The News From Here

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Late breaking UPDATE to Wednesday’s happenings
The often mentioned “homebuilt” trailer has usable tires AND it’s legally titled and licensed. The last two items HAD to be accomplished at the DMV (excuse me in AZ its Motor Vehicle Dept) no 3rd party licensing company could afford to run that sloppy and stay in business. I’ll admit that it was a different experience. I’ve been down that road several times so I had an inclination as to the scope of the undertaking I was tackling. The biggest difference between this time and the others is that the personnel were friendly and not indifferent toward the customers. They also didn’t have a clue what they were doing. They even forgot to test the lights, hitch and safety items like safety chains AT ALL. Maybe it was because the “inspector” knew how long I’d been waiting? That has always been a big part of the process- a 3 to 5 minute process but always done before issuing the inspection report that then you take to someone else usually waiting in a long line again between each step. This time the inspector said take this paper work to the head of the line and don’t take any guff or feel bad about it, I know how long you’ve waited– Tell them I sent you. I didn’t get any guff but I sure got some unfriendly looks. Can’t blame anyone for that – Long story made much shorter than any one phase of the processes – It’s legal.
Sidebar
I enquired about yearly license instead of the lifetime plates. I explained that at my age the lifetime plates weren’t nearly as exciting as they were a few years ago. It was explained to me this way; “The Lifetime plates are $129 + the $5 inspection fee or you can license it for two years for $129 + the $5 inspection fee.” OK let’s go for the lifetime then. (chuckle)
Now just to add a little humor to the experience I grabbed the plate and went out to install it and the bolts I had were too long. “OK I’ll take a chance and head to the hardware store.” I took off through the MVD parking lot and hit a speed bump a little too hard I guess. The Hitch popped off the receiver ball. The safety chains held it and did what they are supposed to do. I re-hooked it up and took off for the hardware store with no license showing and was followed by one of Mesa’s finest for 5 blocks, all the time I was waiting to the blue lights. 1/2 a block from the hardware store he made a turn north and left me to continue on my way. I thought “did I just waste $134 & 3½ hours?” Just kidding- sort of. I really wanted to make a stop at the bank and go straight to get a load of granite but I thought I’d better take a close look at the hitch before I try it loaded – See the old man isn’t totally CRAZY YET besides I was REALLY ready for a cold brew, sitting in front of the cooler with a book, having used up all my patience, enthusiasm, smiles and good humor. Did I mention the $134 and 3 1/2 hours- Oh Yeah I think I did (chuckle).