Indiana Legal advice: Seller not providing an Indiana boat title

jsimmons1970

Cadet
Joined
Mar 15, 2011
Messages
16
Re: Indiana Legal advice: Seller not providing an Indiana boat title

Hello, I ran into this last year with a jon boat I bought that was from Indiana, but was never titled in Ohio. I did have the registration papers. This is what I found out last year while researching my problem:
Titling Your Boat or PWC IC 9-31-2

A vessel that must be registered also must have a certificate of title unless the vessel was:
Acquired [/U]by the owner before January 1, 1986 or [/B]?
Less than $3,000 in value when new or ?
Home-built for personal use and not for resale.
Although there are exemptions from titling, you still may want to title your vessel. A title verifies ownership in case the vessel is stolen.

I still had it bookmarked on my computer. Mine was a 1981 so after DNR did the research they issued me new HIN numbers so that I could get a Oh title. As long as you have the bill of sale for the auction, I would try to have it titled. Hope this helps you and good luck.

James
 

Splat

Lieutenant
Joined
Jul 20, 2008
Messages
1,366
Re: Indiana Legal advice: Seller not providing an Indiana boat title

I would give the auctioneer one final call. He is licensed in the state of Indiana and he is responsible for the sale. If he jerks you around at all, tell him your contacting the state attorney generals office. They are responsible for his license as a auctioneer. This is fraud.

Bill
 

3899

Seaman
Joined
Jul 17, 2005
Messages
68
Re: Indiana Legal advice: Seller not providing an Indiana boat title

thanks for all the help! I am going to stay on this, this week. I think I will get in touch with the DNR, but I do have numbers for the auctioneer.
 

Home Cookin'

Fleet Admiral
Joined
May 26, 2009
Messages
9,715
Re: Indiana Legal advice: Seller not providing an Indiana boat title

sue both of them so you can have them both in front of the judge at the same time. Otherwise each will say it's the other's responsibility (which is part-way true) You can let the seller know you are doing this so he can file a cross-claim against the auctioneer.
You say you have the auctioneer's and his wife's name and address. You are probably going to sue his company, not him. Sue the wrong party and you lose.

Before you file suit, mail each of them a "courtesy copy" of the suit you intend to file in 10 days if they don't get straight between them. I find that often solves problems cheaply.
 

3899

Seaman
Joined
Jul 17, 2005
Messages
68
Re: Indiana Legal advice: Seller not providing an Indiana boat title

Update; Seller has agreed to send me the registration and some repair reciepts. Baby steps are better than none. The Auctioneer has agreed to take the registration and file for a title in his name and get it taken care of. The same seller owes the auctioneer two titles to cars sold in the same auction. Big weave of fun. It seems that the seller is trying to weezel out of money owed his bank. Was caught trying to leave the state. All the auction funds have been siezed. The good news is, it meens nothing to me. The title was sighned off from the original owner, so the seller does not have it in his name. The auctioneer can file for a lost title from the registration and bill of sale. The auctioneer is very well aware that I know what he's liable for. One tidbit I learned is that auctioneers have 30 days from payment in full to get titles to new owners otherwise they have to give money back, and get vehicle back. Or action can be taken by the buyer. I will know more on Monday or Tuesday.
 

3899

Seaman
Joined
Jul 17, 2005
Messages
68
Re: Indiana Legal advice: Seller not providing an Indiana boat title

Well, final update: Owner still a deadbeat, but auctioneer came through for me! I am now titled and licensed! Now if only the NW Ohio weather would ever cooperate, I will be able to get it on the water! Thanks for all the help!!!
 

smokeonthewater

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 3, 2009
Messages
9,838
Re: Indiana Legal advice: Seller not providing an Indiana boat title

congrats.... now get a slicker and get on the water ye land lubber LOL
 
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