Haven’t received title from dealer + 2 months

[Spitfire]

Hello everyone! 
I bought a vehicle from a dealership in Tucson on 26 June and have not received the title yet (28 August). I spoke with the title service at the dealership and they told me they bought the vehicle from an auction and the auction never got the correct title from the previous owner. So this dealership sold me a vehicle they never had the title for, and could not give me a timeline on getting one. I reported the dealership through the DMV today but I'm curious if there is anything I should be doing? From what I've read, this is completely illegal and a sketchy business practice. @DaveInAZ your story sounds similar to mine!

[NoMoreE46]

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@Spitfire wrote:

Hello everyone! 
I bought a vehicle from a dealership in Tucson on 26 June and have not received the title yet (28 August). I spoke with the title service at the dealership and they told me they bought the vehicle from an auction and the auction never got the correct title from the previous owner. So this dealership sold me a vehicle they never had the title for, and could not give me a timeline on getting one. I reported the dealership through the DMV today but I'm curious if there is anything I should be doing? From what I've read, this is completely illegal and a sketchy business practice. @DaveInAZ your story sounds similar to mine!

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I am going to generalize but hopefully this procedure is the same.  

You need to file a formal complaint with the AZ agency in that regulates that business sector.  With your filing, you should be able to discover name and address of the Insurance company that represents that dealership.  

You will be filing what is considered as an Error and Omissions  (E&O) claim against the dealership/insurance company.  

The insurance company should then be asking the dealership for answers and hopefully get to the bottom of this paperwork mishap.

Good luck.

[cashorcharge]

Technically what the dealership did is not illegal.  They bought the car from the auction and the auction didn't need to hold the title before selling it to the dealer and the dealer doesn't need to wait to get the title before they can turn around and sell it to someone like you.  If the car was paid for by the auction to the originating seller and the dealer paid them in full, they sold the car to you in confidence it would arrive.  

You can file a complaint with the DMV but it may be easier for the dealer to request a replacement title from the state to then sign over to you.

Nothing "shady" about what they did...it's paperwork, not fraud

[Junejer]

In Wisconsin, there is a new policy about titles--you don't get one until the vehicle is PIF. We discovered that when we bought our new vehicles last summer. That seemed odd to us, but is true. We got DW's after paying hers off in March.

[bass_playr]

That does not apply in every state.  I know some states require the dealer to be able to get the title, and they can have consequences if they do not.  Each state has its own laws.

In Georgia, it can be a misdemeanor criminal act to not provide the title after purchase.

In Virginia, you can be entitled to be reimbursed all the money you made in payments by the dealership if they do not comply.  If you elect to keep the car, and 150 days or more go by without them delivering the title, you have a private right of action under the VA Consumer Protection Act.  

At the very least, that dealership should be shaking a leg or three to get to the bottom of the mess for you.  If this still drags on and you dont get any answers, I would consider speaking to a consumer attorney in your area.  Most should offer free initial consultations.  Sometimes, a letter on a law firm's letterhead gets the ball rolling fast because at that point they know you've spoken to an attorney and don't want the hassle of being sued.