Operation Repo

TruTV has a reality series called Operation Repo. Basically they follow around a crew of brawny, heavily tattooed auto reposessors (men and women) in the San Fernando valley. Drama and hijinks ensue.

I'm sure they only show the more dramatic repos on TV (and I found the show strangely compelling, especially to see how a lot of the time the repo crew gets tips about auto whereabouts from disaffected family members), but what I was most struck by was how often the repos "breach the peace." People are routinely getting pepper-sprayed or shoved or put into headlocks as they try to stop the repo actions. Occasionally someone pulls a gun on the repo men, and they back off.

My secured credit class spends a tiny bit of time on repos, but the show is a vivid reminder that practice and law (repomen can't breach the peace) are very far removed. I think it's safe to say that the law of repomen is law of the jungle.

Comments

[Anonymous]

The show's not real, they are "recreations" using actors. It tells you this at the beginning of the show.

[Adam Levitin]

For real? That disappoints. The few times I've watched, I've missed the opening. Maybe that explains TruTV's caption "Not Reality. Actuality."

[Patches]

I does happen in real life though.... breaking the peace that is. I see it too often.

[Desert Rat]

A person with a name a lot like mine is a deadbeat and we both live in a small town. I have had process servers and repo guys show up at my property. The local process servers have figured out that I am not him. However the repo guys are dumber than a box of rocks. The have been run off by me (with a shotgun), warned by local LEOs, paintballed, and spike striped. They still keep coming.

[darms]

Personally I prefer the 1984 Alex Cox movie, "Repo Man"... Soundtrack is great!

[David Fuller]

I've seen the same thing with repos here in Seattle, as well as myriad violations of the FDCPA. Most people that are have cars - or jet skis, lots of jet skis - repo'ed or who get collection calls are either too unsophisticated or too broke to do anything about protecting their rights. By the time they get to my office, they have the money to start a case for bad repo/collection practices or they can file a BK and take care of all their debts. I usually recommend the BK, because a FDCPA/breach of the peace only runs against one of their dozens of creditors, whereas the BK takes care of them all.

[Patches]

David-Couldn't you pursue those FDCPA as adversaries in BKs? In 7's I know the 7 trustee would be the one taking the action, but in 13s that action would belong to the estate. I know, I know it's a ton of work but it's up to $1k per violation. Right? There really needs to be some teaming up here. Consumer attorneys can come in with 13 attorneys to prosecute these violations that happened either pre or post petition via adversaries. I don't know about anyone else but "pay day" collectors have been really over aggressive lately and have been crossing the line constantly. Consumer bankruptcy firms have been so into the filing of bankruptcies and every thing that goes with that, that they often have to let some of these things go. Besides its all discharged eventually anyway but we can’t just let them play the “see if we get caught” game anymore. I predict that there will be more and more of these in the months and years to come, given the current economic situation.

[Barbara]

The show is a joke. My husband was a successful repo man for many years, and never encountered the drama these guys cause. The professionals in the industry remain calm, control the situation, and obey the law. In fact, none of the guys in the industry that we know would act so unprofessionally when picking up a vehicle. None of them have ever laid a hand on someone when picking up a vehicle, and none use pepper spray. They use their brains. There's professionals in the field, and then there's schlocks like these. I'm guessing all the good repo companies were too busy doing their jobs to need the publicity.

[dsimms]

The show's not real, they are "recreations" using actors. It tells you this at the beginning of the show.

I am no longer interested in watching this then since it is not real. I thought it was real, and was thinking about their liability issues, these guys seem to offten start fights, and use pepper spray often, repo order or not, repo people could be held liable for using such force that I am seeing, if this was for real, these repo people could end up in jail on assault.

I am not interested in watching this if this is just entertainment...we want the real juice. This is nothing but a soap show.

[Sarah]

The show is real and its not a recreation.

What they do is change the names sometimes. Its easy to go back and have someone re-say the name.

The opening credits do not say anything about a recreation.
Come on!

[Grinch]

If it weren't for marijuana, this show could possibly be the worst show on TV. All you can do is laugh at the people trying to make this look the slightest bit real.

[Dan]

It is actually real. When it says that it changes the name of some people to protect identities, it means that when they're being interviewed in between the show, you know, when they sit down and make comments in front of the orange and green background.

[Chuckles]

This show is so fake. They had a scene at a pizza restaurant that I hang out at. They showed the owner as some hodgey and not an old italian guy. They showed a delivery man getting repoed... They don't do deliveries there. Take this S"it of the air.

[jeff hebert]

the show sucks and the guy matt they have working for them is a meat head that does the company and the show zero good, not to mention he is a complete douche bag

[dP]

You guys are ignorant if you think this is real...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1235844/

[Rider]

I know this show is fake, but before I realized it, the Matt "caracture" used to make my blood pressure go up..LOL It's one thing for the show's overwheight hog's trying to act badass, but this Matt person was begging for an ass kicken. He aint all that. Again, I realized it was entertainment... Things are well now.......LOL

[ivis]

THE SHOW IS REAL BUT,I DONT LIKE THAT FAT GIRL SHES ALWAYS WEARING THE SAME CLOTHS LOOKS LIKE SHE HAS NOTING ESLE TO WEAR. THEY ALL ARE VERY OVERWHRIGHT!!!

