Box Elder problems

[scouserl41]

We registered with SKP's for an Address in SD and mail forwarding thru Livingston while we were at Escapade in Tucson so we'd be ready for full timing when we retired around June. We went to the legal seminar about setting up domicile at Escapade too.

 

This week we showed up in Rapid City and attempted to get our drivers licenses.

 

We'd read on the board here that there might be a problem and we could expect to be given a 1 year temporary drivers license. I'd spoken to SKP's HQ and been assured that the lawyers were working to resolve some issues. No details of the issues could be given.

 

When I went to get my license they took a look at my mailbox address and said "Oh this is from THAT address" and went to talk to the supervisor. They then gave me a paper one year temporary license and clipped "Void" into my CA DL. They told me that if the legal issues were solved with a year they'd mail me a full license but if it went against Escapees we'd be left with no license at all.

Unknown to me my wife who was at a desk at the opposite end of the facility had her license taken away and she was told it had to be shredded. She was left with no picture ID.

 

Nobody at the licensing department would discuss what the legal problems where.

They did confirm that if we had used any other mail forwarding service that there would have been no problem getting a license.

 

After some phone calls to Pierre my wife was issued a SD drivers license which was clipped "Void" to use as a picture ID and a paper temporary license.

 

Registrations are done at a different facility and we had no problems registering our vehicles using the Box Eder address.

I called SKP HQ again and tried to get more information about the problem, they were not forthcoming. Eventually they said if the case was lost they would refund our $50 cost for the mailing address. I explained that we had a considerable amount of time and money getting to SD based on the information we had received, and we had at no time been contacted by SKP's to warn us of the problems we might anticipate. If we had received such information we would have reconsidered our position and headed for Texas instead.

 

As we are still in the area we visited Box Elder and the "Mail Facility" address there. It appears to be a mainly abandoned building. All doors were locked and one had a sign saying that particular occupier had moved to a local church.

 

SKP's told me that they are not taking any new memberships for SD.

 

If you registered for the SD address thru SKP's at Escapade or since and you have not yet been to get a license I would highly recommend calling SKP's and discussing your alternatives. There are several other mailing companies to use without having to deal these problems.

 

Meanwhile we are trying to be patient and hoping somebody will respond with something positive.

 

BnB

[Pappy Yokum]

It would *appear* you are trying to be a SD resident (for a DL) with a TX address.

 

IMO - Use one of the long time *established* SD Mail forwarding services.

 

(Nothing against SKPs, but they *are* the "new kid on the block".)

 

Recommendation: America's Mailbox in Box Elder (Rapid City).

 

THEY will tell you *up front* if there are any current bumps in the DL, registration road (iinc'l by phone)

*before* you have any unfortunate experience/s.

 

Been there, done that (with AM) - zero problems - for vehicle registration and "normal" (5yr) DL.

 

 

 

.

[Jim Gell]

BnB,

 

So sorry to hear about your problem. Your post is amazingly cordial for what you experienced. I am sure this issue must have you very upset, at least it would have made us very angry had it happened to us.

 

IMHO Escapees has a reputation for acting in its member's best interest. I am just guessing they may have been blindsided by something in SD while trying to emulate the success they have had getting FT RV'rs legitimized in TX. I have no idea what the legal case is about, but let's hope Escapee's win and the result is a step forward that helps Full Timer's using SD as their domicile.

 

There was no Escapee's option for SD when we domiciled there last year. We used "My Dakota Address" in Madison and had no issues. Their service has been flawless so far.

 

Jim

[Ranger Smith]

We use My Dakota Address also. Had no issues getting license. Just had to show the receipt for 1 nights stay in a campground or hotel. Terri has been great up there with my registrations, mail, etc. FLAWLESS

[Yarome]

I've also used My Dakota Address for a number of years without issue. Actually, they just helped with registration renewal this past July without a hitch (as always). They've got all their ducks lined up. Terri's a gem.

 

I hope it falls SKP's direction. I agree with Jim. I would have been more than a little miffed. You might give MDA a call and see if they might be able to do anything to help. I don't know enough about it, which is why I pay them.

[griffy]

If you are still in Box Elder go to America's Mailbox. It's located behind the Pilot station. I bet your issues can be resolved.

[Big Greg]

If I were you I'd use an established SD mail forwarder and not wait for the Escapee issue to be resolved; especially while you are still in SD. The Escapee 2 address plan (one in SD and one in TX) was strange so we didn't use them. We also use My Dakota Address. We had problems with DakotaPost screwing up our mail. Greg

[nana25k]

Have been with MyDakotaAddress for 9 years. I can only tell you that its flawless with Terri. She handles everything we need.

