| Aug. 13th, 2009 @ 08:02 pm Does the government try to make life difficult? |
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Current Mood:  frustrated
Current Music: None - I'm watching 30 Rock
May I please take a moment to tell you how much I hate the government? Now, some of this may come as common knowledge to you, but I had no idea...
I had to get my driver's license renewed this week because of my birthday (that is not new information to me). I got out of work late, all sweaty and gross and really really needed a shower. I ran home, showered, and sped to the DMV (in a huge downpour - yet managed to keep my hair dry for my picture). I got there 10 minutes before close. I go through the entire renewal process (right before my picture) and realize that they don't take plastic as a form of payment. In my rush to get there, I didn't realize that I didn't have $25 on me - or my checkbook. Luckily they had an ATM I could use, but it charged me $4.50 altogether since it wasn't 5/3. I was mad about the fee, but whatever. I just don't understand why they can't take plastic!
Today I went to the Sheriff's Dept to get fingerprinted for my teaching license and possible part time teaching job. I thought about getting cash, but I had no idea how much it would cost (I was thinking anywhere between $20 and $100), and I knew they sometimes close at 4 (I get off work at 3, and the drive from work to Sheriff's Dept is about 45 min). I figured I would stick with the plastic and checkbook...and I could use an ATM or nearby bank if necessary. I get to the building and see a sign that says "Cash only. No credit/debit cards or personal checks." FML So I go inside and ask the lady where the nearest bank is (they don't have an ATM of course), and she says downtown Batavia - which is like 5 minutes or so, but seems like forever. Luckily, they don't close til 6 on Thursdays, though. So I left the office and head 'downtown' (downtown is really just 2 streets with 4 banks, a UDF, and 2 pizza places). The ATM was closed, so I went inside and withdrew $100 (I forgot to ask how much the fingerprints/background check cost). I get back to the Sheriff's Dept and the lady says that it's $50. I start to hand her 3 $20s (the banker gave me 5 $20s), and the lady points to some fine print on a second sign - "Exact Cash Only. No change given." FML So now what do I do? I turn around to the waiting area and ask everyone at once if anyone has change for a $20. Of course no one does, so I sigh and walk back out the door. I walk next door to the court office, where I am greeted by the security guy. I explain my situation, and he says he's not allowed to give change, and he can't let me in just for that. So I walk back to my car, drive back to "downtown" Batavia and put $10 of gas into my car so that I can make change (and my gas tank was nearly empty anyway). I drive back to the Sheriff's Dept where the receptionist greets me with a huge grin and asks if I'm ready "this time." I about told her to fuck off, but that's not nice. So I pull out all my cash....20s, 5s, and 1s and make sure that the amount really is $50. I count it all out, hand it over, and get my form to fill out. I fill out the form, wait literally 2 minutes, get fingerprinted (which took about 2 minutes - only because I had to correct the spelling of my name because the other receptionist could not type what she read on my driver's license), and left. It took me 45 minutes to get money, get gas, etc for a freaking 4 minute event. I was so pissed. Why can't they take plastic?! Or even a check?!
In a world like today, why can't plastic be a widely-accepted form of payment? I know that credit card companies charge fees for places who accept credit cards, but I don't care - it's a commonly used form of payment and should be accepted since it's the freakin 21st century. And if you're not going to accept plastic, at least have an ATM in your store/building or offer change to your customers. The receptionist is behind a huge glass window, surrounded by security cameras and sheriffs. So what if she has a drawer of like $40 worth of change? What's really going to happen to her? Will she be forced to be nice and provide change to someone? And if someone is stupid enough to try something violent, I'm sure he will be taken care of by all the sheriffs around.
And that is why I hate the government. Thank you. |
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