[Ryan McGinnis]

Reenactments? I tend to disagree, so they re flipped a BMW to then record it. Doubt it. I think they say re enactment to protect the channel from catching trouble.

[jason]

HEY LUIS! - I LOVE YOU GUYS AND THE SHOW- SO WHAT IF MATTS A LIABILITY! THAT'S WHAT INSURANCE IS FOR!! SO DOUBLE IT UP. WHO ELSE IS WILLING TO GO TO JAIL FOR YOU??! HE MAKES THE SHOW IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW-. (AND YES HE SHOULD LEAVE THE GLASSES ON-HA) HE'S HIGH STRUNG LIKE ME AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES FOR GREAT T.V.! HOW BAD DID HE FEEL AND HOW MANY TIMES DID HE SAY HE WAS SORRY MAN?? YOU COULDN'T OF WROTE A BETTER SCRIPT WHEN THAT BMW ON THE HOOK FLIPPED! (I USED TO TOW!-AWESOME!!) YOU BETTER BRING HIM BACK IF YOU WANT ME TO KEEP WATCHING! ESPECIALLY AFTER HAVING TO BE FORCED TO WATCH YOUR NASTY WARTHOG SISTER ESSAY!!!! SHE'S THE NASTIEST [profane] I'VE EVER SEEN AND IS ONLY WITH YOU BECAUSE NO-ONE WANTS TO LOOK AT THAT CREATURE FEATURE!!!!!!! OOOOH WEEEE!!! DISGUSTING!!! GREETINGS AND HOLIDAY CHEER FROM YOUR NEIGHBOR UP NORTH IN PORTLAND-PEACE!! -(FROYS COOL! KEEP THE FREAK WOMEN?? OFF THE SHOW! OR AT LEAST IN THE OFFICE MAN-"PLEASE!!" -J.

[AimeeJames]

I've been watching this marathon today and at first I was so excited for this show and the madness that it is..but then my boyfriend caught the disclaimer and my bubble was popped. There is NO way that this show is real. It seems more like a rescue 911 type thing...just recreations. But yet..here I sit..still watching this mess. And what is with the goth sister? At least Beth from Dog the Bounty Hunter dresses a little better

[Ms Cash]

I can't stand watching this crap.. First off they are so unprofessional and annoying. I got a car and god forbid I didn't pay it and that fag ugly beach whale chick came at me the way she does to the other people I would slap her. How in the hell can someone just walk up on your car just trying to jump in and talk about "we need ur keys, its a repo order" no ID, no manners, looking like mexican gang members, smelly, tattooed a**holes.. I wouldn't give them anything and would much rather call the cops.. I live in NYC and even though the cops here are mean, they aren't anywhere as bad as these jacka**es who dress like they work in a voodoo shop.. Take this show off the air.. Stop wasting air time for such a crapy show.. Can't they put something else on during this time slot and stop helpin those morbidly obese fools get fatter by paying them for such a stupid boring show. Give me that money and ill just stare at the camera and occasionally make a face or two.. even that would be better to watch then this junk of a show...

[nikki]

Why are all of you taking this show so personally? If you don't like it don't watch it! That doesn't mean you have to badmouth it or the prople on it. Personally i love the show real or not. And all of you talking shit about matt or sonia don't talk about it be about it! I would love to see any of you say something to their faces. punks

[Phillip]

The Law in Calif states that a repo man doesn't need to show you any ID to take your car. If it's in the street and Not behind a locked fence or Building, there is nothing you can do. Basically they steal it for the Bank. If a cop showed up he wouldn't get involved unless there was a fight, and then he would stop it, and let them take your car. Pay your Bills idiots!

[Retire COP California]

Yup, Nikki is right. Although "REPO" personnel are regulated "NOT" to create conflict during any repossession activity. If this show was real I could see many of the cast spending time in my jail. Luis claims to be bound by some business practice to report illegal activity i.e. pot or illegal stuff, sorry "Luis" no such law or requirement. Luis Pazzaro (changed last name fake) should anything be found in a repossessed vehicle nothing could happen the the registered owner, custody of evidence has been broken by the "REPO" guys.

Sonia, she is a work of art. She escalates issues on the show to the point she need to spend time in my jail. Pepper spray and battery against people, I would recommend Sonia work on her people skills. Again a fake show.

Sonia, California Penal Code 242, look it up at California Law. it's called battery when you touch someone not assualt which is verbal.

Froy is a supporting cast member.

Matt is also supporting cast but I know him and he has spent time in my cell...lol...

The show is a poor representation of the real "REPO" people doing their job without the drama in this show.

This show is almost as bad as "DOG", an ex-felon for murder now a bounty hunter?

Dog has no operational authority in California...

One thing I want the blog to understand, the minute a conflict becomes "REAL" the "REPO" people are required by California Law to leave.

The show is fake.

Regards,

[Still Not Sure]

So if anyone checked out the link to imdb they will notice that it is for Operation Repo: THE MOVIE. It is completely different from the show.