Car Buyer Claims I Declared Wrong Sale Date - How to Confirm? UPDATE: Service NSW Screwed up Themselves

Blue Cat on 30/07/2021 - 22:28
Last edited 31/07/2021 - 11:53

So I recently sold my car, and the buyer claims I declared the wrong sale date.

I sold it yesterday, 29th of July, but the buyer claims I declared it incorrectly as "27th July". I find that hard to believe due to these 2 reasons:

  • We filled up both parts of the forms (buyer and seller) while sitting together in the car and double checked everything
  • I went to Service NSW in person straight away, saying I sold my car today, they processed the notice and confirmed that the car is no longer in my name, and assured that all toll notices and fines will be going to the buyer, and not me anymore (verbally).

The buyer was overall pushy and rushing, and had MASSIVE hesitations in paying me in cash, besides the fact that the car is less than $2000 final price. Excuses ranged from bank ATMs not allowing to withdraw more than $1000 (it's $2000 AFAIK), to me having "trust issues" etc. In the end he withdrew the cash and and paid the sum in cash without a problem lol.

Also, he was very hesitant to go together with me to Service NSW so we could submit the notices together, besides the fact that it was like less than 10 minutes away by foot. He insisted he would do it online. He now also insists that declaring 27th July as sale date would be an illegal lie and he or me could go to jail if he did that(???)

Now, the problem is, Service NSW did not provide any paper or email receipts, so I have no written proof that the car has been sold "100% successfully". Would a PPSR check show this?
Planning to call Service NSW tomorrow or Monday, or visit in person tomorrow to confirm what the hell is going on. What should I do?

EDIT: Meant to say JULY, not AUGUST. The sale happened yesterday. Thanks JimmyF.

UPDATE: So I went to Service NSW, who, to my surprise say that the date of disposal is actually 27th of August. I say that it is incorrect and that the new owner refuses to "lie" and select 27th of August as date of disposal. At this point, they are asking me to fill up another Notice of Disposal with 100% correct details… problem is, I don't have the buyer's license number and his address (YES I KNOW, ULTIMATE EMPTY-BRAIN "BRUH" MOMENT), I text and call the buyer, they are not answering. I decide to go full "Karen mode" and demand the original Notice of Disposal, which they should still have as I submitted it only 2 days ago. They finally agree and go looking for them. As I am waiting, the buyer messages me his needed details! Fantastic! A few minutes later, the Service NSW representative comes back with my original notice.

It clearly says "29 7 2021". The only way this mistake has happened, is because of Service NSW's fault. I don't think there is a scientific explanation how my 9 can be considered a 7, when there is a 7 nearby to compare!

After a few apologies from them, I am just glad this nightmare is over, they say they have already fixed their mistake and the new owner shouldn't have any problems transferring now. Though, again, they don't give any receipts, or written confirmation on paper or to email, saying they can't do it as the process is "only internal"… Yeah ok.

Note to self: take photos of the Notice of Disposal every time, because Service NSW doesn't give any written confirmation and if shit goes wrong, it is your only proof of sale you have.

Poll Options

  • 35
    Just ignore the buyer, do not communicate anymore, block their number.
  • 4
    Ignore the buyer, but call Service NSW to confirm the date - if all is good, block buyer's number.
  • 1
    Cooperate with the buyer, as you could be in a lot of legal trouble for declaring the wrong date.
Automotive

Comments

  • Jjj888 on 30/07/2021 - 22:32
    +4

    Why does it matter what day it was done don't they give you 14 days to pay the transfer not 2 days? Unless he's trying to fob the car off to someone else the same day? Or he's trying to sell it to someone else?

    Also you'd never go to jail for accidentally putting a different date….. Numerous times I've bought and sold cars and put the "value" lower to save transfer costs, never had any issues…

    He's rather paranoid or high?

  • raptormesh on 30/07/2021 - 22:33
    +5

    Um, are you both time travellers or something?

    • Blue Cat on 30/07/2021 - 22:40

      Sorry, I mixed up the months. Meant to say July, not August. Sale indeed happen yesterday.

      • smoothymcmellow on 31/07/2021 - 09:23
        +8

        Oh the irony of you putting the wrong date on a post about you disputing someone claiming you put the wrong date on a form :D

        • Blue Cat on 31/07/2021 - 09:56
          +2

          I know right, I expected more mockery, you are the first one so far haha

  • lgacb08 on 30/07/2021 - 22:34
    +1

    buyer remorse. But I'm surprise RTA still open, unless you live outside sydney?

    • Blue Cat on 30/07/2021 - 22:45
      +2

      buyer remorse.

      That is what I am thinking. But what would his argument be? "you declared wrong sale date - give me back my money"?

      surprise RTA still open

      Plenty of them still open in Sydney, at least this week.

  • JimmyF on 30/07/2021 - 22:37
    +1

    I sold it yesterday, 29th of August, but the buyer claims I declared it incorrectly as "27th August".

