Sketchy car dealership (Newport News, Portsmouth: credit card, houses, buying)

[mina3]

My brother in law bought a car from a dealership in Portsmouth almost a month ago. The guy didn't tell him until after he signed the papers and paid that he didn't have the title and that he'd have to order it. They still do not have the title so he still can't register it, and his temporary plates are almost expired. He was going to move next week, and the guy said he would give him new temp plates and send the title to his new address in Indiana later. He's probably not leaving any time soon, though, because the car stopped working yesterday.

I think there's nothing to be done about the car not working, but is there a time in which he has to give over the title?

This place was reaaaaally sketchy, I had to teach the salesman how to use the credit card machine, he said they've only used it once before.

[rtandc]

I think a dealer has 90 Days to obtain the title, so actually the dealer can issue up to three sets of temporary tags

[NJR]

He pretty much has to wait the 90 days!
Leave it to Virginia not to have a right of rescission law for used cars!
& the used car dealers take full advantage of it.

Here's another way to smell a fishy dealer...ask if they will guarantee safety inspection, they of course will say that the car has a current sticker. Ask who did the inspection. When they say "we did", ask if you take the car immediately elsewhere for a safety inspection & it fails will they fix it or refund the money.
Chances are the will refuse. (why refuse if it passes right?)
It's easy to "Inspect & Pass" your own inventory when you want to sell it!

[Erma]

It's a case of "buyer beware." He can and has the right to take it to another mechanic or safety inspection station to have his own done if he thinks there is something fishy. Also, was there a used car warranty that came with the purchase?

[NJR]

Yup, the communistwealth is a "buyer beware state". Whether its a car or a house.
Here's an example:
There was one guy on craigslist selling a motorcycle stating it needed a battery.
When told that a battery was available to put in to have it start, the seller refused saying, get this:

"It would affect the selling price."

Yeah sure, if the motor was blown!!!
You gotta love this place.
When I was buying my used truck, the ONLY dealer that guaranteed me the inspection as I said above
was Frank Foster of Pomoco Lincoln Mercury in Newport News.

Unfortunately, in your brother in law's case, he is SOL.

[Erma]

Originally Posted by NJR

Yup, the communistwealth is a "buyer beware state". Whether its a car or a house.
Here's an example:
There was one guy on craigslist selling a motorcycle stating it needed a battery.
When told that a battery was available to put in to have it start, the seller refused saying, get this:

"It would affect the selling price."

Yeah sure, if the motor was blown!!!
You gotta love this place.
When I was buying my used truck, the ONLY dealer that guaranteed me the inspection as I said above
was Frank Foster of Pomoco Lincoln Mercury in Newport News.

Unfortunately, in your brother in law's case, he is SOL.

Why blame VA for what people do to try and sell things? Common sense IMHO would be a big factor if you were buying something.

[NJR]

Originally Posted by Erma

Why blame VA for what people do to try and sell things? Common sense IMHO would be a big factor if you were buying something.

I disagree Erma, although common sense is a big factor in making a purchase, many people are not "experts" in buying cars, motorcycles, houses etc.

It is in the nature of the unscrupulous to pawn off lemons on the unsuspecting public. I trustworthy seller would have nothing to hide. Unfortunately, Virginians do not enjoy the legal protection that most of the US enjoys.

I compare it to the "lock theory". Locks do not prevent theft, they just keep honest people honest. Similarly, consumer protection laws keep honest vendors honest

[rtandc]

Originally Posted by NJR

I disagree Erma, although common sense is a big factor in making a purchase, many people are not "experts" in buying cars, motorcycles, houses etc.

It is in the nature of the unscrupulous to pawn off lemons on the unsuspecting public. I trustworthy seller would have nothing to hide. Unfortunately, Virginians do not enjoy the legal protection that most of the US enjoys.

I compare it to the "lock theory". Locks do not prevent theft, they just keep honest people honest. Similarly, consumer protection laws keep honest vendors honest

I have to agree with Erma, why blame VA ...
Again it does all comes back to common sense....Heres a clue!!! if you are not an "expert" at something find someone that is and obtain their advice or use their services before and during a purchase...If you dont then its no ones fault but your own

[stva]

Why would you ever sign papers to buy a car without seeing the title? Not having the title probably means that the person selling it does not actually own it, or they own it but someone else has a lien on it.

*Shakes head*

[ShadowBat]

Would the Better Business Bureau be of any help here? You could always call local media to see if they would run a story about them. See how some negative publicity makes them feel. Or could you carfax it off the VIN# to see it's history?