just an update, thanks to an idea from gordo i checked facebook and found the dude. he called me today and we got it all squared away and worked out. seems he went home to help with a relative that had back surgery and got held up a lot longer then expected. when he called the tow yard they told him the car wasnt on the lot and if it had been more then 10 days the car had been sold or crushed, so he had written it off. he was tickeled to hear from me and to learn the car had been saved. seems also he called my old office and they simply told him i didnt work there any more and didnt offer up any contact info as they were instructed to by my corporate office. looks like i have another issue to deal with. at any rate, i will be getting the cash i laid out back, he gets his car back, and everyone lives happily ever after.