HOLY *** BMV Sucks. Gotta vent.

I agree with Alana and do not feel it is worth paying somebody else to take care of my business. It is much better than it was 10 years ago.

As others have said, you can get in and out quicker if you are first to arrive in the morning for vehicle inspections and registrations. I never go early. Thus, I plan to stay awhile by taking something to do or strike up conversations with others who are waiting (good time to visit with a friend or make a new friend). My registration was renewed last month (November) and took almost 2 hours, but I met two new people and learned about the observatory in St. Thomas. Yes, I have had my frustrations, but still do not want to pay somebody else

Thanks for the reminder. I need to renew my vehicle registration in Jan. Last yr. had friends visiting and spaced completely on it until
mid-Feb. Luckily, was in and out within an hr. I did take a book, water and cash, just in case. Personally, I can't see paying someone
$100 to do this but that's just my opinion.

 

Thanks Chris - are you my neighbor Chris? I remember what an expeditor is from back before I moved and was researching cars, I just don't see how some random person can register your stuff for you without being in the paperwork. I am assuming this is a VI under the table "it ok mon" thing.

Alana is that the going rate? I also would not pay $100, but I would pay $50 to not have to deal with it. I am busy busy busy lately with lots of websites and island tours too so a full day wasted at the BMV can add up to a LOT of cash lost in time for me. If it was slow season maybe I'd have more time to waste. I also don't feel like spending my day getting screamed at by large west indian women.

This is the same nonsense that my BF has to deal with on a daily basis. Sorry to say but its defiantly self inflicted. Its not just here but the whole USA too. IMHO people these days that I encounter just seem to not give a crap.There ARE ways to "do tings" - its being chosen to not. Hell I don't like to work all that hard so I work smarter. Less work with just a little though put in.

There are valid reasons why many prefer to use an expediter and by suggesting the use of one I wasn't promoting their services, simply offering an alternative to doing it yourself. When I was working full time, getting away from work was very difficult, coupled by the fact that (as is apparent from even comments on this thread) one never knows if it's going to be a plain sail or a treacherous journey through uncharted waters in a major storm with reefs all around, Now I don't have the time constraints of a demanding job but I do have limiting mobility issues - and standing in a line for even half an hour just isn't an option.

AandA2VI, if you PM me I'll be more than happy to pass on a couple of names to you. Cheers!

PS: The fee is around $100 depending on how much has to be done but you'll get a price beforehand.

$100? Fee in st Croix is $35-$50 depending on who you go to. Crazy that it is even legal.

I usually pay 50 in stx

As I said, it depends on what has to be done. The service I happen to use and have used for years is a duly licensed business.

A great story for sure!

I can't help but to add my 2 cents here. Isn't this what you went to St. Thomas for was to live that island lifestyle? You know the one, that kick your shoes off, stick your toes in the sand, livin de life mon. Well, those BMV folks have been livin de life mon for a lot longer than you have and have become very good at it. So next time when you find yourself in that same position, ask yourself, isn't this the reason why I moved to the ISLANDS? So rather than fighting it, embrace the change of cultures and roll with it. You will find that it will get much easier or at least you won't have to hit the zanex bottle.

What I find irritating is when folks move to an area and feel like they have to change it to the way it is where they are from. If it was so great where they were from, why didn't they stay there and not bring change with them. This is the culture of the islands, love it or hate it and it has been that way for many, many years, even back in the late 60's and early 70's. If you think it's bad now, just think, now you have computers, back then it was pencils and paper and type writers WITHOUT CORRECTION RIBBONS. So if you hit that lucky day when you were in and out of the BMV in less than a day, then you bought some lotto tickets because it was your lucky day.

Now that you've got a drivers license - don't forget to get your voter registration card too. No promises, but it should be a much smoother process. 😎

I can't help but to add my 2 cents here. Isn't this what you went to St. Thomas for was to live that island lifestyle? You know the one, that kick your shoes off, stick your toes in the sand, livin de life mon. Well, those BMV folks have been livin de life mon for a lot longer than you have and have become very good at it. So next time when you find yourself in that same position, ask yourself, isn't this the reason why I moved to the ISLANDS? So rather than fighting it, embrace the change of cultures and roll with it. You will find that it will get much easier or at least you won't have to hit the zanex bottle.

