Help!! My temporary tags are expired!

R

raheelc

Member
Location
Baltimore
Hi everyone,

I'm in need of some serious help! My temporary tags on my fx35 expired on August 31st, and I still haven't received my permanent plates yet from the dealer. I called them a little while ago asking when I'll get them, and I was told the person who handles the plates and registration is out today, and to call tomorrow morning. I also asked if it was possible to issue a new temporary tag until I receive my plates (car was bought in NY, will be registered in Maryland). They said they can't issue a new tag. And to top it off, I received a notice from my apartment complex that I'm parked illegally due to the expired tags and that my car will be towed in 72 hours if I don't resolve the issue.

Does anyone have any advice on what I can do? I have no idea on how to proceed! I really don't want to have to go through the hassle of having my car towed, etc.

Any suggestions????
 
Really not sure but if all else fails, call corporate if it was a big name dealer and go into the actual dealer and raise hell. They are not doing their job and just because someone wants to go on a vacation doesnt mean you should suffer.
 
have you had the vehicle for 30 days and why did they have to handle the titling and registration when they are out of state? i would mitigate the risk of towing and incurring storage cost by contacting the apt office and let them know about your situation. Ask for an extension even with fees or rent an enclosed garage for a month if possible. Then pass the cost to the dealer if it's their responsibility to get you the plate. you can also try to go down to the nearest mva yourself if you have all of the necessary documentation.
 
Just ask the sales manager at the dealership to give you a new temp tag until the real one arrives in person at the dealership. I had the same problem when I bought a used car before, it took the dealership three months to get me a clear title on my car before I could get my real tag. They just kept giving me a temp tag every month until they got it sorted out.However, I live in Ga so the process may be different down here. I would tell the dealership that you want to return the car due to them not providing you with a clear title, that will spark someone to step it up. However, you may have to threaten to use legal action if they still play hard ass about the situation. Also, make sure you talk loud in the showroom so that other customers can hear what is going on, the dealership do not want to come off as an asshole in front of potential customers so they should be more accommodating. It worked for me in the past. P.S. when you address them make sure you use keywords like unprofessional, very poor customer service, refund due to unfulfilled obligations, etc.
 
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I would first go to apartment management and explain the situation. I'm sure if they're reasonable and you can prove paperwork that you just bought the car, they'd understand and have some leniency. Then I would call the dealership and try to get it rectified ASAP. Is it an actual dealership or just some used car lot? If it's some independent used car lot, it's going to be tricky because they just don't care. Did you finance the car or do you have the title? If you bought it cash, then you can register it yourself. The issue is probably that you bought the car in NY and you live in MD and the dealership isn't sure hot to proceed.
 
Well I talked to my apartment management. They gave me until Saturday morning to sort out the issue. Not sure if that will be enough time, but let's see. It was not a big name dealer, it was an independent car lot. I did tell them when i spoke to them that if my car gets towed or i get a ticket, then they'll have to pay for it. As for the temp tag, apparently in New York they can't issue another temp tag, only one is allowed (at least that's what they told me when I spoke to them). I can't go to the dealership in person because I'm in Maryland at the moment for school. What I'm thinking now, is to just park the car somewhere where it wont get towed, and just rent a cheap car until they send me my plates. I'm lost for other ideas right now. I'll call them again tomorrow since the lady who deals with the registration stuff is on vacation (which is complete bullshit, someone else should know what's going on if one person is out for the day)...I can tell you that I'm not going to be going back to this place to buy another car anytime soon
 
I refuse to do business with small car dealers because of all the balls they drop. Clearly they need to take care of the issue whether their person decides to come to work or not. I would keep calling the manager, owner, whoever to get the issue taken care of. Squeaky wheel and what not. I would also put in a call to the BBB and file a complaint.
You may be able to talk to the apartment complex again before the weekend if the issue is not handled, and show them the further correspondence so they know that you're working on it, and not just ignoring the issue.
 
Yeah I'm going to keep calling them until they resolve the issue. Does anyone know if its possible to get a temporary tag from the MVA? (if I tell them the situation, etc.) I'll definitely put in a call to the BBB after speaking with the dealer again in the morning.
 
I would go to your local DMV with all your paperwork. You should have paid taxes, reg fees, as well as new title fees at the time of sale. They should be able to look up the vin and let you know the status and possibly give you a tag to get you by. Good luck!
 
Different state DMV's don't communicate well at all. You have to do the work yourself. I wouldn't expect the NY dealership or the NY DMV to be helpful at all with concerns for MD DVM.
Do you have any actual title in your possession?
 
I'm In cockeysville, Maryland. But I have some great news. I went to the MVA on wednesday, and they told me they cant do anything unless they have the tracking number for package that had my application in it that the dealer sent (not sure why they couldnt use the vin number, but whatever). I called the dealer to get that, and was put on hold for 10 minutes not once, but twice, each time the call dropping after 10 minutes. The third time I called, the guy who I needed to speak to actually picked up the phone. Being a typical car dealer, he tells me that they're extremely busy and I better not keep calling every 5 minutes. I just blew up on the phone after that. Long story short, I basically told him I was recording our conversation and that If I didnt have my plates in two days that they would be hearing from my legal representative. Once I said that, he actually took the time to check, and told me that I would have the plates by friday. And lo and behold, I just received them via UPS. I received the license plates, and registration certificate, along with the year and month sticker. Correct me if I'm wrong, but should I receive the title in the mail directly from the MVA in a few weeks? Or should it have been with my plates? The car was paid for in full, and I am the owner.
 
I would take the car back to the dealer. Leave it on their lot and demand a loaner until they have this matter resolved ASAP. This is their responsibility and you should not be burdened by their inept and incompetence.
 
Yeah I agree with you, but since I'm not in the same state anymore as the dealer, it will be difficult to do that cuz of my schedule. and at least I can drive around now without having to worry about getting a ticket or getting towed. Ill figure out what to do about the title if I dont get it in the mail within a week or so. I just cant deal with these assholes, every time I speak to one of them, I want to knock their lights out lol.

EDIT:

Was just reading on the MVA website, it says the title will be mailed to me regardless of how I applied for my registration. So I should receive it soon *fingers crossed*
 
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