Chit Chat

HitchSwitch

edited October 2015 in Chit Chat
I've seen lots of ads on TK for HitchSwitch since I got married. Did any of you use this site after you got married? If so, was it worth the money?

I've been considering it, primarily because the Social Security office and DMV's here are an absolute nightmare. I haven't found many reviews online that didn't come directly from their official website. I figured if anybody would know, Knotties would :)

TIA!!!

ETF Words

Re: HitchSwitch

  • never thought about using them.

    I had to go to SS office and DMV personally (that might vary depending on location).    After that it wasn't that bad to change everything else.  I didn't see the need to pay for something I can do myself.






    What differentiates an average host and a great host is anticipating unexpressed needs and wants of their guests.  Just because the want/need is not expressed, doesn't mean it wouldn't be appreciated. 
  • lyndausvi said:
    never thought about using them.

    I had to go to SS office and DMV personally (that might vary depending on location).    After that it wasn't that bad to change everything else.  I didn't see the need to pay for something I can do myself.
    Normally I would feel the same way. Their office hours conflict with my work schedule, so I wasn't looking forward to having to take time off for it. I may have to do that though!

  • lyndausvilyndausvi mod
    First Anniversary First Answer 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited October 2015
    Social Security needs to be done first.  Then DMV.  Both of those often have to be done in  person during standard office hours.   ETA ( again it does vary)

    Most everything else can be done over the phone or sending/emailing documentation of the change of name on your own time.








    What differentiates an average host and a great host is anticipating unexpressed needs and wants of their guests.  Just because the want/need is not expressed, doesn't mean it wouldn't be appreciated. 
  • lyndausvi said:
    never thought about using them.

    I had to go to SS office and DMV personally (that might vary depending on location).    After that it wasn't that bad to change everything else.  I didn't see the need to pay for something I can do myself.
    Normally I would feel the same way. Their office hours conflict with my work schedule, so I wasn't looking forward to having to take time off for it. I may have to do that though!
    One of my coworkers said she mailed in her stuff to Social Security to get her name changed. I think it takes a little longer and you have to be ok with sending original documents but if so that might be a free time saver for you
  • Thank you for the tips @lyndausvi!! I appreciate that. There is so much to think about when it comes to name changing!


  • Thank you for the tips @lyndausvi!! I appreciate that. There is so much to think about when it comes to name changing!
    I was in the same boat, about to ask the same question, Our state DMV sends you to missnowmrs.com, I was going to ask if anyone has used it..

    https://www.dmv.org/oh-ohio/changing-your-name.php
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    http://i.imgur.com/vdLE8dJ.gif?noredirect

    <a href="http://www.thenest.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Home Buying"><img src="http://global.thenest.com/tickers/tt1cd146.aspx" alt="Anniversary" border="0"  /></a>
  • lyndausvi said:
    Social Security needs to be done first.  Then DMV.  Both of those often have to be done in  person during standard office hours.   ETA ( again it does vary)

    Most everything else can be done over the phone or sending/emailing documentation of the change of name on your own time.


    I don't know if it varies from state to state, but I didn't have to go to the SS office before going to the DMV. 
  • I paid for one of them (I think it may have been the missnowmrs.com)... I think it was a waste of money.  I still had to go to SS and DMV in person, which were the only difficult ones.  Many of my utilities had their own forms or I could change with just a phone call.  As far as anything else, it's easy enough to write up a standard form letter saying I got married, old name was x and new name is y, to mail to places.  I think the only thing I used from that site was the SS & DMV forms, which I could have googled and found myself within a matter of minutes.

    image 

  • julieanne912julieanne912 member
    First Anniversary First Comment First Answer 5 Love Its
    edited October 2015
    I'm in the middle of name changing right now and I can't see how a service would be worth it since the most time consuming stuff has to be done in person.  

