Maryland
Used car lot owner says customers will get tags, titles despite closing
HALFWAY — The owner of Hagerstown Motors said he is working with the Motor Vehicle Administration to get the tags and titles for about 30 customers who bought vehicles from the business before it closed last week.
Mike Griffith said Monday he wanted to apologize to customers who have been inconvenienced by the sudden closing of the business.
“I’m working every day with the MVA,” Griffith said. “Every customer will get their title and tags ... We just got behind on things. I’m doing everything I can to make it right.”
Hagerstown Motors, a used-vehicle lot at 17703 Virginia Ave. in Halfway, closed without notice Oct. 26.
Griffith attributed the closing to the sluggish economy.
Customers who still haven’t received their tags and titles can continue driving the vehicles they bought at Hagerstown Motors by getting their temporary tags renewed at the MVA, Griffith said.
The MVA is at 18306 Col. Henry K. Douglas Drive south of Hagerstown, off Sharpsburg Pike (Md. 65).
Buel Young, a spokesman for the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, said Friday that state officials were investigating the situation, but said he couldn’t give details.
“Any time we have that type of situation, we can’t comment,” Young said.
Young could not be reached Monday to say whether complaints had been filed against Hagerstown Motors with the MVA.
Griffith said he opened the business in July 2006, and in June 2008 hired Hagerstown Mayor Robert E. Bruchey II to manage the lot.
Bruchey said last week that he quit his job at Hagerstown Motors on Oct. 24, and said he didn’t know the business would close two days later.
He said he was never a partner in the business.
Griffith said Bruchey, as manager of Hagerstown Motors, knew the business would close.
“He knew 100 percent everything that was going on,” Griffith said.
Bruchey said Monday he was aware the business was “feeling the pinch of the economy.”
“There were no plans to close that lot that I’m aware of,” Bruchey said. “I quit because I needed to make money for my family.”
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Comments:
He cant manage a used car lot and we call him Mr. Mayor, whats wrong with this picture. Worse yet his former boss is calling him a liar. This City is in trouble and it always seems to get uglier... (Report this comment)
1. Doesn't everybody remember the same thing happening at the same lot a few years ago? 2. Bruchey = Used car salesman - LOL! (Report this comment)
I bought a used car this year from Hagerstown Honda and the tag and registration were both available immediately when I took delivery of the vehicle. (Report this comment)
WashCoWatcher - that's what I was thinking. Wasn't it very similar to this. People left without tags etc. (Report this comment)
I bought a car from there (junked now) and had no trouble with getting the plates or title.But the car that I traded in, well, something must have went wrong there for later I got a phone call(where this person got my name and number I'll never know) from someone in VA stating that they bought my former car but can't get the paperwork done to get the title. This person wanted me to apply for the the car title again to get a replacement.At having to pay for the paperwork at the DMV along with the back taxes that I would then have to pay (when I didn't any longer own the car)plus penalities, along with the problem of insurance NOT being on the car during that time of not owning (what if it was involved in an accident, was I being claimed against?), I said no. I figured, after I traded the car to these people, the car isn't mine any longer.My point? Beware of scams, everywhere. (Report this comment)
"He knew 100 percent everything that was going on,” Griffith said. So that would impart that Bruchey is out and out lying, should we really trust him to run our city? I think not! Who knows what else he is lying about. It then brings up again the recent whole no-bid contract issue on the Hagerstown Advance project Bruchey spearheaded and the improprieties associated with it. Was he lying about that? (Report this comment)
The problem is that the City doesn't pay the mayoral position well enough to get a decent, educated person to want to do the job of mayor, because any decent, educated person knows that for that amount of money, there is no way they would sit back and take all of your crap. So, you guys get the best of what's leftover, or at least the only person with the stones to actually step up and do the job of trying to run your city, and it just so happens that they have to have a second job just to support a family. The funny thing is, if they gave the mayor a REAL salary, you guys would be up in arms about it, crying and whining like you always do. You're ingrates. (Report this comment)
I wonder if some of you would post the same comments if your real name was visible. It shows a lot of class when you berate someone because of the job or career path that they have chosen. Do you point fingers and laugh at the garbage collectors when they haul your trash away for you? Or how about the fast food worker that is taking your order? You people are the bottom of the barrel, and should be ashamed of yourselves. (Report this comment)
Well limps, so with your reasoning because the Mayor's position is a part-time and under paid postion it is OK to lie and not be (in your words) decent? I'm tired of the "blame it on something else" mentality. There are plenty of honest, educated people, in lower paid positions. I don't recall anyone forcing Bruchey to become Mayor again after the Trump mess. BTW doesn't the Mayor take an oath of office? (Report this comment)
