Man stuck with towing bill months after selling car

[@pauldavis9387]

This is called title jumping. I had a guy do this to me with a motorcycle. I turned in the title and had them list it as junked. The guy called very soon. I ignored his calls.

[@jamslam5641]

When you sell a car, you should immediately file a "Release of Liability" with the DMV so even if the buyer neglects to transfer the title, you will no longer be financially liable for the vehicle. This also happened to me when the buyer abandoned the car somewhere and it got ticketed numerous times and towed. City billed me for over $2,000 and I would have had to pay it had I not filed a "Release of Liability" prior to receiving the notice. WHEW!!!!!

[@ericnorred6280]

@Dean Jacobs exactly! See your paying your notary an extra fee to file all the paperwork for you. You maybe selling your vehicle in another state or the notaries in your area may not offer to file the paperwork for you. They may only give you the notarized bill of sale. If you read their comment, they are talking about filing the notarized BoS with the DMV themselves. BTW you mean title switched over, the new owner has to pay the taxes on it before they get the registration. But your liability ends as soon as that notarized BoS gets filed with the DMV, the title is then out of your name.

[@rivermcratt3683]

Yes, that's why they have the little tab attached to every title that says fill this out when you sell the car. Every title has a release of liability card that you break off and take to the DMV

[@jackhammer7824]

@@rivermcratt3683 Sense when? No little tab on any my titles.

[@rivermcratt3683]

@@jackhammer7824 many states have a little peel tab, other states just slip a card in with the title.

[@ericwsmith7722]

I don't see the problem, let the tow company keep the car, who cares ?

[@jessewilson8676]

eric wsmith yes the towing company wants the car but also wants him to pay for the towing on top of it.

[@ericwsmith7722]

Jesse, the towing company can "want" all it wants. They should file that bill under SOL.

[@DavidJohnson-tv2nn]

jessy wilson "F" the towing company! I wouldn't pay the greedy car thieves one penny!

[@coolhacker1025]

Except that the Secretary of State has sent him a letter. That means that if he doesn't paid, he can't get another drivers licence and that his earnings can be involuntarily withheld to pay his "debt"

[@Nobodyrocked]

I would not pay the towing fee and just leave the car there

[@denisetrine3066]

@Faisal Humayun On this car? He doesn't want the car anyway!

[@mfumich]

My guess is that state law would allow them to go after the registered owner for the towing and storage fees. Glad I don’t live in that state.

[@deanosborn3464]

This is why you meet the buyer at the Secretary of State or DMV and get everything legal right then and there thereby avoiding all this headache.

[@deanosborn3464]

@Dean Jacobs True. However, if you go to the Secretary of State or DMV you can transfer the car title there legally that way he owns the car now not you. The new owner doesn't have to get plates for his car right then but at least the car is no longer in your name and therefore you no longer have any liability in case he does something wrong with the car. I've did this with most cars I've sold to a private individual.

[@ericnorred6280]

@Dean Jacobs What @Faisal Humayun was trying to tell you is the true. A notary will not finalize the sale. You have to turn in the bill of sale to the DMV and keep a copy for your own records too, especially if your in Texas. I liked Mr. Osborn's idea too, go straight to the DMV to do the sale, I'd also still get a bill of sale though. I'm familiar with these laws in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and hazy on Florida.

[@teacher555555]

there is another option most towing companies do not want you to know. you DO NOT have to pay the bill at all. if a car sits on the towing companies property for a long time, lets say 6 months. the towing company will file with the state to get the title in which they towing company will have to take the time and money to get it and that not can or can not be an easy process its self. sending letters to the owner telling you are going to get the title if they don't come pic it up. having to call auto theft to make sure the car isn't reported stolen. then the car has to be sold either at an auction or by sheriffs sale. for a sheriffs sale, you have to put fliers up in public places saying you are going to have a sheriffs sale and put an ad in the paper.

[@pamelabuford6106]

repoman

[@teacher555555]

@Dean Jacobs i did. and know about this personally as my name is my job and as my job i drive a tow truck. this was about a man who sold his car but the new owners didnt register it so when it got towed for one reason or another, the towing company sent a bill to him saying that if he doesnt pay it then they will file to have the car sold to pay the bill. its at this point i would call the towing company and tell them that i sold the car X amount of time ago so i will not be paying the bill as its someone elses problem but if they try and come after me for the remainder of the bill after the car sales then it will become their problem as i will sue for them illegally trying to collect what i do not owe. this is also why when private party selling a car. once you sign the title selling it to someone, you are supposed to go to your local state's DMV and show them that you sold the car and its no longer your problem.

