Used Car Shenanigans

Submitted by icedcoffee4eva t3_100mh2j in RhodeIsland

recently purchased a truck from a local dirt lot INTERNATIONAL HORSEPOWER AUTO SALES on Rt.2...It's been 45 days since I purchased the truck and they have failed to register it with a DMV and transfer the plates for my previous truck.

I just received a notice from the DMV saying they are canceling the registration due to a lack of insurance which we canceled on the 1st truck even though were paying for insurance on the 2nd truck. The DMV has no way of knowing this because the dealer has not filed any paperwork. They took my money for doc fees, state taxes (about $1200) registry fees, et cetera.

The DMV letter says that if they cancel the registration it will be 300 bucks to get it back and I won't be able to renew my license or register any of my other cars.

When I call or email the dealer i get no response. They say the person in charge of it is out of the office or simply don't answer the phone at all.

I don't know if I should go to the police to report the theft of the money for the taxes and documents that they've never paid the state on my behalf... The truck is no longer legal to drive... And I have no way to get it registered myself.

Should I get a police report and or call a lawyer? Have any of you been in this position and what did you do about it?

12

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

Rhody1964 t1_j2igh17 wrote

How long have you been trying to get in touch? If it's just this past week it might be that they're on vacation. We bought a mini cooper from them 2 years ago and they were actually nice. The woman who worked in the office was pretty efficient. Not that I trust used car people.

3

Rhody1964 t1_j2ijh69 wrote

I would go there in person. If they don't have an answer call the attorney general's consumer fraud office. Tell them you're about to do that and they may take action.

12

icedcoffee4eva OP t1_j2ijqpc wrote

Replying to [deleted] (#1,258,605)

They initially said it would take about 3 weeks. When I call they just are very short with me and tell me no one's there that can help me. Once they told me that they don't have my registration before I could even tell them who I was or what I was calling about.

5

icedcoffee4eva OP t1_j2ijya0 wrote

Replying to Rhody1964 (#1,258,578)

It's the letter from the registry that freak me out. It's said if I don't resolve this they will cancel my registration and forbid me from renewing any registrations or my driver's license until I pay a fine

6

Unique-Public-8594 t1_j2ipisp wrote

Replying to icedcoffee4eva (#1,258,676)

That’s a significant length of time to keep you waiting.

In the age of caller ID, they can answer a question from a repeat caller before it is asked. Yes.

Maybe they are not so eloquently trying to say your problem is on the DMV side, not their fault?

If it were me, I would sign up with LegalShield ($30), requesting a lawyer send a letter to the dealership requesting proof of what date the dealership hand carried and filed your paperwork with the DMV.

5

Stringgeek t1_j2jv4nk wrote

If you paid for the car with a debit or credit card, you can also have them fight to get your money back. I did this myself a while back with a different used car dealer, who did nearly the exact same thing with me. Because of how the dealer phrased everything in their attempt to fight my bank, I not only got all of my money back, but I also wound up still owning the truck.

With the DMV involved, you’ll absolutely want a lawyer, though, ASAP.

3

Beautiful_Home_5463 t1_j2kazhc wrote

Contact the dmv and file complaint with the dealer commission. The dealer spent the money you gave him for tax and tags and can't afford to pay for yours now until he gets more money from someone else. I've seen it plenty of times before

5

SaltyNewEnglandCop t1_j2knp3o wrote

They didn’t steal your money, you made a transaction and they just haven’t done their part yet. It’s a civil issue between you and them.

0

icedcoffee4eva OP t1_j3uhsl1 wrote

Replying to MonicaPVD (#1,258,591)

Just a quick follow up... I contacted the Attorney General through your link and I have to say it is the best interaction I've had with my state government in my life. They were thoughtful and concerned and hell bent on helping me. This issue will be resolved next week hopefully. Thanks for the advice.

2