Help! Dealer refusing to transfer title

[Rspayde]

Sounds like you just need to get your bank involved in the process it is technically their title anyways.

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[archer87]

To be clear: I *am* eligible for X Plan. I provided that eligibility to them prior to purchase.

Last night, after weeks of waiting for my plates and title, I was told that they are refusing to transfer the vehicle to me because of a dispute between the dealership and X Plan. They've demanded I provide further proof of eligibility and I *have* provided that again, but I maintain that they have no right to refuse to transfer the vehicle to me. I've paid for it. I've got a signed contract. The issue is between the dealer and X Plan.

 

[AttackGuy64]

Understand that the dealership is REQUIRED by Ford to obtain all A,Z,X or D Plan information BEFORE the sales contract is COMPLETED and signed, if they want to be reimbursed for selling at the Plan price. At this point, it is their problem. The contract is now consummated (yeah, like in marriage), as witnessed by the 1st month payment on the loan. You have nothing else to do. As far as you are concerned, there is no further action to perform for the dealership. (Tell them to go pound salt.) They sold you the vehicle at a good price you found acceptable; you have no idea what they are talking about with this "X Plan" stuff.

To get your DMV stuff done:
First - Contact (physically go to) the TX DMV and tell them the dealership has not complied with state filing regulations. Tell them you also want to file a formal complaint with the Enforcement Division. Let DMV know you can provide them a copy of the contract and your bank statement (only showing) where the loan funds have been withdrawn as proof of the transfer of ownership.

Next, Second - Contact Ford customer service again and tell them you want to file a complaint with the Ford Dealership Services Texas Area Manager. (You may have to call 3 or 4 times until someone will put you through to the other side.) Also ask for a refund of your DMV paperwork fees (not the registration fee) since they are past the regulatory deadline and you had to "effectuate the service". Don't hold your breath for that, but they will tell the dealership it was requested. Note, this is not the type of call that a dealer GM wants to get from Ford.

Next, Third - Call the loan company and tell them you want to stop payment on the loan because the dealership has not transferred title to you by the DMV deadline. Since title has not transferred, you do not legally own the vehicle, and are not liable for the payments. That is your position (but not intention because you don't want to f/u your credit). Ask them if they would contact the dealership general manager to get this fixed since they would not do it for you.

Then, Fourth - File a complaint with the TX Better Business Bureau.

After that is all done - Call the dealership general manager and tell the person you had to call the DMV Enforcement Division, Ford Dealership Services, and the loan company because your salesperson refused to file the DMV paperwork. You regret having to do it, but your salesperson left you no other choice, and would they (electronically) file paperwork that day. If it comes up, tell him you don't recall "an X-Plan" being part of the deal. The salesperson and finance person won't be working there any more.

Finally, go to the service department of another dealership and introduce yourself. You won't be going back to that prior one. They will be happy to have you as a customer. A large portion of dealer profit is made on services and parts, not the vehicle sales. Your a fairly sure thing for at least the next 3 years.

It works. I had to do the same thing. I didn't do all those steps, but most of them and the DMV handed me my registration/plates that day.

 

[stickshifthappy]

Understand that the dealership is REQUIRED by Ford to obtain all A,Z,X or D Plan information BEFORE the sales contract is COMPLETED and signed, if they want to be reimbursed for selling at the Plan price. At this point, it is their problem. The contract is now consummated (yeah, like in marriage), as witnessed by the 1st month payment on the loan. You have nothing else to do. As far as you are concerned, there is no further action to perform for the dealership. (Tell them to go pound salt.) They sold you the vehicle at a good price you found acceptable; you have no idea what they are talking about with this "X Plan" stuff.

To get your DMV stuff done:
First - Contact (physically go to) the TX DMV and tell them the dealership has not complied with state filing regulations. Tell them you also want to file a formal complaint with the Enforcement Division. Let DMV know you can provide them a copy of the contract and your bank statement (only showing) where the loan funds have been withdrawn as proof of the transfer of ownership.

