Lost title....

Hi guys! As you know, I ordered a new VS a little over a month ago and everything has run smoothly except....for Murphy's Law....Would you believe the USPS lost the original title that Kirk mailed to me via Priority Mail Insured and with Delivery Confirmation? The car is already waiting to be put in a boat to be shipped here; Kirk mailed the original title (I need to have it with me to be able to pick up the car at the port when it arrives) on the 28th of April. When punching the tracking no. on the USPS website it only says the package was received at the Hawaiian Gardens Post Office on the 28th at 9:40 am and that's it; no info. after that. It seems as if the package went through a black hole as it was received over the counter. I've talked to some postal workers but they all seem to be powerless. I know for a fact that everything was done correctly by Cathy (Kirk's right hand); even the address was correct. What could've gone wrong? Has any of you been through a situation like this one? What do I do now? Will I be able to get a duplicate of the original title?

To get a duplicate of the original title this must be applied for by the person that appears on the title as owner, thus the previous owner .

I had FedEx do a magic act with a title also, it did show up 3-4 days later even though it was sent overnite ...you may get lucky in the next day or so
Alan M

May God hear you Alan! I wouldn't know of anything else that would make me happier right now than to finally get it. The thing is, Priority usually takes 2 days either way; it's been 21 so far!! I wonder if the USPS has got their act together because I can imagine something being lost when sent "slow boat to China" but this package was insured and accounted for up the wazoo......

I hope Tom Hanks wasn't delivering it.

usps does not use priority services to overseas destinations, that's probably the problem (if you are overseas, which by the boat mention I assume so) so it went regular post even if in a priority envelope or box.

I had a similar experience, I called Kirk to let him know that I never received the title, someone from VS went back to Ca. DMV and I had another title within two weeks... talk to Kirk, good luck

That's a comforting thought Art, thanks for your input.

Actually, I'm in Puerto Rico (a US territory) and all the USPS services apply as in any other state of the Union. In fact when I've sent items to Kirk via Priority in two different occasions, they've gotten there in 2 days. I just hope the package gets here....

Cathy from Vintage Speedsters called me today and told me that they'll be able to get a duplicate title at the California DMV for me. It'll cost an extra $150.00 which I'm sure the USPS will pay for...at least everything's not lost.....

Ricardo,
Glad to hear that! Cathy is a very reliable employee of Kirk's.
She consistantly goes the extra yard and follows through...Alan M

I'd be careful submitting a $150 bill since CA only charges $15 for a duplicate title! From their web site: www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg227.htm

Application for Duplicate Title (REG 227)

This application is used when the original title has been lost, stolen or mutilated. To obtain a duplicate title, you must:

Complete an Application for Duplicate Title form Reg 227 Don't forget to include the vehicle license plate number, your true full name, current address, your driver license number, and sign the statement of facts explaining what happen to the title.

Be aware that when co-owners are joined by the word "or", one owner can sell the vehicle without the other's signature or consent. When co-owners are joined by 'and' (a slash '/'), the signature of each owner is required.

Attach damaged title if mutilated.

Pay the duplicate title fee of $15. The duplicate title fee for boats/vessels is $15.

You may submit this application either in person or by mail. You can make an appointment at your local DMV or mail the completed forms with payment to the following address.

Department of Motor Vehicles
Registration Operations
P. O. Box 942869 Mail Station E-169
Sacramento, California 94269-0001

I think the duplicate is $15, but a rush duplicate is $150. Much like trying to get a passport renewed. The rush jobs are 10 times the price. I know personally that waiting for CA DMV to do anything could take months, the rush job might be the right way to go.
-=theron

Thank you for all your valuable info. and kind thoughts guys! I hope Kirk insured all the items considering this (I also lost some emblems that I sent him to get the car drilled at the shop, now I need to replace them with the exact same ones because of the hole placement). I also need to check with DAS (Dependable Auto Shippers) if the car made it to last Friday's sail out of Jacksonville or if it'll go on next Friday's. My wife is raising hell here; I just hope she quiets down when she gets to see the car in person; could you believe she's so pissed at me for buying it that she doesn't want to ride in it????...Have any of you had that problem? I imagine some or most of you did since women are all alike.....

Ricardo,

Women are not all alike as are men not all alike but I understand your angst about the wife not wanting the car. Been there, done that. If a ray of goodness is on the horizon it may be when the car shows up
at your door. My wife came out, looked at the car and I could tell she loved it. Didn't say a word but living with her for 40 years I think I've finally learned some of her body language. After about a year I truly think she accepts the Speedster. Notice I didn't say loves it, but...... She will take short rides with me but has a death grip on the grab bar, well not that bad, but almost. Don't worry, it will grow on her, especially when the neighbors come over to ogle it. That will reflect onto her in a positive way.

We have Angela and Vikki here that drive these things, actually 550's, and I don't hear any complaints from them! Go Girls.

Bruce

Ricardo:

Be patient. These cars are the biggest chick magnets you've ever seen. Once she sees it, sits in it, rides in it and sees all the attention she gets, she'll love it.

gn

Yeah I agree with Gordon, it's a chick magnet. If she doesn't want to ride in it, imagine what you could be doing just around the corner.
:)

Hey guys; thanks for all the funny remarks; you all made my day but, better yet, believe it or not, the emblems and the title showed up at my doorstep today (almost a full month after being shipped Priority!!!). It was all a great relief except for the fact that Cathy at Vintage Speedsters being the doll that she is already applied for the duplicate title which will cost around $150.00. I feel the Postal Service should pay for this, due to the circumstances even if the package wasn't lost. I'll talk to the people at the Post Office to see what can be done. And, by the way, today was also a really lucky day because the ship bringing my new VS just sailed from Jacksonville to here; so now it's just a matter of days for "the encounter"; I can't wait!!!

Told ya it would probably turn up ....Glad that all has worked out for you and you'll be able to get your ride on the road...enjoy !

Alan

My wife loves our speedster, when she feels a little down she say lets go for a ride in Speedy and when get we tons of smiles , thumbs up and nice car, She feels great and so do I.

Dick

See, there is a God!

BD

DEFINITELY!!!!

I spent a lot of time waiting for my car and my wife hated to hear about speedsters when I didn't even own one. She would roll her eyes and say "that stupid car you want", but now that the car is here she loves it and wants to ride in it everywhere. She doesn't really like to drive it though because she is scared of it. I think she is scared only because of my love for it competes with her.