Well coma. A mayor that perpetrates a falsehood or is caught in a lie in his private sector business by his boss is in no way an analogy to berating garbage collectors. That's what this is about. Not that he is a used car salesman as well as the Mayor, although even you would have to see some humor and irony in that alone. (Report this comment)
At least they're allowing comments this time. When the story first broke on Saturday, the commenting feature was disabled. Does anyone else find that a bit disturbing? (Report this comment)
Hoffman Auto will be next to go under. You can tell cause the lot are not that pack with cars like it was. (Report this comment)
Wow - looks like the administrator is hard at work ensuring the truth is buried. Glad we have such an unbiased newspaper hard at work exposing the "truth". Ha Ha! (Report this comment)
CityResident - my comment wasn't directed towards you... we're talking about two different issues. I don't care to get into the finger pointing business, but I do think its rather lowly to insult someone because of the profession they are in. That's all. (Report this comment)
I am surprised that Bruchey has not commented once on here yet. Usually when negative things are said about him, he has comebacks. (Report this comment)
freckles, the Mayor is too busy clicking on the (Report this comment) link to be posting :) (Report this comment)
CityResident - that's so funny.......one has to wonder where all of our comments have gone. I don't recall anything worthy of deletion. (Report this comment)
as for coma's comments, no, finger pointing has never been a good thing, but also, you should not be telling the commenters on here that they are at the bottom of the barrel for saying what they know to be true. (Report this comment)
Zymurgist, some new car dealers are hooked up to the MVA computer system and are allowed to issue tags directly from the dealership. Most used car dealers are not hooked into the MVA system and continue to handle tag and title work by mailing or hand carrying the paperwork to the MVA. This is why you got your tags on the spot at the new car dealer. (Report this comment)
Wouldn't it be easyer for use car dealers just to sign the paper title over to the new owner and let them take it to the MVA? You know, when you buy a use car off another citizen. They just sign the bad of the title and you end up taking to the MVA so you can get the tags and title. (Report this comment)
Sorry typo Should of said, They just sign the Back of the title. (Report this comment)
I guess the paper eliminates your "opinion" if it is "wrong"! (Report this comment)
breezie - you can not just hand over the title to the vehicle purchased if there is a lien holder, as a dealer you are intrusted to secure the lien on the vehicle. When buying from citizens you normally only pay a few hundred dollars and do not require a loan if no loan on vehicle you can handle over the title. By law the dealership is require to secure the lien. (Report this comment)
opinionated - Thanks for explaining. As you may be able to tell. I never brought a car off a Use Car Dealership. I always bought my vehicles from private citizens. I just can't see paying all the interest they charge. (Report this comment)
Since everybody thinks that Mike Griffith is the honest guy here, let's elect him mayor next time. I understand that this was an inconvenience to these customers, but overall this story is pretty lame for a major news story. There is a lot more information needed here before I decide who is lying about what and whether there was dishonesty, negligence or something else going on. If Bruchey did know what this guy was going to do, then he may have made the smart move and bailed out early. The paper really should have gathered more information about this case before publishing it. I guess they didn't want to get scooped by the NY Times. (Report this comment)
I have no opinion yet. I don't have enough facts, although I am inclined to agree that there is probably plenty of blame to go around here. I just think that the paper doesn't print enough information on this and many stories to make a good judgment. As for fast talking , slick used car salesmen, that's just what they do. I think that their motto is "never give a sucker an even break." Consumers have to be smart when they buy cars from anybody and don't be that sucker. (Report this comment)
dlsdl said: "pretty lame for a major news story" Not for a local story. Let's see, you have the highest elected official in the city stating in an earlier article, that he basically knew nothing about it, and yet he was the car lot's manager (hard to swallow). Then you have the owner and Bruchey's boss stating in this article that he knew 100% about. Someone's lying, and if it turns out to be the Mayor it's a big story. Just some average Joe car lot manager = no big story. Hagerstown Mayor = big story. (Report this comment)
wow you guys are right... where have the comments gone? And yes HAHAHAGERSTOWN I also find it disturbing that commenting was disabled when this story first came out. I didnt point fingers at all in my comment that was deleted just stated the facts about my own personal experience with the car lot... wonder whats offensive about that? (Report this comment)
DON'T YOU FIND IT ODD THAT THE MAYOR QUIT ONLY 2 DAYS BEFORE THE CLOSING OF THE CAR LOT, BUT CLAIMS HE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT IT. (Report this comment)
I find the whole mayoral office disturbing right now. My comments were deleted and there was absolutely no reason for it. We should form an investigative committee to find the truth. It's obvious the Herald-Mail isn't interested in truth. (Report this comment)
