Advice on buying a vehicle with no title?

[f. bandersnatch]

Roo-

I have been to Bellingham before. They don't watch T.V. there. I don't trust those people.

Sincerely,
f. Bandersnatch

P.S. They made me eat at a vegetarian Thanksgiving. Heathens.

[sgreger1]

None of you have never done this before?

I have so let me tell you what you should do.


When i did this, I was the guy selling the vehicle. I still owed money on it, so the guy who bought it gave me cash, and the deal was that I put it in my bank, write the check, and mail him the title, just like your situation.

Some things you should do, if you decide to go through with this: Write a contract. It can be in plain english but describe the interaction. This will afford you at least some protection in the event that the worst happens.
When I did this, we had to goto the DMV and get a form os some type, I think transfer of title or something like that. We both had to sign off on it. This further establishes a paper trail that can be used in court. I paid the bill and the bank sent me the pink slip after about 14 days, and I gave it to the guy.


The deal sounds good (the price I mean) so you should at least consider going through with it, not every is shady, just protect yourself. Write a contract, and get all the info on his bank etc. Call the bank and ask them how the process works etc and ask them to put a note in their system showing that you called. The banks are used to people selling when it's not paid off yet, they have a whole procedure for it. At least my bank did with my Acura.

In the contract, make it not worth his while to mess it up, say that in the event the deal doesn't go down as promised, he will pay you 5$k for example. Then, if he does mess up, you can take the contract to court and possibly profit off this. This guy has a house and a car etc, right?


Use caution but if you trust the guy and he lives in a house etc I would consider it, just establish a firm paper trail incase legal action arises from this deal.

[Bigblue1]

None of you have never done this before?

I have so let me tell you what you should do.


When i did this, I was the guy selling the vehicle. I still owed money on it, so the guy who bought it gave me cash, and the deal was that I put it in my bank, write the check, and mail him the title, just like your situation.

Some things you should do, if you decide to go through with this: Write a contract. It can be in plain english but describe the interaction. This will afford you at least some protection in the event that the worst happens.
When I did this, we had to goto the DMV and get a form os some type, I think transfer of title or something like that. We both had to sign off on it. This further establishes a paper trail that can be used in court. I paid the bill and the bank sent me the pink slip after about 14 days, and I gave it to the guy.


The deal sounds good (the price I mean) so you should at least consider going through with it, not every is shady, just protect yourself. Write a contract, and get all the info on his bank etc. Call the bank and ask them how the process works etc and ask them to put a note in their system showing that you called. The banks are used to people selling when it's not paid off yet, they have a whole procedure for it. At least my bank did with my Acura.

In the contract, make it not worth his while to mess it up, say that in the event the deal doesn't go down as promised, he will pay you 5$k for example. Then, if he does mess up, you can take the contract to court and possibly profit off this. This guy has a house and a car etc, right?


Use caution but if you trust the guy and he lives in a house etc I would consider it, just establish a firm paper trail incase legal action arises from this deal.

No dealership would ever follow your advice. Yes, we always pay off cars for others. but like as said before this is a known part of the deal and there is always recourse, meaning there is always (well, almost always) a working amount of capitol to work from. Not to mention we will come and get the vehicle back if the deal goes South (wether our fault or yours.) Except in Wisconsin in this area, where we have to be extra careful.

[Premium Parrots]

Let me understand....this seller must only owe less than $1650 on the bike. WTH!! Why doesn't he just pay it off? Dam....I carry more than that in my wallet everyday. Its not like its a $30,000 or $40,000 velicle to deal with.

[Roo]

I know PP, I don't get it either. I will find out today what his problem is with turning a few bills over to the dealership and making this a complete transaction.

[sgreger1]

@Big Blue. I'm not sure what the dealership has to do with any of this, the dealership made the sale but the bank is the owner of the car.

Even if you sit there with him when he mails in the bill to the bank, it will take around 14 days to get the title so unless you plan on having a sleepover there is going to have to be some trust involved.

And I am only speaking out of personal knowledge of how it happened when i was in your situation. If the deal goes south, they will repo the thing, no question about that (the guy sold something he didn't own), but with the contract you at least have the means to try and recoup your money from the seller via legal action.

[justintempler]

@Big Blue. I'm not sure what the dealership has to do with any of this, the dealership made the sale but the bank is the owner of the car.......

In Roo's case there is no bank and no car, or did we go off topic?

