Is Repo Finder a Legitimate Service for Finding Repossessed Vehicles?
Repo Finder (repofinder.com) claims to be the “largest bank repo list in America” that provides links to banks and credit unions across the United States selling repossessed vehicles and properties directly to the public.
But is Repo Finder Legit?
Below is what I found from testing the service:
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Table of Contents
How Repo Finder Works
Repo Finder doesn’t directly sell any repossessed items itself. Instead, it acts as a directory linking to the websites of various banks, credit unions and other lenders that have repossessed vehicles, homes and other assets to sell.
The site states these lenders update their repo listings frequently, sometimes even daily.
Repo Finder is a free service but generates revenue by selling an optional “Pro” membership with enhanced features.
Fees
It does not charge any fees or commissions if you purchase a repossessed item through one of the lender links on the site.
Legitimacy of the Service
Pros
Several factors I found seem to point to Repo Finder being a legit operation:
- It has been operating since at least 2014 with an extensive directory of bank/lender listings across the U.S.
- It provides clear information on how the service works and what to expect when buying repossessed items directly from lenders.
- Reputable sources like the AARP have referenced Repo Finder as a resource for finding repos, though they caution about potential scams in this market.
- The site has largely positive reviews from users who successfully purchased repos through its lender links.
Cons
However, I did find a few potential downsides to using Repo Finder
- You are dealing directly with the lenders, not Repo Finder itself, so protections may vary.
- Listings can be out-of-date since repos can sell quickly.
- There are severalcomplaints about broken links and lenders with no current inventory.
Reviews of Repo Finder
I was able to find many reviews of Repo Finder, some of which I included below:
Review 1 (Negative)
“It looks like they have a lot of cars until you purchase the repo pro for $5 a month. Then to find out that literally 90% of the cars are already sold, and not even listed on the banks website anymore. Waste of time and money.”
Review 2 (Positive)
“This is really a great website; you can find repo cars easily. We are going to the US and will be able to pick up a great deal while we are there without the hassle of a dealership.”
Review 3 (Advice)
“The website has links to banks selling repos but it’s a lot easier to find them with the pro membership.”
Reddit (Advice)
A Reddit thread from 2011 has some discussion about buying repo cars in general, with one user mentioning having to bid up prices at auctions to get decent vehicles.
Avoiding Repo Scams
While Repo Finder itself seems to be legitimate, the repossessed vehicle market in general is prone to scams from people impersonating legitimate services.
The FTC and BBB warn against wiring money for “vehicle history reports” on unknown sites, which is a common repo scam.
To avoid issues, only use Repo Finder’s lender links to contact banks directly, never wire money for services in advance, and thoroughly inspect any repossessed item before purchase.
Conclusion
I found that Repo Finder appears to be a legitimate free directory for finding repos sold by banks and lenders, but that you must still be cautious when looking to buy a repossessed vehicle.
As with any major purchase, do your homework on the specific repo and seller.
