The scoop from GL on SF97's

[Warren Lovell]

Thank you for your email. Government Liquidation has decided to stop providing SF97s on certain vehicles. This decision was made for the following reasons:

Due to the large number of incomplete or inaccurate SF97s we were receiving from the Department of Defense,
Trouble many customers were having in converting the SF97s into state title documents,
Increasing rates of rejection by state DMVs due to the incomplete or inaccurate documents,
Because many of the DRMOs refused to correct SF97s, even when an error could be proved.

Government Liquidation felt that providing this document to customers might inadvertently mislead some customers to believe that the document would be of more assistance to them in their efforts to obtain a state title document than has been the case.

The only document you will receive is the paid in full invoice.

Sincerely,

Customer Service Representative
Government Liquidation, LLC
15051 N. Kierland Blvd 3rd floor
Scottsdale AZ 85254
480.367.1300

 

[Armada]

So by not providing an SF97 with the vehicle, GL washes its hands totally of the occasional error/problem, even though now it will make it that much harder for the buyer to title the vehicle with just an invoice.
Yet another kick in the arse to the consumer..........

 

[rdixiemiller]

With no SF97's, prices may drop down a little. I am going to check with some friends in the tag office here in Ga. I believe that you can still get a tag and registration if the truck is old enough.

 

[rice]

I believe that in Ga if its over 15 years old all you need is a bill of sale. I sold my wifes uncle a 68 deuce last year and gave him a bill of sale along with a SC title. They accepted the bill of sale and told him to keep the title, they didn't want it. He's in lower Ga.

 

[JohnnyReb]

True: GA...15 years old...no title necessary...bill of sale is sufficient.

 

[Polverone]

The 2 letter abbreviation for California is CA.

Also stands for "Consistant Anguish". And, you have to wait in line for 3 hours to get browbeat at the DMV.

 

[CGarbee]

I'm very interested in how this is going to affect things here in North Carolina... Our Tag/Title folks (contract folks with the exception of one office each in Raleigh and Charlotte run my DMV personell) know what a SF97 is and expect to see one before they will issue a title...

 

[rdixiemiller]

I'm very interested in how this is going to affect things here in North Carolina... Our Tag/Title folks (contract folks with the exception of one office each in Raleigh and Charlotte run my DMV personell) know what a SF97 is and expect to see one before they will issue a title...

Might have to see how difficult it is to register a vehicle purchased in Ga. It would be convoluted, but if a BOS (bill of sale) will get you a tag in Ga, maybe you should get it tagged there. Then issue another BOS to someone in SC?
Just a thought.

 

[rice]

SC accepts the Ga bill of sale but you have to have a tag recept with it. With both of those if you purchase SC tags they don't even check the vin. But if you want title only they inspect the vin before issuing a title. You can take the vehicle to any DMV or they'll send somebody to your location to check it at no charge. Been there, done that.

 

[Lax]

SF97 In New York state

I just got off the phone with the New York state Title department in Albany and the lady there told me that without a doubt a Standard Form (SF) 97 was needed to get a title in NY if it was not already titled in NY. This is really bad news. Cought between a rock and a hard spot!

 

[bassplayer88]

Ga title codes are 86 & newer require title .... So if your buying a 84 or 85 , your paid invoice should act as your bill of sale ,allowing you to register it for a tag . This is from the Ga DMVS

 

[Warren Lovell]

Okay...try a titling company. I will get some names of companies from my Old Cars Weekly. Also try an assurity bond.

We might have to work together to resolve this folks, but it is not impossible. I would be willing to pay one of the guys on the list here for his time at the DMV, in a state that does not need SF97's, sending him my paperwork. It just might take a little longer. In the meantime, File for a temporary operators permit/registration (usually good for three months in California) and you'll be able to at least drive the beast. MAKE SURE you use the VIN number from the frame and not the data plate. My data plate was for a different truck! Use the axle dates to get a date of manufacture.

I went through this in San Diego with my Deuce until GL coughed up my SF97.

Hell, show me the form...I'll issue you guys an SF97!

