So, my temp plates expire tomorrow the 6th. Yesterday I called the dealer and he told me he'd check on the paperwork and "get back to me". Check's in the mail, all those type of things. Never happened. So bright and early this I stopped by and the dealers title section called the city.
The paperwork was ready on the 2nd and the dealers title woman made me an appointment for the afternoon.
Went and checked on the trailer and got back in plenty of time.
So I show up and the DMV has no record of my appointment. I was really proud of myself. Twenty years ago, I would have demanded the Mesa County Clerk show up and personally take care of me. Maybe I'm mellowing.
Anyway, I politely stated my case and she said, "Sorry, we don't have an appointment for you. you can get a number and wait." I asked to see the supervisor. She told me she was the supervisor.
I basically stated my case that if my tax dollars were being used to pay a supervisor to answer the phone and hand out numbers, we have a much bigger problem than me not having an appointment.
She said she'd be right back. She came back with another lady who apparently was the boss. I explained my situation and she said, "You must be Alan, I talked to Gail (the title clerk at the dealer) this morning and yes, you have an appointment with me."
I asked her how come I didn't get a card saying the paperwork was ready? Apparently, the DMV only sends out cards stating that the paperwork is ready, on Friday .. which since my paperwork was done on Monday the 2nd, I would get my card on Saturday the 7th. Which means I couldn't get my plates until Monday the 9th ... So I couldn't legally drive my car for 3 days.
She said I was free to get another temp by just waiting in line and paying $7.95 for an additional 30 days. I asked her why they issue 60 day temps if it takes the dealer 10 days to do their part and the county takes 45 days.
She looked shocked and said it doesn't take us that long.
I said, according to the certified mail receipt your office signed and showed her the picture I took of the dealers receipt, you've had the paperwork since October 18th, roughly 45 days before it was complete.
She told me it takes them about 10 days to prepare the paperwork, then it goes to the state and back to them. Also, they are overloaded.
I told her clearly, but, my question is still, why not give us 90 day temps so this isn't an issue.
She actually told me that if they did that, it would look bad for the dmv.
My response was simple, you don't think it looks bad for you that every temp issued cuts it so close that there are hundreds of people driving around with expired plates.
She said that's against the law.
I explained that I had researched many other counties in Colorado and Mesa County has the longest paperwork times in the state. I then asked her, if holding up every taxpayer for $7.95 for every vehicle purchased in this county is legal???
I was out of there in less than 10 minutes, plates in hand. She was glad to get rid of me.