I wish Escapees the best in what they want to do. But until they get it straight I would consider other options. Your there so you can easily chose one and get your real SD license, register to vgote etc. Then be on your merry way

[LFDR3116]

We just went to SD last week and obtained our drivers licenses. We use a SD mail forwarding service. We had to show a receipt for spending a night in the county, have 2 pieces of mail that had been delivered to our SD mail address, our birth certificates, social security cards and a paper trail of marriage/divorce papers for me since my name is different than on my birth certificate. We spent maybe 20 minutes and have our 5 year licenses.

 

I think you should just sign up with a SD mail forwarding service, get your address and have them assist you in becoming SD residents and get your licenses. We also titled and plated our vehicles and purchased insurance. All were cheaper than our home state. We used a mail service in Sioux Falls and it appears you are on the other side of the state where there are also mail services that have been recommended.

[scouserl41]

We're not trying to register in SD with a TX address, we're trying to get registered using what we contracted with SKP's to provide. A means of getting domicile using their service which is still listed on the front page of the website.

We agree that we could go to another service and pay MORE for the services we already contracted with SKP's for but then we'd have to change the address on the titles of the vehicles etc. and we've already filed estimated taxes using the SD address provided by SKP's.

I'm not to happy about the whole situation.

To date we've been happy SKP members but this is trying my patience.

I'm hoping somebody from HQ will at least contact me about this as I feel like I'm getting blown off when I call them.

BnB

[Ranger Smith]

Well for some reason South Dakota does not like a Texas Company trying to create domiciles in SD for it's customers.

 

As everyone here said the simple solution is to just use a South Dakota mail company and all problems gone.

[Kirk W]

I'm hoping somebody from HQ will at least contact me about this as I feel like I'm getting blown off when I call them.

Just so that you know, the folks at the local license office have not been willing to cooperate with the Escapee mail service, even though the state did approve the operation before it began. The last that I heard there was a bit of a power struggle going on there and to me it looks like the supervisor of that office must have a friendship with the folks who own the local company and is trying to protect them from competition. It is also important to remember that like every service, there are those who have their favorite mail service and want to support them and others who have some other reason so use difficulties with Escapee's as an opportunity to attack them. You may have noticed that up to now there have been no posts that were actually intended to help solve your problem. While Escapees have been in mail forwarding service for a long time and are the largest of the RV services, they are new to SD and there have been some unexpected bumps there. Escapees does own property in the town, just as the local guy does, but they are the "new kid" so political struggles seem to be the problem. For whatever reason, every forum has some participants who have no interest in helping the folks that host that free forum.

 

Since it is now Saturday and the office is closed you will not likely hear anything before Monday, but if you have not heard early on Monday, I would suggest that you call the office (888-757-2582, 936-327-8873) and ask them for help. This is not a new problem so they are familiar with what has been happening.

[Yarome]

You may have noticed that up to now there have been no posts that were actually intended to help solve your problem.

 

For whatever reason, every forum has some participants who have no interest in helping the folks that host that free forum.

 

Kirk, that comes across a little "pointed" to me. I don't think that was your intention, however, it is extremely difficult to offer any help or insight into any issues Escapees might be having with their mail service and the State of S.D. (or at least that particular location), and what the OP could be doing to get their actual DL's using their existing SKP's mail service without knowing what those issues might be. From the OP, it seems the home office is reluctant to even inform their client/member. I don't know what you would suggest and I didn't really see any solutions for the OP's current situation in your post.

 

I would like to believe that all members of the community would be more than willing to help SKP's in any way that we can. In that regard, you're correct though. No help has been offered in trying to help resolve SKP's issues in S.D., however, help has been offered to the OP by giving them other avenues they might pursue to reach their ultimate goal. Shouldn't that be our focus? Members helping members.

 

IMHO, I don't see it at all as having no interest in the folks that host this free forum simply because the suggestions offered fall outside of the services SKP's is trying to provide.

[Kirk W]

I would like to believe that all members of the community would be more than willing to help SKP's in any way that we can. In that regard, you're correct though. No help has been offered in trying to help resolve SKP's issues in S.D., however, help has been offered to the OP by giving them other avenues they might pursue to reach their ultimate goal. Shouldn't that be our focus? Members helping members.

It was just a little bit pointed, but not intended to be to anyone specifically, only at the suggestions to leave the Escapee service, rather than to solve the problem. He is asking for help in solving his problem with the service that he now has, and yes, that should be where our effort is aimed. Alternative services may become the only answer, but that doesn't solve the problem he has now. If you read his post, his wife has no photo ID so moving to another service is not a solution for the problem stated.

 

Unknown to me my wife who was at a desk at the opposite end of the facility had her license taken away and she was told it had to be shredded. She was left with no picture ID.

 

Just so that you know, I not only posted the office phone numbers, but I did send an email to the moderator's contact in Escapees organization to ask for his help in getting a response to the problem. Whether BnB made the best choice of mail service or not, they have SD licenses now with another problem to be dealt with.

