Forum Discussion

SweetLou's avatar
SweetLou
Explorer
May 04, 2019

California Registration Issue

I don't know if anyone has had this happen to them but what a bending over. I had to renew my truck registration due at the end of April. My renewal notice says return by mail only. I sent them a check on April 4 from the post office. I have been waiting for my tags and drove my other vehicle around so kind of forgot about it. My wife says, hey Calif hasn't cashed the registration check yet. Of course now its after the due date. I went on their website to check, and of course now it says I need to pay the late fees of $41. I can't prove that it was mailed so I'm hosed. Why it would say by mail only is beyond me. We pay online all the time. So, don't let this happen to you if you get this type of notice. Go waste your day at the nearest office and pay on the spot.
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  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    May 04, 2019
    SweetLou wrote:
    My renewal notice says return by mail only. ... Why it would say by mail only is beyond me. We pay online all the time. So, don't let this happen to you if you get this type of notice.
    Hmm, this sounds like a scam to me. Any renewal payment should be allowed online by credit card, not a check in the mail. And renewal notices should also be online, in email.

    You still have the address?
  • SweetLou's avatar
    SweetLou
    Explorer
    May 04, 2019
    2oldman wrote:
    SweetLou wrote:
    My renewal notice says return by mail only. ... Why it would say by mail only is beyond me. We pay online all the time. So, don't let this happen to you if you get this type of notice.
    Hmm, this sounds like a scam to me. Any renewal payment should be allowed online by credit card, not a check in the mail. And renewal notices should also be online, in email.

    You still have the address?

    I have the original renewal notice. Like I said, its not cashed.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    May 04, 2019
    Yes, not cashed means it's not a very good scam! But it sounds really strange.
  • toedtoes's avatar
    toedtoes
    Explorer III
    May 04, 2019
    If you look online now does it say "by mail only"? Or will it let you pay online?

    If the latter, I suspect it was a misprint on the notice.

    If you do ever HAVE to mail in your notice, send it certified. Doesn't cost as much as the late fees.
  • gbopp's avatar
    gbopp
    Explorer
    May 04, 2019
    2oldman wrote:
    Yes, not cashed means it's not a very good scam! But it sounds really strange.

    It sounds like a good scam to me. Tell the customer to pay by check, don't cash the check and then charge a $41 late fee. ;)
  • DownTheAvenue's avatar
    DownTheAvenue
    Explorer
    May 04, 2019
    For less than $1, you could get proof of mailing from the PO, or better yet use Priority Mail and get tracking. That way you can prove when then got it.
  • SweetLou's avatar
    SweetLou
    Explorer
    May 04, 2019
    toedtoes wrote:
    If you look online now does it say "by mail only"? Or will it let you pay online?

    If the latter, I suspect it was a misprint on the notice.

    If you do ever HAVE to mail in your notice, send it certified. Doesn't cost as much as the late fees.

    This is what it says when you go online now "This vehicle is not eligible for online renewal. Mail the bottom portion of the registration renewal notice with the fees and requested items in the envelope provided prior to the expiration date to avoid late fees. If you no longer have the envelope, please use the address provided on the renewal notice". Good to know that you should get proof of mailing but you should not have to do that. Now that we know, yes by all means. I am going in person on Monday. I wonder it they will take it that way.
  • toedtoes's avatar
    toedtoes
    Explorer III
    May 05, 2019
    Of course you should get proof of mailing. If they believed everyone who said "my check got lost in the mail", they'd never have anyone pay on time.

    It is YOUR responsibility to make sure the payment arrives on time. If you choose to mail without proof of delivery then you are taking your chances.
  • smithrjd's avatar
    smithrjd
    Explorer
    May 05, 2019
    Yep, CA bend over with no KY. Outa here is a year, and will never look back. Last tag for 3/4 ton Silverado was $560... 5th wheel $320. That is PER year.
  • SweetLou's avatar
    SweetLou
    Explorer
    May 05, 2019
    toedtoes wrote:
    Of course you should get proof of mailing. If they believed everyone who said "my check got lost in the mail", they'd never have anyone pay on time.

    It is YOUR responsibility to make sure the payment arrives on time. If you choose to mail without proof of delivery then you are taking your chances.

    While good advice, do you do the same even with your utility bills? Do we really need to get proof of mailing on all our bills now? My mistake here is not going into their office. I just wanted to let others know to watch out

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