I bought a car from a private owner. They refused to send title after I made final paymt. What can I do?

Question

November 2008 I bought a car. I needed it to work and didn't have really any extra money. I found a 1991 Ford Explorer on a Yahoo group. The owner was really nice, and sold it to me for only $300 on payments. I thought she was a saint. Now, I'm wondering if she maybe just saw me coming, and sold it so cheaply because it was actually unsellable. I really hope I'm wrong about her, I liked her.
I finally got it paid off about a month ago. I've been using tags from another car. I had insurance but couldn't get the title to get new tags b/c I was making payments. The tags I was using expired, but I was able to get temp tags that are good for 30 days. 
The problem: Now that it is paid off, the previous owner refuses to send the title. I found the dealer she bought it from (she wouldn't tell me who they were, I had to research). I contacted the dealer and they said they have the title, but she never signed the back and they won't send it to her until she does. I've asked her if she will do that, then send it to me, but she just tells me she's tried, but when she goes to the car lot, no one is there to help her. She doesn't seem willing to do anything about the situation at all. She doesn't answer my phone calls or emails.
I need this car for work. When the tag expires, I can't drive it. Also, things are starting to break down and I will need to sell it soon so I can get another car, but without a title, what can I do?
What legal recourse do I have, so I can obtain the title? Thanks in advance for any help.

The Auto Evaluator™ · Accepted Answer

Well it's a messed up situation. Since the title is not in her name yet, technically she had no legal right to sell you the car because that's considered title jumping. 

I would call her and leave her a message telling her that title jumping is illegal and she either needs to process the title with full intentions of signing it over to you, or you will have no choice but to take her to small claims court. You must have a bill of sale and some proof that she sold you the car and accepted your payments. Good luck and I hope this helps.

Anonymous · Answer

You should have insisted on the title when you bought. She should have been put down as lienholder.

Then you could have gotten the tag.

Your new title, in your name would have been sent to her which, 99.9% of people would insist on getting their title with the lien released before making the prior payment.

Why you didnt is a question you have to ask yourself.

The seller has all your money and no motivation to get you your title.

And you let her do it to you.
-------------------newest response....

If the cars already paid off, then just keep bugging her about it. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

If you have a bill of sale and cant get her to cooperate, I DO think you might stand a chance in small claims court.

At the least it would motivate her to get your title to be done with you.

In the meantime, ask your DMV what can be done as far as a tag.

You OWN the car legally. You just cant get the title yet and it may be weeks from the time she signs it and the dealer sends it in before she gets it back, then however long before you get it from her.

In my state, you can get multiple 10 day tags but you have to go in repeatedly and pay a few bucks for each one.

? · Answer

Do you have physical possession of the car? Is there any existing paperwork that supports your claim that the money you sent to the bank was payment for the car? I don't understand the concept of "temporarily registered." Send him a registered letter, return receipt requested, in which you politely ask for the title, as per your agreement. Express polite unhappiness that you have been unable to contact him - and you sincerely hope that his continued silence will not force you to having to involve an attourney, because then he would be liable for costs and fees as well as producing the document. That might move him a little. Involving attorneys is almost always an attention getter.

Mandi · Answer

I think you can go down to the office where you get your license plates and give them the info on the car and they might be able to help you get the title! Im not sure on this but its worth a shot! Let them know that you paid of the car and the owner will not give you the title, if that doesnt work let the previous owner know you are taking it to court!

Anonymous · Answer

Obviously, this vehicle should have been paid off by that previous owner.  Why didn't you ask to see the title before you even dropped money on this ride?

I don't think small claims court wil be helping you with a vehicle title issue...hope you have more money to spend on this.

I bought a car from a private owner. They refused to send title after I made final paymt. What can I do?

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