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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
  
Location: In The Snow, AZ | Found a decent, 4 horse straighload/stock trailer. I wont get into the details because they aren't really relevent. The guy we bought it from has a home up where we live, and a home in Scottsdale. He was in Scottsdale when he posted the ad, so he had his neighbor show the trailer to us. We decided to buy on the terms that he would send the title out that weekend. We called him that weekend and he said the title was at his home up where we live and would be there the following weekend to get it and would send it out. Now he will not answer our calls, texts or emails. I messaged him off a different phone about something else he had for sale and he responded immedietly. So we know he is ignoring my husband.
Now we don't know what to do. Yes, our dumb mistake. We should have known better, obviously. But is there anything at all we can do to obtain a title? I have read that beyond a certain year, a title isn't required to register and get a plate for it. I've also read that we can obtain a Title Bond and then be issued a title if it doesn't come up stolen. Any other ideas? |
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  Independent Cuss
Posts: 3977
 
Location: Dearing, GA | My first thought would be to find out if the trailer is stolen. That sounds incredibly sketchy to me. |
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 Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | I would get legal advice from an attorney.
I purchased a truck with cash from a guy who said the title was lost. Filed for a lost title and the truck had been stolen from up north and broght to Oklahoma. I filed for a new title in Tx and had the Sheriff himself show up at my door step the next morning. It took months to get it all straight. I didn't end up with the truck, but I got my cash back and purchased one from another individual that had the title in hand.
You can always contact the sheriffs office or police station and ask them what you can do. Give them the address and name of the person that showed it to you. Who knows the "neighbor" might've been the Seller himself!
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7264
| Ask Cindy Hamilton, she's a trailer dealer, she might be able to help, or answer questions. |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | Did you pay for the trailer by check and did you have a bill of sale made out? If not, it is going to be a little bit hard to get a title. If you did, you can get a bonded title and go through that process. I'm not familiar with the Arizona titling process, I can only tell you what can be done where I am at. Technically, especially if you paid by check, you have a paper trail back to him so he HAS to supply you a title or help you get one. What I would do is send him a certified/return receipt letter stating what you need...if he refuses to pick up the letter, then it shows bad faith on his part, that he is not willing to cooperate or stay in touch and looks bad on his part. At that point in time, I would get legal advice and go from there. But this is, again, coming from my own experience (work at a car dealership, partly as a title clerk) and what is doable in Montana.
Edited by mtcanchazer 2015-03-05 11:34 AM
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| I'd just let him know that you will be contacting the police about finding out if it is a stolen trailer. My sister had to do threaten with calling the police once when selling a horse. People usually respond quickly after that. |
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Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | No paper trail here. We paid in cash. And no bill of sale as he wasn't present. I know, I know. What were we thinking? We were blinded by a good deal that we knew someone else would pounce on. So we trusted him. |
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Regular
Posts: 71
Location: Some where | Don't know about AZ. but my brother bought a stock trailer in Louisiana and couldn't get the paper work and title for it either. He had to get a State Trooper to come out, inspect it and stamp it like it was a home made stock trailer and had to applied for the title and registration like that. |
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 Hawty & Nawty
Posts: 20424
| ~BINGO~ - 2015-03-06 10:38 AM No paper trail here. We paid in cash. And no bill of sale as he wasn't present. I know, I know. What were we thinking? We were blinded by a good deal that we knew someone else would pounce on. So we trusted him.
Save your text messages for evidence. Take the trailer to the DMV for an inspection. If it's not reported stolen file for a bonded title. If it is, you're out a trailer but you have your text messages to prove your case. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1162
Location: White Mountains of AZ | RidenFly - 2015-03-05 10:55 AM
~BINGO~ - 2015-03-06 10:38 AM No paper trail here. We paid in cash. And no bill of sale as he wasn't present. I know, I know. What were we thinking? We were blinded by a good deal that we knew someone else would pounce on. So we trusted him.
Save your text messages for evidence. Take the trailer to the DMV for an inspection. If it's not reported stolen file for a bonded title. If it is, you're out a trailer but you have your text messages to prove your case.
