mackster Posted May 20, 2007 Report Share Posted May 20, 2007 O.K. so I go and tell them the truth how I save the car from the crusher all I have is a bill of sale and they tell me that I need to find the lien company that had a hold on the title 8 years ago. Also That I need to find out who did my seller got the car from and to get a copy of the bill of that sell...What? now I have to do detective work? I can bearly tie my own shoes! Does anyone had to go thru this before????? MKSTR! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Tarnoff Posted May 20, 2007 Report Share Posted May 20, 2007 I live in Taxachusetts and the registry here can not suck enough. I have found that if I screw up, like be honest like you, at one office I can learn from my mistake and drive to another office in another town and get it done. Most recently I have taken to register my old cars in Florida, it is a much easier process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James_Douglas Posted May 20, 2007 Report Share Posted May 20, 2007 O.K. so I go and tell them the truth how I save the car from the crusher all I have is a bill of sale and they tell me that I need to find the lien company that had a hold on the title 8 years ago. Also That I need to find out who did my seller got the car from and to get a copy of the bill of that sell...What? now I have to do detective work? I can bearly tie my own shoes! Does anyone had to go thru this before?????MKSTR! In CA any legitimate auto wrecker would have given you a salvage title not a bill of sale. From that you can get the DMV paper work to get a new VIN attached. If you purchased the car from someone with just a bill of sale and the title is not clear then you have have purchased a can of worms and you will have to run it down. I hate to be such a downer, but that is why they say "Let the Buyer Beware" James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_amos Posted May 20, 2007 Report Share Posted May 20, 2007 Mkstr, I can get you the help you need. My wife, Margie, is a DMV clerk at a large dealersip. She's been doing it for over 20 years. If you want, she will be happy to look the procedure that you will need to follow to clear this up. She did ask if you were given a print out, by the DMV, on the people that you need to contact? Remember, that bill of sale that you received is just that. They receipted you for paying them and the title is a complete different thing. The DMV needs to be sure that they had a right to sell the car to you. Anyway, let me know if you want Margie to look up the procedure for you. Know this though, there will be some leg work that you must be doing to get that title. She can only tell you what is needed. The rest is up to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Normspeed Posted May 20, 2007 Report Share Posted May 20, 2007 What's the lien company's name and info? I can try to help you contact them. DMV is tough and understaffed, especially in our area. Use the appointment line, it saves a lot of hassle. If you're really lucky you might get a name and number for a specific DMV call back person that will be familiar with the deal. Florida is the other end of the spectrum, you can scratch build a fiberglass hot rod and legally title it as a 1940 Willys or whatever, even if it has a hemi, headers, all the goodies, as long as it's basically street driveable. Probably easier to move stolen goods through that system, but a lot easier for the average Joe to complete the transaction and have some fun with his car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackster Posted May 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2007 Mkstr, I can get you the help you need. My wife, Margie, is a DMV clerk at a large dealersip. She's been doing it for over 20 years. If you want, she will be happy to look the procedure that you will need to follow to clear this up. She did ask if you were given a print out, by the DMV, on the people that you need to contact? Remember, that bill of sale that you received is just that. They receipted you for paying them and the title is a complete different thing. The DMV needs to be sure that they had a right to sell the car to you. Anyway, let me know if you want Margie to look up the procedure for you. Know this though, there will be some leg work that you must be doing to get that title. She can only tell you what is needed. The rest is up to you. I will take all your help! I was given a last owner name about 8 years ago or so and that there was a lien at that time. I will then have to contact the lien company so they can verify that they got their money and the paper trail has to go back to Three people (including myself) as there is a second name I see listed and He started the paperwork and left it or sold the car to the guy who in turn sold it to me.... I tought of just letting them know that the car was abandon in my house and that in turn that makes it mine. that is how I got it anyways...The fellow asked me to store it for a month then decided to sell it to me because He did not have any money or place to put it...what ya'll think? MKSTR! