When is a purchase a purchase?

[Mondooker]

I recently read a thread on another forum I thought was interesting. It’s seems this guys orders a fifth wheel, it comes in, a PDI is performed and as normal, some items needed fixing. As the story unfolds he gets a loan, signs all the paperwork and leaves the dealership. Awaiting the Coach to be shipped to him once the PDI items are done. Now two weeks have passed and some things on the PDI list are not completed due to things needed from the manufacturer. He hopes to get the Coach next week but wonders if things would have worked better if he hadn’t already signed the paperwork?

After reading this I wondered when in fact is the Coach his? A friend of mine was a GM for a Cadillac dealer. He said he owns the car until it’s driven off the lot. The guy above didn’t say anything about not wanting the Coach. But when is the Coach actually his? When he signed the papers or when he takes delivery?

[time2roll]

Even with the incentive of an incomplete sale the parts could well take 4+ weeks to be received and installed.
Otherwise yes he owns the RV and it is stuck in the dealer for warranty repairs.

[wanderingaimles]

Legally it is likely his, so they really are not motivated to finish it. Did his bank or CU send the payment?

[way2roll]

Once he signed the paperwork the bank took ownership of the title and he owns it. He should have never signed before the PDI was done. Now the dealership has no real incentive to get it done quickly. I personally never finalize the paperwork until everything is done for me to take possession of the RV - or anything for that matter. House punch outs, Cars, RV's, whatever. Once you sign you have absolutely no leverage to have anything done without a civil suit or warranty claim.

[gbopp]

That's an interesting question. I don't know the answer but, I would think if he got a loan amd signed all the papers he owns the unit.
That's probably Why the PDI repairs have not been completed, the unit has been sold.

Hopefully someone has the correct/legal answer.