Should the dealer looked at the VIN? Sure they should have. But I don't think the dealer was trying to pull a fast one on me. This car went from one dealership (who was going out of business) to another. The owner of the dealership took the other dealer's word on this. I could have let the guy take the car back but I think it is a good deal and the ***le process doesn't seem to be overly complicated. I have a feeling if I let the dealership take it back it will wind up being parted out or worse s****ped
I got some paperwork in the mail today. There is a VIN verification form that I need a state trooper to fill out along with an MV1 form and a sheet with some instructions. I have to tell them how I got the vehicle. Copies of proof of ownership from the prior owner if there are any (in my case there is none). Also need pictures of the car (no surprise there). According to the second to the last paragraph of the instructional letter a bond is not always needed. However in my case I am sure I'll need one since there is no outstanding evidence of ownership (ie insurance papers, old registrations ect).
Wisconsin has a procedure for ***ling vehicles ***embled from new, used or aftermarket parts. PM me and we can discuss. For other Wisconsin residents, the "HOBBYIST" license plate procedure has been a major source of aggravation for a number of people, as has been told to me. There is no vehicle inspection program in Wisconsin but, applicants for "HOBBYIST license plate must submit photos of the car and a detailed description of the modifications. This is visual inspection by photo. If, Wis DMV does not like what they see in the photos, the vehicle MAY be subjected to an equipment inspection at a Wisconsin State Patrol headquarters. The only benefit of the "HOBBYIST" license plate is that, it is a one time fee, life long plate for vehicles 20 years and older but, no driving during January. Many people believe that, the "HOBBYIST" license plate exempts the vehicle from Wisconsin vehicle equipment or safety requirements, IT DOES NOT !!!!! All you get is a one time fee, life long license plate. I discourage anyone from applying for a "HOBBYIST" license plate. Applicants for "COLLECTOR" plate must send in photos, also. Previously, submitting photos were not part of the application procedure. Wisconsin has 36 different "specialty plates" and photo submitting is not part of their application procedure. These procedural changes are for OLD CARS. Curt R
The intentional sale of a car with the ***le from a different car is fraud(***le laundering). It appears that you are convinced it was an honest mistake(that they wouldn't pair up a car with a ***le that didn't match). Okay, I'll accept that the ***le got mixed up, honest mistake, so the real ***le is back at the dealership. Eh? But you say two dealers were involved? That makes it more unlikely that an honest mistake was made. Two dealers that didn't check the vin when they transferred a car? Highly unlikely. Collusion comes to mind, or what's called "***le jumping" in most states. Whatever........ Ha. Bottom line? Where is the ***le for the car they sold you? More likely than not somebody has that ***le. Maybe in Arizona? Maybe in Utah? Maybe in Wyoming? When someone else comes up with the real ***le when this is all sorted out during the vin verification (if it turns up in your state), or worse yet, years from now; Who loses? You do. As I said before; Forgiving the dealership for committing what appears to be fraud lets them off the hook with the possibility of you being left holding the bag and since you have declined their offer to return the money, your contract with them has been modified, they no longer have any financial obligation to you. You are rolling the dice, you can lose, they now have nothing to lose.
I got a bill of sale today from the dealership along with a refund of the ***le and tax fees. The guy at the dealership told me if I got a bill of sale in the mail it would be because the previous dealer didn't have the correct ***le. I will make an appointment for a trooper to inspect my VIN here sometime soon. In Wisconsin ***les do not have to be put into a dealer's name. While I can't vouch for the first dealer the one I bought the car from seems honest. I seen the incorrect ***le with my own eyes, it was ancient (at least 40 years old). I fail to see why the dealer would risk loosing his dealer's licence over a vehicle that at best has a profit margin of a few hundred dollars. This is a 500 hundred dollar project car, not a 30k restored 3 window coupe. I agree that the dealer should have done due diligence and sorted out the ***le mess. But what is done is done. There is nothing gained by me raising Cain. I could be a big ***hole and whine, kick, and scream that I need a ***le. Where would that get me I ask. Either way the VIN will have to be verified and a bonded ***le will need to be obtained. If the dealership did the paperwork before hand the price would reflect that (probably be a 1000 dollar car instead of a 500 dollar car). If I do it myself I am only paying for one ***le transfer fee instead of two. As far as another car showing up with the same VIN and a ***le, sure that is completely possible. But really now who do you think is going to be in a deeper **** pile? I'll give you a hint, it won't be the guy that had his VIN verified and do***ented by both the DMV and a police officer. The absolute worst case scenario is the car turns out stolen and the bond covers the money I put out for the whole deal. I don't see where I have much to loose here.
Like Curt R said the Hobbyist plate in Wisconsin isn't as easy as it use to be. About 5 years ago I got a Hobbyist plate for my '32. Sent in the ***le and money, then waited about 6 weeks for the plates. I just did my model A truck this summer and it's what Curt said. Sent in the ***le and money in June, 3 to 4 weeks later I get a letter from the state that they need pictures. I call the lady at the state and she is real nice, answers a few questions. They want one pic of the front, back, both sides, engine compartment and interior. So I send in my pics. Another 3 to 4 weeks go by and I get another letter from the state saying I need to have the State Patrol do an inspection. So I make the appointment and get the inspection. The officer was real nice, first thing he asks me is where are your fenders and bumpers? I tell him according to state law I don't need either because of the age of the vehicle, true. He says he hates doing these inspections because if he has a question and calls the state he doesn't get a straight answer from those FUC%ERS at the state(his exact words). He tells me if everything looks pretty good he will p*** the truck. He checked the head, tail, blinkers, interior indicator, and stop lights. Horn, exhaust, safety gl*** and serial number. The saftey gl*** wasn't marked so I went to the place that cut the gl***, only 2 miles from the inspection site and they wrote me a slip verifying the safety gl***. He p***es me, cool. Send in my inspection get the ***le back about 2 weeks later now mark as Hobbyist and should have the plates in about 4 more weeks. This process takes time so plan ahead. If it were me and you want the Hobbyist plates I would get the ***le in your name with regular plates first so you can drive the vehicle and then apply for Hobbyist plates. Sorry for being so long winded. Maybe this will help someone and they will know what to expect.
Roupe, Regarding the Model A ***le, What year, make and body style is stated on the ***le? Is the ***le branded "street modified" or any other type of designation? Did amy DMV personnel state that, you had to get "HOBBYIST" plates because the vehicle was modified? Thanks. Curt R
The dealer called me today. Apparently he tracked down three of the previous owners. One was dead but the other two confirmed that the ***le was for a 51 Dodge. Apparently this car has been ***led incorrectly for at least 27 years if not more. The dealer (West Side) told me he would give me 100 dollars to pay for the bonded ***le. That was unexpected and this guy is really going the extra mile to try and help me out Hopefully I can get the VIN inspected this week.
I got my ***le today I didn't get the paperwork sent in right away (could have had the ***le last year). I got the bond (it was 100 dollars) and only paid tax on the purchase price of the car. It was a little more of a h***le but at least now I have a legit ***le and don't have to worry about a historical do***ent coming back to bite me. It isn't that hard, just takes time. I would never ever get a bonded ***le after I fixed up an old car. Best to get the ***le while the car looks like a pile of ****.
The Jalopy Journal
