COLUMBIANA COUNTY Auto Mall co-owner: Car titles are coming

Investigators want car buyers to provide information and return dealer plates.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- Brian Marsh, a Hanoverton Auto Mall co-owner, said slow title transfers are the result of recent cash-flow problems, but the dealership won't hang customers out to dry.
Trooper Dennis Goodhart of the Ohio State Highway Patrol Lisbon post said an investigation of the business began about two weeks ago after "numerous complaints" from consumers who bought vehicles and did not receive titles within 30 days.
No charges: No charges have been filed against Hanoverton Auto Mall, Goodhart said.
Marsh said some car buyers did not receive titles within 30 days of purchase, but "we are taking care of it. There's nothing malicious here."
Marsh said the company at 29942 state Route 30 has suspended car sales but is open for repairs. He said employees are processing two to four titles daily.
Reasons for delay: He said the used-car market slowed in November and the death of co-owner Don Hofmeister's father sent some property and other assets into probate, leaving the company short of cash.
Highway patrol and bureau of motor vehicles investigators are seeking car buyers' help in probing the dealership.
Bonnie Rupert, investigations supervisor for the state BMV investigations office in Youngstown, said anyone with information may call her at (330) 797-2548.
Rupert said investigators are looking at whether the dealership violated laws regarding sale of vehicles and transfer of titles. Car buyers are instructed to contact the state attorney general if they don't receive a title before 30-day temporary tags expire, she said.
Hanoverton Auto Mall is required by law to have a vehicle titled in the dealership's name before selling it or offering it for sale, Rupert said.
She said investigators are also looking for dealer license plates they believe the dealership gave car buyers to drive on while titles were being processed. Car buyers should return dealer plates to the BMV, she said.