yes I do... espically since he just told me a few weeks ago that he was a "partner" in the business when I purchased my vehicle which I took back right away... I was left sitting on I-81 pregnant with 3 children the same day I bought the vehicle! Better not say anymore since the last time I posted this same thing it was deleted.. I guess it offended someone!? (Report this comment)
Daddysgrl.....it's all polictical, I'm sure. Nothing you said in your previous post warranted deletion. (Report this comment)
Often when businesses fall on hard times, they make every effort to continue or increase their business to make more money so they can get out of the hole. The truth is that sometimes they dont have the capital to dig themselves out. I think, or feel, that they often have the best intentions of doing right by all. They have simply gone broke, maybe through no fault of their own. I'll bet that all the people affiliated with this company would love to have kept their doors open and made enough to stay in business and pay all their bills. I consider that these men are honorable and will make every effort to get things right. It will all be ok in the end. Remember folks, hundreds of thousands of people are loosing their homes and businesses accross this great land of ours. Have a little compassion. (Report this comment)
Any lawyers out there who can give us some insight into this case? Was there a law broken here? If so, then some of the comments people are making could create problems for a prosecutor if this would go to a jury trial. Impartial jury and all that. Perhaps that is what the administrator has in mind or perhaps a law suit by these men if the paper allows them to be placed here and they can't prove them. The whole thing looks like incompetence and negligence more than criminal activity to me. That would explain why the business closed. (Report this comment)
I will admit that I have not read all the comments so far, (it gets a little long winded), but I can't help but notice that everyone seems to be deciding that the Mayor is a liar and taking the owner at his word. Could it not be that the owner is the liar? I also note that while everyone is saying they know the Mayor is a liar, no one has backed it up with a reference FACT. By fact I do not mean saying he lied in this or that, but providing a link to authentic and proven documentation that he is a liar. If you can prove it, do so; otherwise, you should not be stating as fact what you can not prove. (Report this comment)
Well dlsdls according to the article the MVA is already investigating it. So I guess will just wait and see waht the MVA does. I am not a lawyer but I am guessing if they violated some MVA rule it would probably would just result in a fine, nothing to do with a jury, unless it was somehow criminal, which I highly doubt. Sounds to me like just being lazy and not proceesing the documents. Since the Mayor is an elected public official rights of free speech and expression outweigh the public official's rights unless the public official can prove that there was some type of mailice. (Report this comment)
Either Bruchey is lying or he is pretty incompetent. If he is the manager, shouldn't he have had a pretty good idea it was closing? Logically would it really make sense he knew absolutely nothing that the business was going to close two days after he quit??? Does that really logically make sense that he would have no idea? I have not seen this Mayor do too much that I am impressed with. I do not live within city limits but if I did, I would have voted for pretty much anyone but him. (Report this comment)
You can't possibly expect the simpleminded people of Hagerstown to think before they condemn someone. Especially with the Holiday season upon us, you would think that people would care that our own mayor is now without a primary source of income. Why is it that all of you are so barbaric? I have never met anyone who works so hard for this city, even with your crudeness towards everything he does. All you want to do is complain and belittle him, but I doubt you have taken the time to attend a city council meeting or email him to express your concerns. No, you would rather hide behind your computer screen. (Report this comment)
There used to be a used-car dealer in Frederick named "Cars of Frederick" that was forced out for practices including failure to perform adequate inspections of their vehicles, as well as "errors" in tag and title work. They almost overlooked an error that almost cost me an extra $40...AND my tags took forever to come in. If this is the sort of thing that was happening with the above dealership...than it is certainly not a novel idea amongst used-car businesses. They also lead you to believe that you are getting a car traded in by a little old lady who only drove the car (that you are interested in) back and forth to church and the grocery store. They don;t dare tell everyone that their cars come from auctions. Slimy industry indeed. (Report this comment)
I buy a car from you, you sign the clear title, I take the title and car. I sell the car tomorrow to Joe, your title signed by you goes with the car and Joe gets the car and tags at the DMV. Im never shown as the "owner". A dealership gets a car and not a title clear, sells the car to person B, hems and haws on the title....they by law cannot sell it. they dont have clear title. Go ahead and delete this....its the ugly truth. No title/no ownership/no sell. case closed. (Report this comment)
