My question involves a consumer law issue in the State of: Minnesota
In July I traded in my old truck for a newer used truck at a metro dealer. I traded my old truck in with a lien against it and a debt of about $1500. I rolled the amount owed on that vehicle into the new loan and took my new truck.
About 3 weeks later I get a statement from my lending operation for my old truck - I still owed on it because the lien was never paid off and they had not heard from the dealer. I contacted the dealer and found that they had already sold my old truck yet the title and previous lien were still in my name. I contacted the dealer and lending outfit and received little help until I wrote a formal letter to the owner of the dealer. Magically everything was resolved.
Now 4 months later I get a letter from the DVS saying they got my request to title/register my new truck, but they are unable to do so because it is registered to another party. I contacted the previous owner (thanks google) and he said he wondered about them because they had some issues with the title when he traded it in - he was assured they would "take care of it."
Now, what are the odds that on one business deal I stumble into two accidental title transfer screw ups? It smells fishy to me and Im wondering what my legal options are. I tried reading into registrar laws and all the lawyer speak starts to confuse me. At a minimum I would like the title situation to be resolved, but I would also like to be reimbursed for all the loan payments, insurance, etc I have paid on both trucks that were legally not mine for the past 4 months.
Ive considered taking them to small claims court where in MN I believe you can ask for a maximum of $7500 of recovery - but I dont know much about court or what I would need/cite. Anyone have any experience like this? Or should I just go with my original plan to walk into the dealer and turn away customers with my stories until they work with me? Ive also thought of calling in the local news in light of all the Denny Hecker scandals.
Thoughts?