Yes! this^^^ |
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Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | QH<3er - 2015-03-05 1:01 PM RidenFly - 2015-03-05 10:55 AM ~BINGO~ - 2015-03-06 10:38 AM No paper trail here. We paid in cash. And no bill of sale as he wasn't present. I know, I know. What were we thinking? We were blinded by a good deal that we knew someone else would pounce on. So we trusted him. Save your text messages for evidence. Take the trailer to the DMV for an inspection. If it's not reported stolen file for a bonded title. If it is, you're out a trailer but you have your text messages to prove your case. Yes! this^^^
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 Texas Lone Star
Posts: 5318
Location: where ever my L/Q trl is parked | Sorry for your troubles....but I'm glad I'm not the only one that tries to see everyone as being honest. I'm not perfect but I try to be honest when selling something or I don't sell and trash it. I just got screwed over by a company that does custom jobs, got some $$$ back but not all. |
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 Damn Yankee
Posts: 12390
Location: Somewhere between raising hell and Amazing Grace | It is possible to file for a replacement title on certain things. However, that will vary from state to state and can be very difficult.
We ran into an issue with a horse trailer, 17 foot steel goseneck stock. We bought it in South Carolina. Back then, and it still may be the case now, SC doesn't require trailer registration. So when we bought it, paid in cash, got bill of sale, seller signed the title and gave it to us. End of story. When we moved to Georgia we never used the trailer. It literally sat for two years killing the grass.
Then we moved to Missouri. When we went to register the trailer, Missouri refused it because our last state of residence was Georgia, and they said we would have had to changed the title to GA first. Well....GA will only do it if the sale was noterized, which is was not.....
So.....we just "lost" the title, had the seller redo the bill of sale in my name, and Missouri gave us a new title.
It was a hell of a headache, and we still had the seller helping us out....but there are ways it can be done. |
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 Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | dont you need a bill of sale to obtain a lost title? that was a huge mistake.cash and no bill of sale.. if trailer is stolen you could get in a mess with no papertrail and no bos .
Edited by Bibliafarm 2015-03-05 8:37 PM
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 Expert
Posts: 2154
Location: USA | Take it to the DMV and see if it has a title and make sure it's not stolen. You taking it to them, you should not get in trouble if in fact it is stolen. And you have text messages, addresses and names that you can give to police if needed and if you need to press charges yourself. |
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Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | Yes we did make a huge mistake. The guy emailed us today. Said he bought the trailer free and clear and said he's out of the country. He said he sent the title out already and we should have already received it but will get a duplicate. So we will see what happens. I appreciate the options that you guys have suggested and if we don't receive a title, we will pursue further. |
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Veteran
Posts: 161
Location: Right Where I'm Meant To Be :) | Don't know about your earlier question but this response from his smells even worse than the first!! Please tell me you're not buying that too  |
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Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | ~BINGO~ - 2015-03-05 9:07 PM Yes we did make a huge mistake. The guy emailed us today. Said he bought the trailer free and clear and said he's out of the country. He said he sent the title out already and we should have already received it but will get a duplicate. So we will see what happens. I appreciate the options that you guys have suggested and if we don't receive a title, we will pursue further. I feel bad for you I hope he is being honest .. good luck.. maybe it will have a happy ending..to get a new registration and tag you need a bill of sale to.. and a title here anyway..
Edited by Bibliafarm 2015-03-05 8:39 PM
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Hawty & Nawty
Posts: 20424
| Out of the country? No flipping way. |
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 The BHW Book Worm
Posts: 1768
| Someone stole our horse trailer last year and sold it to someone in your exact position. They seen the trailer on crime stoppers and turned it it 3 months after it was taken. He sold it within 12 hours of taking it. They have to get them off there hands quick so the price is right. I felt horrible for the people.
I was so thankful because no time in the near future would I ever be able to buy another trailer.
