Dealer never put TITLE in my name, am I stuck??

[TL_Wanderer]

In 2015, after years of health problems, I bought a used motor home in the hopes of traveling while I still had time. I cashed in my retirement account to do it. No sooner had the ink dried then I was sick again. Bought online (never again, lesson learned) paid in full. The title, after being delayed all summer, was supposed to be given to the driver - it wasn’t. The dealer stopped returning my calls.
The motor home sat in a rented site since then and I spent most of my time too sick to care. In fall ‘18 a mechanic picked it up to give it a full checkup and inspection so it would be ready to travel at last.
Then I found out I was stuck. I have insurance on it, but no inspection without a Registration and I can’t get that without the Title.
I am in Pennsylvania, I bought the vehicle from a dealer in Florida, and the motor home may (or may not ) have been owned by someone in Georgia, but I don’t have their name.
PA told me to talk to Florida DMV- FLDMV said there was a temporary registration in 8/15 but no Title was ever created, so I should go back to the dealer. Dealer said the salesman doesn’t work here anymore and stopped returning my calls.
Now what? I’m feeling rather hopeless. I don’t know if my health will hold out for a legal battle, but I’m disabled and every penny I had is in that used motor home.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Tracey

[way2roll]

oldave wrote:

dougrainer wrote:

Executive wrote:
NO! You're not out of luck.

Sorry for your health problems...hope they straighten out soon so you can enjoy camping again.

Reading your post, it appears the dealer did what they were supposed to do at the time of sale. They gave you your temporary plate to take back to your home state for registration. Unfortunately you weren't able to complete the transaction at that time, so now the monkey is on your back. I would gather whatever paperwork you have, bill of sale, temp plate, cancelled check etc and take that to your local motor vehicle registration dept. They will be able to guide you through the process. The Florida dealer can't do anything for you. Do a VIN check; a lot of them are free, but in your case I'd do a complete check. They are less than $50. Take that to the MV dept as well. Be prepared though, if you haven't paid your sales tax on the coach, there may be fees and penalties due... best of luck ... Dennis

The OP has NO TITLE. They never sent one. So, how are they supposed to proceed without a title? Doug

Apparently some states seldom issue a paper title , Florida may
be like that . If you must have one they generate one from their
computer records .
I wanted to purchase a MOHO from an individual in Florida .
The coach was not paid for , there was a note at Bank of America .
I said that's fine we'll go to your bank and pay it off they can
hand me the title . The banker said can't do that the title is
in No Carolina . I said have it sent to you so when I get there
we can buy the coach . Can't do that either , there isn't actually
a title up in No Carolina its in the computer . The best we can
do for you ( me )while here is a paper tag . I said forget about it
to many things to go wrong here .

Like Executive I would pursue it at home thru the state license
and title office . Be nice and plead mercy , they can help you if
they are willing to .

When I lived in Dallas I would not have expected much help from
them but now that I live near a small town the people in those
offices are completely different . Friendly and helpful always.
Maybe its because I buy 5 plates a yr from them :h

I live in NC and I had the paper title in hand and a new paper title was issued to the new owner when I sold my last MH. So I am sure what you are referencing about there being no paper title in NC. Same scenario with a boat/trailer I sold.

[dougrainer]

oldave wrote:

dougrainer wrote:

Executive wrote:
NO! You're not out of luck.

Sorry for your health problems...hope they straighten out soon so you can enjoy camping again.

