We purchased a car from VA Beach Auto Showcase on June 17. After nearly three weeks of calling them and a trip to the dealership to pickup the title (they are not nearby - approx. 150 miles away), they have not produced or sent us a clean title to the vehicle. (We left them alone the first week because that's how long they said it would take them to get us the title.)
At the time of purchase, we paid with certified funds. There's no need for them to hold title until the check has cleared, certainly not four weeks.
The temporary vehicle registration issued at time of purchase expires in three days. When I called the dealer today (spoke with Steve and Matt), my concerns were met with more excuses, questionable responses, cussing, laughter and hang-ups.in addition to their poor customer service and unprofessional behaviour, we were told today that they didn't even have a reassigned title - it's been sent back to the last dealer for their signature. (I'm currently researching if they even had the authority to sell us the car and what protections we have, if any.)
Furthermore, when asked about options should we not receive title within 30 days of purchase, the dealer refused to provide a second temporary certificate of registration in accordance with Virginia Code 46.2-1542 (C). This would allow us to continue legal and uniterrupted use of the car, as well as avoid potentially incurring additional fees.
Once the vehicle registration has lapsed, our property owner's association and our places of work do not allow unregistered vehicles on the premises and they have the authority to remove the car at the owner's expense. This vehicle will then need to be stored off premises otherwise we face towing and impound charges. Along with parking the vehicle else where, we'd obviously be unable to use/drive the car legally.
Finally, considering the dealer's unwillingness to extend the temporary registration, and without a title with which to register the car (if we ever receive one), the only other legal protection I've found is Virginia Code 46.2-1542 (B). This allows rescission of a vehicle sale when the dealer has not provided the title within 30 days. When siting this code to the dealership, they denied such code existed and that we could not rescind our purchase. I would have to strongly disagree with their understanding, or lack thereof, with the code and its content.
Although we are still in the middle of this process with Virginia Beach Auto Showcase and have yet to report on the final outcome, this experience is like no other I've had with an automobile dealership. As far as consumer protection laws and misconduct on their part, they have continually made false promise, or misrepresentation in connection with this consumer transaction (claiming to have the title followed by lies about having sent the title and promises that they will send the title on XX date, etc.). I strongly question their rude and unprofessional service from both salesmen and manager, their business ethics, and the legality of their operations.
Buyer beware of the product they intend to purchase AND the salesman selling it.
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