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Newbienac's avatar
Newbienac
Explorer
Jan 08, 2014

Registration/Title Issue - Need Your Opinion

Well I may have done it this some.
Long story short: Talked with a kind and seemingly honest man about his 1992 Ecoline Ford Coach Leprechaun -25', pristine condition, 87,000 mi., new tires and everything works. 2600.00! Hez assured me he had 5-6 people wanting the rig so I offered to put down to 500.00 to hold it. yup, I've Been looking a long time and my sense tells me this older gentleman is honest, and complied with my request In Faxing ltr showing receipt, down payment and the 2100.00 due. He didn't put in writing what I asked, that everything worked as stated. OK, so maybe that was unreasonable, The VIN number cleared through a check on line, but when he faxed a copy of the title, it had another woman's name on it. When I called and questioned where his name was, he wasn't happy and said there would be no problems for me.

I called Florida Highway Safety office that handles RVs and they told me they'd never accept it without a new title I. His name, etc. When I called HIM to ensure that he knew what was required his retort was "you ask too many questions and should have left well enough alone - now I e got to pay $200.00". He said he'd go with me Friday. It was clearly not happy.

Sorry this is SO stupid long but would you now trust him? He assures me absolutely that everything is fine, that I can take his word "to the bank", but now, I'm not so sure... I really want this RV for the price, and he's taken it to the shop to fix a couple of small things, I know --- but I'm Afraid to drive four hours and have problems. I need someone smarter than me to tell me if this makes sense:

I' suppose I'm going to make the trip on faith as 85% of me trusts him! but I didn't like the title issue. So We'll go Friday to the title company, and I won't take it or hand him the money until I sleep in it, take it for a drive and make sure that everything works myself. Make sense??

Your experience and thoughts respected here. Thank you...
Such a newbie in Florida
Class C
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Jan 09, 2014
    My SIL in Alaska bought a travel trailer that way. The "seller" was not named on the title, somebody else, apparently a previous owner, was. We were able to get it re-titled in SIL's name. But to my perception it was touch-and-go. In my opinion, on these private deals with strangers, money should change hands at the tag office, nothing signed till then, with insistence that the title is processed Then and There. You are protected as Buyer.
    If you insist on this as Seller, then you get a liability protection. When we sign off on a title and hand it to the Buyer, even if you get cash, and even if you send the form in to the State DMV saying you sold it (at least here in FL such a form exists), we still legally OWN that vehicle! The plate may not go with it, depending on the state (in FL it stays with seller), but (again at least in FL) the form specifically says title remains with Seller till Buyer transfers it. We don't want anybody that's not us putting us in legal jeopardy with a vehicle we no longer own or exert control over.
    Finally, another case. FL no longer requires notary on a sale. Say you buy a vehicle at well under book value. Legitimately, that's really the price, not a lowball to avoid sales tax. DMV can flag that sale and send a notice to the extend that you've committed a criminal act, unless you can prove with a notarized bill of sale showing that the reported deal was actually the deal. Additionally, there's a penalty twice what the correct tax would be, in addition to the tax due. Your Goose is Cooked if you bought the vehicle from somebody who sold it at distress to pay the movers to get out of town, etc. So to me, that calls for a notary as well.
    Worst case might be a boat. Numbers stay with the boat. Expiration sticker is even current. Boat looks legal. But it sinks an creates a pollution incident. That's literally a federal case and ownership tracks back to the seller if the transfer was not actually made.
  • Mocoondo's avatar
    Mocoondo
    Explorer II
    Jan 09, 2014
    He is not a dealer.

    When he purchased the unit, he is required to take the title to the DMV, pay the necessary fees and have the unit re-titled in his name.

    If he his just handing you a title bearing some womans name, there is nothing inherently wrong with that so long as the woman has signed off on the title, but he is committing fraud inasmuch as he is not paying the appropriate registration and sales taxes in your state.

    If the registered owner of the vehicle (name on the front of the title document) has signed off as seller on the title, then you can sign it as buyer and apply for title in your name, no harm, no foul.
  • KristinU's avatar
    KristinU
    Explorer
    Jan 09, 2014
    Another vote to walk away. Even if your $500 is lost, it will likely save you lots of additional ehadaches and wasted time.

