Towing Issues: title for truck, lien affidavit, storage lien

Question
QUESTION: Rigsby-
This is a follow up question. I bought a truck from a tow company in Florida on 12/4/08. How long should it take for them to get me a title. Thank you.

ANSWER: I am not an expert on Florida's DMV and titling procedures but I can tell you how it works in VA. In VA when a vehicle gets auctioned by the tow company, they will give you ALL the impound paperwork. The impound paperwork will contain DMV records search and information check, original tow bill, complete bill of sale, auction notice and listings, certified mailings and receipts, mechanics and storage lien affidavit with notarized release and a signed affidavit by the sheriff if the vehicle has a NADA value over $7500. There is more to it but this gives a quick view but the tow company should have done all this. Once you have all the paperwork go to DMV/tax office and title the vehicle. You will be responsible for the titling and registration fees for the vehicle. After a quick review of Florida's Towing Association website, Florida's law is similar with some slight differences but does seem to follow the same procedure. I recommend that you contact the Florida Towing Association at http://www.pwof.org/ for more detailed information and direction as they will be more helpful.

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QUESTION: Rigby-
One last question, they did none of this. Is there some way they might be using to bypass the procedure? I'm not asking you to tell me how, just some way they might be doing it.This is S. Florida and you have a lot of scamming.
Thanks again.
Randall

Answer
They might try to title the vehicle in the tow company's name and sign off on the title and then give it to you. If done this way, I'm not sure why because the tow company would have to pay a titling fee then sell the vehicle to you. Basically it costs the tow company more money than simply selling the vehicle at their auction. Then you would still have to title the vehicle (and pay fees) in your name as you would if buying a vehicle from a private individual. Another option is if they out source a titling company for a title which cost more money and time and is not following proper procedure. Contact the towing association and tell them the chain of events, they are there to help.