Reading your post, it appears the dealer did what they were supposed to do at the time of sale. They gave you your temporary plate to take back to your home state for registration. Unfortunately you weren't able to complete the transaction at that time, so now the monkey is on your back. I would gather whatever paperwork you have, bill of sale, temp plate, cancelled check etc and take that to your local motor vehicle registration dept. They will be able to guide you through the process. The Florida dealer can't do anything for you. Do a VIN check; a lot of them are free, but in your case I'd do a complete check. They are less than $50. Take that to the MV dept as well. Be prepared though, if you haven't paid your sales tax on the coach, there may be fees and penalties due... best of luck ... Dennis

The OP has NO TITLE. They never sent one. So, how are they supposed to proceed without a title? Doug

Apparently some states seldom issue a paper title , Florida may
be like that . If you must have one they generate one from their
computer records .
I wanted to purchase a MOHO from an individual in Florida .
The coach was not paid for , there was a note at Bank of America .
I said that's fine we'll go to your bank and pay it off they can
hand me the title . The banker said can't do that the title is
in No Carolina . I said have it sent to you so when I get there
we can buy the coach . Can't do that either , there isn't actually
a title up in No Carolina its in the computer . The best we can
do for you ( me )while here is a paper tag . I said forget about it
to many things to go wrong here .

Like Executive I would pursue it at home thru the state license
and title office . Be nice and plead mercy , they can help you if
they are willing to .

When I lived in Dallas I would not have expected much help from
them but now that I live near a small town the people in those
offices are completely different . Friendly and helpful always.
Maybe its because I buy 5 plates a yr from them :h

Explain something. The MSO is PAPER. You take an MSO to your local authority and get a PAPER TITLE. Now, if financed the DEALER takes the MSO to the Government authority and is issued a PAPER TITLE. Then the title is sent to the Finance company and is kept in a safe. When the note is paid OFF, the Finance authority signs off the PAPER TITLE and is sent to you. Now, how would it work if you had a "TITLE" in the "Computer"? I think you misunderstood want the bank person said or that Bank person had NO CLUE as to what you needed. Now, the REAL Title may have been scanned to the Computer, but there is still a Paper title somewhere at the bank. THAT Title will be sent once the Lien is paid off and released. Doug

[rgatijnet1]

OlDave is correct.
Many states, including Florida use digital titles. If you want a paper title, which I have for all of my vehicles, you have to pay something like $5.00 extra and ANY Florida DMV office can print it out for you.
When I bought one coach that had a bank lien. I paid off the lien and the bank released the lien on the title electronically to the DMV but I still did not get a piece of paper other than a satisfaction of lien from the bank. All I had to do was go to a DMV office, pay the sales tax, pay for the registration, pay the extra for a paper title, and it was all done in about 15 minutes. The seller did not have to be present with me.

[oldave]

dougrainer wrote:

Executive wrote:
NO! You're not out of luck.

Sorry for your health problems...hope they straighten out soon so you can enjoy camping again.

Reading your post, it appears the dealer did what they were supposed to do at the time of sale. They gave you your temporary plate to take back to your home state for registration. Unfortunately you weren't able to complete the transaction at that time, so now the monkey is on your back. I would gather whatever paperwork you have, bill of sale, temp plate, cancelled check etc and take that to your local motor vehicle registration dept. They will be able to guide you through the process. The Florida dealer can't do anything for you. Do a VIN check; a lot of them are free, but in your case I'd do a complete check. They are less than $50. Take that to the MV dept as well. Be prepared though, if you haven't paid your sales tax on the coach, there may be fees and penalties due... best of luck ... Dennis

The OP has NO TITLE. They never sent one. So, how are they supposed to proceed without a title? Doug

Apparently some states seldom issue a paper title , Florida may
be like that . If you must have one they generate one from their
computer records .
I wanted to purchase a MOHO from an individual in Florida .
The coach was not paid for , there was a note at Bank of America .
I said that's fine we'll go to your bank and pay it off they can
hand me the title . The banker said can't do that the title is
in No Carolina . I said have it sent to you so when I get there
we can buy the coach . Can't do that either , there isn't actually
a title up in No Carolina its in the computer . The best we can
do for you ( me )while here is a paper tag . I said forget about it
to many things to go wrong here .

Like Executive I would pursue it at home thru the state license
and title office . Be nice and plead mercy , they can help you if
they are willing to .

