I recently purchased a car from someone in another state after responding to an internet ad. Basically I made a deal with the guy over the phone and sent him a check for the car, then arranged to have the car shipped. The seller told me he would send me the title in the mail. The car was shipped to me, but I never got the title. The seller has come up with every excuse under the sun for the title not to be here yet (keeps saying he sent it, but it was returned, then he sent it again, etc.). Obviously the person I'm dealing with is dishonest (there is other evidence of this) and maybe he never had a title for the car to begin with. The question is, what can I do at this point? I do know of a way to get a title for the car through a bill of sale, but what could stop this seller from claiming I stole his car? Should I go to the police? What would you do?

P.S. I'm a member of this forum, but posting this anonymously because of the nature of the issue. I really appreciate any advise you have cause I really feel screwed over this.

If the person in another state got the car at auction (this is just one of many possible situations) a lot of vehicles are guaranteed clear titles within thirty days. But in some cases, it can take months to get a title. They aren't normal, but it can happen. if it was privately titled, it could just be that the person is no good at paperwork . There are some good suggestions here on this matter.
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Chris Herbst, near Chicago.

I too would not void the check. Lets face it, the check was cashed way before the car was shipped so that is a pointless gesture anyway. Do you have a bill of sale? You might be able to register it via a bill of sale in your state. There are things that could cause the seller not to have a title that do not include theft. Perhaps the seller just lost the title and could care less to give you the service of helping you out now that he has the cash. If the seller gave you a bill of sale you might be able to claim title. Additionally it might have been a car put together from salvage and thus not titled. My advise: Figure out if the car is stolen first. If the VIN is listed nationally as stolen you have several paths to take. The smart move would involve declaring pocession of the car to the police and how it came to be in your hands. It might mean you are out the money OR it might mean the original owner (more likely an insurance company) might offer to sell it to you rather than again move the car back to where you got it. The not so smart move would involve....well, perhaps I should not give THAT advice!

In Connecticut, the DMV will print titles in any branch office for a $25 fee. They have a lost title form that the owner has to fill out.
In other states, I'm sure they do much the same thing.
If the car is old enough it may not need one to be registered. Check with your DMV. SOme states do not print titles at all. (Rhode Island is one).

It is also possible that your state can do what is called a "VIN verification" where they check the number, and make certain the vehicle is not stolen, and then you are permitted to register the vehicle after signing another notarized form swearing that it is legal, etc. I think it takes a year to process a title for it in CT if you do this, but it does let you get a legal, but improperly documented car on the road.

Of course, if it does turn up stolen or has some kind of flag in the system, everyone's in trouble. Hope this isn't the case. As noted, there are perfectly good reasons to not have a title, usually due to someone moving or losing paperwork. My 1991 took over 4 months to get a title- the car was in the guy's mothers name and she was in another state... finally resolved and now registered to me, no problem.
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '87 244DL/M47- 221K, 88 744GLE- 202K, 91 244 181K, 88 244GL 145K

Stop payment on the check, then call the police. You could be found in possession of stolen goods, but this will all come out much better if you're up front with Big John Law. They can run the VIN number for you and find out the story on the car. As for being accused of stealing the car, send a letter via certified mail stating that you would be happy to return the car or send the check if the title is ever delivered. That way you can verify (and keep for your records) that this loser was given ample opportunity to hold up his end of the bargain.

My first advice is to slow down and get a grip. I think you should call the Dept. of Motor Vehicles of the State in which the car was sold and ask them to do a status check on the VIN. They should be able to tell you to whom the car was last registered, although newer state privacy laws may have affected this. Also go to http://www.carfax.com/ For a small fee, you can get some useful info on the car's history. I'd think twice before voiding the check (at least until you talk to an attorney) since you now posess the car and that could be construed as theft on your part.

STOP the check, if not already cashed! Call your bank and void that check. Next, get VIN off car and do a title seach. I think bluebook does seaches like this online, I know there is and online service just not sure of address. If stolen call police or FBI, if the vehicle went over state lines. This is extremely bad, if the car moved between states then a number of felonies have occurred and you can be in trouble, if you know it was stolen property or even if you suspected it was stolen. In any case, try to stop the check and keep you money. You cannot register car without title and you do not want to be stopped by police if it is stolen.
Good Luck
RM

If you discover to your satisfaction that it is not a "dirty" car, check into these guys.

www.broadwaytitle.com

Good luck