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Auto Tags - unbelievable?

angelfj1

Yoda
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The auto tag service called today and said that my antique tags are in. I also received the title from Harrisburg, but the VIN is not correct. The tag service did all of the paper work, so when they called about the tags I asked about the error on the title. The conversation went something like this(really):

me: I received my title from Harrisburg today. The VIN (commission number) is wrong. Since you did all of the paper work, how can this be corrected?

tag service: how can the number be wrong? It had to be in the Penn DOT data base.

me: no, the car was originally titled in another state and I paid you to transfer this to PA. So, PA never had a record until now.

tag service: Oh. OK. <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">sir, how wrong is the VIN No?</span></span>

me: excuse me, but I don't understand. It's either right or wrong, isn't it?

tag service: well I was wondering whether or not it was off by a number or letter or if it's completely a different number.

me: does it matter? If it's off by one number or letter isn't it wrong nonetheless?

tag service: well I guess so.

me: since you asked, the correct VIN is TS58476LO. The VIN on the title has no "TS" , it has an extra number after the "6" and there is no "O".

tag service: <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">well sir, I have to agree that would be very incorrect.</span></span>

me: so how can this be corrected?

tag service: bring it in tomorrow, ya da, ya da, ya da, ya da

:wall:
 
Years ago when I got my TR3B, the VIN on the title had some of the numbers repeated. The car had not been delivered when I transferred the title, so I did not notice the problem. I still do not know if it was caused then or was earlier.

I had to have a county sheriff come and verify that the corrected number I had on the paper work matched the one on the car.

Once I decided to do it, it was fairly painless. I hope it works out as easily for you.
 
Basil, call back tomorrow, speak to the same person and pretend to be from a medical clinic....inform them they a)are partially pregnant or b)are semi-illegitimate.....depending on the gender of the previously mentioned person....
 
In New York, cars prior to 1973 didn't have titles. They have transferrable registrations. My TR3 sat for about eight years before I got around to doing a restoration that took another four years, so the car was not registered for about twelve years.

I finally went down to register the car with all of the neccessary paperwork, including the last registration certificate <span style="font-weight: bold">issued by the NY DMV.</span> Everything was going along fine until the lady behind the counter said that the VIN number does not come up on the computer. Excuse me!! Here's the registration <span style="font-weight: bold">YOU ISSUED</span> to me, living at the same address when <span style="font-weight: bold">YOU ISSUED </span>it with the same VIN number I want to register it at. Well sir, after ten years we purge the records, you'll have to get a "tracing". What the heck is a tracing?? Well sir, you get a piece of paper and a pencil and you lay the paper over the VIN plate...you've got to be kidding me! I said that there was no way I could get a readable "tracing" from this VIN plate...would a <span style="font-weight: bold">picture</span> of it be acceptable?? Oh yes sir, that would be fine.

Fortunately, they give you a "go to the head of the line" ticket so you don't have to wait around when you come back with the "tracing"! :crazy:
 
Frank I feel your pain. Some years ago I too had a problem with a tag service here in Lancaster. When I finally had enough I just got in the car and drove to Harrisburg and went directly to the DMV. I assure you it was not much better dealing with the people they have working there. Our tax dollars at work :wall:
 
As bad as PA may seem, you have never seen anything like the RI DMV. Tom Hanks should make a movie about being stranded in line at the RI DMV.
 
I've had to deal with PENNDOT on occasion, doesn't seem they've improved in thirty years.

On the other hand I must say the DMV here is fairly painless. Yesterday I went to renew my Alfa tag AND have a new (mandatory renewal after 8 years) operator's license issued. Eye test and new photo. From the time I left th' hovel to time of return was an hour. Very efficient.
 
Doc,
I'm glad you had a good experence, but we can't all live in Denmark.
grin.gif
 
DrEntropy said:
I've had to deal with PENNDOT on occasion, doesn't seem they've improved in thirty years.

On the other hand I must say the DMV here is fairly painless. Yesterday I went to renew my Alfa tag AND have a new (mandatory renewal after 8 years) operator's license issued. Eye test and new photo. From the time I left th' hovel to time of return was an hour. Very efficient.

I must agree Doc.! Fl.has quite a good (smooth) system compared to the only two other states (PA. & N.J.) I have had to deal with!!
 
Brosky said:
Tom Hanks should make a movie about being stranded in line at the RI DMV.

"Momma always said going to the DMV was like a box of chocolates.....you never know what kind of nut you're gonna get."
 
I've got a similar story. Bought a Midget last week and went to VA DMV to get title, tags, registration. Had to wait TWO HOURS in a crowded room that looked more like Ellis Island from the thirties than anything else. Lotsa nationalities represented; mountain folk from the hinterlands chawin' tobaccy, youngsters with super baggy pants and tatoos. Also lots of crying babies, kids, etc.

Very strange, uncomfortable place. Did I say I had to wait <span style="font-weight: bold">TWO HOURS</span>????? :wall:

Got home with new title/registration, discovered that the VIN was transcribed incorrectly. It's a Midget and the VIN begins with "GAN": the DMV has it as "GHN".

Sooooo, I called and they said I'd have to return and let an Agent do a VISUAL inspection of the car.

Another hour or two down the drain.

PRIVATIZE the DMV, I say! :cryin:
 
Hmmm... Lived in VA a while ago. Never had a memorably bad experience there. But PA and VA are both consider'd "Commonwealth" states... makes ya wonder. :shocked:
 
Yup. Lived out on Buckroe Avenue. Hampton. 'bout three blocks from the pier. :laugh:
 
You should try being me every year when I go to get new plates for my "fleet"..
 
They should offer you "boat drinks" and a Laz-Y-Boy lounger!!! :jester:
 
tony barnhill said:
You should try being me every year when I go to get new plates for my "fleet"..

Do you have to get all new plates every year, or just stickers? We just need stickers to renew, and it can be done via the post or at all manner of non-DMV places (I usually go to a local bank that sells the stickers-all I need is my license and reg, pay cash, walk outside & stick on the sticker).

-Wm.
 
Down here we get new stickers most years - but can only get them from DMV offices.
 
How wrong is it.. What, if if was a number or two was he going to ask you to pen it in? Maybe ask you to pound in a digit or two on the plate? Mushroom.
 
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