Modern Vespa

So I'm about to buy a used LX150 from someone, and they just informed me that they don't have the title. They recently bought the scoter from a dealer, and have not yet received the title from them (4 weeks and counting).

What are the ramifications of this? What do you all think I should do??

dont give them any money without a title. I think thats the second rule on craigs list.

What happens if they just lost the title? That does happen sometiems right? Actually, i don't know where my title is for my GTS! Its lost in my desk somewhere.

if i was you... no title, no sale....

you can request a new one from the DMV's website or by filling out a form from the DMV. Its not a big problem.


-cheers

I was thinking 1/2 upfront, 1/2 when dealer delivers title. Whats the worst that can happen?

Why coudn't I do that with this scoot?

true. but i'd play it on the safe side. if it was someone you know i'd say go for it....


still, why are they selling it so soon after purchase?

...whats the first rule? First rule: Read the second rule?

Good question...I just found this out...thought they had owned it for a year or so.

the title could only be sent to the person whose name is on the title. in order for the scoot to be yours, the seller must have title in hand to sign and mail. if that doesn't happen, the scoot isn't offically yours.


-cheers

the title could only be sent to the person whose name is on the title. in order for the scoot to be yours, the seller must have title in hand to sign and mail. if that doesn't happen, the scoot isn't offically yours.


-cheers[/quote]

Oh - the seller has to mail the title to the DMV? I'm confused now. I thought they just it and handed it over.

looks like mischief to me...

for example, i sold my old scoot to a friend. she knew me and i her. in the agreement, i would pay off my scoot with the money she gave me. i made the payment with the lender (who has the title) and then the lender sends me the title in my name. when i got the title, i signed it to my friend....

she wouldn't have played along if we didn't know eachother.... same kind of thing....


-cheers

No its the same as the first rule of FIGHT CLUB! But seriously the worst thing that can happen if you put down half without the title is that you lose the half.

The worst is that you lose half the puchase price instead of the whole purchase price. Nobody but a flake (or a crook) attempts to sell a vehicle without access to the title. Are you sure that you want to trust and do business with this person? If you do, then let him do whatever he has to do to come up with a valid title.

Oh - the seller has to mail the title to the DMV? I'm confused now. I thought they just it and handed it over.[/quote]

ok. when you buy a scoot from a dealer, they have to send the paperwork to the DMV and the DMV sends you the pinkslip. if you take out a loan to get the scoot, the pinkslip is in the banks name and is sent to the bank.

once the owner of the scoot wishes to sell, he must have pinkslip in hand. on the back of the pinkslip there is a place to sign over to the new buyer.

the pinkslip is then mailed to the DMV and the change of ownership takes place.

kind of confusing. hope that helps

They can get a duplicate copy from the RMV. Let them do that first. Or go to the RMV with them and get the title, transfer it and then register it in your name.

If they need your money to pay it off make sure you have a really good purchase and sale agreement.

Good luck.

Drew

But then really the worst is you wake up looking like this the next day!

I love you man - thanks. Very helpful.

So if I went through with this, and didn't get the title, what the heck happens to the scooter? I send it to a scooter orphanage? Or just run from the long arms of the law for the rest of my time on planet earth?

Oooh my god. Please delete! I almost puked when I saw this.

Sorry. I want the message to be fully absorbed. So if you put down your money you know what to expect.

Ok, so the story is:

The owners registered the bike with the DMV a couple weeks ago and hadn't recieved the green and pink slip back from the DMV. The owner DOES have a temporary ID from the DMV (what the hell is this??)

How long does it typically take for CA DMV to return slips/Title?

According to my calculations your answer would be..........

You could lose half.

SDG

No, the seller signs the title over to you. You send it in, along with the required fee, and the DMV issues a new title to you.

Until the title is signed over to you, you do not own it, regardless if you paid for it. If you were buying it from a close relative (who wasn't an @$$hole) you might chance it, but a stranger? Not a good idea.

Make sure you also get a bill of sale.

yup

That doesn't sound right. If bought new, the dealer sends the paperwork in to the state and you get a copy of the application for title. If owned free and clear, the title is sent to you. If there is a lien on it, the title is sent to the lien holder until you retire the debt. The lender signs off interest and the title is sent to you.

If this seller sent in the paperwork himself, it sounds like he is the second owner.

Lots of questions here. How long has he had it, was it bought new, how many miles, any visible damage? Very important, does he have the brown key, blue key and the key code card?

I don't claim any knowledge about California law, but if you were here or in Wyoming (I practice in both states), I'd say don't buy it. Since I'm early in the alphabet, I field many phone questions, and the single greatest source of problems is private vehicle sales--all of them too low-buck to hire an attorney, but expensive enough that people are losing chunks of change. At least half the questions have to do with failure to get clear title at the time of delivery/payment.

My typical advice revolves around having to sue in small claims, which is a heckuva pain in the neck--and not a guarantee that you'll get the title, but an order (which you then have to enforce) to get back your money--if the seller has any money.

Bottom line: You can't license it or ride it until you have good title, and why in the world would you rely on someone you don't know to get that to you, after you've paid? Not smart, believe me. Best advice: Exchange money for title.

Cary

If they've only just bought it and they're selling it I would also check that there is no finance company with a claim on the scooter.

Are you kidding me?

Don't hand over any money without getting the title in exchange.

Heh, ok guys - I get it. Thanks so much for all your advice. If you can't tell, I've only bought new from the dealer - and that was only once!

Title for cash or no deal.

You go with seller to dmv. you and seller stand in line. dmv clerk gives you both many forms to sign. dmv send you title. OR..... wait till seller has pink slip in hand and do transaction then. If vehicle was financed, the lender will be the owner and until the lender endorses the pink slip, you can't own it. see.

You can make the deal if you do the following:

1. Have a bill of sale indicating the original owner, VIN number of the vehicle, signed and dated by both parties.
2. The original owners transfers the registration of the vehicle and title over to you. There should be an area on the vehicle registration paperwork where the owner can sign over ownership and transfer of title to you. (If the vehicle was financed, then when the owner pays off the vehicle financing, the company will release the title which will then become yours)

It's similar to buying a used car from a dealer.

If you're unsure about California law, I would suggest a quick visit to the California DMV or give a local scoot shop a call and ask them...they can advise you in more detail.

It typically takes a couple of months to get the paperwork back from the DMV on a normal transaction unless the dealer is connected via computer to the DMV. Paperwork transactions take longer.

Good luck!