Anyone have experience with buying a car from Massachusetts

Trying to buy a car from a dealer in Massachusetts. Dealer cannot ship car without plates, Massachusetts does not offer temporary tags, but cannot get tags in Georgia without smog inspection (need car for that).

im 99% sure that you can get a 30 day provisional tag from the tax assessor to get the car down the ATL.

I bought a car in DC. The tag situation was a real pain. I bought from a private seller and in DC I guess you have to surrender your tag as soon as the car is sold/uninsured. And georgia, like you said doesn't issue temporary tags to non-ga dealers or individuals. I was told in GA that you have a 7 day grace period from purchase of the vehicle to apply for your tag. During this grace period, you don't need a tag, just a bill of sale and proof of insurance. If you were to get pulled over during that 7 day grace period w/ a dealer temp tag or no tag at all you are fine as long as you can produce the documents. I didn't risk driving home so didn't have that much of a problem, shipper/carrier didn't have a problem at all loading a car without a tag. Not sure why your dealer would.

Just spoke with Tag office. Will not issue a Temp Tag since car is not being purchased from a GA dealer. MA dealer can't release car without tag. WTH, chicken & egg going on here.

That is very messed up. Sorry to hear you are going through this. State laws/regs vary so widely. It isn't designed to make it easy for us consumers. I've bought several cars in Mass, but I've never had your exact situation. My state doesn't require smog/emissions before issuing a plate/tag. I've been able to get around the hassle by going to the Mass dealer, completing the purchase transaction, then going back to my home state with the purchase paperwork getting the tag/plate, returning to mass with the tag/plate and then driving the car home. It is a hassle. That is clearly not an option for you with the regulations involved. Can you transfer your current vehicle's tags to the new vehicle, ship the tags to the dealer, then when the car arrives, get it smogged (sounds like you may have a window of time in your state)? If not, hopefully the car you were trying to buy wasn't a rare example. With any luck, you'll find something in a state with more flexible rules. Or buy from a private seller where it doesn't matter. When I sell a car private sale, and we have closed the deal, it is the buyer's problem if they choose to drive without tags, etc. A few years ago, I sold a Audi on eBay and the person flew here, then drove the car home (to Georgia, as a matter of fact) with no plates at all on it...

cds your GA buyer was completely legal to drive the car home with no plates. As he intended to register the car in GA, his home state where you have a 7-day grace period from the purchase of the vehicle to have the car smogged and registered. During this grace period with a private party sale, no tag is required. This dealer is making the situation difficult. I don't see why they can't flatbed it without a tag. You could try printing up a generic "Tag Applied For" or sending an old tag up? Once it arrives in GA simply remove it, drive it over to get smogged then straight to the county tax office.

Agree. Car being transported to my home. Told them I would have it towed to inspection center and back home, everything is electronic after that. I get that tag would be shipped back to them, then shipped to me. They say it's illegal for them to ship car without tag. Waiting for them to reply. Hoping they allow an exception. It's a nice car.

https://www.balisemazda.com/financin...t-of-state.htm This MA mazda dealer has a guide on buying a MA car from out of state. They issue a temporary tag when doing so. I don't see why your dealer would be any different.

Quotes source post: 15380544

WTH, this is exactly what I need.

If you still need help with this, let me know. I MIGHT be able to help. PM me if you do.

Thanks all for your help. Deal cannot move forward.