Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!
I know I have been off the grid for a while, but I now have received authorization from the big bosses to get back at it. There will be a few new provisions going forward however. And no before anyone asks I will not go into why I was placed in the corner, but suffice to say some folks had an issue with some of my posts and the perception that I was showing favoritism to certain SS members. This led to them complaining to everyone who would listen to them, including the DLA, Ritchie Bros, and other executives. Due to that, the following rules have been directed by my superiors:
1. No more PMs. If you have a question or need assistance you will need to email me directly at
phasty@ironplanet.com. No exceptions. Make sure you include an item number in the subject line. This is to ensure that there is a record of all interactions with any customers in regards to company related business. Since we are a publicly traded company, there has to be an audit trail in regards to customer interactions.
2. Do not ask me about individual state title or registrations requirements. I am not the subject matter expert in regards to your state's requirements, therefore that information needs to be obtained through your local titling authority.
3. I can't move you to the top of the list, if you decide to ask anyway I will give you the answer now, and it is NO. Please don't put me in that position.
My posting will be limited to EUC/Title updates only. Where we are at and what we are doing. This is for information only, and your specific issue or standing may be different than what I post. There are exceptions to every rule, and the information I put out covers the majority. IF you feel that your issue is unique or may have "slipped through the cracks", please do me the PROFESSIONAL courtesy of at least asking/telling me about first before going to complain to people who quite honestly have better things to do and have no idea how to fix your issue other than to tell me to do it. I can fix 99% of the issues when they come up at my level, so at least give me a chance. If I fail to address your specific issue adequately than by all means do what you feel is necessary. I only ask that you give me a chance so I am not blindsided by a Senior VP who ends up restricting my ability to keep everyone updated just because you feel you are more entitled than everyone else.
Now then here is this week's EUC Update:
TSC Approved 64 EUCs this week. The average time for approval is down to 49 days. There are currently 427 pending EUCs.
Before 9/12: 21
9/19: 117
9/25: 41
10/3: 70
10/10: 44
In regards to SF97s, We received 5,000+ the 1st week of November. Since then my team has produced over 1,400 SF97s. The current backlog now sits at 196. The majority of those SF97s (Not titles) have been sent out to customers or are currently sitting on the desk ready to send out. We have been getting Florida titles back normally within 2 weeks after sending the SF97 to our title service, and Montana has been doing a lot better job and getting them back to us in 3-4 weeks. The latest batch I notarized today was sent to them (Montana) the 1st week of November. At our current pace, the backlog of SF97s will be worked through by the end of this month. We will still have to wait of the Florida and Montana DMV to do their thing, but for the most part if you ordered an SF97 Only and have already taken possession of your item, you should have your SF97 no later than the 1st week of December. Obviously there are going to be exceptions, my guys are only human and sometimes they make a mistake, i.e. instead of an S, they put a 5 in the VIN, or the Year may be wrong. We do our best to catch those before we send them out to you, however, mistakes happen. My team has been processing these at a pace I wouldn't believe possible (while also accumulating a heck of a lot OT, but at least I can call it a Christmas Bonus), if you get your SF97 or title and something is incorrect, I apologize in advance now. What you don't need to do is call the Customer Service folks and berate them, especially since they have nothing to do with it. You have an issue and want to scream at me, by all means my email address is above.
Last, but not least. The USMC EUC process is getting better. I know some of you shake your head, but we have made great strides on it. There are 9 folks out there who have been waiting on a USMC EUC to clear since July or before...I know it probably pisses you off that people who won one in Oct, and sometimes Nov, are getting approved before you. Everyone from Aug and Jul that has not been approved, we identified you last week and sent the Project Manager your names and item numbers and asked, rather pointedly, that ya'll need to be squared away now. I now it is not a good answer and your frustration is absolutely warranted, all I can say is we are doing our best at our level to take care of you.
Thanks again for reading my dissertation, and I look forward to getting back in the groove and keeping ya'll updated.