Totally Screwed Up!

[Bird of Prey]

It seems as though I'm a complete moron! I told my wife to seal up my application packet and send it off via priority mail but I forgot to tell her to send the check! By the time I called the post office, it was already in transit. I just got off the phone with the department that will receive my CHL packet at Austin and the rep says I have to wait about 3 to 4 weeks for them to send me a letter and then send payment with that letter.

Anyone know of another way I can send the payment now instead of waiting for the "Hey moron! You forgot to pay us." letter?

[Bird of Prey]

I contacted the post office and they had me fill out a form so the post office in Austin will keep an eye out for the packet so they can send it back to me. But they said it was kinda hit or miss if they catch it. I'm praying they see it so I don't have to wait the additional month or so to send my payment.

[maximus2161]

ouch! I have no idea. Hopefully you get that back. I guess no way to pay online now?

[timdaus@mac.com]

Just a thought - If you check my thread regarding the letter they sent me regarding additional information they needed - I ended up faxing the information to them (in addition to mailing a copy) and the fax found it's way to the proper parties on the day I sent it. My point is that their system seems more efficient than many of the bureaucracies we have dealt with at times. That being said - and understand this is not a for-sure thing... I have two thoughts for you...

1. Just go ahead an mail in the check - include any reference you can to your original application so the two have the greatest chance of getting together. I completed my application online so I already had an ID# - not sure if you would doing it this way. I would expect the odds are good that the two will find their way to the right place - so while the system may spit out a letter saying they need a check - they will probably also discover they already have a check from you. Worst case would be that they would cash your check sent in now - not get the account balanced and you would have to get a refund back from one of your checks.

2. Another thought - and quite likely a better idea -- go online and submit your preliminary application there and make your payment online. This is how I did it. They do some sort of a pre-application (brief background search) and if you pass that then they send you your application packet in the mail -- this is the EXACT same paperwork you get at your CHL course when you did not apply online. Generally you would then schedule and take your class - then submit your paperwork back to them. By doing it the way I'm suggesting, it would basically just be a situation where you've managed to complete the course in RECORD TIME... as by the time they are mailing you the packet - your packet will be arriving in their hands. At worst this might create some confusion that you would need to resolve via email or on the phone - but at least you would have paid your balance in full -- and your completed package will be in their hands. There would be no logical reason for delaying the processing of your packet.

My experience with the people running this process has been surprisingly positive. I really believe you are dealing with a much better class of government employee than many of us have encountered in the past when renewing our driver licenses etc... and if you consider the nature of what they are doing - it makes sense they would put the brighter fish in this particular pond.

Good luck - I think if it were me I would try option #2... and then endeavor to get the clerks there to adjust the application ID #s if that becomes a source of confusion -- there can only be one YOU -- so based on the fact that they do so much work researching YOU - connecting your payment to your application packet should be relatively easy.

I hope this works out for you!!!

Best wishes

Tim
timdaus@mac.com

[jtran987]

that really sucks hopefully they get a site up that will allow you to pay for your CHL online instead of sending a check in the mail but hope everything works out for you and that you dont have to wait for too long

[Bird of Prey]

Tim, thanks for the advice! Option #2 seems like it would've worked. Fortunately I was able to get the post office to intercept the package before it arrived at the CHL office. It was returned to me this past Saturday (7/24/10) and remailed WITH THE PAYMENT on 7/26/10. Amazing how much crap you have to go through because of one stupid mistake. LOL