[scouserl41]

Thanks for the input Kirk. I would look forward to HQ responding, as I already spoke to the office before posting here and got what I regarded as a totally unsatisfactory answer to the effect of "well if everything goes south WE'll give you your $50 back!

Then I told them I was going to post this to the board to warn other people

 

BnB

[Big Greg]

I also wanted an Escapee SD mail service earlier this year when we had difficulties with our original mail forwarder in Sioux Falls. I believe that if the issue between the Escapees and SD was correctable by the Escapees it would be resolved but if the issue is with a government type agency it's out of the Escapees control. If the OP wants to resolve his SD license, ID and residency issues now and if it were me (and currently in SD for a short period of time) I'd sign up with an existing SD mail forwarder. Greg

[Guest Caseyj]

If you would read the advertisement for Escapees Mail Services it states that "South Dakota " is coming soon. It's not finalized as of yet. So, I would suggest entertaining another mail service until it is completed.

[ezdays]

Are you talking about the escapees mail forwarding company? I have heard there have been a lot of problems using their mail forwarding. I plan to use America' mailbox when I begin my full timing starting in April 2016.

[scouserl41]

It isn't "Coming Soon" it was offered for use before March and we signed up for it at Escapade. If you read the Domicile link under services it clearly indicates that it is available for use right now.

We're still hoping SKP's will step up to the line an resolve ths.

BnB

[ezdays]

Can't believe they don't let anyone know these problems. Sure glad I won't be using them. Thanks for posting.

[2gypsies]

There have been inquiries on other forums, also, about using SKPs for South Dakota. Folks out there are assuming that things are a 'go'. It's in the SKP magazine and on the web site. If there are problems, why would SKPs continuing advertising this until the issues are resolved? I don't see this as a good PR move.

[skp51443]

Sadly politics is an issue in SD, local officials in several areas have played political games with RVers. At least in Sioux falls (when we used a service there some years ago) at least one mail service operator fought back and ended up making things a lot better.

 

Texas isn't free from politics either but after coming up against the Escapees over the voting issue a few years back the local Texas politicians seem much less willing to try anything shady and at the state level Escapees at least gets a hearing and often gets some great responses.

 

I'd expect the club to take a similar position in SD by trying to quietly work with the problem people and solve the issue, if that doesn't work then they can consider further steps.

 

Hopefully we'll hear back from someone from Escapees at a level above the office staff on this but I don't feel it is an important enough issue or that there is sufficient information provided here to directly contact anyone over the weekend since they'd be unable to accomplish anything more than a forum post saying they'd be working on this come Monday when the SD offices they will need to contact are open.

 

 

scouserl41 - BnB, you don't have your SKP number or any contact info in your profile, you might want to think about adding something so the club management can not only pull up your records to work on them but contact you directly.

[Kirk W]

We're still hoping SKP's will step up to the line an resolve ths.

This is Saturday so it may take a little bit longer but there is activity on the subject now. I know it isn't easy to be patient, but sometimes things just require more time for something to happen.

[traviscarr]

Please accept our sincerest apologies for the lack of information being circulated to you on this subject. We hoped a resolution was just around the corner, and we remain confident that a solution will be forthcoming soon, which is why the service is still posted on our website.

 

Despite the diligent research conducted by a team of attorneys (both in South Dakota and Texas), an undisclosed policy by the South Dakota Department of Public Safety (DPS), disrupted the ability of members to use the Escapees Mail Service satellite center in Box Elder, SD, to secure a driver license. Please know that it would be unseemly for us to comment further regarding our suspicions as to how and why this issue arose.

 

Most of you know that we are a value-driven organization with a long history of advocating for RVer’s rights—your rights. We don’t typically publicize our advocacy until we have a resolution or it becomes necessary to involve our members; however, to dispel the rumors surrounding this topic, please know we took this issue to the highest level of the South Dakota government. Our attorneys are in contact with the Governor’s office. We are hopeful that we will have a resolution soon.

 

In the meantime, we have put a hold on accepting new South Dakota Mail Service members. While that decision hurts us economically, your best interests come first. For any of the current members of our South Dakota Mail Service, please know the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, at our urging, agreed to provide a one year temporary driver’s license to our members. If you are a current member of our South Dakota Mail Service experiencing problems while securing your driver license, please contact our office at: 888-757-2582 and we will personally assist you.

 

We will continue to do everything within our power to find a suitable resolution to this matter and will report back as soon as we have a response from the Governor’s Office and/or the South Dakota DPS.

If you have any questions, or would like to communicate your experiences, please contact us at 888-757-2582 or at mailservice@escapees.com.

 

Sincerely,

Cathie Carr, Escapees RV Club President

[Ranger Smith]

So what is the " undisclosed policy " ???