[@teacher555555]

@UCLrkYB953H5472ZuKen8BPw you think so. now who didnt watch the video? the man selling the car as well as the buy signed the title meaning that the BUYER now owns the car and all tickets and debts the car brings not the seller. all this man would have to do to void everything against him is to show either a copy or the title itself to the towing company which would show that he no longer owns the car and then one to the secretary of state or DMV proving that he is no longer covered for the car and doesnt want it. all this video proves is that the man who bought the car had no plans of putting it in their name so they can go around and commit crimes for however long until the police catch the vehicle or it breaks down. its why when you sell something that has a title to it, you go to who ever records that info for your state saying that you are no longer the owner of it and they can not go after you for any reason any more.

[@teacher555555]

@Dean Jacobs that is why you show them the title with the seller and buyers names on it. it VOIDS ANY tickets, fines or other issues against the FORMER owner because they sold the car to someone and are no longer legally responsible for it. please do not try and tell what is and what is not right to a repo agent as we know it more ant ant property lawyer ever could because we deal with it more times in one day than most lawyers of any type will deal with it in their entire careers. once the man signed his name as the seller and the person signed their name as the buyer on the title, then the buyer is now legally responsible for the car as long as the seller goes to the DMV of that state and tells them that i just sold X vehicle to X person. this will take it out of their system as you owning that vehicle and as soon as the person who bought it comes in, the DMV will register it under the new owners name. the new owner didnt go to the DMV at all for one reason or another. probably because they wanted a car they could commit crimes in. but the DMV only had the record of the previous owner so that is who they went after to tell them that X car is at X place for X time and they owe X amount to get it back. all this man had to do was call the towing company and the DMV and say that i sold that car months ago and is no longer my problem. do what you want with the car.

[@DBAllen]

@@teacher555555 No bill of sale screwed up this deal.

[@donwilliams6879]

In PA before the car moves an inch... go to a notary and transfer the title there! The notary will send the title to the state after it's signed in the correct places. If you ask they will also give you a copy of the notarized title so you can prove that it has been sold and that you're not the owner.

[@darrellpickering8535]

There's a kid in this town I'm fairly sure that does this. He has had a lot of cars/trucks over the years, not just a few but a lot. He may drive 'em a few weeks or a few months then it's something new.

[@JS-qd9rz]

In Michigan I keep a copy of the title filled out and a copy of their driver's license just in case the buyer tries to bend you over like uncle Rick!

[@alexh8613]

So why would he even pay the towing fee. Just say keep the car.

[@ericnorred6280]

@Dean Jacobs The tow company can't sue him, they have possession of object as collateral and he made no contracts with the company to pay any fees. Also the tow company has to send the notices through the government so then after the allotted time they can file for the title. Then they can do whatever they want with the vehicle.

[@ericnorred6280]

@Dean Jacobs "As far as the tow company is concerned" BUT NOT THE GOVERNMENT. No contract, no legal obligation to pay those fees. The tow company does have a contract with the city to tow cars that are broken down on the side of the road and charge fees associated to that vehicle. But the register owner is not liable for those fees. The tow company also can only put a lien on that one vehicle's registration that allows them to take ownership after the allotted time has passed with no payment.

[@ericnorred6280]

@Dean Jacobs I suggest you really read my comments then. The contract is only with the city, not the titled owner, and the fees go against the vehicle, not the titled owner. The tow company a coarse can try to sue him, you can try to sue someone for anything, but it would never pass because the owner has no legal obligation to do so.

[@ericnorred6280]

@Dean Jacobs How so? He didn't give them permission to tow the car. The city allows them to take possession of abandon vehicle and put a lien on said vehicle for fees associated to that tow and storage. The City didn't ticket the car and the tow company can't just charge the owner without some forum of a contract. The City contracts the tow company and are liable for the fees. That's why the city/state gives the vehicle to the tow company to cover their part of the contract. That also why the notices are sent through the State and not the tow company. If you would quit being so argumentative and hard headed you would see what others and myself have been trying to tell you here is the truth. Now I'm tired of going around in circles with you. So I hope you have a good life and goodbye!

[@ericnorred6280]

@Dean Jacobs quit talking out your rear and actually go read my comments. You may learn something you little troll!

[@Howlinblind]

Johnny could just tell the tow company,:Keep it, it'd yours"

[@KillerTruffle]

The title ALWAYS has a release of liability at the bottom. Always, always fill that out and turn it in to the DMV yourself, after making a photocopy. That way DMV has record that you no longer own the car whether the signed title is turned in or not. And yeah, always process some sort of receipt - even if it's just a sheet of paper with the details of the sale and both people's signatures on it.

