DealersEdge Professional Forums

Customer came in wanting us to cut a key on an older truck. Told him needed proof of ownership. Said teruck was in his wife's name. Told him she had to come get key. Said they were seperated, then asked about an ignition cylinder. Would you have sold him a cylinder, or let him go down to Advance and get one?

If you mean an old cylinder that came pre-coded with keys, I would probably back out, being you know some background.
We actually got in trouble by providing a key to a cust that had proof of ownership but was in a divorce settlement and he was "stealing" the truck from his Ex.
However, not knowing the backstory, if a cust came in and asked for a new cylinder, I would always sell it. Your query gives me second thought now though about requiring proof of ownership on these pre-coded cyls too.

Hadn't every thought about it before either. We had the cylinder and keys, but wouldn't sell it to him. I know that didn't stop him from getting a cylinder, but we were not involved.

We aren't required by law to have proof of ownership to sell a cylinder. Replacing that cylinder is quite a bit more trouble than jumping in it with a new key from us. He could buy the cylinder from a million different places or have a locksmith come out. I wouldn't like selling it after getting some of that back story and I might hesitate but IF and it's a big IF it did come back on you, then you could always play dumb, because again you don't have to have proof of ownership to sell a part.

GM is unlikely to do a ign. cyl. audit. I have been audited for key codes, though.
Sell it!

Surely GM has been through Legal for approval of the cylinder, or we couldn't sell it, right?!?

"Surely GM has been through Legal for approval of the cylinder, or we couldn't sell it, right?!?"

In your dreams!!!! I went through MONTHS of pure hell on the "E-Rod" motor that GM advertised as "Smog legal" in Kalifunny.
Seems they forgot one step, that being getting aproval from Ca. Air Resourses Board. Yes we are a "Smog Cert. Shop" at which point we could be subject to a $50,000.00 fine and loss of license for selling a "non-smog legal" engine. A couple of other Kalifunny Dealers caught in the trap as well. Fortunately GM got off of their butt and got it cleared up but it only took them about 5 months.

let me tell you of my experience with this sorta thing, about 20 years ago i had a fella come in and say he lost the keys to his vehicle. it is law in N.Y. to provide proof of ownership and picture ID before cutting lost keys (we make copies of this info and file them), he provided a title with his and his wife's name on it along with picture ID (drivers license) so i cut him a key. a few weeks later i was handed a subpoena to appear in court....yes these two were getting a divorce and i cut the hubby a key so he could take the car. needless to say i had to defend myself in court from this woman's lawyer who basically tried to make it out that i was this guys friend and i did it as a favor for him so he could get his car. i did not know this guy at all and i had never seen this guy before or after all that. i produced the copies of the title and drivers license and the judge excused me from the proceedings. i don't want to ever go through that again so i am very....very careful about that sorta thing.