Figured this would be the best place to talk about this issue I had with a dealership and kinda get the word out. This was copied and pasted from the BBB COMPLAINT

I really don't want anyone to get ripped off like I was about to do.


DELACY FORD, ELMA NY
2022 FORD F350 VIN# 1FTRF3B65NEF21671 listed for sale with 14,200 miles. The vehicle has an AUTO CHECK on their website which claims clear history. A CARFAX of the VIN by myself shows a clear history and an oil change in JUNE 2022. After the oil change there was NO transfer of TITLE to the dealership. Several different back stories of the truck (Owner used it back and forth to work...it was tranded in and used to plow the parking lot at the dealer...ex. ex). Nobody at the dealer could disclose when or if it was even traded in to the dealership. I drove over 300 miles to purchase this vehicle. I had my own financing of $30,000 and a check for $19,970 as a payment along with the $500 deposit which was over the phone via a Credit card. I arrived at the dealership and met with the sales man RYAN who I was speaking with over the phone. While looking at the truck I observed covered up damage to the passenger side inner door sill along with "fresh" overspray, non factory, which was a different color than the truck. Also underneath was clearly tampered with along the door sill. I brought my concerns up to RYAN who went in and got a manager about the potential issue. Manager "AARON" came out and immediately became aggressive asking us why we are picking apart the vehicle and what we were seeing must have been a shadow or the reflection of the "Grass". Instead of helping us he berated us. This was after a 6 hour drive with myself, my wife and three children to purchase a truck for $50,200. Manager AARON continued to be aggressive and continually stated "either buy it don't buy, there is nothing going on here, I didn't do anything.Ryan turned the vehicle around and the covered up damage was still clearly seen. I understand that the drive was a risk for many reasons but the dealership is covering up damage. How do I know there was no significant frame damage.






This was a random drill hole in the floor board of the truck. Manager had nothing to say about this as well.

 

I'm not saying any of this to defend this dealership, or dealerships in general for that matter. They can and do on occasion, lie, mislead, and treat the customer like trash. I could be mistaken, but I don't think dealerships have to actually take title or register a vehicle in their name. I have noticed they can be less than forthcoming when it comes to previous ownership history. In some cases I believe they truly don't know much about it, or if they do, try to share as little as possible. The details of that previous owners use etc. isn't important to them. It is possible that they are completely unaware of previous damage on vehicles they take on trade, or purchase at auction. Even if they are ignorant to all the details of this truck, there still is no excuse for the way they reacted to your inquiries.

 

I’m somewhat puzzled here. What is the basis of the BBB complaint? I mean, you were not cheated because you were diligent with your inspection, so you pulled the plug on the sale. Can you file a BBB complaint for attempted deception?

I did look up the vehicle on the dealership website, it did clearly state it had not been in an accident.

 

There were multiple changing stories about the history of the truck. Started out that it was dealership owned and only used to plow. Then changed to that the previous owner was very good friends with the l owner of the dealership and he trades in his truck every year. There was a $10000 plow on the truck and it was only 14 months old.

I never got a copy of the title even after multiple attempts as requested by my bank.

 

Going by what OP wrote, if OP and sales guy both see the same unexplained damage type repair work and call manager and manager says it is only a grass reflection, that tells me manager knowingly and intentionally is deceptive for some reason.

 

If the dealer "used" the truck to maintain their facility, then the truck would have an MSO, never a title unless the dealership put plates on a lot truck, unlikely.

You keep tripping over a title, dealership don't have titles for new or used vehicles.

New vehicles come with certificate of origin.

Finance companies hold the titles. Guarantee every vehicle on that lot is financed, The titles are put up for collateral.

Even if a dealership had the cash to cover the entire lot, a used vehicle would never be in the titled to the dealership. If you look on the back of the titles you will see there are multiple areas for co- assignments.

The titles are " floated through multiple hands". If it wasn't, it would cost months of delays waiting for the states to process titles. A used vehicle could sit on a lot for months and waiting on the state to process title paperwork. I often wait months to get my titles once I turn in MSO to states (I'm a fleet manager)

​​​​ At the end of the day you did not have to buy the truck. Simple as that.

There's a chance you take when you buy a used vehicle especially with a snow plow. Lesson learned?

 

Sounds like you need to be shopping for a new truck instead of a used truck

 

Not everywhere. In NY, the owner has possession of the title. The finance company is listed on the title as a lien holder. Can't transfer title until lien is cleared. Finance company sends a letter to owner when loan has been satisfied.

 

Not defending a dealer by any means. But you traveled 6 hours. Are you a NY resident? I ask because I've bought dozens of vehicles in my life as a NY resident.
Dealers generally do not have a title to give to you at sale time. Vehicles that come in on trade or purchased at auction, etc. do not have hang around on the lot to wait for a title transfer to the dealer's name. The dealer resells the vehicle, and with the document money the customer pays the dealer goes to DMV to apply for registration and title for the customer. You get a temporary paper registration taped to the windshield. DMV in Albany mails the title to the customer directly in 2 to 4 weeks. At least for NY residents that's how it works.
If you're an out of state resident the title transfer will go by your state's rules. Those I have no idea how it would work. I've titled and registered out of state vehicles that I purchased to NY registration and title in the past with no issues and no dealer assistance.
I guess I'm a little puzzled. Initial post says you were "about to" get ripped off. Like you passed on the truck. Then a later post complains about you or your bank not getting the title. Which as explained above you would not have received immediately no matter what. If you didn't buy why are you speaking of not getting the title in a later post?

Exactly. I've been through it more times than I could ever remember. If you pay a vehicle off, you can put the payoff letter from the bank with your title or else you can take the letter to DMV and have the lien removed from the title if you want to transfer vehicle ownership. Either way works.

 

I am a NJ resident and I was not financing through the dealer therefore all the paperwork would have been given to me at the time of the transaction at said dealer and when I got back to Nj to register it, the New NJ title would be going to my financing bank.

The financing bank was requesting a copy of the title ? This was during the time I was getting approved for the loan and the loan paperwork was being processed.

 

I live in Missouri. It's the same way. We are a title holding state. But that applies to the consumer, You, not the dealerships

 

That is the plan now. Ordering a 24’

 

It looks like you didn’t buy the truck good for you doing your due diligence. I’ve always told my, adult kids, you have to be willing to walk away and don’t get wrapped up in “I really want that truck”. Also if the dealership seems evasive or has an attitude…again, walk away. There are just too many trucks and dealers so you will eventually find what you want.
I to am picky but I guess old enough to take my time and if I drive 6-hrs then walk away so be it. It’s cheaper than buying a crappy $50k truck. A good life lesson for your kids also.

Good luck…

Mike