Edited by Thistle2011 2015-03-05 9:09 PM
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 304
Location: Up and over to the right | Wait how did you pay the 'owner'? Through the neighbor? You've backed yourself into a SOOL deal so far. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | So how did you find this trailer to buy, like were was it advertise? |
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 Expert
Posts: 1857
| Use someone else's phone and set up a meeting to buy the other thing he has for sale. You'll know real quick if he is lying about being out of the country. If he does agree to meet to sell it to you then you can address him them. Also if the neighbor is the one who did all the cash handling for you I think I would be banging on their door until they helped track him down. They obviously can get ahold of him of he trusts them with money. Good luck!! I hate shady people!! |
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 Veteran
Posts: 287
| This is so shady, so I apologize in advance BUT make sure it's not stolen then just forge a bill of sale. If it's anything like my county, they won't look any further than that and you can go from there. Horrible advice, but it's an option |
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Expert
Posts: 1857
| wickedstepmother - 2015-03-05 11:08 PM
This is so shady, so I apologize in advance BUT make sure it's not stolen then just forge a bill of sale. If it's anything like my county, they won't look any further than that and you can go from there. Horrible advice, but it's an option
I was going to say the exact same thing but I was a chicken. I agree with you, and is probably what I would do! Good luck to the OP and I hope the trailer isn't stolen |
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 Expert
Posts: 1718
Location: Southeast Louisiana | You'll just dig the hole deeper for yourself if you do some of the things people are suggesting and it does turn out to be stolen or tied up in a property settlement or something. You should tell the guy that this wasn't the deal you agreed to and you want either the title or your money back (by text, of course). I'm sure you're going to have to get legal help, but you would be making yourself clear with at least a text to prove it. Don't be nice to this predator. |
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Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | FlyingJT - 2015-03-06 12:22 AM wickedstepmother - 2015-03-05 11:08 PM This is so shady, so I apologize in advance BUT make sure it's not stolen then just forge a bill of sale. If it's anything like my county, they won't look any further than that and you can go from there. Horrible advice, but it's an option I was going to say the exact same thing but I was a chicken. I agree with you, and is probably what I would do! Good luck to the OP and I hope the trailer isn't stolen
and if its stolen? dont you think thats wrong if someone paid their hard earned cash for it to have it stolen? I will just say wow that might be the easiest thing to do but it sure as heck isnt the right thing to do.
Edited by Bibliafarm 2015-03-06 12:04 AM
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Veteran
Posts: 287
| Bibliafarm - 2015-03-05 10:02 PM
FlyingJT - 2015-03-06 12:22 AM wickedstepmother - 2015-03-05 11:08 PM This is so shady, so I apologize in advance BUT make sure it's not stolen then just forge a bill of sale. If it's anything like my county, they won't look any further than that and you can go from there. Horrible advice, but it's an option I was going to say the exact same thing but I was a chicken. I agree with you, and is probably what I would do! Good luck to the OP and I hope the trailer isn't stolen and if its stolen? dont you think thats wrong if someone paid their hard earned cash for it to have it stolen? I will just say wow
Did you not read where I said check to male sure it's not stolen? I did say it wasn't real great advice. |
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Veteran
Posts: 287
| Oh, and WOW yourself. |
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Expert
Posts: 1857
| Bibliafarm - 2015-03-06 12:02 AM
FlyingJT - 2015-03-06 12:22 AM wickedstepmother - 2015-03-05 11:08 PM This is so shady, so I apologize in advance BUT make sure it's not stolen then just forge a bill of sale. If it's anything like my county, they won't look any further than that and you can go from there. Horrible advice, but it's an option I was going to say the exact same thing but I was a chicken. I agree with you, and is probably what I would do! Good luck to the OP and I hope the trailer isn't stolen
It said to make sure it wasn't stolen first.... |
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Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | FlyingJT - 2015-03-06 1:11 AM Bibliafarm - 2015-03-06 12:02 AM FlyingJT - 2015-03-06 12:22 AM wickedstepmother - 2015-03-05 11:08 PM This is so shady, so I apologize in advance BUT make sure it's not stolen then just forge a bill of sale. If it's anything like my county, they won't look any further than that and you can go from there. Horrible advice, but it's an option I was going to say the exact same thing but I was a chicken. I agree with you, and is probably what I would do! Good luck to the OP and I hope the trailer isn't stolen It said to make sure it wasn't stolen first....
ok.....missed that part.. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 696
| FlyingJT - 2015-03-06 8:02 PM
Use someone else's phone and set up a meeting to buy the other thing he has for sale. You'll know real quick if he is lying about being out of the country. If he does agree to meet to sell it to you then you can address him them. Also if the neighbor is the one who did all the cash handling for you I think I would be banging on their door until they helped track him down. They obviously can get ahold of him of he trusts them with money. Good luck!! I hate shady people!!