When I lived in Dallas I would not have expected much help from
them but now that I live near a small town the people in those
offices are completely different . Friendly and helpful always.
Maybe its because I buy 5 plates a yr from them :h

[John_Joey]

dougrainer wrote:

Executive wrote:
NO! You're not out of luck.

Sorry for your health problems...hope they straighten out soon so you can enjoy camping again.

Reading your post, it appears the dealer did what they were supposed to do at the time of sale. They gave you your temporary plate to take back to your home state for registration. Unfortunately you weren't able to complete the transaction at that time, so now the monkey is on your back. I would gather whatever paperwork you have, bill of sale, temp plate, cancelled check etc and take that to your local motor vehicle registration dept. They will be able to guide you through the process. The Florida dealer can't do anything for you. Do a VIN check; a lot of them are free, but in your case I'd do a complete check. They are less than $50. Take that to the MV dept as well. Be prepared though, if you haven't paid your sales tax on the coach, there may be fees and penalties due... best of luck ... Dennis

The OP has NO TITLE. They never sent one. So, how are they supposed to proceed without a title? Doug

Legal documents were signed transferring ownership to the OP. Dealership I’m sure was just a pass thru company. It’s illegal to sell something you don’t own, known as fraud. Call the police, say you want to press charges, then go from there on their advice. This isn’t the first time this has happened. It occurs in other states also.

[dougrainer]

Executive wrote:
NO! You're not out of luck.

Sorry for your health problems...hope they straighten out soon so you can enjoy camping again.

Reading your post, it appears the dealer did what they were supposed to do at the time of sale. They gave you your temporary plate to take back to your home state for registration. Unfortunately you weren't able to complete the transaction at that time, so now the monkey is on your back. I would gather whatever paperwork you have, bill of sale, temp plate, cancelled check etc and take that to your local motor vehicle registration dept. They will be able to guide you through the process. The Florida dealer can't do anything for you. Do a VIN check; a lot of them are free, but in your case I'd do a complete check. They are less than $50. Take that to the MV dept as well. Be prepared though, if you haven't paid your sales tax on the coach, there may be fees and penalties due... best of luck ... Dennis

The OP has NO TITLE. They never sent one. So, how are they supposed to proceed without a title? Doug

[time2roll]

Just a clerical matter to complete. Take your paperwork and the RV to your local DMV and get a title. Best have an appointment if available and start early in the day.

Glad to hear you are feeling better to get started on this next journey. Safe travels.

If there is paperwork missing you just deal with it as needed.

[Executive45]

NO! You're not out of luck.

Sorry for your health problems...hope they straighten out soon so you can enjoy camping again.

Reading your post, it appears the dealer did what they were supposed to do at the time of sale. They gave you your temporary plate to take back to your home state for registration. Unfortunately you weren't able to complete the transaction at that time, so now the monkey is on your back. I would gather whatever paperwork you have, bill of sale, temp plate, cancelled check etc and take that to your local motor vehicle registration dept. They will be able to guide you through the process. The Florida dealer can't do anything for you. Do a VIN check; a lot of them are free, but in your case I'd do a complete check. They are less than $50. Take that to the MV dept as well. Be prepared though, if you haven't paid your sales tax on the coach, there may be fees and penalties due... best of luck ... Dennis

[Jayhawk]

Here is the form you need in Pennsylvania when the original title was never received.


http://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/dvspubsforms/BMV/BMV%20Forms/MV-38O.pdf

[JoeH]

I suggest you file a complaint with the Florida Department of Professional Regulation Here's a link to guide you thru the process Fl DPR Consumer Complaint for Auto Dealers

[dougrainer]

The "dealer" from his current website sells JUNK. The basic rule of thumb is, if it has cost YOU LESS than 10k, getting a lawyer and starting a legal remedy will cost more money than you lost. PLUS, the amount of time and the fact you are talking 2 different jurisdictions thousands of miles apart. Which will probably mean 2 different Lawyers you will have to retain. The Florida Dealer probably knows this and thinks he has nothing to lose by ignoring this problem. I would hope the OP will state how much they lost. They got scammed and there is really nothing they can do without throwing good money away. Doug

[Chum_lee]

rgatijnet1 wrote:

Chum lee wrote:
Oh no, paperwork nightmares! I can't say for sure in PA, but, in CA, where I've spent most my life, the sticks and bricks licensed car/truck dealership is responsible for completing the transfer of ownership documentation unless you purchased the vehicle as is, on consignment, or, in some other non-standard way. (auction, estate sale, online trade, etc.)