    Yes, you can mail in everything to social security and it takes about 10 days.  I needed to change my name ASAP for work so I went in person.  Once inside it took like 10 minutes.  I got there about a half hour before they opened, and waited right by the front door, so I was the first one in without an appointment.  Many of the people there had appointments. I also had pre-printed and filled out all the forms before I went in.  I still ended up missing about 1.5 hours of work on top of my regular lunch break.  

    For the DMV, they let me make an appointment, so I went right up to the counter right after I got there.  The longest waiting was for getting my picture taken.  I picked an appointment time during the middle of the week mid-morning, and it wasn't super crowded at that time.  I ended up missing an extra half hour on top of my lunch break.  

    I've had to go in person to change my bank accounts, so I've gotten one of those done so far, still need to go do the other one.  Everything else I've been able to do online.... professional licensing stuff, student loans, etc.  I have a scanned copy of each document (marriage license, social security card, new driver's license) saved on my computer, so it makes it easy to upload and do this stuff while I'm at work.  My car loan required a fax of the documents, but we use efax here anyway.  

    Also this is kind of nerdy but I wrote out a list of what I needed to change on a google doc, so I can access it from anywhere, and then write "done" next to what's done. I can also add to the list when I randomly think of something I need to change, that way I don't forget to do it when I have the time.
    Married 9.12.15
    image
  • I'm in the middle of name changing right now and I can't see how a service would be worth it since the most time consuming stuff has to be done in person.  

    Yes, you can mail in everything to social security and it takes about 10 days.  I needed to change my name ASAP for work so I went in person.  Once inside it took like 10 minutes.  I got there about a half hour before they opened, and waited right by the front door, so I was the first one in without an appointment.  Many of the people there had appointments. I also had pre-printed and filled out all the forms before I went in.  I still ended up missing about 1.5 hours of work on top of my regular lunch break.  

    For the DMV, they let me make an appointment, so I went right up to the counter right after I got there.  The longest waiting was for getting my picture taken.  I picked an appointment time during the middle of the week mid-morning, and it wasn't super crowded at that time.  I ended up missing an extra half hour on top of my lunch break.  

    I've had to go in person to change my bank accounts, so I've gotten one of those done so far, still need to go do the other one.  Everything else I've been able to do online.... professional licensing stuff, student loans, etc.  I have a scanned copy of each document (marriage license, social security card, new driver's license) saved on my computer, so it makes it easy to upload and do this stuff while I'm at work.  My car loan required a fax of the documents, but we use efax here anyway.  

    Also this is kind of nerdy but I wrote out a list of what I needed to change on a google doc, so I can access it from anywhere, and then write "done" next to what's done. I can also add to the list when I randomly think of something I need to change, that way I don't forget to do it when I have the time.
    I am doing this with pages on my ipad, phone, and computer , I have a list and use the check mark emoji like no other..
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    http://i.imgur.com/vdLE8dJ.gif?noredirect

    <a href="http://www.thenest.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Home Buying"><img src="http://global.thenest.com/tickers/tt1cd146.aspx" alt="Anniversary" border="0"  /></a>
  • lyndausvi said:
    Social Security needs to be done first.  Then DMV.  Both of those often have to be done in  person during standard office hours.   ETA ( again it does vary)

    Most everything else can be done over the phone or sending/emailing documentation of the change of name on your own time.


    I don't know if it varies from state to state, but I didn't have to go to the SS office before going to the DMV. 
    I was living in the US Virgin Islands.  The DMV requires a SS card, even for renewing.  So I had to go to the SS office in person, then they sent you the card.  Took about 10-14 days to get.  

          Then I was able to go to the DMV.  No SS card, no new license.    They have some pretty weird policies down there, but that is why I said it varies.






    What differentiates an average host and a great host is anticipating unexpressed needs and wants of their guests.  Just because the want/need is not expressed, doesn't mean it wouldn't be appreciated. 
  • lyndausvi said:
    lyndausvi said:
    Social Security needs to be done first.  Then DMV.  Both of those often have to be done in  person during standard office hours.   ETA ( again it does vary)

    Most everything else can be done over the phone or sending/emailing documentation of the change of name on your own time.


