Hi I live in Houston Texas and I found a 2007 Corolla on offerup. So I was getting ready to check out the car but before that I asked the seller if I can get the title and do my own registrations. The seller said he won't let me do it by myself and he said everything has to be done by him. He also said he is a licensed dealer but the address he gave me looks like a house. I don't understand. It's not like I was financing the car. I was gonna pay with full cash. I have bought two cars before and both of them I was able to do the title transfers and registrations by myself. He is saying it is against the law to do it on my own. I kept asking him what's the reason and he denies and gets defensive. Unless he is hiding something. I passed on the offer. It's my first time hearing this. Any thoughts would be helpful.
He also said he is a licensed dealer but the address he gave me looks like a house. I don't understand. It's not like I was financing the car. I was gonna pay with full cash.
Your method of payment doesn't matter. Any liens on the vehicle's purchase do matter and a seller doesn't want to incur that expense. Dealers often want their transactions to occur where they have their eyes on all the paperwork. They don't want to become liable for anything. As a buyer, you want to ensure you get a clear title with no old liens. Even though an additional bill of sale isn't necessary in many states, I suggest you get one, it's smart. The dealer or vehicle's location is irrelevant because they're licensed to sell throughout the state.
This following link(s) should provide you with all the relevant information you need. Recommend you read buyer and seller tabs. https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/buying-or-selling-a-vehicle and https://www.txdmv.gov/sites/default/files/form_files/130-U.pdf
@hixster thanks
He is saying it is against the law to do it on my own.
Ask him for a copy of the specific law that forbids you from doing it on your own.
Though really there are enough red flags here that I would just walk out on the deal.
@chucktobias thanks