Tips on Buying Cars: Vehicle title with lien, posession, lack of communication

Question
I bought a vehicle a few months back, but have yet to see the title. The whole situation behind this is a friend of mine was leaving for the military, and said he wanted to sell his car. I wanted to buy it, so i paid him and he brought the car to my house, which is still in my posession. He told me he had to get the title from the bank, which was in North Carolina, so it may take a month. I agreed, paid him, and now three months later i still have no title! I don't know which way to turn on getting this from him, hopefully you can shed some light on this for me

Answer
Bob,

Thanks for your question.  The only thing that you can do is this:  Call the bank that had the title, and see what the status is.  If you have an email address on your friend, then send him an email asking him where the title is.  He won't be able to help you much because if he is oversees, the lack of communication he is afforded will hinder him greatly.  I would simply call the bank, and explain to them that you bought the vehicle, and that you want to know where the title is.  They should be able to help you.

Hope this helps.

Thanks - JB