[@chrislemaster2695]

Now here in PA you sell a car you both buyer and seller meet at the local notary of your choice. They have to witness the sellers license and compare the VIN numbers to the title and compare the Odometer reading as it is entered on all vehicles even if they are 30 years old mileage is recorded at the notary. Before the notary will issue a plate you have to have a insurance card with state minim liability instance before the title is switched. Both parties have to sign the title in front of the licensed notary and then they seal put the PA state stamp and send it to Harrisburg and you get title back in two weeks. In PA if you pull or let your insurance lapse The state of PA will send you a letter to send the plate back with in 10 days or a county sheriff will come get the plate and hand you a court summons and you will be fined for no insurance. When you sign the vehicle over at the notary in PA they will ask the original owner if he or she needs the plate if not they take the plate and tags from the owner and send it to Harrisburg. I junked out a 93 Oldsmobile 98 back in 2008 and a salvage yard brought it and they also had to meet me at the notary and title it that day and the salvage company branded the title as salvage/as parts only. I sent my plate back to Harrisburg and I got a state check for 12.00 for 3 months of unused registration. The plates in PA are 36.00 a year to title a car id 51.00 plus any sales tax and the notary fee and also you insurance for that car. You cant just pull the insurance off in PA the insurance companies have to report that to the state od PA so they can come get your plate. The next step id it needs a safety inspection that is 39.99 and emissions is included but if you own a 1995 or older auto it will be exempt from the tail pipe OBS 1 test and the exemption is 5.00. Other states need to follow in PA role and have these strict laws to protect the seller and the consumer as well.

[@DanielGarcia-zz9eg]

I would of not paid at all. Let it go

[@brucegriffiths5122]

Exactly. Tell them you're not paying that money to store a $300 car, and they can have it.

[@coolhacker1025]

The Secretary of State could take away his license

[@james64468]

Matthew how do you know that?

[@anthonystevenson5618]

Nonsense. It's a civil matter. The tow truck company can take him to small claims court.

[@Blackwater_House]

Many of Our Systems are based on Honesty and some people simply aren’t Honest.

[@Dobviews]

I would tell the tow company to keep their new car. They will never receive compensation from me. The tow company can sell the vehicle for parts. They don't need his 170.00 to screw him even more.

[@E.H.Tatman]

why does he need to pay anything when they are keeping the car? The tow company is dirty.

[@ericnorred6280]

@Dean Jacobs In the video the tow company told him he needed to pay. No laws were mentioned, nor are their any laws that would force him to pay. The tow company just gets to keep the vehicle because they can put a lien on its registration for the tow and impound. No contract was made between him and the company. So our laws would favor him not the company if they wanted to go after him legally.

[@darkstorminc]

@@ericnorred6280 tow company can also auction off the vehicle if fees are not paid and there is no lein.

[@pebonifield]

I worked for that big company that buys used cars and this was common, people bringing in cars and wouldn't consider selling to private parties because they had been burned in the past. Some people paying thousands in parking tickets because they didn't take the plate off the car or towed because it was parked on the street with no plate. Best thing to do, take the person to the secretary of state and sell it to him there.

[@Greengooseguavajuice1]

or and hear me out on this, cruise over to a tag and title place, and have it all notorized there, and its all done

[@ericnorred6280]

Lol tow company just played him!!! When a vehicle gets towed but no one clams it, the tow company files for a lost title and keeps it. Basically he payed them to make their job easier.

[@ericnorred6280]

@Dean Jacobs wow man your replying to my 2 year old comment. I'm also confused by what your trying to say? I just rewatched... "the video all the way "... I can promise you I did the first time too... and yes everything in my comment is accurate... Except they don't file for a lost title, its called something else... He didn't owe the city any tickets, that would of been on his record and yes he would of been liable for those fees unless he had a bill of sale. But again he didn't get any tickets, just the vehicle towed by the tow company. So he just owed the tow company impound fees. If he just ignored the notices sent to him, they usually send you 3 notices to your address over a 3 month span, after the last one the tow company then has the ability to file for a title. At which point they sell the car as a whole, part it out, or scrap it. You can even rarely sometimes offer to sell the signed title of the vehicle to the tow yard. It helps them out so they don't have to deal with the paperwork and storing the vehicle for the 3 months. Impound fees will not go on your credit record, nor will the fees get added to another vehicle's tow/impound fees, even if both vehicles are registered to the same person and towed by the same company. So I reiterate, tow company just played him HARD!!!

