Aug 20, 2025
Alliance Automotive Group, a Marietta, Georgia, used car dealership, has closed following an Atlanta News First investigation that uncovered numerous customer complaints and a suspended dealer's license.
Multiple unhappy customers reported paying thousands in cash for vehicles but never receiving their titles, leaving them unable to drive their cars once temporary tags expired.
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It’s an ongoing issue in the Peach State that’s leaving countless shoppers angry at unreliable dealers more interested in “making paper” than legal paperwork. But what can you do to avoid falling for the same mistakes?
After all, without a title, you don't legally own the vehicle you're paying for.
Buyers can’t prove ownership
Willie Lowe, a Marietta sanitation employee, told reporters he paid $8,900 cash for a 2012 Hyundai Equus in June but never received his title.
Since then, Alliance has dragged its heels on transferring the title to Lowe — something Georgia law requires to be done within 30 days of purchase and forcing him into getting a temporary extension.
“There’s no way you should have 60 days without your title,” Lowe’s friend and coworker, Kellie Kindle, said.
But Lowe isn’t alone in his complaints against the dealer.
Nick Jones drove 70 miles from Jefferson, Georgia, and paid cash for a 2017 Honda Pilot, but faced the same issue with an expired temporary tag and no title.
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“I feel kind of betrayed. It’s not fair. It’s frustrating,” said Jones.
Reporters confronted Dan Sherrer, owner of Alliance Automotive Group, about Lowe’s case. Sherrer claimed Lowe had moved and failed to complete the required notarized form to process the title. In fact, he had handed over the paperwork himself — something Lowe disputes.
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A laundry list of complaints against the dealer
Sherrer’s company is accused of failing to process tag and title paperwork for multiple customers.
In June, the Georgia Used Motor Vehicle Dealer Board fined the dealership $2,500 after it failed an inspection, in part over title issues. In early July, the Secretary of State’s Office suspended Alliance Automotive Group’s broker’s license, pending a hearing scheduled in October.
The dealership's license suspension means it can no longer access the state system needed to process car sales, leaving affected customers in limbo with vehicles they purchased but cannot legally drive.
What to do when you don’t get your title tags
In Georgia, dealers typically apply for vehicle titles within 30 days of sale. However, some dealers fail to do this before the 45-day temporary operating permit expires, creating problems for buyers.
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When dealers can't provide titles, the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) recommends that wronged buyers take the following steps:
- Apply for a 30-day temporary permit from your county tag office
- Consider applying for a bonded title (a document that establishes ownership of a vehicle when the original title is lost, stolen, or unavailable)
- Consult an attorney
- File a civil suit against the dealer
- File a claim against the dealer's surety bond
That’s because the DOR can only issue titles under three conditions:
- If the dealer applies with the required documentation
- If you have the original title signed over to you
- If you obtain a bonded title
Additionally, Georgia law states that dealers cannot extend the original permit.
But proving a dealership is closed can be tricky. This requires sending a certified letter to the seller and waiting for it to be returned to the sender. The new owner can then return the unopened letter and potentially get another extension.
The Georgia Independent Automobile Dealers Association said there is no statewide system to help car buyers who are stuck with cars they cannot drive.
Before buying a car, ask who processes the paperwork and check for complaints online. At a minimum, ask to see a copy of the title before you pay.
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Cory Santos is a finance writer, editor and credit card expert with over seven years of experience in personal finance. Having lived and worked worldwide, Cory now calls South Florida home, helping consumers find their ideal credit card and offering impartial and approachable advice to help them navigate their best financial lives. Cory joined Wise Publishing from BestCards, with bylines in numerous digital publications across North America, including AOL, MSN, Yahoo Finance, the Miami Herald, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and more. When he isn't scouring for the latest credit card deals and offers, Cory can be found working on his various historical research projects, jogging, or hanging out with his cats, Bentley, Cougar, and Pumpkin.
