Finding Past Owner

We have had a service person/dealer call us and ask us if we minded if we were contacted. We have said yes to some things and no to others.

I am different, I would be happy to discuss a previously, (owned RV by me). If it will help some one understand a problem or solve a problem, I am all for it. As far as my address and name goes, it is every where. If you don't think so just look at your mail every day. The BMV obviously in Indiana sells a lot of your information to Credit Agencies, car dealers, warranty companies etc ad infit item.

skipnchar wrote:
I think I'd be a LOT MADDER of the DMV gave out my personal information than I would be if the dealer did so. I'd be taking legal action if the DMV gave it out.

in some states vehicle registration data is public information or at least it used to be. I retired from 9-1-1 back in '05 and while we were not permitted to provide civilians with VIN or license plate data here in Illinois we did have an address for the state Secretary of State's office in springfield that would provide registration data to civilians for a small fee. but, I too would not be happy about hearing from the new owners of my old RV.

what questions could you possibly have for the previous owner that the factory or an authorized service center could not answer?

Have you looked to see if there are any service papers that have a name and address on? We found some with the manuals and called them. Ended up visiting them when we had a chance. Friendly people.

Is this the guy looking for the switch to the mysterious outside light?

dan-nickie wrote:
You might try the DMV.
I have gotten 'current' owner info from them before.
I believe they consider it public info.
I just had to sign a form saying I was not using the info for anything sinister.

Not "public info"..:(

And - a Violation of Federal law - after 1994.

That used to be possible in CA.
Anyone could go to the DMV, fill out a form, pay a couple of bucks - and a couple of weeks later the info would be in your mailbox - -
*until* the brutal attempted murder of actress Theresa Saldana - due to easily accessible DMV records by a stalker..:(

Following the story, another stalker used the same technique to murder actress Rebecca Schaeffer with a gunshot to her chest in the doorway of her home..:(.:(

That resulted in a change in California *AND* Federal laws.

Since then - even cops can't do a "general" (non-specific) DMV address query without good reason and at least one/some of the "5-Ws" - who, what, when, where, why - info for the request.

Federal Statute: Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994

~

Chucker4 wrote:
Just wondering if it is possible to locate the past owner of a 2006 Grand Junction fifth wheel we purchased. Don't need address or anything personal. Just would like to ask them a couple questions. What is the best possible way to try and get connected with them. Anyone have any suggestions. Thank you.

The best possible way would be for you to post everything there is to know about the fiver, up to and including your name, telephone number, address, and what it is you want to know. Be sure to post it on every internet RV site you can think of, and maybe publish it in the local paper, too.

That way, it'll be YOU that's getting a call from a perfect stranger- only difference being that unlike him, you actually asked for it!

Hmmm...

Personally I wouldn't appreciate someone calling about something I traded off.

Any problems or bugs would be the new owners problem not mine.

"Buyer beware"

B.O. Plenty wrote:
I had some idiot call me about my wife's old car that I had traded in. We had several problems with it and I just wanted to see it gone...The dealer gave him my name. I just told him if the car was in great shape I would have kept it..When I sell something I don't want to see it or hear about it..Just me I guess.

B.O.

Here in WI if a potential buyer requests the the previous owners name you are obligated by state law to give it to them.

I had some idiot call me about my wife's old car that I had traded in. We had several problems with it and I just wanted to see it gone...The dealer gave him my name. I just told him if the car was in great shape I would have kept it..When I sell something I don't want to see it or hear about it..Just me I guess.

B.O.