[@ericnorred6280]

@Dean Jacobs The tow company can't sue him, they have possession of object as collateral and he made no contracts with the company to pay any fees. He would have to pay said fees to get the car back but he has no legal obligation to do so.

[@ericnorred6280]

@Dean Jacobs lol there is no such thing as "technically" owing anything. No Contract, No legal obligation!

[@MidnightToker24]

They got to buy an extra Big Mac that night after ripping him off 😎

[@kindanyume]

i wouldn't pay a penny the law states the BUYER is responsible for notifying the DMV etc and no law requires the seller to have a bill of sale since that is for proof of ownership to have the title xfered to someone legally the towing company can place a lien on the car and take ownership accordingly such is a fairly routine part of that sort of business. (And quite a few ripoff artist companies try to do that illegally) But they have no leg no stand on to try extort $ from the prior owner regardless (Only exception would be if they had proof he still owned the car ie his plates on it.. valid insurance on etc)

[@MichaelWilliams-pf2dn]

If you live in Florida the title comes with a bill of sale on top of it that you fill out when you sell the vehicle I never usually do but I will make sure I do from now on

[@dcorica79]

I got traffic tickets for a car i sold 3 yrs ago....

[@MadsWorld34]

i got over $300 worth of parking tickets in the 80's for a car i sold so i went and found the car and it was still in great shape so i took it back and paid the $300 a week later i sold the car for $3500 again.

[@SkashTheKitsune]

in Australia, both parties must inform the department of the car's change of ownership The seller must fill out the disposal notice Both the seller and buyer must fill our the change of ownership form. Both forms must be filled in and filed with the state registration office (our DMV) within 14 days of sale or fines will be imposed. This solves all problems as if the new owner has traffic tickets after the sale, the registered owner is liable, the former owner cannot dispute the sale of the vehicle. When I purchased my vehicle, I not only illed out the forms but also took the previous owners to the "DMV" to have not only them file the disposal notice but for me to change the title to my name and have it registered so I can drive it off the property. I was then driven back to the previous owners home and took the car off their land and have not seen them since, lovely couple.

[@williamcassidy685]

Would be great if you do stations had reporters report on things like cops breaking the law this type of investigative reporting that they’re using on this kids messed up car sale would do great the help she was in need for police reform

[@Ultra-LV]

He sold the car, say keep the car.

[@jimmieburleigh9549]

Most states you just let the tow company keep the car with no money. It's one or the other not both.

[@barrydiamond5193]

You didn’t have to pay, even without a bill of sale. If the car received tickets then you are stuck.

[@kevmann4116]

You signed over the title without collecting the money from the sale????!!!!!

[@kevmann4116]

@Wickem That makes even less sense.

[@douglasrodrigues9329]

Years ago, I traded in a Corvette to a Toyota agency for a 4WD 4-runner. Six years later I get a letter from the police informing me that "my" Corvette has been impounded because it was used in some type of drug deal. The plates were fictitious. Apparently someone bought the car from the dealership and never licensed it. According to the letter, it implied that I was the legal owner. Although tempted to take possession of that Corvette that I had traded off six years earlier, I decided to not get involved with this mess. If I did take possession of that Corvette it would be like perhaps I was involved with those idiots who used it in a drug deal?

[@crimsonknight7011]

Interesting they left it there for 3 months and let the lot fee increase and didn’t bother to notify him till it was at a price they liked. Also wouldn’t be surprised if the buyer was someone that worked for or with the towing agency to screw people over.

[@tigersteele9552]

THIS IS WHY YOU PUT A SOLD NOTICE ON THE MVD WEBSITE!!! OR GO TO MVD WITH THE BUYER TO MAKE SURE THE TITLE IS ........TRANSFERRED TO HIM!!!!

[@markusphrase393]

He didnt have to pay towing company anything, they would have to prove he didnt sell the car, almost same thing happened to me, we ended up in court and i won, tow company kept car but i didn't care i had already sold it, the greedy bunch tried to get money out of me and that wouldn't happening. You can also video your sell and have a news paper with a date and thats best proof.

[@gw2008]

It was his best option. The towing co. could have taken to him to small claims court.

[@johnboy1946]

He didn’t send in the bottom of tittle to show it was sold ... his fault ..

[@gbear1005]

Car isn't mine.. sue me. Hangs up phone.

[@mattschehr163]

Don’t pay it

[@stevenb320]

Anyone with brains does the paperwork at the dmv or notary, make sure its transferred correctly. Signing the title does not mean they own it till its legally signed over. He is legally responsible for the car still so paying the bill is not a option he can refuse unfortunately because the business could take him to court for the fees.