Next, Second - Contact Ford customer service again and tell them you want to file a complaint with the Ford Dealership Services Texas Area Manager. (You may have to call 3 or 4 times until someone will put you through to the other side.) Also ask for a refund of your DMV paperwork fees (not the registration fee) since they are past the regulatory deadline and you had to "effectuate the service". Don't hold your breath for that, but they will tell the dealership it was requested. Note, this is not the type of call that a dealer GM wants to get from Ford.

Next, Third - Call the loan company and tell them you want to stop payment on the loan because the dealership has not transferred title to you by the DMV deadline. Since title has not transferred, you do not legally own the vehicle, and are not liable for the payments. That is your position (but not intention because you don't want to f/u your credit). Ask them if they would contact the dealership general manager to get this fixed since they would not do it for you.

Then, Fourth - File a complaint with the TX Better Business Bureau.

After that is all done - Call the dealership general manager and tell the person you had to call the DMV Enforcement Division, Ford Dealership Services, and the loan company because your salesperson refused to file the DMV paperwork. You regret having to do it, but your salesperson left you no other choice, and would they (electronically) file paperwork that day. If it comes up, tell him you don't recall "an X-Plan" being part of the deal. The salesperson and finance person won't be working there any more.

Finally, go to the service department of another dealership and introduce yourself. You won't be going back to that prior one. They will be happy to have you as a customer. A large portion of dealer profit is made on services and parts, not the vehicle sales. Your a fairly sure thing for at least the next 3 years.

All of the above, and don't forget the coopee-de graw: leave a flaming bag of poo at the dealers front door at least 2x.

 

[fuitilium]

To get your DMV stuff done:
First - Contact (physically go to) the TX DMV and tell them the dealership has not complied with state filing regulations. Tell them you also want to file a formal complaint with the Enforcement Division. Let DMV know you can provide them a copy of the contract and your bank statement (only showing) where the loan funds have been withdrawn as proof of the transfer of ownership.

This!

 

[DBX2]

Understand that the dealership is REQUIRED by Ford to obtain all A,Z,X or D Plan information BEFORE the sales contract is COMPLETED and signed, if they want to be reimbursed for selling at the Plan price. At this point, it is their problem. The contract is now consummated (yeah, like in marriage), as witnessed by the 1st month payment on the loan. You have nothing else to do. As far as you are concerned, there is no further action to perform for the dealership. (Tell them to go pound salt.) They sold you the vehicle at a good price you found acceptable; you have no idea what they are talking about with this "X Plan" stuff.

To get your DMV stuff done:
First - Contact (physically go to) the TX DMV and tell them the dealership has not complied with state filing regulations. Tell them you also want to file a formal complaint with the Enforcement Division. Let DMV know you can provide them a copy of the contract and your bank statement (only showing) where the loan funds have been withdrawn as proof of the transfer of ownership.

Next, Second - Contact Ford customer service again and tell them you want to file a complaint with the Ford Dealership Services Texas Area Manager. (You may have to call 3 or 4 times until someone will put you through to the other side.) Also ask for a refund of your DMV paperwork fees (not the registration fee) since they are past the regulatory deadline and you had to "effectuate the service". Don't hold your breath for that, but they will tell the dealership it was requested. Note, this is not the type of call that a dealer GM wants to get from Ford.

Next, Third - Call the loan company and tell them you want to stop payment on the loan because the dealership has not transferred title to you by the DMV deadline. Since title has not transferred, you do not legally own the vehicle, and are not liable for the payments. That is your position (but not intention because you don't want to f/u your credit). Ask them if they would contact the dealership general manager to get this fixed since they would not do it for you.

Then, Fourth - File a complaint with the TX Better Business Bureau.

After that is all done - Call the dealership general manager and tell the person you had to call the DMV Enforcement Division, Ford Dealership Services, and the loan company because your salesperson refused to file the DMV paperwork. You regret having to do it, but your salesperson left you no other choice, and would they (electronically) file paperwork that day. If it comes up, tell him you don't recall "an X-Plan" being part of the deal. The salesperson and finance person won't be working there any more.

