Transporting a new purchase

[Don Bradner]

There is no procedure that you can follow that protects you from hassle, because
of the slowness of the DMV to update records. Someone else mentioned getting
something signed by the recipient to show they were taking possession, and
that's a good idea. Won't stop hassle, but should make liability less or none.

In 1985 I traded in a Ford Econoline on another vehicle. Mailed in the form, but
that did not matter; the dealer flipped it in one day, and the next day it was
involved in a hit-and-run (it was the offending vehicle) some 80 miles away. We
dealt with visits from the local police, highway patrol, and investigators for
the insurance company of the victim, plus calls from the victim, for about a
week afterwards. All were satisfied after seeing the dealer documents I had, and
then talking to the dealer, but all approached us initially as perps.

I don't know how long it was before the DMV records reflected the change of
ownership, but definitely a few days wasn't enough. They probably hadn't even
gotten it in the mail yet when the accident happened.

Point is, documents can cover your liability, but nothing removes the potential
for hassle.

On 12/7/2007 at 11:17 AM Pete Masterson wrote:

>Gregory,
>
>I can understand your concerns -- over the years, I've sold many
>automobiles privately as the trade-in values (to dealers) were
>generally unacceptable to me. Since I tend to drive cars until the
>wheels are ready to fall off, these sales were not always to
>(potentially) reliable people. (Cash (as currency) only payment
>accepted.)
>
>I have always promptly mailed the release forms to the DMV -- and
>I've never had anyone come back to me for unpaid parking tickets or
>other liabilities. So, apparently, the forms have worked for me.
>
>I suppose, if you're uncomfortable with mailing the form in, you
>could take it in to a DMV office and request that they sign (another
>copy) as a delivery receipt -- or give you some other official
>acknowledgment that you've turned in a release form. (Although
>waiting around a DMV office is far from appealing.)
>
>Pete Masterson
>'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
>aeonix1@...
>On the road at Golden Colorado where we're having "light" snowfall
>today.
>
>
>
>On Dec 7, 2007, at 10:35 AM, Gregory OConnor wrote:
>
>> Pete the unsetteling thing with that form is you have no proof of
>> sending it. I now send them certified with a proof of process
>> statement signed by a disinterested 3rd party. I keep a copy and
>> photo copy of buyers driver license. Since your only obligation for
>> release of liability is to send it, I send 'certified only' and save
>> the reciept for that proof. I do not send it 'return reciept
>> requested' because I dont want to add the obligation that the mail
>> reaches the DMV.
>>
>> Tim gave a car away several years back and it was impounded and
>> towed. we got notice that I was the last registered owner and just
>> let it go. The car was sold at auction for $500.00 and I was held
>> responsible for the balance of the Tow and storage. I never sent the
>> form in so I couldn't proclaim I did . my word has more value then
>> the $1,300 somthing balance. If the charge passed the $2,000.00
>> threshold, that value would have put me in court making
>> proclimations but still no proof of sending the form.