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Want to be a repo man? Prepare to be despised
Bad economy making you blue? Worried about job prospects?
You could try becoming a repo man — or woman. But it's not for everyone.
Ask Karon Sharp, in the business 13years. The owner of Auburndale-based S&B Recovery Services, Sharp has been hit in the head and shot at while doing her job.
"You're really a licensed car thief is what you are — a legal, licensed car thief," Sharp said.
The best way to steer clear of trouble, repo professionals say, is to avoid confrontation. Repo men and women have to be part private detective to track down vehicles and show up when owners won't be around to interfere.
"Ideally, you don't want to meet the debtor," said the owner of Broward Dade Investigation and Recovery, who didn't want his name used because he fears for the safety of his four children. "You don't want the emotional situation. You don't want to put yourself in a dangerous situation."
Sharp was reluctant to discuss fees, but she said most repo people make an average living. There are expenses for trucks, employees and gas, for starters.
To give you an idea of the money involved, Broward Dade Investigation and Recovery charges $425 to involuntarily repossess a car, light truck or motorcycle, according to its Web site, repo-man.net. Motor homes and tractor-trailers run $800 apiece. Then there are fees for storing vehicles and tracking them down.
Experts say those considering a career switch shouldn't rely on TV portrayals of repo men. Here are some qualities you need:
•Persistence
•Patience
•A clean criminal record
•A tolerance for danger
•Willingness to work long hours, including weekends and nights
•A state license
•Initially, an apprenticeship with a licensed repo agency
A craving for a life on the edge helps, too.
"I love it," Sharp said. "I'm an adrenaline junkie. That's why I do it. The voluntaries are no fun. I like when they chase you."
Want to be a repo man? Prepare to be despised
Bad economy making you blue? Worried about job prospects?
You could try becoming a repo man — or woman. But it's not for everyone.
Ask Karon Sharp, in the business 13years. The owner of Auburndale-based S&B Recovery Services, Sharp has been hit in the head and shot at while doing her job.
"You're really a licensed car thief is what you are — a legal, licensed car thief," Sharp said.
The best way to steer clear of trouble, repo professionals say, is to avoid confrontation. Repo men and women have to be part private detective to track down vehicles and show up when owners won't be around to interfere.
"Ideally, you don't want to meet the debtor," said the owner of Broward Dade Investigation and Recovery, who didn't want his name used because he fears for the safety of his four children. "You don't want the emotional situation. You don't want to put yourself in a dangerous situation."
Sharp was reluctant to discuss fees, but she said most repo people make an average living. There are expenses for trucks, employees and gas, for starters.
To give you an idea of the money involved, Broward Dade Investigation and Recovery charges $425 to involuntarily repossess a car, light truck or motorcycle, according to its Web site, repo-man.net. Motor homes and tractor-trailers run $800 apiece. Then there are fees for storing vehicles and tracking them down.
Experts say those considering a career switch shouldn't rely on TV portrayals of repo men. Here are some qualities you need:
•Persistence
•Patience
•A clean criminal record
•A tolerance for danger
•Willingness to work long hours, including weekends and nights
•A state license
•Initially, an apprenticeship with a licensed repo agency
A craving for a life on the edge helps, too.
"I love it," Sharp said. "I'm an adrenaline junkie. That's why I do it. The voluntaries are no fun. I like when they chase you."
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