....Here's the catch: He still owes money on it to the dealership, so the dealership has the title. The obvious answer would be to meet him at the dealership, pay it off, get the title and the scooter, and go home....

[sgreger1]

@Big Blue. I'm not sure what the dealership has to do with any of this, the dealership made the sale but the bank is the owner of the car.......

In Roo's case there is no bank and no car, or did we go off topic?

....Here's the catch: He still owes money on it to the dealership, so the dealership has the title. The obvious answer would be to meet him at the dealership, pay it off, get the title and the scooter, and go home....

Sorry, by car I mean the bike. What do you mean he owes money to the dealership? Do moped dealerships operate different than a motorcycle or car dealership? If you have a bank loan, than the bank owns it. If the dealer financed it themselves than yes obviousely the right answer is to just go to the dealer and do it all in person.

I was assuming the Ruckus would have been purchased at a motorcycle dealership or something but maybe this was bought at a specialty store that does their own financing. If they finance it thenmselves than it will be too easy to just both walk down there and make the trade. If the guy doens't want to do that than he's BS'ing you.

[Premium Parrots]

SG is right. If it was financed BY the dealership then they have the title in their files and you can get it imediately when you both go there to paid it off. If it was financed thru a bank then thats a different story altogether.

Also, remember to use money orders or cashiers checks to pay off both parties so you have proof that you paid.

[sgreger1]

Also, remember to use money orders or cashiers checks to pay off both parties so you have proof that you paid.

When i did this, it was a requirement from the bank that I did it in cashiers check. I would assume that if this dealership financed it and has the title, they probably want one was well.

[Roo]

My understanding is that the dealership owns the title and it was financed through them. These things are sold either at motorcycle/scooter dealerships, or alongside ATVs and such. And it's so damn cheap to begin with that I don't think the loan had to go through a bank. In fact, it's so damn cheap that I came to my senses and screw this guy, I'm going to get the exact one I want for $2400, with a warranty, and a freakin title.

Thanks again to all of you who offered advice. It really helped. I forget that we all have access to a bunch of kind folks on this forum with such varied backgrounds - perfect for seeking advice. lol @ bandersnatch with your vegan thanksgiving in Bellingham. I doubt the folks up in Whatcom county need anymore recognition for their "animal-loving" tendencies lmao.

Tomorrow I'm going to take an hour ferry-ride across the Puget Sound to Bremerton, where a licensed dealer vows to beat any quote I can get in writing, and pull the trigger. Can't wait to have a Ruckus again, brand new, and this time I'm gettin a red one:

[Bigblue1]

@Big Blue. I'm not sure what the dealership has to do with any of this, the dealership made the sale but the bank is the owner of the car.

I wasn't speaking of a particular dealership. Just that as the gatekeeper of funds at a dealership I was saying that Payoffs can be a sticky issue. It is one thing I have to watch Judiciously. So my point was for Roo to be careful. That's it.

[sgreger1]

I know motorcycles tend to be financed through banks or Yamaha/Honda etc, but your right, a moped is so low in value that the dealership likely finances it themselves, in which case they would hold the title and that makes everything easier.

I have owned all used cars my whole life untill I pulled the trigger and decided to buy a new Acura RSX-S, and frankly, a new car comes with less problems. The price diff for you is marginal so you are probably making the right decision, assuming yuo can afford the full thing up front without financing.

[desirexe]

Let me understand....this seller must only owe less than $1650 on the bike. WTH!! Why doesn't he just pay it off? Dam....I carry more than that in my wallet everyday. Its not like its a $30,000 or $40,000 velicle to deal with.

Ooo...sugar daddy!!!

[Premium Parrots]

Let me understand....this seller must only owe less than $1650 on the bike. WTH!! Why doesn't he just pay it off? Dam....I carry more than that in my wallet everyday. Its not like its a $30,000 or $40,000 velicle to deal with.

Ooo...sugar daddy!!!

Come to papa Desirex
its the nature or the business. Thats everyday pocket money. Sometimes I travel with $50k and more cash. Depending upon the deal going on. The parrots I deal with aren't valued in the hundreds of dollars. Most are $10 k plus, each.


@ Roo, your final decision appears to be the most intelligent one. Buy a new one. Don't be afraid to turn around and start to walk out at his supposed "lowest price". The dealers are hungry right now. Try it you will be surprised how well it works. I do it everytime I go to buy a new vehicle and its saved me thousands. Good luck.