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Hawty & Nawty
Posts: 20424
| Did you trailer come with plates? Az issues perm plates and technically, those plates are supposed to stay with the owner. However, if your trailer still has the plate attached, chances are slim its stolen, plus you can get a wealth of info off that plate number. *crossing fingers you have the plate* |
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Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | RidenFly - 2015-03-06 10:14 AM Did you trailer come with plates? Az issues perm plates and technically, those plates are supposed to stay with the owner. However, if your trailer still has the plate attached, chances are slim its stolen, plus you can get a wealth of info off that plate number. *crossing fingers you have the plate*
great point! |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | This is just a strange thing to happen, it almost sounds like a scam except you did get the trailer just not the title. What brand of trailer is it? |
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Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | RidenFly - 2015-03-05 7:01 PM Out of the country? No flipping way.
I wouldn't say we are "buying" his response. Out of country does seem pretty far fetched, and I am WELL aware of scammers. LOL. When I had messaged him off of my phone about buying his panels, not from my husbands phone, he told me he was out of the country as well, but would be around next weekend to show them. He is a real person. We have searched his name and number and it all registers. His neighbor has lived next to the guys house for many years. He takes care of the guys property while he is gone.
In saying that, it doesn't help me get a title. Ha. If we can't get it figured out, and don't receive a title, we will be setting up a "meeting" to see his panels. Unfortunately he is well off the beaten path. Lives 8 miles in on a forest service road, and with recent storms, I'm not sure there WILL be roads. BUT, we will figure it out.
The trailer did not have a plate. The neighbor removed it for the seller as well as unloaded hay and some tack that was in it. It is an older Charmac, I believe. And of course, where do you think it was advertised? Good old craigslist. Now, we won't go bankrupt if we lose out by any means. We bought the trailer to fix up and resale. WITH A TITLE, it should bring at least double what we paid. But that's a dwindling happy ending. :-)
I guess it's the waiting game. It sucks when you give someone the benefit of the doubt and it slaps you in the face. But the more people I come in contact with, the more it seems that you should not trust until it's earned and see the bad before the good. Sad. |
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 Shipwrecked and Flat Out Zapped
Posts: 16390
Location: DUMPING CATS AND PIGS IN TEXAS :) | I hope it all works out soon. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Around here there's people that buy older stock trailers without titles, they just use a bill of sale are their checks to prove they bought it and its theirs to get the plates for it, I have done this. It will work out for you, I would get the man that you gave the money too to write out a bill of sale on the trailer. |
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Shipwrecked and Flat Out Zapped
Posts: 16390
Location: DUMPING CATS AND PIGS IN TEXAS :) | If you weren't in Arizona, I'd go beat a Bill of Sale out of your neighbor for you :) |
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Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | LRQHS - 2015-03-06 8:27 AM
If you weren't in Arizona, I'd go beat a Bill of Sale out of your neighbor for you :)
I'd let you. Lol. |
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Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | Southtxponygirl - 2015-03-06 11:24 AM Around here there's people that buy older stock trailers without titles, they just use a bill of sale are their checks to prove they bought it and its theirs to get the plates for it, I have done this. It will work out for you, I would get the man that you gave the money too to write out a bill of sale on the trailer.
This... is what id do when he comes to town. id also run the VIN if it was just sitting there but possibly hes telling truth or bought it liek you are and doesnt know or have title..these days you never know.. but to be sure id check anyway... .. good luck |
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I am your favorite rash and you know it
Location: Being pushed over the edge, NM | 1.) Obviously, save everything, including the ad. Screen shot the ad and save all communications
2.) If you know how to trace the IP on an email, do that, you can find out right off the bat what part of the country he's in. If you don't know how to trace an email, it's very easy and I can explain it via PM or you can google it, but many email platforms have an option to view the message source.
