Coast Gaurd Documentation Rip Off

[Todd]

Rip Off #1
Several companies have sent me mailings to renew my CG documentation. The cost has been $70 - $80 per year with multi year options offered at no discount. They try to look like official CG forms but they are not. CG renewal is $26 per year, no multi year option available yet. High price to pay to have someone else file paperwork on your behalf especially when you have to fill out the same information on their form.

Rip Off #2
Getting the above mailings reminded me I had to renew my CG documentation. Went online, $26. When I received it in the mail I lost two months. My documentation was to expire end of August, renewed in June and it now expires end of June. Only our government can justify punishing someone for not waiting to the last minute.

 

[Todd2]

I recently noticed the same thing while registering a vehicle in TX online. An 'official" looking site will handle it for you for an extra fee - after you fill out a form online that asks for the identical information that the official TXDMV site does. Check the site out carefully - they usually have some statement to the effect of: "Not affiliated with the USCG, TX DMV, etc". Tricky, tricky............

 

[baz]

This is a repeating theme as this type post comes up each year or so. I agree, it's annoying.... and yes, the Govt. short changing you is inexcusable IMO.

 

[Navigator's Son]

I wonder if these third party services are actually trying to offer what they envision as a service to you. You supply them your information once, and then they subsequently ensure your vessel is registered on time every year so you don't have to.

Now, if that were the case, would it still be worth the extra $50 you pay them so that your registration is always renewed automatically? Not for me...

 

[Windermere]

I bit and renewed for five years - and became suspicious a few minutes afterwards.