QuestionHey Brad... Thanks so much for your expertise. Hope you can give me some insight on this:
I bought a used car two months ago, paid cash, from a dealer of 'exclusive pristine import' type vehicles. I was charged $395 for 'dealer doc prep & license fees' and given a 60-day temporary tag. The tag expired last Friday. I called several times in the past 60 days asking if my plates were in yet and was told 'no, check back - probably won't get them till the very end of the 60 days' (so they KNEW *something* was going to hold this up). I stopped by the dealership Friday afternoon to pick up the tags and was told they are not there; come back Tuesday. I said 'hey, I need tags on this car -I have to drive it!' The owner said 'not my problem' I said "oh yes it IS!" His solution to the problem? He wanted to buy the car back from me right then and there. That would have been just fine, EXCEPT that I had a whole new interior put in the thing and doubled the value of the car since I bought it from him 60 days ago! I told him that - said I have the receipts, if you want it & reimburse what I have in it, it's yours. He said no way and called me a liar without ever looking at the car. (I just got it back from the upholsterer two days earlier)
So, now my car is parked in the garage - no current tags so I can't even drive it legally. I know I'm dealing with a jerk and probably a crook who has been around this block more than once. The salesperson I worked with when I bought the car is not there anymore. The owner wouldn't even tell me his name! A call to the business and they won't tell who the owner is either! How can I find out the owner's name??? He did tell me he will give me another 60 day tag on TUESDAY! I want the TITLE and I want a permanent license plate that I paid for. For all I know, I'm driving a stolen vehicle. I did a CarFax search on it, and everything *appears* to be okay, but I'm not sure how a stolen vehicle would show on CarFax. Should I check with the police department?
What rights do I have here? Something smells sooo very fishy!! Just because I'm a woman, he thinks he can walk all over me. If I were rich, I'd get an attorney, but that's not really an option, unfortunately. Suggestions?
AnswerJ.R.,
Well I am assuming that you paid cash for the car. If this is the case you should have a title by now as well. I would also say that if he offered to buy the car back on the spot there is a issue and it probably is going to cost him money to fix what ever it may be. It could be something as simple as there was a lien on the car when he bought it and he has to pay that off to re-register it or get a new title. Either way what he is doing is wrong. I am also assuming that you like the car and probably want to keep it since you have done work to it. I would go in there on Tuesday and demand plates and a title. If he refuses tell him you will file a complaint with the dealer board and the BBB.
If he does not give you plates and/or a title go to the DMV and you can get plates there yourself. I would recommend going there anyway and let them run a check to see if it is stolen. If it is not they can help you get plates and also help in filing a complaint against the dealer.
If this drags out you need to speak to an attorney and you probably can find one that would take the case and not charge anything until it was settled and the dealer would be asked to pay your fees since he is clearly in the wrong.
Be firm and make him know that if you do not get your tags and title you are going to make his life difficult. You have full rights in this case. Also your local news channels consumer reports department is great in matters like this!
Brad
http://www.buyingacar101.com