    Hold tight, the right one is out there!
  • jdog's avatar
    jdog
    Explorer
    Jan 09, 2014
    Bottom line is that he has your $500 dollars and who knows how many other peoples $500 dollars he got. For get about if it was a good deal, you just lost $500! You have been had!
  • Executive45's avatar
    Executive45
    Explorer III
    Jan 09, 2014
    My concern is that he said he had "buyers lined up". If that were the case why would he even care about you?..you ask too many questions and have too many demands...if he had all these other buyers he would simply blow you off and try one of them....once a liar, always a liar....tread softly and carry a big stick with this guy....Dennis
  • winnietrey's avatar
    winnietrey
    Explorer
    Jan 09, 2014
    WA7NDD wrote:
    When he bought the MH from the woman he did not pay the sales tax on it. Now before you can buy it he has to come up with that sales tax, then you have to pay the sales tax to buy it from him. If he does not pay, you can't get a new title, unless you offer to pay it for him. They put the title in his name then again into your name.
    I've had the problem when buying a car to rebuild. At least that is what it looks like to me.


    He could well be flipping MH's and cars for extra cash. He buys them, never changes the title, then re sells. Probably why he knows 200 is the sales tax on that amount is what it is going to cost him. Plus becuase he never put the car in his name, he can avoid being a dealer and have to get a license. ( In WA I think over 5 cars a year you need a dealer license)

    If that is what he is doing, Problem is he has never owned or driven the rig, so he would really know nothing about it.

    Could be a great buy, but I would go over that rig with a fine tooth comb. Could also be a total piece of junk he is trying to turn a fast buck on.

    I would be very concerned that it is leaker, And for that reason he got it real cheap, cleaned up the stains, slapped some dicor on it
    and is trying to dump it on you.

    Also don't like the part where he did not write, everything is in working order, that is red flag to me.
  • Newbienac's avatar
    Newbienac
    Explorer
    Jan 09, 2014
    "Now before you can buy it he has to come up with that sales tax, then you have to pay the sales tax to buy it from him. If he does not pay, you can't get a new title, unless you offer to pay it for him. They put the title in his name then again into your name. "
    ================
    Yeah, this could explain the whole situation and why he was concerned with "having to pay 200!"....

    I'm listening, I'm reading, I'm learning... BorderCollie in another topic stated to "be careful to not get too tired looking", and I think this may explain what happened to me. I'm sick and TIRED of looking, either it's tooo large for me right now, or no bed, or sold, or or or....

    I'll know after I sleep on all of this tonight and re-read all of your shares tomorrow.... I thank you all...

    Beth
  • WA7NDD's avatar
    WA7NDD
    Explorer
    Jan 09, 2014
    When he bought the MH from the woman he did not pay the sales tax on it. Now before you can buy it he has to come up with that sales tax, then you have to pay the sales tax to buy it from him. If he does not pay, you can't get a new title, unless you offer to pay it for him. They put the title in his name then again into your name.
    I've had the problem when buying a car to rebuild. At least that is what it looks like to me.
  • wrgrs50s's avatar
    wrgrs50s
    Explorer
    Jan 09, 2014
    My brother found himself in a similar circumstance. He purchased a motorhome for cash and then realized the name on the title did'nt match with the seller. However the lady's name on the front of the title was also signed on the back of the title where the seller signs.
    Since there is no requirement for the signature to be notorized in Texas he just signed his name as the buyer and went to the DMV and they processed it with no problem. We suspect that the seller was just a friend or previous owner that never transferred the title and had her signatures, but purposely left off the date of sale and his name as the purchaser.
    If your state requires the signature be notorized you may not be able to transfer title. Also, he may have bought under the same circumstance and could not get title so he decided to pass it on, therefore the good price you mentioned. I would definately be concerned. Did you get a copy of both sides of the title?
    I would be seriously thinking of canceling my check if I were in your shoes with him being rude about the questions your asking.

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