I like fast cars, putting the roof down, and feeling the air whip back my hair...RE: City Govt. I also have had great interactions with City Staff and later touched base with the Mayor on a couple of issues. The Mayor and staff were receptive to my phone call, open to discussion. It was a rewarding esperience vs anonymously griping. They shared ideas. I suggest if one has so much angst to give your elected officials a call, exchange information, and work together. VOLUNTEER some of that negative energy on the computer and volunteer in your town. Or email the elected official with ideas and your name. Make a positive change happen.....I would suggest those complaining,call and speak one on one with your preferred elected official. If you care as much as you hint online then speak out in a calm and polite manner. I have found great results. It is nice to see little things I addressed change for the better. Thank you to all who serve in elected office and more so to those who volunteer and put action behind it. (Report this comment)
Almost becoming comical.....post.....wait....deleted by administrator......post.....wait....deleted by administrator....anyone else seeing a pattern? As long as you aren't saying anything against Bruchey....your comments will remain. I smell a rat. (Report this comment)
Doesn't matter who's lying. It's about the customers that brought them vehicles. As long as they can get the title & tags, that's all that really matters. (Report this comment)
Very odd that some comments are deleted while others are not. A few of mine were deleted that were in really no way different than other comments I posted. Strange? (Report this comment)
OK apples111 I'll take your advice and call the Mayor's office and ask him if he knowing lied about the status of the car lot business. Having dealt with the Mayor in the past, I'm sure he would welcome having that conversation and explain to me in full detail what took place. Give me a break! The whole story is about whether the Mayor lied to the Herald-Mail reporter and why folks did not receive their tags in a normal time frame. Nothing more, nothing less. Not about our city, what kind of job he does, is he a hard worker etc. The question regarding this article is whether our Mayor is being fully honest. Apparently his old private sector boss thinks he is being dishonest in his comments to the Herald-Mail. Stick to what it is about not the past or how nice your experience has been when contacting our elected officials. Go ahead give the Mayor a call about it and post the results of that conversation here. (Report this comment)
breezie I like many other would disagree, if the Mayor is caught lying to the media it is a big deal. Although the lie in itself is real small in nature and no big deal, and does not rise to the Bill Clinton "I did not have sex with..." lie. It is the simple fact that it may be a lie and why did he lie? It is one thing if he personally tells you a lie, but having it published or printed in the paper and then being called out on it is a big deal. It shows what type of ethics and morals our Mayor may or may not have. If he is found lying about this then what prey tell may he also be lying about. (Report this comment)
So today the Herald-Mail reports that the City Council to establish ethics review board in last nights City Council meeting. Well that was timely, and just perhaps Bruchey can be their first order of business. Here is the story: http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=233528&format=html (Report this comment)
news85...our mayor is not hurting financially...ask the people who have known him for years and years. They could explain alot to you. : ) (Report this comment)
heyceeo - what you said - I buy a car from you, you sign the clear title, I take the title and car then you sell car next day to someone else without getting title in your name is against the law that is called skipping title in the State of Maryland. You can not buy a car and resale it if it is not in your name - you are not legal owner. Also a dealership can resale a car without a clear title. There is no law that you can not sale the vehicle it is call Intrust with the bank which means you are required to pay off the loan in order to get the clear title. What you have stated is not true at all... (Report this comment)
freckles, you are horribly misinformed. Speaking of contacting the mayor about these issues, why doesn't someone give Griffith a call and ask him why all of his cars were taken from his lot? Hint- Could it have to do with his inability to show up to work? (Report this comment)
CityResident - The big word " If " he's lying. The owner may be lying. I don't think anyone will know which one did. Mr. Bruchey working at that dealership is what I consider private employment. In my eyes it has nothing to do with how he runs the City of Hagerstown. The citizen of Hagerstown must like the job he's doing as Mayor or they wouldn't have voted for him again. I can seperate the two. Ok, say he did know the place was closing and he quit working for them. He's still not responible. It's up to the owner to make sure that the people get their tags and title to the vechiles they bought. (Report this comment)
Well news85 (or is it the Mayor himself another lot employee?) you stated: "you would think that people would care that our own mayor is now without a primary source of income" How do you know that was his primary source of income? Why also do you state: "give Griffith a call and ask him why all of his cars were taken from his lot? Hint- Could it have to do with his inability to show up to work?" How do you know he was suppose to show up for work and he didn't? (Report this comment)
well breezie, The way I see it he was caught in a lie to the media. Who would really care one bit about this article if Bruchey had stated in the orignal article, yes I knew the lot was closing and going out of business. Then the article is just about people for some reason not getting their tags. But now the Herald-Mail has the "gottcha" article printed because of thye lot owbner's statement. I have to believe the car-lot owner would not be so dumb to make the statement that Bruchey new 100% about it if he could not prove it up or believe it true, otherwise he risks trouble from Bruchey. Remember the owner did not make this statemnet until after the first artcile was published, where Bruchey claimed that he knew nothing. (Report this comment)
