dCAutomotive nightmare, what should I do?

[flatsixcrazy]

Hey guys,
I am soliciting advices from you guys on what to do in this situation. I have posted these information on the other sites, so some of you may have seen this already. As some of you are aware, I bought a 1971 911T roller from dCAutomotive on Ebay, for a RS clone project, four months ago. I am having a hard time getting dCAutomotive to send me a clear NC title for this chassis, despite constant reminders for the past four months. I have called these guys every other weeks or so to get the ball rolling, but have not had any luck and all I got was promises. The chassis has been sitting in my garage since the first week of March without a title, taken up valuable workspace. I am giving them another 30 days to get their act together. I intend to file a lawsuit against these guys with the Commonwealth of Virginia in mid July if I donot have a clear title for this chassis in my hand, comes July 15th. I donot want to engage in litigation, but I need to find closures and move on with my life. So, if you were in my shoes, what would you have done to get dCAutomotive to send you the title ?. Thanks for all your help. Here's the link to the auction listing. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...item=7950702135 .
Andy

[Plavan]

The link is no longer valid.
I hope you did not add anything to the car yet. That way if you take them to court you can get your full amount back plus your time at $80.00 hr (Probably what they would charge an hour for labor). How much did you pay for the chassis? I'm sure it is over the small claims amount.
Good luck and stick it to them.

[john walker's workshop]

they were milking the cars for sale forum a while back, but haven't seen much of them lately. i would think it's illegal for a dealer to sell a car without a title in hand. contact the virginia DMV and find out. let the DMV deal with them.

[trak ratt]

How about we all send them an e-mail asking them “what’s up” with the bad customer service and e-bay follow through?.

[flatsixcrazy]

Sorry Guys,
Here is the link again.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7950702135

[RoninLB]

dc is/was a reg in the NY Metro PCA so like every other scene you have a rep. The boss cracks a fair deal and everybody is happy, or eventually happy. He might not always be the lowest price but he's fair.

that said I have to assume there might be more info to this story. Either that or dc went off the deep end.

[flatsixcrazy]

The person that keeps putting me off is Robert Z. They told me that they have problems getting NC state to recognize their "right paper works" and told me that he'll try to get a title for it another way. Maybe, I am just rushing it a little bit, but heck!!, it's been four months.

[dtw]

dC/Rob's not off the deep end as far as I know, I'm sure this will have a favorable solution. Rob is "one of the good guys".

Edit: Just read your follow-up - if they've had to file for a title under a lien or some weirdness like that, NCDMV can be an absolute nightmare to deal with - I've got extensive experience with that.

[Yellowbird RS]

some one of dCAutomotive post here ask him
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/members/9139.html?action=getinfo

[beamonk]

See what it takes to get an abandoned vehicle title in Va. It might be easier than the frustration route.

[dcautomotive]

As usual there are two sides to every story; in any case it was my fault for promising Andew an NC title for a CT vehicle. (CT does not issue titles for 23+ year old cars). From the beginning Andrew you were informed of the CT paperwork. You asked for a NC title I said ok; I assured you that you would eventually get a title from us, one way or the other. As a licensed bonded dealer with a great reputation and good credit, we have a variety of ways to get a title; including the old brute force method.
I have been made aware of other posts Andrew that you have made in public; words like 'ripped off' and incompetance are very much unwarranted, i guess your sister the lawyer was not privvy to your posts? Advertising, positive or negative is very expensive.
As the entire world is googled we are going to require a full retraction, apology and maybe a handshake; (when this is resolved) you have most certainly jumped the gun. Four months is not unheard of, especially with the situation we had; it was your decision not to work on the car; and i respect that; although again as a licensed/bonded dealer it was a guarantee that you would see a title. I fully expect to have an NC title in hand within the next two weeks; you will have it after the public retraction.

Regards,


Robert M. Zampardi

[Plavan]

I'm sorry Robert, but four months does seem like a long time. We would love to see if it shows up in two weeks.

[EPorsche]

I agree with Plavan, four months is a long time. I find it amazing that you, now, can have it in two weeks but could not do that two months ago. Do you think four month is reasonable? Not

[dad911]

it may be a long time, but ebay ad clearly states : (has valid paperwork, CT does not issue titles for vehicles built prior to 1980) As a licensed dismantler i have never had a state refuse the state of CT paperwork, but check with your DMV, if enough time is provided i can produce an NC title.

It has taken me months to get NJ & NY titles. I'm no lawyer, but I would think that if DC provides you with CT paperwork, they have complied with the auction terms.

From CT DMV Website: The acquisition of a certificate of title for any vehicle manufactured prior to 1981 shall not be required.

[jacko241]

I am a licensed dealer in Florida, and we are required to have clear title in our posession prior to offering a vehicle for sale, and apply for title in the purchasers name within 30 days. Laws vary state to state, and even here dealers fudge on this all the time, especially thru dealer auctions.

