggy]

Most agencies will not prepare a police report for a civil matter as they can only handle criminal complaints.

You can pay $30 and file a small claims suit, but you probably won't have much luck with that either as he has a receipt that says it was paid. With that receipt, he'll have evidence that you gave him going against your word.

Unless someone else on board has a plan, I'd say you are out $200.

[cobravenom1]

I figure that it is a civil issue, which will cost more than the 200 owed. Should there atleast be a police report made, to have something to take to court?

A report is taken if a crime has been committed or suspected of having been committed. You don't have a crime. You have a civil issue only. If you report a crime, be ready to be disappointed when he/she does'nt take a report and relays the same info we have. If you have anything to prove you originally bought the laptop would help your case.

[mcsap]

how do you get this certified letter, do i just write a letter myself?

You can just make up your own POLITE and PROFESSIONAL sounding letter and send it to him.

" Dear James Smith; On Jan 23 , 2008 I sold you a HP laptop computer model # 1234567. As of todays date, you have paid me a total of $100 of the total $300 sale price. This letter is a formal request that remit the balance of $200 to me by ____________. Should you fail to do so, I will be forced to file a civil lawsuit against you for the $200 plus court costs.

I would prefer to handle this without the need of going to court. please contact me as soon as possible so that we can get this matter straightened out.

Very Truly ; Slimsky

Something like this will suffice.

[Super Six 5]

You can just make up your own POLITE and PROFESSIONAL sounding letter and send it to him.

" Dear James Smith; On Jan 23 , 2008 I sold you a HP laptop computer model # 1234567. As of todays date, you have paid me a total of $100 of the total $300 sale price. This letter is a formal request that remit the balance of $200 to me by ____________. Should you fail to do so, I will be forced to file a civil lawsuit against you for the $200 plus court costs.

I would prefer to handle this without the need of going to court. please contact me as soon as possible so that we can get this matter straightened out.

Very Truly ; Slimsky

Something like this will suffice.

Then take it to your post office, and tell them you want it sent certified mail. Someone HAS to sign for it and you get a receipt so they can't say "I never got a letter from him."

[manahmanah]

Just Kidding.