...Like 90% of what is posted is on topic, my post related to the article. But when you choose not to pass judgement without much info, it irks those who made up their mind before reading the article....Got it....I did call people, I like information.....I also chose to not to paint all with a broad brush after reading the article....I suggested some may also garner information by getting up from the computer and asking questions on the topic or interacting with the key figures they complain continuously about....I realize information scares zome......I happen to only purchase used cars from a longtime reputiable contact. I do not have much exposure to the lots. (Report this comment)
Not sure why I'm wasting my time here. After all, I could careless whether Mr. Bruchey lied about knowing the car dealership was closing. As long as he does a good job as Mayor that's really all I care about. I'll leave it at that. (Report this comment)
Well, CityResident, it is common sense. Mayor Bruchey worked at Hagerstown Motors as well as being the Mayor of Hagerstown. If he had made enough money to support his family as Mayor, why would he have taken on a full-time job? That is how I came to the conclusion that working at Hagerstown Motors was his primary source of income. Please correct me if I'm wrong. CityResident, isn't it funny how taking time to logically think about something can help you get the answer? It amazes me how everyone tries to twist and turn responses that are typed in defense of Mayor Bruchey. The answer to your second question, I was told by an employee of Hagerstown Motors. Just to appease your poor way of thinking, it was not Mayor Bruchey that I talked to. Although, logical thinking and common sense would tell you that, because he is no longer an employee of Hagerstown Motors. (Report this comment)
news85 I find it very intersting that you have the exact same style writing as the Mayor. So tell me more as to what the employee told you as far as the owner not showing up for work and why the vehicles were removed. What did the employee tell you the reason was for the folks not getting their tags, surely you talked about that. Why exactly did the owner need to show up for work if Bruchey was the manager? If you honestly believe the Mayor at his word, along with the fact that he was the manager of a VERY small car lot, that he knew nothing of what was going on...then I have some downtown property for sale you may be interested in! (Report this comment)
CityResident- the reason the cars where taken from the lot was that Griffith was out of Trust with bank who loaned him money to buy vehicles which means that he sold vehicles but failed to pay the vehicle off with the bank. When you have a floor plan with a bank and you sale a vehicle off the lot you are to pay the vehicle off on floor plan which he did not so the bank basically repoed the existing vehicles! (Report this comment)
BTW news85 compare your writing to this posting by Bruchey, they are uncannily similar in style: http://your4state.com/forums/showthread.php?p=75841#post75841 (Report this comment)
CityResident, I checked out your link and I do not see any similarity at all. I am not sure why you want me to be Mayor Bruchey so bad, that you are willing to convince yourself that I am, but I am sorry to disappoint you, this is not the case. Since you seem to be so infatuated with wanting to hear what Mayor Bruchey has to say, I will refer to what I said before in an earlier post, you should contact him about your concerns. (Report this comment)
Everyone is anonymous even the one trying to force some to ID themselves....None of us are any better or worse. We are all anonymous especially all who claim to know 100% of the facts and then some but remain anonymous....re: ARTICLE, It is a reflection of the times. Banks regularly call in loans, it happens all over. Common sense would indicate, "the reason the cars where taken from the lot was that Griffith owed the Trust Bank,who loaned him money to buy vehicles."...The company then needed to pay back the bank with the remaining cars. The company was obligated to sell the cars off the floor. They did not make the deadline due to lagging sales and time ticking on the loan. Like it was said, they did not so the bank basically repoed the existing vehicles....The elected officials have always done the city council and Mayor position on a part time basis. As in many towns...Lew is a practicing attorney, one runs a coffeehouse, others are in business or retired It has always been a part time gig. (Report this comment)
news85..I am not misinformed at all. I am beginning to believe you are a close relative. That would explain way you say the things you say. Like I said, there are some people who have know Bob for many many years. He is not hurting. And good luck to anyone trying to call him. He never returns phone calls on subjects he does not want to deal with. (Report this comment)
"can not buy a car and resale it if it is not in your name - you are not legal owner" sorry but you are misinformed. I buy a car and the owner signs the title on the back It releases him. I hold THAT title and car for a month and decide to sell it I can and will give the title that is signed a month ago to whomever buys it its all good. The new buyer can take the signed title and get tags. Skip title?? As long as there is no lein against a vehicle the title is good. Ever watch pinks?? (Report this comment)
freckles, I am only an acquaintance but I do know that your information is fictitious. (Report this comment)