    Yesterday was 29th of July….. So yeah if you wrote the 27th August over everything then there might be a slight problem

    • Blue Cat on 30/07/2021 - 22:38
      +1

      I am so sorry, my big mistake. I meant to say JULY. The sale happened yesterday, in July. I edited the OP now.

      Thanks for pointing it out!

  • pegaxs on 30/07/2021 - 22:47
    +2

    And what are they getting at? It’s 2 days. What do they want? What is their end game? They must be seeking some bullshit remedy for their imaginary butt hurt.

    Anyway, so long as the disposal has been done on your end, (fropanity) ‘em.

    • Blue Cat on 30/07/2021 - 22:52

      I really want to just ask them "so what do you want me to do?", but I have a feeling that would open a completely different can of worms, so I will just play stupid and not write to him.

  • JDMcarfan on 30/07/2021 - 22:48
    +1

    have you submitted your end of the paperwork and not lied? Great, tell him to sod off and leave it at that. If you haven't, do it now and record sale date as the one where you gave them the keys and they drove off (not date of financial transfer, if different).

    People would claim the opposite (i.e. would want date of transfer after date of exchange e.g 31st July) if they got a traffic offense/accident and they're trying to pass it onto you, but I got no clue what this persons trying to achieve. All the story about sending you to Jail is just pure BS, and no RMS will ever give them the light of day. PPSR will also give you nothing so don't bother.

    Calling Service NSW can help to at least just confirm that they've receive the disposal notice and that the date has been correctly noted. You could also mention that the buyer is trying to claim something shady and they make a note of it if they think its appropriate.

    Nonetheless, you've got nothing to worry about, whoever bought it off you is clearly an eccentric basketcase

    • Blue Cat on 30/07/2021 - 22:56
      +1

      have you submitted your end of the paperwork and not lied?

      Less than 30 minutes between us completing both parts of the notice, exchanging the money, him driving off and me submitting the notice to RTA in person.

      You could also mention that the buyer is trying to claim something shady and they make a note of it if they think its appropriate.

      This is exactly what I am going to do. Thanks.

      • JDMcarfan on 03/08/2021 - 12:07
        +1

        Just saw your update. I'm completely unsurprised by this.

        My 1998 car is recorded as a 1993 despite having providing a physical blue slip receipt when registering the car. They typo'd when registering (and I didn't pick it up until a month after) and when I called up they said who cares. When rego was due a month ago, I went into the same RMS as last time, and asked for a correction and said I provided a physical copy here. They didn't want to bother with me so said I had to get another blue slip ($65 after just having a RWC done) and I flat out denied as it wasn't my error.

        Apparently even though each blue slip is supposed to be scanned and saved, they didn't have a soft copy. They said that the physical copies are held at a location in Central NSW and they'd send a request to retrieve the document and have a FAX sent over and I could come back the day if they got correspondence.

        Lo and behold, I get a call the next day and they apparently cannot find the document, I'm told again to get a blue slip done to correct it (despite providing receipts to show 1998) and I cannot be screwed to do that for a number. In fact it makes my car 'eligible' for classic car rego in 2 years instead of 7 so I'm just going to leave it as its their fault. I'll probably sell before then and the buyer can sort it out

        • Blue Cat on 03/08/2021 - 12:10
          +1

          Yep, take photos of everything just to be sure. I had to go "Karen mode" before they gave in and went to check the original copies. Before that they claimed there are no mistakes and it was my fault.

  • SF3 on 30/07/2021 - 22:49
    +1

    did you take a photo of it for your own records?…(facepalm)

    • Blue Cat on 30/07/2021 - 22:59

      For a big event such as selling a car, I was expecting the RTA will give me any kind of receipt. This is my first time selling a car. They also took the notice. They assured me everything is done.

      I know, I know… but I didn't want to start a "Karen" scene demanding written proof that my car has been transferred successfully. Definitely taking a photo in the future.

      • Jjj888 on 30/07/2021 - 23:01
        +5

        I've bought and sold like 20 cars over the years once you hand in the paper and take your money it's over. Move on

        • Blue Cat on 30/07/2021 - 23:21

          Apparently, the buyer also has "bought and sold many cars" so they know how everything works. I am on the wrong here.
          Yeah, right.

  • mickyb80 on 30/07/2021 - 22:51
    +1

    All you need to do is lodge your notice of disposal to the RMS with the correct date and then forget about the buyer.
    The rest is up to them to worry about.

    Once the sale is done and you have signed over the paperwork, filled in the notice of disposal, and lodged it - then it's their problem.

    Nothing to worry about… You can to the notice of disposal via the web if you wish!

    Easy!

    • Blue Cat on 30/07/2021 - 23:00

      then it's their problem.

      Yep, I told them that they should contact Service NSW as I have done everything correctly on my part and I can't help with anything else. Though, they insist on me fixing this "problem".

