Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Ripped off big time by" Branded title" scam

[ksterrett]

I work with this guy that bought a used 99' CTD from a Dodge dealer in Lewiston, Id. after driving the truck for some time the VP-44 takes a dump . He then finds out it is coverd by DC and after leaving the truck with the local dealer he gets a call informing him the truck is not covered under factory warrenty ?, The reason DC showed the truck was totaled when it had 7K on it in UTAH and then repaired and given a BRANDED TITLE . Now the truck somehow was brought in from the state of WA. to Lewiston, Id. and sold to Steve with a CLEAN title and the accident was coverd up! . It sounds like FRAUD to me and to make it worse he can't seem to find any legal help that will give him any hope. Also Steve paid top dollor for this truck . Does anyone have any ideas how Steve can get retribution from this scam. Thanks for you help Ken S.

 

[Bob Wagner]

I would get a hold of the ag for the state of Idaho, that is fraud

 

[David Wheeler]

KS,



Not necesarily a scam. Some state laws make it extremely easy to retitle vehicles from other states without carrying forward "blemishes. " Have a friend now that has a clean TN title on his current vehicle. Unfortunately, his vehicle was badly damaged in GA where a "Salvage title" was issued on the vehicle. When the insurance company was through repairing the vehcile, they sold it to another dealer in AK where the Salvage part of the title was removed (since the vehicle was clearly road worthy). When my frind bought it in TN the AK title was converted to TN. Now, no dealer knowing the title's history will touch the vehicle becaue it once had a salvage title on it. Just remember, it probably isn't a "scam", just simply state laws being too lax! The old addage still applies, "Buyer beware!" Your friend should have run a title search on the vehicle before buying it. For $8 he would have known the vehicle's title history before buying. I'm not ragging on your friend. Most all people either don't bother to check or don't know that they can. I wish him luck with his situation... really.

 

[JR2]

My wife works at the DMV. She see lots and lots of this sort of thing every day. Some car dealers use these loopholes in state laws to get around the salvage title. Its sad but true. This is the best reason to use carfax.com or a similar service when you buy a used vech.



JR2

 

[DirtyDodge]

I know for a fact that you can bring a salvaged titled vehicle from out of state and when you transfer a title into WA, the salvaged title becomes a clean title. Sorry to hear about your friends experience.

 

[McDowra]

Call the local TV station, what they did may be legal but I'd be willing to bet they wouldn't want everybody to know it. I had a friend who got cheated by a insurance company. He put a flashing sigh in his yard that said don't buy XYZ insurance they screwed me. Talk about media attention, got his money in 24 hrs, in return for no news story.

 

[JTroiano]

He should ask the dealer nicely why an accident would cause the VP to fail and how can they be related. Then plead with them, could they help him out and get it taken care of. If he talks to the correct person they could say yes but he has to work the system and talk to the write person. I can say yes or no at the dealer I work at so he just has to get the write person. The service consultant should know who that person is.



Jon T

 

[Forrest Nearing]

lesson: always run a carfax before paying top dollar... it's cheap insurance... it won't show everything, but it'll definately show a salvage title!!



Forrest

 

[stacerbob]

Just like "most" of the over the road trucks reside in Oklahoma. Dealers that pull the scam actually have a ficticious (sp) address and license the salvaged title rig there then bring the paper back here and say yes it is a clean title vehicle, see here is the title. "most" people are clueless and say OK Im looking at the title and it is clean I guess I will write the check. Carfax is money well spent, some cars they even guaranty them to be "clean title"

 

[RowJ]

Carfax.com

BIG thanks to all posting above. I had never heard of this website and always trusted a clean title. Just happened to be scaning threads on TDR and read this one. Have been close to buying a used car from a friend and just ran it through carfax.com

Called friend to say no thanks - He knew nothing about the damage history.

I feel sure I just saved enough to cover the next decade of dues to the TDR! Your all on my X-mass card list for next yr - if I ever get around to sending them again. Thanks!!!!!

 

[ksterrett]

I want to thank everyone for your input on this subject. It sounds like this post saved " RowJ" alot of frustration, time and money. I think bottom line is nowdays before you buy use" Carfax" or other ways to research the history on the vehicle. I think when a car dealer crosses over the line into this deceptive way of doing buisnes ethicks are lost and will give them a black mark in the honesty and will trail them for a long time , but think about it when was the last time you saw a dealer use 100% honesty when you are trying to make a deal?. As for Steve and his truck he is going the leagle route and hope for the best and again thanks for your help . Ken S. i

 

[Philip]

ksterrett



One rule I use when buying used vehicles.



If the title is in the company name. Beware. Most of the time they are hiding something. Most states due not require the company to change titles over from out of state vehicles.



Myself if I see the company's name on a title I walk off. I want a privite owners name showing so I know who to call for a history check before I buy.

 

[y-knot]

Your story is sad but not UN-usual. These is one reason to always, always run the VIN number before a purchase. It is the best 19. 00 you will ever spend. There are alot of Fords being sold the same way that were buy-backs. Also I have a local dealer that offers all of Dodge's buy-backs, Yes there is many.

 

[stacerbob]

You would think that the dealer in this case would at least fix the truck for no cost just to try and "save face" Maybe they knew it had a branded title???