[@stevenb320]

Someone said I was wrong and not true. Actually it is true. The owner of the vehicle is responsible for the car. Unless they can prove the vehicle was sold, Bill of sale or signed agreement. The option the owners can do is sign the car over to the company. Either way it's a court issue. I've been there before. Sold a car signed and notarized the title. New owner never transferred the car. Got letters in the mail for parking tickets and more. I had to go to court to prove I no longer owned the car and sold it to someone else. It's a headache to deal with..

[@megason2]

I traded a car in to a dealer who then sold it at auction to another dealer who then sold it to a kid never transferred the title kid totaled it and another car they try to come after my insurance then when my insurance company wouldn't pay they try to come after me personally but I have my bill of sale from the dealer fast forward my license got revoked for no insurance on the old car took me weeks with DMV to get it sorted out and or is it got sorted out was because I had my bill of sale where it was listed as trade in with the dealership that I bought my new car at

[@surveyordave]

why would he want the car back anyway??? ALWAYS get a bill of sale.

[@captainazm2016]

its called a release of liability takes 5 mins online and there ya f=go

[@brettmoore3194]

Let them keep the car , deal done. Who would fall for this. They keep the car but shoukdny have paid nothing

[@fk4515]

Get a bill of sale and take a picture of the signed title and e mail it to yourself.

[@hammerdragon4321]

I tell them keep the car I'm not paying a cent

[@mikeparkes7922]

No bill of sale? No proof he sold it? Johnny's not the sharpest tool in the shed then, is he?

[@oiljak]

Send release of liability to dmv done dmass

[@havok9001]

the car is not his any more its the city now & he does not owe nothing & also the new buyer is to blamed for not switching & he sure pay up

[@bobbrooks80]

I make 2 copies, both people sign both copies. You lose yours I still have a copy.

[@larrybaley1371]

Creating a story out of nothing!! Towing company just keeps the car anyway. It goes up for auction. Court gives new title to new owner. Seller simply ignores it.

[@tywanjames4427]

Except now he only pays $160 instead of that plus fees.

[@lq7777]

Why pay anything? Its the buyer's problem and if it gets sold at auction who cares as it isn't his car anymore.

[@eileeneclark9011]

7/25/18.....Ridiculous. Guy sold the car & gave title to new owner. Also removed his tag & cancelled the ins....WHAT WAS SELLER SUPPOSED TO DO? FOLLOW THE CAR + HOLD NEW OWNER'S HAND? SCREW the tow fee.....let them have the car b/c not seller's car when it was towed. NO wonder tow firms suck! Just sayin.....

[@Astinsan]

Just abandon the car.. you have your plate. You canceled the insurance. You have proof that it happened. The plate is in your hand. It’s no longer your car. Wouldn’t of paid a dime.

[@markusphrase393]

Most tow company are big time crooks just so you know, they will lie like crazy to get money out of you

[@kitdinker]

So that's what happened to Jesse Pinkman's car.

[@MiguelRodriguez-zz3cw]

Towing company is a joke and the law is too

[@alexkg1]

What's the story here? Just ignore the bill and let the car go to auction. Must be a slow news day

[@pgstgermain]

So don't pay, if he paid 2000+ for that he is a fool.

[@pgstgermain]

@Hgyvtfygyhuh Ygihvutctvnininnin No.

[@georgetrynamakeajug]

CAR BORKE DOWN A MONTH LATER..THE SELLER IS A DIRT BAG

[@2-old-Forthischet]

Another CL horror story.

[@dalelambdin5028]

The gal on the left is smoking hot

[@ericmiranda9841]

Moroon sellers, next time go to DOT.

[@gerble36]

There's a difference between making an uninformed mistake that you can learn from and whatever a moroon is.... I assume you meant moron, as maroon is a colour. If you would like the definition of what a moron is, please refer to your mirror. Alternatively, you may also find the definition of what a moroon is from that same mirror as well I imagine.

[@kevinhoward6607]

Actually a maroon is an insult as well as a moron. The more you know!! The proper way to do it is sign and notarize the back of that title at the bmv. There will then be record of the sale with said receipt from the notarization

[@jayheezy3439]

F

[@michaelofsc6021]

Most every tow company I know would be happy if you just sign the title over to them, then they could easily sell it for scrap.

[@mauricegeorge4320]

In this case, it is clear that they can put some kind of block to block this guy apply for new titles etc.

[@howtobebasic2122]

don't sell your car on craigslist.