      • mickyb80 on 30/07/2021 - 23:27
        +1

        There is no problem and nothing for you to do.
        Just leave it as is.
        The reason you should and need to sort out the notice of disposal asap is to cover your arse on any potential fines and the likes after the sale. Assuming you are not making $317 up, then dont worry.

        • Blue Cat on 30/07/2021 - 23:41

          That's why I submitted my notice of disposal ASAP - I don't want to get in trouble and start paying for his fines or his tolls.
          I don't know what $h1t I can make up, I literally submitted the notice of disposal soon after he drove off. We also double checked the details, including the dates. I also closed my Etoll account at the same time, and the Etoll website reflects that:

          CLOSED ACCOUNT (since 29/07/2021)

          So atleast I am sure that I am not imagining that I went to Service NSW to sort things out.
          I will sleep quietly tonight and sort it out with Service NSW tomorrow. Thanks for the help.

          • mickyb80 on 31/07/2021 - 15:07

            @Blue Cat: All good! I'd say you're covered then.

            Didn't think you would make anything up, was just saying 'just in case'. 👍 As the other party was advising the date was wrong.

            If you have text's, emails and/or the likes from the other party, keep screen shots of the pre-sale discussions and evidence of when you made the sale/exchange, even call logs and you should be all good if you need to fight any potential fines or the likes.

  • rocketice on 30/07/2021 - 23:57
    +1

    Have sold multiple cars, I cannot see why he's pushing for 2 days back, not after. Only thing I can think of is buyers remorse and trying to intimidate you for compensation/return.

    In any case, you did the absolute right thing by submitting a Notice of Disposal (even more so in-person). Sleep tight shrug it off, or play dumb and have a fun out of it!

  • Cave Fire on 31/07/2021 - 01:51
    +2

    27 could look like 29… the teller would have confirmed and corrected as needed. Would just wait for any issues, otherwise ignore. Usually, people also make a signed agreement (as the proof of sale), but not sure if your notice of disposal covers that anyway.

  • kerfuffle on 31/07/2021 - 06:51

    Excuses ranged from bank ATMs not allowing to withdraw more than $1000 (it's $2000 AFAIK)

    Not true. Well it wasn't about ten years ago when Westpac's limit was only $1000; had to ask the bank to increase it to $2000

    • spal on 31/07/2021 - 08:48

      Agree. Mine is same too.

  • mskeggs on 31/07/2021 - 08:12
    +4

    So maybe you did accidentally write the 27th, and now the buyer is worried you got a fine on the 28th you are trying to put on them.
    They will be ok when no fine comes.

    • brendanm on 31/07/2021 - 08:31

      This is what I was thinking, buyer is worried about being stuck with fines op may have racked up after the 27th.

  • spal on 31/07/2021 - 08:47

    If the buyer is making a claim, they will need to prove it. You said that they withdrew cash from ATM. Ask them to prove when did they withdraw cash. Did you exchange texts regarding when and where you are meeting. I don’t think that there is anything to worry about. Whatever it is, the buyer will need to clearly say even if assuming their story is correct, what is the issue. Until that time we don’t really know. You have done everything by the book, don’t worry. Maybe tell them go to court and make a claim and you would have your lawyers talk to them.

  • Euphemistic on 31/07/2021 - 11:16

    It’s not your problem anymore. You’ve got cash, the notice of disposal is completed. It’s his car not yours.

    If something really weird comes back at you (highly unlikely), then you plead ‘typo’ and insist that the day you lodged the notice was the sale date.

  • Blue Cat on 31/07/2021 - 11:53
    +2

    So I went to Service NSW, who, to my surprise say that the date of disposal is actually 27th of August. I say that it is incorrect and that the new owner refuses to "lie" and select 27th of August as date of disposal. At this point, they are asking me to fill up another Notice of Disposal with 100% correct details… problem is, I don't have the buyer's license number and his address (YES I KNOW, ULTIMATE EMPTY-BRAIN "BRUH" MOMENT), I text and call the buyer, they are not answering. I decide to go full "Karen mode" and demand the original Notice of Disposal, which they should still have as I submitted it only 2 days ago. They finally agree and go looking for them. As I am waiting, the buyer messages me his needed details! Fantastic! A few minutes later, the Service NSW representative comes back with my original notice.

    It clearly says "29 7 2021". The only way this mistake has happened, is because of Service NSW's fault. I don't think there is a scientific explanation how my 9 can be considered a 7, when there is a 7 nearby to compare!

    After a few apologies from them, I am just glad this nightmare is over, they say they have already fixed their mistake and the new owner shouldn't have any problems transferring now. Though, again, they don't give any receipts, or written confirmation on paper or to email, saying they can't do it as the process is "only internal"… Yeah ok.

    Note to self: take photos of the Notice of Disposal every time, because Service NSW doesn't give any written confirmation and if shit goes wrong, it is your only proof of sale you have.

    • Euphemistic on 31/07/2021 - 15:28
      +1

      Just keep the copy from the buyer and lodge online. There is no need to visit the service centre.

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