East Dublin Woman Says Laurens County Dealership Delays Vehicle Registrations

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An East Dublin woman, Esther Cobb, says she has been waiting months for the permanent registration tags for a vehicle she purchased from Joe Maus Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Dublin in November. Cobb and other customers claim the dealership has failed to process title paperwork and registration, leaving them with temporary tags that are about to expire. Some customers also say the dealership failed to pay off their trade-in vehicles, leaving them responsible for two car payments.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing issues with some car dealerships failing to properly handle vehicle registration and title transfers, leaving customers in legal limbo and potentially facing fines or penalties. It also raises concerns about the business practices of the Joe Maus dealership group, which appears to have a history of customer complaints and closures of other locations.

The details

Esther Cobb purchased a vehicle from Joe Maus Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Dublin in November, but the dealership has yet to provide her with the necessary paperwork to obtain a permanent registration tag. Without it, Cobb fears her daughter will no longer be able to legally drive the car, which she relies on for a nearly hour-long commute to Macon each day. Cobb says she has called the dealership weekly but has been given the runaround, with a staff member named Bruce telling her the dealership is waiting on corporate to release funds to cover the taxes and fees. The local county tag office has issued Cobb multiple temporary tags, but officials have warned her they may not be able to continue doing so. Cobb's most recent temporary tag expires on May 14. After Cobb's daughter posted about the issue on Facebook, at least a dozen people responded with similar complaints, some saying the dealership also failed to pay off their trade-in vehicles.

• Esther Cobb purchased a vehicle from the dealership in November 2025.
• Cobb's most recent temporary tag expires on May 14, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Esther Cobb says she hopes going public with her story will pressure the dealership into action. The Better Business Bureau advises customers in similar situations to contact their county tag office, file complaints with state agencies, and consult an attorney if the dealership remains unresponsive.