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackster Posted May 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2007 What's the lien company's name and info? I can try to help you contact them. DMV is tough and understaffed, especially in our area. Use the appointment line, it saves a lot of hassle. If you're really lucky you might get a name and number for a specific DMV call back person that will be familiar with the deal. the company is CRDT AUTO SLS INC 8727 LONG BEACH BLVD SOUTH GATE 90280 ( I think is credit auto sales inc.) that is all that shows. the other thing I can do is contact the title owner and have him help me right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Normspeed Posted May 20, 2007 Report Share Posted May 20, 2007 Sure, since this passed from a couple local folks and you're still in touch, check with everyone. But I'd hold off til Bob's wife weighs in on it. Sounds like she is your best source of info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_amos Posted May 20, 2007 Report Share Posted May 20, 2007 I'll have Margie read this in the morning. Then she will check her books at the dealer to figure the best way to handle it. She will get back to you early next week. She works late at my shop on Monday doing our books but will probably have an answer on Tuesday evening, if not sooner, for you. Just hang on and she will get you through this. It'll take a little time but you should come out fine in the end. It is good that you have the lein company name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatS.... Posted May 20, 2007 Report Share Posted May 20, 2007 This title stuff sure is complicated for you guys. Here, a bill of sale will get you registered in 10 minutes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cipponeri Posted May 20, 2007 Report Share Posted May 20, 2007 Hey Mackster, I have a whole stack of Bill Of Sales right you can have them for a buck a piece, any name you want on them or any date. I can't help you with the credit company thingy. Tony C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackster Posted May 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2007 Hey Mackster, I have a whole stack of Bill Of Sales right you can have them for a buck a piece, any name you want on them or any date. I can't help you with the credit company thingy. Tony C Yeah I will take them I will contact you , I am sure I will need them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_amos Posted May 21, 2007 Report Share Posted May 21, 2007 Okay, Step one. Margie said to tell you that if you have the lein holders name, and you seem to. Give them a call and ask for a "lein satisfied". She says some will help you right over the phone. Some will require you to go to them with the bill of sale. They then can provide you that lein satisfied. Then, some won't do a thing for you. Give that a try first. Then if problems persists let us know and she will help you with the next step. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackster Posted May 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2007 Okay, Step one. Margie said to tell you that if you have the lein holders name, and you seem to. Give them a call and ask for a "lein satisfied". She says some will help you right over the phone. Some will require you to go to them with the bill of sale. They then can provide you that lein satisfied. Then, some won't do a thing for you. Give that a try first. Then if problems persists let us know and she will help you with the next step. O.K. I called them today, they seem to remember the car from way back then in 1998. They said it was not paid in full and that they don't know how to handle it from there. They ask me to call tomorrow so they can have some time to talk to the owner....Good news? I think I'm loosing this one....I need to start planning plan B. I think I may buy new tags and another title....MKSTR! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny 5 Posted May 22, 2007 Report Share Posted May 22, 2007 This title stuff sure is complicated for you guys. Here, a bill of sale will get you registered in 10 minutes... As long as it was registered in Alberta, that is. If not - forget about it. I had a 1971 Plymouth Valiant that was registered in Saskatchewan but I didn't have the stupid little tab that came off of the old registration when I bought it. Even with a very detailed bill of sale it took me weeks to get it registered. Pay a title company to generate a title for it in Alabama or Mississippi. Way easier. You can find them in Hemmings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackster Posted May 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2007 I called the guy from the lien company, He said He wants a small fee to let it go....I told him is been out of the system for 8 1/2 years soon it will be out of the DMV files. He said let's talk..I am getting a feeling He may let this one one for a buck or two... MKSTR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_amos Posted May 23, 2007 Report Share Posted May 23, 2007 Well, keep us informed and we will see if there is anything else we can do. If the guy is firm on wanting money and you have no documentation to prove that he has been paid in full, you have no choice but to work with him. Now, what about the salvage people that represented it as paid and really had no right to sell it to you? Interesting twist we have here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackster Posted May 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2007 Well, keep us informed and we will see if there is anything else we can do. If the guy is firm on wanting money and you have no documentation to prove that he has been paid in full, you have no choice but to work with him. Now, what about the salvage people that represented it as paid and really had no right to sell it to you? Interesting twist we have here. Thank You both for your help and support! I know these Salvage title people really did me wrong...No matching title (I got one with the bill of sale but it does not match the DMV records), no plates and better yet then deny that they knew anything about it. The DMV lady told me that the last person started the paperwork and then suddenly di not return with anything...., I know who they are, but I feel better by overcoming this problems, then to confront and start a mess with those people. Hopefully I can come up with a satisfactory agreement with the lien company. after all, I know they wrote this car off as a loss long time ago, they should just let it go.