3.) Google the entire VIN # and the last few digits of the VIN along with "stolen trailer", see if there are any hits, many times owners will put out ads and posts warning people their trailer is stolen.
4.) If you have not already contacted law enforcement, you had better do it ASAP to CYA. They can do a VIN inspection on the spot and at least you will have a paper trail in case the trailer is indeed stolen. Also, the trailer's owner will also be able to get notified, and the police will be able to take your evidence and go after the thieves. Be aware, you may lose your money on this one, so the faster you get on this, the better things will possibly work out for you
5.) Never, ever, ever, ever do this again... if it's at all sketchy, ever, then err on the side of caution. |
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 Having Smokin Bandits
Posts: 4572
Location: Woodstown, NJ | Are you sure the "neighbor" is not him? |
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Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | SmokinBandits - 2015-03-08 7:13 PM Are you sure the "neighbor" is not him?
Lol, I guess it is a possibility. Who knows at this point. We just got back from "out of town" last night. Checked the mail and no title. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 696
| just wondering what ever ended up happening with the trailer title... |
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 Friendly horse swapper
Posts: 4122
Location: Buffalo, TX | Have your tag office run the VIN and see who it's registered to and where they live...(I have to do that all the time)....if the name is the same as the person you purchased it from, then you need to make it hot on him to send a title or bill of sale and send it "certified mail" with a tracking number (**from wherever he is at**)....all of our titles & MSO's are mailed by certified mail, and it's saved my butt several times because I have proof....
If it's registered under another name, then it's probably stolen, and legally you don't own it and you need to take the "seller" or the "neighbor" to small claims court and get a judgement for the money you gave him....jmo, but if it's stolen, I think it's your responsibility to get it back to the rightful owner and pursue the scammer....I hope it's legit.... |
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 Ima Cool Kid
Posts: 3496
Location: TN | scarry !! I am looking for a used 24 foot stock trailer and talking with a lady now about heres but i am a good day's drive. All your stuff is making me ask better questions. Hope it works out for you
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Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | He emailed the other day. Said he would be coming up to his Williams, AZ house this weekend. He said that the title was mailed backed to him. So we could meet to exchange the title or he could send it again. I told him we would meet him. Haven't heard anything since. If we get to next week without a title in hand, I'll call him the VIN and see who the owner is and go from there.  |
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Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | Sounds like a runaround.. for some reason or another.. maybe he just bought it without a title to.. who knows.. good luck..or maybe its his exwife or something..
Edited by Bibliafarm 2015-03-14 9:55 AM
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Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | It DOES sound like we keep going in circles. But it does seem odd, however, that he would keep in contact. I just got another email saying he will be in my city, Flagstaff, today or monday and asked when we were available to meet. Maybe all hope is not lost. LOL. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 600
Location: Oklahoma & Texas | I bought a trailer in Oklahoma years ago...and in Oklahoma they don't have to title trailers well when I moved back to Texas i had to get it registered and needed a title ..since they don't issue the titles in Oklahoma i had to go to the DPS office to the trooper that checks for stolen trailers he ran my Vin and gave me a certificate then I had to go have it weighed and they gave me a weight slip then I could ho to the dmv where you register vehicles and with those 2 things they registered my trailer and ownership...i sold it later but that was all I needed here... |
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 Veteran
Posts: 133
Location: texas | RidenFly - 2015-03-05 12:55 PM
~BINGO~ - 2015-03-06 10:38 AM No paper trail here. We paid in cash. And no bill of sale as he wasn't present. I know, I know. What were we thinking? We were blinded by a good deal that we knew someone else would pounce on. So we trusted him.
Save your text messages for evidence. Take the trailer to the DMV for an inspection. If it's not reported stolen file for a bonded title. If it is, you're out a trailer but you have your text messages to prove your case.
how did you find out about the trailer? was there an ad? if so save a screenshot of the add and what not for proof! and save the texts as well!! |
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Bought a trailer....made a boo boo.....