Warren

 

[ida34]

Do the surety bond route. In MI if it is older and worth less then $2500 you can bypass the bond and get a vin inspection.

I have said this in other posts but the title companies use semi legal grey area ways to get titles. They make up a bill of sale then get a title converted in a bill of sale state. They then use this to get you a title in your state. The problem with this is crooks use this with stolen cars. Many state are wise to this and will not take anything that comes from these title companys. It is also like sitting on a corner at night with a big jacket on in 90 degree weather. You may not be doing anything wrong but you are sure to attract the attention of a cop. These title arangements bring the attention of the local auto theft units. These are regulatory matters in which they so not usually need a warrant to require you to pony up the vehicle and paperwork for inspection.

Most of the time there is an out if you did not get a title. These never had titles so it is not a lost issue. There are mechanisms inplace to get a vin issued but there are hoops to go through. If you build a car yourself there is a way to get a title for it. Talk to your state headquarters involve with issueing titles. Do not go by what the local branches say. They are general practitioners. You need the specialists advice and they are at the main headquarters.

 

[Lax]

SF97

Warren,
Thank you. I wonder if it would be of any use to try to get GL to once again issue SF97s? There has to be a great deal of people very upset when they buy their duce and find out they can't get a SF97 or can not get it on the road. I know that the site says no SF97 but still...

 

[doghead]

SF97 In New York state

I just got off the phone with the New York state Title department in Albany and the lady there told me that without a doubt a Standard Form (SF) 97 was needed to get a title in NY if it was not already titled in NY. This is really bad news. Cought between a rock and a hard spot!

Not that I doubted your info,but today I was at the DMV and I did confirm this is correct. No sf97,no register in N.Y. A bill of sale is not sufficient to transfer ownership to title or register in N.Y. (S-O-L)

 

[devilman96]

I emailed the Florida DMV in regards no title or SF97 on a goverment purchase, did I need an inspection?, etc. (I like things in writing) The response was...

Thank you for your recent inquiry.

If you have a Government bill of sale, you would submit it to the local county
tax collectors and apply for title in your name.

Florida insurance in your name is required in order to purchase a license plate.

We hope this information will assist you.

 

[SixBuy]

Aaahh, GSA still issues an SF 97... It's a federal form, right? So why not buy from GSA or complain to your local ( GAO office, representative, Senator, DRMO... pick one)? Or better yet, forge one!!! After all, who are you defrauding? 22 Million wetbacks can steal your car and you can't buy something legally from YOUR government? Gimme a break!

Sorry, just had to get that off my chest...

 

[Low-Tech-Redneck]

I really hope GL reconsiders this move, and if enough folks complain or boycot, they just might, after all, how are they ever going to sell those trucks if you can't get em' titled after you buy them?

 

[lacoda56]

Sad thing is, there's plenty of scrap dealers who will buy them. If GL sells in volume to scrappers, it's a lot less hassle for them. Granted, it'll be less profit per vehicle but they'll sell more vehicles. I think they're intentionally phasing us out of the picture. Just my two cents...

 

[h1crwchf]

FL title

I emailed the Florida DMV in regards no title or SF97 on a goverment purchase, did I need an inspection?, etc. (I like things in writing) The response was...

Thank you for your recent inquiry.

If you have a Government bill of sale, you would submit it to the local county
tax collectors and apply for title in your name.

Florida insurance in your name is required in order to purchase a license plate.

We hope this information will assist you.

I had to go through Florida to title my current Deuce when VA stonewalled me. Even with a 97, my local DMV offices will not title a military vehicle (without a previous state title). I "sold" my Deuce to a friend in FL, he titled it then signed the FL title back over to me. He didn't even need the original 97, just a BOS. I went straight back to the local DMV here and titled it in VA. What a smirk I got!
Dave

...oh and I agree, MV enthusiasts are probably a PITA to GL. I imagine we do not make up enough of their business to care what we think or how this will impact us. I bet they (GL) will be happy-as-can-be selling more vehicles for less money, to scrap yards.