More funny than the last posting

[drwex]

Recently we got an automated dunning notice from E-Z Pass, who have the electronic gizmos on the NJ Turnpike.

According to them we went through a toll booth without paying. And look there's a picture of the ass end of our car. Yeah, so what. First of all, they're wrong. We paid. Cash, but we did pay all the tolls. Second, a picture of my car doesn't prove jack. I'm happy to admit I drove that road on that day but a picture doesn't mean anything. Third, you're in NJ. I don't have your system. You can do exactly... what?

My response was a pithy "Sod off".

Pygment, however, decided the form should be filled out, contesting the charge. She first attempted to hand it to me. I explained that my response was going to be "Sod off" and if she wanted the form sent back with something else, she'd need to write it.

So she started trying to figure out how to tell them we don't agree with their assertion.

Her: "I can't figure out how to..."
Me: "S - o - d ..."

Comments

[whuffle.livejournal.com]

Actually, what they CAN do via their reciprocity agreement with Massachusetts and other states is have your license and car registration held until you do pay. No, seriously. I just went through this when I went to renew my license. Turned out I had a similar ass end of my car photo taken some time ago and that if I didn't pay up they weren't going to renew my drivers' license.

So being pity aside, they can actually do something that you don't want to have happen and which will cause significantly more aggravation later if you don't deal with it now.

[drwex]

Yeah, I know. But I just renewed my car registration and my license doesn't expire until 2013. So I can afford to fight with them for a while.

(It's also not clear to me that non-border states have reciprocity agreements. Back when I looked only states that had physically contiguous borders had such agreements. E-Z-Pass may be an exception due to being multi-state.)

[whuffle.livejournal.com]

From last I checked, any state that accepts the reciprocity of another state's transponder system has the ability to flag a car's plates so that car and its registree can't get renewed until the matter is settled. Its part of why the reciprocal transponder system works; they all agree to uphold and enforce each other's rules.

And hey, if you get a kick out of arguing with them and dicking them around before dealing with this, then that's fine. Just pointing out that it can have consequences when not dealt with.

[sweetmmeblue.livejournal.com]

Yes but I'm not paying $25.50 for a $.50 toll that I already paid, In fact, the cost of the stamp is already almost as much as the toll itself.

[sweetmmeblue.livejournal.com]

Um, Motik, it's not your car that got dinged, it would not be your license or registration in trouble.

[awfief.livejournal.com]

I let a friend borrow my car and forgot to put the transponder back in before a trip to jersey. $200 in $50 tickets, and I called them and said, "yep, that's my car, don't know why it didn't go through, I have a transponder! I just checked my account and it doesn't look like the tolls were applied. I'll happily pay the tolls but not the fees." and they were fine with that.

If you didn't keep your receipts, I'm not sure how much of a case you have. The cameras are automated. Will you win if this is brought up in court? Probably. Will they get the police to impound your car first? .....

I'd call them and explain the situation saying you're not sure how to fill out the form. Just on the chance that the camera went berserk, they know about it, and tell you exactly what to write on the form.

[drwex]

Hmm, I'd probably be willing to pay the tolls again to be rid of this problem. I'm not willing to fork over a big fee for something I didn't do, at least not on first presentation.

[inkedandkinked.livejournal.com]

The parkway has money buckets not the turnpike. The turnpike has either ez pass only or toll collectors. Perhaps you could amend your reply that to something like I was forced into the lane to avoid a collision instead of going into a lane with a collector. Unfortunately I didf not have exact change. Would you allow me to pay you now?

[inkedandkinked.livejournal.com]

If you wrote that you were forced into the lane to avoid a collision EZ pass will accept that excuse and simply charge you for the toll.

Signed your Lawyer in NJ

[drwex]

Hmm, the lane in question had both a money bucket and an E-Z Pass reader. I dunno how far that would go. Interesting idea, though!

[sweetmmeblue.livejournal.com]

I already mailed it.

[taura-g.livejournal.com]

*SNARK*

[alan7388.livejournal.com]

Hi. Just noticed this post. Once a year we drive the Garden State Parkway and the NJ Turnpike. We always throw the coins in the basket, and for three years now we have gotten notices for a $25 fine for running the tolls, including a pic of the rear of our car.

Each time, I wrote back and protested. Twice they voided the fine; once they refused.

It seems like an ongoing racket to defraud out-of-staters.

Question: do you have an inflammatory leftist bumper sticker on the back of your car like we do?

We now go through NJ tolls only via a booth with a human in it, who turns the light green before we proceed.

Cheers,

Alan M.

alan7399 (AT) gmail (DOT) com