[flatsixcrazy]

Mr Zampardi,
I've never made any comments about you ripping me off, that was your own personal view and the personal view of other readers, and they are certainly debatable. I was merely stating my situation and asked for advice on how to get the clear NC title in my hands by next month, not next six months!!!. Perhaps, someone has been through similar situation and has successfully resolved it. And it is clearly the incompetency that the paper works did not even get started until this past Wednesday (June 15, 2005). As for how long should "if enough time given" be, I'll let that be up to the philosophy of my general district court. Also, no full rectraction on my stands, no apologies on my part is needed or given out, and I'll shake your hands, IF you've made good on the contract by July 15, 2005.


Everyone,
Let's pretend that you were buying a car from a dealer across the country. He/she shipped the the car to you and told you that he/she will get you a clear title from a XY state. Three weeks have gone by and nothing, no calls, no titles, nothing. So you decided to call and check to see whats up. The dealer says "to be honest with you Andy, I haven't gotten around to get it started. You'll get it in 10 days. I promise!!". Two weeks later, nothing. So you called again and got the same response, again. This scenario went on for the next three months. And your car can't be used all that time. Finally, you've gotten feed up. So the next logical choice for your to do was to send a certified letter stating that you cannot wait any longer and that you need to have the clear title in your hand in 30 days. A well five months after the dealer has cashed your check. How would you feel if someone tells you that it is your fault for not giving the dealer enough time and that you should not be worried.

I know this is a relative small amount of money, but to those who critize me for jumping the gun, how about lending $3500 and I will send the money back to you in 10 days, I promise!!!!.

[niner11]

Ok, the clock is running and I'll be glad to bump this post in two weeks to see whats happening. Nothing like bad PR in the Porsche world.

[flatsixcrazy]

Mr.Zampardi,
I just realized in your post above that you can have the clear NC tittle in hand, in two weeks, if I apologize. Do you mean to tell me that you could have got the clear NC title to me in two weeks +/- 10 days if you wanted to?. Why did you hang me out to dry for four months?. I cannot imagine what I could have possibly done to you to make you treated me this way. This is the first time am have dealt with you and will surely be the last. Nevertherless, when we Communicate, I have always treated you with respect and courtesy. Three months ago, I've even recommended your company to my brother and two friends when they were looking for used Porsches. That is no longer the case. Do you realized what I have gone through for the past three months?. The unwarrented worries, the lost of sleep, and the mental anguished are all that I suffered. You do not need me to make you look bad, Mr. Zampardi, you've done an extremely good job at it. Have a nice day and I'll see you in court, Mr. Zampardi.

[thomas682]

Mr. Zampardi,

In your post on 06-19-2005 11:00 AM you make the statement “…I have been made aware of other posts Andrew that you have made in public; words like 'ripped off' and incompetance (sic) are very much unwarranted,…” but offer no specific information as to where one might read Andy’s libelous statements. I’ve read most of Andy’s posts on Rennlist, Dorkiphus and here at Pelican, perhaps I missed one dealing with this issue, and can find not one instance where he has made anything other factual statements about DC Automotives’ incompetence in providing a title in a timely manner. Can you provide a link to the post where Andy made a libelous statement? I doubt anyone would argue that a …”licensed bonded dealer with a great reputation and good credit,…” who takes four months and counting to provide a title for a completed sale is not somewhat incompetent. If you cannot provide a specific instance where Andy made a libelous statement then perhaps you are the one who owes a retraction and formal apology.

Having read your aggressive response to Andy, including you veiled threat of litigation for libel; I’d rather see it end up in court as Andy has very clear standing to pursue his case. Considering DC Automotive’s longtime status as an auto dealer surely you know the DMV regulations for presenting a clear title to the buyer in the Commonwealth of VA in a timely manner – I seriously doubt that 4 months could be construed as timely.

I wonder if the Atty Gen of VA might take interest in a matter such as this?

Maybe this is just the new of standard customer service for DC Automotive.

[FenderGuy]

Originally posted by dcautomotive
Four months is not unheard of, especially with the situation we had; it was your decision not to work on the car; and i respect that; although again as a licensed/bonded dealer it was a guarantee that you would see a title. I fully expect to have an NC title in hand within the next two weeks; you will have it after the public retraction.

Regards,


Robert M. Zampardi

4 months? Should have taken the time that the roller was delievered to him in order to get the title. I don't understand how dealers can sell a car with no title, yet take the money right away? How does that work? Seems that 4 months would piss me off too, I had a experience with a Ebay a-hole, tried to tell me he would deleiver the items once I gave him postive feedback. You know what I sued the a-hole and won, seems he was pulling off the old take the money and run scam....I am not saying that DC is scamming but an exchange for title vs public retraction is bs