I bought a car from a dealer for $4,200 Paid Sales tax and paid him for the service of him changing the title to my name and getting the registration and plates. He was supposed to send it in the post approximately 3 weeks later we still hadn't received it so we called the dealer up there was no answer we left countless messages with no response. We called the Lodi NJ police department and I was told that this was a complaint brought in by 20 other parties and it appeared that the dealer had closed shop and disappeared. He had received the cars on consignment from a dealer that is disclosed I have no way of getting the name of the dealer. He sold the cars and didn't pay the dealer their percentage so that he can get the title and give it to us, so now its me with a car and no title and the dealer with a title and no car. My car was then towed by the police in the town I reside for no registration and expired temporary plates because it was parked on the street and not my private property. The car is currently sitting in an Impound lot charging daily and I can't take it out till I can show them a title. I went through a process with theDMV to obtain a title I got all the necessary paper work but they just sent it backl stating that " this is a legal matter , because I purchased the vehicle from a dealer and I have to get a court order from the superior court in my county that gives the DMV the go ahead to give me the title. Any advice on what my next move should be ? What type of lawyer should I c ontact ? Are there any loop holes? The fraudulent dealer went bankrupt so I can't sue.. I'm not interested in money just the title! I really appreciate any feedback!

Sounds like you need to save for a new car.
With the dealer filing for bankruptcy I don't think there is much else you can do
Unless you get the other 20 people together. But still it is getting blood from a rock.
AND then by the time you would go through any miraculous process by that time you would .
Most likely have well over a $10,000. Impound fee.
If somebody has the solution for you I hope they read this.

You don't have many options, I'm afraid.

The good news is that since the title has never been transferred, someone else will be responsible for all the impound and towing fees, since the vehicle is not in your name.

The bad news is you are out your money, and your car.

I'm sure that the other dealer, who has possession of the title, is not going to hand it over without being paid.

Talk to any attorney, most will give you a free initial consultation, you can get some referrals from a web site called handelonthelaw.com

Good Luck!

Yes, if he is going bankrupt there is little you can do to ever get your money back, unless criminal charges are done and they are forced to pay as part of a criminal settlement.

If you search the car title and find out who owns it, if they in some way where part of the fraud there may be some case there.

I think you might out to forget this and consider it a trip to Las Vegas with the airplane ride and fun. Impound fees are going to kill you ! They're probably charging $ 200 a day or something ridiculous. You might have had a shot if you still had possession of the car, but since you don't, I honestly don't think you ever will. You need to file a claim against the bankruptcy though for money owed. At least you might get something. Sounds like the dealer ripped off the money though and I doubt there are any assets owned by the business.

I'm going through the same thing right know I have a car no title and fustratred cause no one can help I talk to some one who told me that I needed to file a title complaint at the dmv and some people called inspector general of the dmv would investigate but these people are jurks call 411 and ask for the secretary of the states phone number and then ask her for the phone number of your local dmv inperctor generals number and good luck lets see what happens with me if I get any information ill let you know I guess you can also fill out a form requesting a copy of their bond you see every dealer ship by law has to have a bond on their cars and I guess by doing this you can get a refund in your case me I just want my title

This is a thread from June 2008 - long closed.