Title Woes

[ollernuthin]

So I bought a Caprice Wagon from a guy in Durham, NC for $1200. It seemed like a good deal until I realized I couldn't get it registered in my name.

He bought the car from a dealership in MD who signed it over to him. The MD title was still in the name of the previous owner so he thought he could just sign it over to me like the dealership did for him. Well apparently, only a dealership can do this...

To make a long story short, the guy said he would get a NC title in his name, sign it over and mail it to me. He supposedly put it in the mail 2 weeks ago but it never showed up at my place and now he won't return my calls. At first I thought he was going to help, but now it looks like I'm on my own. The DMV says I can register it if I get an $1800 insurance bond, but if the guy ends up getting the NC title, he could come take it from me once i get it all fixed up. Not to mention that the $1200 deal just turned into a $3000 bummer.

I'm currently considering scrapping it or setting it on fire in the guy's front yard. I'd hate to do either of those things, but at this point I don't see any good options. Any Ideas?

[91CapClassic]

I contact a lawyer and pursue legal action. Most likely once he hear's from a lawyer he'll get snappy and your title will appear rather quickly.

[ollernuthin]

Originally Posted by 91CapClassic

I contact a lawyer and pursue legal action. Most likely once he hear's from a lawyer he'll get snappy and your title will appear rather quickly.

Fortunately my wife is a lawyer. Unfortunately, I had to sign a DMV document saying that the transaction never happened so he could get a NC title. I did get the guy to write an email saying that the document was only a formality and the original transaction should still be honored, but my wife does not feel super confident and a lawsuit will cost another $150 to file, and even if I win I still only get a piece of paper saying that the guy owes me $1200...

[91CapClassic]

Originally Posted by ollernuthin

Fortunately my wife is a lawyer. Unfortunately, I had to sign a DMV document saying that the transaction never happened so he could get a NC title. I did get the guy to write an email saying that the document was only a formality and the original transaction should still be honored, but my wife does not feel super confident and a lawsuit will cost another $150 to file, and even if I win I still only get a piece of paper saying that the guy owes me $1200...

You may not even need a lawsuit. Sometimes just a letter from your "represntation" (in this case probably your wife) on official letter head may do the trick and in this letter basically state to get you the clean/clear title or further action will be taken. I've had to do this in the past (I have a friend who is a lawyer) and it's gotten the point across enough to where no real action ever had to be taken.

[GoldSSWagon]

Almost went thru the same thing when I bought my RMW last month up in CO. Car had changed hands 4 times and no one had changed the title from the car lot in Minn. DMV wanted a title bond but a local Mom & Pop title company (not a chain) did a little leg work for me and got it cleared up and I have a clear title.

[ollernuthin]

how much did that end up costing?