Finally, go to the service department of another dealership and introduce yourself. You won't be going back to that prior one. They will be happy to have you as a customer. A large portion of dealer profit is made on services and parts, not the vehicle sales. Your a fairly sure thing for at least the next 3 years.

Excellent advice. See it through.

 

[Brian_B]

If you have a loan, won’t the bank get the title? I don’t know TX law but I can’t imagine the bank would have transferred money over to the dealer without the title or some other binding document providing the bank the collateral immediately.

 

[archer87]

I'm honestly not sure, I'm new to America. All I know is that at the very least they're refusing to either hand over the plates or do the paperwork to GET the plates because of a conflict between the dealership and X Plan.

 

[frdfan]

What SPECIFICALLY is the dealer asking for--the OP states they are asking for proof of eligiblity, in what form? Do they need a XPlan PIN #? Also, if there is a loan on the vehicle, the title is an electronic title with the state of Texas, it won't be printed until the loan is paid off and paying the loan isn't contingent on receiving the title/license info.

 

[Brian_B]

I should also point out - typically title and registration are two different things. Title is proof of ownership. Registration is permission to drive on the road (the license tag). The title issue may be fine and thus the bank released funding, but the registration is being held up as leverage to get the OP to provide whatever it is they are asking for. The bank won’t give a hoot about the registration, but your car won’t be anything more than a lawn ornament without it.

Just a guess, I don’t know the process in TX, but it was something like that in 3 other states I’ve purchased in

 

[archer87]

They already have my X Plan PIN and proof of employment with an eligible company (i.e. payslip). I gave this to them during the purchasing process in January.

Now, weeks later, they are demanding further proof of where I work - which I have provided, again - and refusing to title the vehicle.

Let me be clear: they have their money and I have a signed sales contract. They have no legal right to withhold my plates or titling. They are having a dispute with X Plan and they are trying to make it my problem.

 

[BUCKIN6VA]

Extortion usually involves Money. They're just asking for some paperwork/documents? Why cause yourself so much stress fighting it?

 

[archer87]

"Extortion usually involves Money. They're just asking for some paperwork/documents? Why cause yourself so much stress fighting it?"

To be clear: I provided them the documentation (again) within a few hours of being asked (I was called at about 6pm while grocery shopping, I came home and sent the documents at about 8pm). I am withholding nothing.

But I know where this is going - they're going to try to hit me up for more money. They'll spin some bullshit about X Plan and say I need to give them more money or they'll withhold the titling.

And to be clear: the sales contract has been executed. They have my trade in vehicle on their lot. I've got the Bronco. And the loan has been paid out (I've actually made the first repayment on it already).

 

[Gizmo]

Extortion usually involves Money. They're just asking for some paperwork/documents? Why cause yourself so much stress fighting it?

Because he needs a plate and registration to drive the Beast

 

[Brian_B]

But I know where this is going - they're going to try to hit me up for more money. They'll spin some bullshit about X Plan and say I need to give them more money or they'll withhold the titling.

You could very well be correct - I don't doubt you.

If I were in your shoes, I would tell the dealer you need their request in writing. Make sure you get that written down, directly from them, what they are asking for. You could mention it's for your legal counsel to review if they are being cagey (you don't actually have to have to lawyer yet, but they don't need to know that). If you already have it on a letter or in an email from an employee of the dealership, then you can skip this step. And let us know what the letter says - then we can help better.

Once you have it written down what they are requesting - even if you have submitted it before, resubmit it, along with the document. And keep a copy for yourself showing exactly what you submitted.

If after that they are still claiming something is wrong - get them to re-request in writing, clarifying why what you submitted wasn't correct and re-stating what they require from you.

This second round is where I would consider paying a few hundred dollars just to get a strongly worded letter from an attorney and/or jumping all over that DMV process - depending on how they are treating you and what they are saying. But I would get them that first attempt to get things right - it could very well be a misunderstanding and somewhere something isn't lining up and just getting them a document makes it all better.

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