IMO, your best bet (as others have mentioned) is to become a pest at the dealer where you purchased the vehicle. If you purchased the vehicle on the up and up, you should not have to be involved in any legwork concerning the paperwork. That's what you pay the dealer for. (license and registration fees are collected by the dealer and paid to the state) If no avail, I would contact the state of PA regarding the car dealers license status and make a complaint there. Make sure you retain any paperwork showing that you paid the applicable fees. They can't stay in business as a reputable car dealer without a dealers license. Time is of the essence! Sorry you have to face this with health limitations.

Chum lee

\
With the sale taking place in Florida, and the buyer located in Pennsylvania, the dealer should not have collected any fees for license or registration. I am sure that the buyer would be licensing the RV in PA and paying the sales tax in PA. The temporary registration would have allowed him to take the coach back to PA for registration but at this point in time, I'm not sure that the temporary registration is still valid for travel to PA. Another temporary registration can be obtained in Florida if he has the proof of sale, etc. I should add that Florida and many other States have digital titles so there MAY NOT actually be a paper title to hand over to anyone.

Ooops. I missed a few important points. This situation is like getting hit with a meteor which traveled down through a tornado located in the eye of a hurricane. If you survive the initial strike, the storm has just begun. (time and distance only make matters worse)

That said, I still feel the best starting point is with the selling dealer, the Florida DMV, (provided the vehicle was registered there at the time of sale) and the state of Florida dept. that issues dealer licenses. The OP should have received ALL the necessary documentation to complete the title transfer in PA although the Florida dealer won't necessarily collect registration fees for PA or process the paperwork in Florida. After this much time passes, the truth is usually somewhat obscured. A quick lesson. Keep your paperwork clean, clear, and timely to avoid these issues.

Chum lee

[Walaby]

Dale.Traveling wrote:

JaxDad wrote:
Cut to the chase!

If you bought in ‘15 you’ve had it legally in your possession for 4’ish years.

File a storage lien and take title for unpaid storage fees. Dozens of company’s will do it for you, should be $200 to $300 Done.

No use making it more complicated than it needs to be.

Now that's an idea I haven't seen before and it would probably work.

You're assuming OP has documentation to prove he had it legally in his possession. I haven't seen anything in his responses to indicate he even has a bill of sale. Certainly does't have a registration or title.

Mike

[Dale_Traveling]

JaxDad wrote:
Cut to the chase!

If you bought in ‘15 you’ve had it legally in your possession for 4’ish years.

File a storage lien and take title for unpaid storage fees. Dozens of company’s will do it for you, should be $200 to $300 Done.

No use making it more complicated than it needs to be.

Now that's an idea I haven't seen before and it would probably work.

[tropical36]

MRUSA wrote:
The FL DMV is very strict. If the dealer did not act properly he could lose his license and his livelihood. I would contact FL DMV

Yeah, best for going through the FL DMV before calling any lawyers, I guess.
In fact, I was instrumental in putting a car dealer out of business some years back, by working with the DMV.
This clown was robbing peter to pay Paul, by not paying off the trade ins and then for not issuing a new owner's title within the allocated time, set forth by law.
Meanwhile, people who traded in, were getting notices of non payment, while the new owners, who paid cash, weren't being issued a title.
Seems that this guy, that came down here from out of state, had a history of these type shenanigans. Last I heard, he left in the middle of the night, back from whence he came.
I did get my title pretty quick, once I started making phone calls and showing up at the dealership.