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg g Posted May 23, 2007 Report Share Posted May 23, 2007 The guy is probably going to pocket anything he gets from you as you said the car was probably a write of for them years ago. So much for integrity. Any way, you were prepared to go to one of those out of state title processors and pay to go that route so anything up to what they would charge you is probably what this guy has in mind. Take you best bargainskills and good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted May 23, 2007 Report Share Posted May 23, 2007 Tell him you are prepared to write off the storage fee for "their" car you have been protecting all this time in exchange for a lein satisfied document. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_amos Posted May 23, 2007 Report Share Posted May 23, 2007 You may even be able to go back to the salvage company and present the information to them. They had no legal right to sell the car. If they think that you might be preparing to make trouble for them they might be perswaded to return some or all of the cash. But, junk yard men really do not care much about laws and it may not be enough. But, a call to the local authorities may get some results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackster Posted May 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2007 Tell him you are prepared to write off the storage fee for "their" car you have been protecting all this time in exchange for a lein satisfied document. Tim that is just brilliant! I have not thought of this point of view...I have a new weapon againts them keep them coming guys.... I need all the help I can get! Jeez I still can't get over that it's just plain and simple...brilliant! MKSTR! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Yergin Posted May 24, 2007 Report Share Posted May 24, 2007 Hate to throw cold water but in my opinion it really depends what the bill of sale says. If it says you are getting "clear title" to the car then you didn't get what you paid for and you have a claim against the salvage company. If it merely conveys whatever title the salvage yard had then you got that. Generally there is nothing illegal in selling something that has a lien on it. The lien just follows the title. If the finance company has a lien on the title then it is still entitled to recover from the collateral securing that debt regardless of whether or not it "wrote off" the debt on its books. That is what the laws regarding certifcates of title and recorded liens protects. A buyer who purchases something without verifying that it is free from all liens assumes the risk. Unfortunately, it appears the only recourse you may have is if the bill of sale has some language guarantying the title and then your claim would be against the salvage company. Probably the bill of sale only conveys the encumbered title that the salvage company had. A lien only gives the finance company the right to have the car sold to pay off the lien. The finance company does not own the car and therefore has no obligation to pay storage fees. It sounds like they will view your predicament as "found money" with no real incentive to walk away from it. Good luck with it. At a minimum I would ask for documentation proving that the debt secured by the car exists. Jim Yergin (Remember, free legal advice is worth what you pay for it.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_amos Posted May 24, 2007 Report Share Posted May 24, 2007 Well we get deeper into this. A salvage company or even a repair shop like ours, cannot sell a car which it does not have some sort of title to. There are proceedures to dispose of such vehicles and that proceedure would involve running another lein on the vehicle. When the lein is run all interested parties would be notified and they would then have the oportunity to respond. (Even selling a car that is financed requires that established proceedures be followed.) Since the vehicle was still on the DMV records there has been some activity within the last 5 years. Generall, but not always, the vehicle will drop from the active records after 5 years of inactivity. Again, while the salvage company has possession of the vehicle it still does not have the legal right to sell the vehicle or interest in it without following DMV proceedures. I would still think that you have some action that may be taken against the salvage company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg g Posted May 24, 2007 Report Share Posted May 24, 2007 Bob, I know nothing about California vehicle laws and NY is different in that we didn't have titles till 73/74 or so, however here you can attach a garageman's lein on a vehicle by going to the sherriff's office or the county clerk and filling a form. This would be done to satisfy unpaid bills for repairs and or parts, and for storage of a vehicle. If the lein is not satisfied, the registration gets suspended, and the interested party can claim the vehicle in satisfaction of the lein. I believe you can also do an abandoned vehicle lein if for some reason contact with the current owner can not be established. My brother and I have a situation where a tenant in a storage barn will not respond to contacts to remove his stuff from our property. Theri is a fairly decent Spitfire in there that my brother is interested in. He is going to file for an abandoned vehicle lein by checking the serieal number through DMV. I am sure it has been purges as it has been ther at least since 1990. So once he files it will be published in the legal notices of the local papers. if within 30 days there has been no response, he can claim and register the vehicle. When he tries to register it it will probably need to go through the NYS stolen vehicle inspection process, but that is another story. Now that cars do have titles, the state is the keeper of the info, and any lein holders are indicated ont he title till satisfied. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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