I am filing this under process angioplasty....by the time this is settled, the TCO to all parties will be several hundred times the original cost.
Both our family cars have the Florida SunPass. They are both current and toll replenishment charges appear faithfully on the credit card statement.
Sometime in January, a toll gate must have missed a transponder. Few weeks later we got the request for the toll - $ 1. Not sure why, but instead of mailing a George Washington or a check, I sent back the form with my credit card number. 2 weeks later I got the form back. Cannot read your writing, it said. I wrote in my best, steadiest block letters and sent it back.
A month later I get a ticket in the mail. Fine of $ 25. Or a court hearing. Opted for latter knowing I would get a specific person name I could deal with.
A month later I get the court date notice and a specific name: Jane Mumbauer, Director of Traffic Division, Clerk of the Circuit Court. I send her a letter (and this time a $ 1 check) saying it's already gone too far. Forgive me, take the money, save the court (and me) the case time.
I expected something similar to what happened in Dallas over Christmas. A toll booth was not manned (hey, it was a holiday) and I ran it. Called them next day asking where I should mail the dollar, and they said "Don't' worry about it. Enjoy Texas. Happy holidays"
But not in Florida. She does not cash the check and instead writes back: "Unfortunately, once a citation has been submitted to our office, we can only accept one of the payment options listed on the citation....your (court) case is scheduled for July 6..."
She included her email address. She does have access to modern technology. But not to streamlined processes which consider cost/payback for collecting a $ 1 toll...
Update: It gets better. Catching up on my card statements, I see not 1 but 3 $ 1 charges on my Amex! I have requested they get me the detail to take to the court hearing.
Further Update: I raised it with SunPass HQ, and Gustavo Salas took a personal interest in getting it resolved. He has dismissed the charge and refunded $ 2. Jane Mumbauer is working to get the court formally dismiss the citation. In the meantime Amex, gave me a courtesy credit of $ 3, so I am $ 2 ahead. That covers the postage and copies I have sent to everyone involved. All's well that ends well. Hopefully the Judge's time will be used for something more important than a $ 1 toll. Thanks, Gustavo and Jane and Amex.
