Anybody dealt with "Title Skipping" when buying a car? My story.

[3toedshewie]

Hi everyone:

Part 1:
Bought an E30 off craigslist from a guy who owns a shop here in Florida (we will call him Bob). Happy with my purchase I went to the DMV/title agency, title in hand, to transfer the title. Title Agency lady says "you can’t transfer this title". I say "Why?" Lady says "the person I bought the car from (bob) is not the name of the guy on the title (Steve)." Turns out, the guy who sold the car (lets call him Steve) to Bob sent in a letter alerting the DMV that the car had changed ownership, but Bob never transferred it to his name. in summary, Steve sold Bob an E30, Steve tells DMV Bob now owns the car, Bob sells me the car without transferring the title to his name. Crap.So now before I can get the title in my name Bob has to transfer it into his name.

Part 2:
I call Bob, Bob says he will not pay the title transfer fee ($100) or taxes (7% of what he paid). I said I will pay his fees just to get the title in his name so he can transfer it to me. We schedulle a time to meet, Bob cancels. We try again, Bob finds reasons not to show up to go to the DMV with me, I offer to drive him to the DMV (full service) Bob then finds an excuse to not go, telling me I am not meeting his conditions to go and that I am not making it easy enough for him to go with me to the DMV and transfer the title. He finally says “send me the title and I will have it transfered in to my name.” I do not have a bill of sale proving I own the car, so I do not want to send him the title as I then have no proof I own the car. LOL FML. anybody dealt with a Bob before? any advice? I was hoping there is a Florida law against “title skipping” so I can move on with restoring this car.

[DrJosh]

Sounds like some knee caps are in need of replacement.

[Das Delfin]

Why can't you stop by his shop and have him write up a bill of sale? You made it easy enough on him by paying him money for his car. Don't send him the title. Isn't there a clause that lets you go to the dmv and handle paperwork in his name? I forget what they call it. Dealerships use it all the time

[3toedshewie]

thanks for responding Das Delfin and DrJosh, yea I want violence, but Ill look for that clause first :)

[StereoInstaller1]

Have you called the DMV asking for suggestions?

[shameson]

I think if you go get a bill of sale from him, and along with the title you can get it registered. You'll have to pay his registration fees of course since he never did. But as suggested call the dmv and find out what you'll need

[nando]

since you have no bill of sale - go to the DMV and say you bought the car from Joe instead of Bob?

What I'm saying is, as far as the state knows the car was never sold to Bob in the first place because the title never got transferred and he couldn't have registered it. Unless for some reason you can register a car with no title..

[agent]

^ Yep. Does FL require a Bill of Sale? TN does not. Cars change hands here constantly with titles which are signed, but not by the person selling the car.

[3toedshewie]

Thank you for replying StereoInstaller1

Have you called the DMV asking for suggestions?

Yes, the DMV said I have to do what is known as a "double transfer" where Bob and I have to be in the DMV at the same time, transfer it into his name then mine.

[3toedshewie]

I think if you go get a bill of sale from him, and along with the title you can get it registered. You'll have to pay his registration fees of course since he never did. But as suggested call the dmv and find out what you'll need

thanks Shameson, I think I am going to try calling the DMV again.

[3toedshewie]

^ Yep. Does FL require a Bill of Sale? TN does not. Cars change hands here constantly with titles which are signed, but not by the person selling the car.

Thanks Agent,
Florida does not require a bill of sale.

[3toedshewie]

Did some more research, turns out the practice of selling a car without transfering the title to your name b4 selling it again is called curbstoning.

[agent]

Folks who flip cars do that frequently, especially on Craigslist. They don't want to pay the taxes and/or registration fees since they know they're not going to be keeping it.

It does help keep prices a bit lower for buyers, though the state doesn't like it. It is technically illegal.

[Dj Buttchug]

most vehicle titles have 2 areas where a title can actually be signed over twice or 3 times. Does FL title have such a place ?

[Rigmaster]

most vehicle titles have 2 areas where a title can actually be signed over twice or 3 times. Does FL title have such a place ?

If they have 2 areas, they're typically only allowed to be used by legit (registered) car dealers, NOT individuals.

Sounds like the OP knows what needs to be done and how to do it, just have to get Bob to go along with the plan.