I bought a car from a local dealer, paid cash and didn't get a pink slip. When I asked they told me that the DMV would send it to me in 4 to 6 weeks. Doesn't whoever sells the car have to have the pink or title to the car? Also, the tags were expired and was told that all I needed was the sales contract and the paper they put on the windshield. They did fill out some paperwork to send to the DMV but did not give me a copy. I did get the carfax report which showed no problems, should I be worried?

THe dealer doesn't issue the title... the DMV does... and the dealer is making sure it goes into YOUR name that way if you get drunk and run over a crowd of people at a bus stop and take off on foot... it doesn't get traced back to them.

As far as plates... some dealers can issue temporary tags... others can't. A lot depends on what state this is.

You're confusing me a little but here is how it works:

If the dealer is an issuing agent, he will fill out the paper work for title and registration and submit it to DMV. It takes weeks for you to get these from DMV. The dealer will give you a temporary registration, a copy of the bill of sale (basically a receipt), and any paper work you may have filled out should also be given to you as copies.

If the dealer does not have issuing agent status, you both would go to a title and tag place and have the paper work done and submitted by them to DMV. You will get temporary registration and all paper work that I already mentioned.

From what you said, sounds like he was an issuing agent and submitted the paper work to DMV. You should have received copies of anything you signed.

As for the tags...I am not sure what state you're in. Most states require you to get new license plates or transfer your old ones when you buy a car.