Once again, my sleepy town's government fails

[FuzzyWuzHe]

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.

[Fearless]

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.

In Pennsylvania those discussions could have possibly put you in bracelets with locks however our plates come in a timely basis and if there is a glitch no charge for extension LOL

[rhino 2]

I can tell you more stories about the DMV......Then you can believe...My last one was when i applied for Motorcycle Handicapped plates........Sent in all the paper work to Trenton ...Local DMV's don't have the plates......A month gos by so i call the division head and i'm told yes we have them there right on my desk......A week gos by and i get in the mail the wrong plates....And also their two large car plates.... Call again, Yes ok she says, But before we send you the right ones you have to send us back the wrong ones ..I sent them back return receipt on my dime, Didn't want them to say we never got them ...Two more weeks go by another phone call, Oh yea we got them back we'll send yours right out. About a week later i finely get the right plates........

[Marc H]

Here you just go to the clerks office with your paperwork and they issue everything right there.

[Jack Klarich]

Florida has it all together IMO

When you purchase a new vehicle, your old tags go to the new vehicle

All the paper work is cleared by dealer and sent to the DMV

[rhino 2]

Here you just go to the clerks office with your paperwork and they issue everything right there.

Thats the way its suppose to work.......Till you have a question and now the clerk has to think a little......Then all bets are off.....

[Z06tacoma]

If the Government was an actual business, it would have gone bankrupt years ago. Instead its a parasite on working people's wallets.

[ol' school]

Good for you Alan! Glad it worked out for you. Shouldn't have to go through all that to get your plate on time!

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Good for you Alan! Glad it worked out for you. Shouldn't have to go through all that to get your plate on time!

I learned how to get what I need from dad.

He bought a brand new Chrysler New Yorker with all the bells and whistles. Within a week the windshield wiper motor burned out. Of course they didn't have one so they ordered it.

Six weeks later, Dad was planning a trip to New York from Colorado. He told the dealer it would need to be fixed in three weeks before he left. Three weeks later the dealer told him the "part" was still not in. Dad said then I want a new car. The said they couldn't do that.

An hour later my dad had his friend serve the owner of the dealership with a two million dollar or fix his car in 24 hours or give him a new car law suit. The dealer said he couldn't do anything. The lawyer said see you in court and he and dad left.

The dealer called dad the next morning and told Dad it was gonna cost the dealership thousands in legal fees to fight this. how could he make this go away?

Dad hung up an him and in about 30 minutes, he and his lawyer where back. The lawyer told the dealer to take the wiper motor off the car on the showroom floor and put it on dad's car. The dealer said he couldn't do that. The lawyer said it could all go away if the dealer's owner would sign a letter accepting all responsibility for requiring my dad to drive an unsafe car until it was fixed.

The motor from the show room car was in dad's car in about an hour ...

Dad took his lawyer friend to dinner and they called it square.

[Peter A.]

Here you just go to the clerks office with your paperwork and they issue everything right there.

Here in Oregon it’s almost a pleasure to go to DMV, we went in after moving here recently

(2 people in lobby and 3 clerks behind counter) we did our paperwork then they verified

the VINs paid our fees and they HANDED us our new plates - same held true for our trikes & bike.

NOW SHAME on California where it took me 5 months to RE-NEW my drivers license,

geeze what a NIGHTMARE that was!

P.S. WE LOVE Pendleton Oregon........a little chilly right now BUT some great riding territory come spring!

[Diablo]

We get our plates and registration done by a satellite office of the County Tax assessor...It's a two person office so you call ahead a see if they are there and no one's child, grandchild, grandparent, spouse, mom, dad, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, dog, cat, goldfish, etc is sick or has died...That it isn't any of the above's birthday, anniversary, parole hearing, etc...That there aren't any severe weather warnings, fair weather warnings, great fishing reports, or other instance that would require their immediate attention...Mostly you just walk in and five minutes later walk out plates, tags, and registration in hand and a heartfelt "have a blessed day...we'll see you next time!"

[bikerbillone]

Our bureaucracies and tax dollars hard at work. Not enough tax dollars, no problem, levy more fees.