What I find irritating is when folks move to an area and feel like they have to change it to the way it is where they are from. If it was so great where they were from, why didn't they stay there and not bring change with them. This is the culture of the islands, love it or hate it and it has been that way for many, many years, even back in the late 60's and early 70's. If you think it's bad now, just think, now you have computers, back then it was pencils and paper and type writers WITHOUT CORRECTION RIBBONS. So if you hit that lucky day when you were in and out of the BMV in less than a day, then you bought some lotto tickets because it was your lucky day.

Lol I'm gonna say a big NO. I didn't move here to be treated like shit. Again I have absolutely no problem waiting, I'm a very laid back and a VERY nice person. I give everyone I meet the utmost respect. There's a HUGE difference in being inefficient (which I get is a way of life to some) and being downright stubborn and refusing to help.

I don't want to change anything..... Well I take that back - I'd like to have sane drivers here on STT. Every time I get in my car I feel like I'm playing Russian roulette.

And lastly I didn't move here for anything other than the ocean and the nature. If I could have gone to a remote island with clear blue water and no people I totally would have lol! Unfortunately I'm not independently wealthy.

Hey, at least they don't have TV's in the back office spaces any more like they used to a couple decades ago.
Trying getting your license typed up in the middle of someone's favorite soap opera!!
I'll be braving it, myself, next month so wish me luck.

Seriously tho, vastly improved over what it used to be like. I haven't actually ever had anyone there be rude to me in all these years altho
the grumpy mode does come out. I guess if I had to deal with everyone that filters in and out of BMV on a daily basis for any length
of time, I would need some tranquilizers!

I can't help but to add my 2 cents here. Isn't this what you went to St. Thomas for was to live that island lifestyle? You know the one, that kick your shoes off, stick your toes in the sand, livin de life mon. Well, those BMV folks have been livin de life mon for a lot longer than you have and have become very good at it. So next time when you find yourself in that same position, ask yourself, isn't this the reason why I moved to the ISLANDS? So rather than fighting it, embrace the change of cultures and roll with it. You will find that it will get much easier or at least you won't have to hit the zanex bottle.

What I find irritating is when folks move to an area and feel like they have to change it to the way it is where they are from. If it was so great where they were from, why didn't they stay there and not bring change with them. This is the culture of the islands, love it or hate it and it has been that way for many, many years, even back in the late 60's and early 70's. If you think it's bad now, just think, now you have computers, back then it was pencils and paper and type writers WITHOUT CORRECTION RIBBONS. So if you hit that lucky day when you were in and out of the BMV in less than a day, then you bought some lotto tickets because it was your lucky day.

It seems to me to be almost disrespectful to think that being lazy, incompetent, and just not giving a shit should be thought of as "island culture". Most all of the lifelong VI residents that have done work for me since moving here have always put in a fair day's work for a fair day's pay, been hard-working, trustworthy, and strove to do a very good job. At 3pm they would leave and go enjoy life with their families while the sun was still up. That to me is what island culture is. None of them worked for the BMV of course, and they had to work hard to earn their living, like most everyone else does.

This is not some wonderland where money just rains down from the sky - government employees are paid directly by the VI taxpaying public, and the public deserves way better treatment than just to "feel lucky" that they only wasted 1 entire day on what is a simple task done at lunch everywhere else (including other Caribbean islands).

everyone says to hire down islanders because they have a better work ethic. and this is not just coming from the white people

This is not some wonderland where money just rains down from the sky - government employees are paid directly by the VI taxpaying public, and the public deserves way better treatment than just to "feel lucky" that they only wasted 1 entire day on what is a simple task done at lunch everywhere else (including other Caribbean islands).

Just 6 months here - the learning curve is on!

🙂 Indeed! Always especailly enjoyed your posts especailly when were were getting ready to move, OT. Humor and politeness with a healthy dose of honesty.