    I don't know if it varies from state to state, but I didn't have to go to the SS office before going to the DMV. 
    I was living in the US Virgin Islands.  The DMV requires a SS card, even for renewing.  So I had to go to the SS office in person, then they sent you the card.  Took about 10-14 days to get.  

          Then I was able to go to the DMV.  No SS card, no new license.    They have some pretty weird policies down there, but that is why I said it varies.
    In California when I was married in 2011 you had to go to the SS office first before you could do DMV and you had to have both SS and DMV changed before you could do anything else. Same as your experience.
  • lc07 said:
    lyndausvi said:
    lyndausvi said:
    Social Security needs to be done first.  Then DMV.  Both of those often have to be done in  person during standard office hours.   ETA ( again it does vary)

    Most everything else can be done over the phone or sending/emailing documentation of the change of name on your own time.


    I don't know if it varies from state to state, but I didn't have to go to the SS office before going to the DMV. 
    I was living in the US Virgin Islands.  The DMV requires a SS card, even for renewing.  So I had to go to the SS office in person, then they sent you the card.  Took about 10-14 days to get.  

          Then I was able to go to the DMV.  No SS card, no new license.    They have some pretty weird policies down there, but that is why I said it varies.
    In California when I was married in 2011 you had to go to the SS office first before you could do DMV and you had to have both SS and DMV changed before you could do anything else. Same as your experience.

    lc07 said:
    lyndausvi said:
    lyndausvi said:
    Social Security needs to be done first.  Then DMV.  Both of those often have to be done in  person during standard office hours.   ETA ( again it does vary)

    Most everything else can be done over the phone or sending/emailing documentation of the change of name on your own time.


    I don't know if it varies from state to state, but I didn't have to go to the SS office before going to the DMV. 
    I was living in the US Virgin Islands.  The DMV requires a SS card, even for renewing.  So I had to go to the SS office in person, then they sent you the card.  Took about 10-14 days to get.  

          Then I was able to go to the DMV.  No SS card, no new license.    They have some pretty weird policies down there, but that is why I said it varies.
    In California when I was married in 2011 you had to go to the SS office first before you could do DMV and you had to have both SS and DMV changed before you could do anything else. Same as your experience.

    Another post had me researching this today...in MI we have The Secretary of State office instead of DMVs and you go there first, license in hand, pay for the new license, and then take that receipt to the SS office. Who knows why it can't be one consistent process?!?!
    image
  • Yeah here in CO I had to do SS first, then wait 24 hours before I could go to the DMV (so taking one day off work to get it all done at once wasn't an option).  
    Married 9.12.15
    image
  • Yeah here in CO I had to do SS first, then wait 24 hours before I could go to the DMV (so taking one day off work to get it all done at once wasn't an option).  
    That's the same as AZ.  I had to go to SS first, then wait 48 hours to go to DMV.  DMV electronically connects to SS office, but you have to wait a couple days for it to process in the system before going to DMV. 

    image 

  • Yeah here in CO I had to do SS first, then wait 24 hours before I could go to the DMV (so taking one day off work to get it all done at once wasn't an option).  
    Our location SS office could not print out cards. You could not even mail  in from the VI.  You had to physically go there to prove who you were, then they sent in your information to be mailed to you.  Of course main from the states was hit or miss.  

    DMV, while greatly improved during my 14 years there, was a nightmare on it's own.  It was generally an all day process.   Well if you were lucky that the ONLY camera was working.   If it wasn't then it could takes weeks or even months.     Can't make this shit up, at one point there was only ONE camera for 2 islands.  So the camera would make it's round between St Thomas and St John.     Eventually each island had their own.   But then the new cards split apart and stateside places would not accept them.         

    But hey they stopped charging you $1 for schedule of fees.  Yep, it cost you $1 to get an 8x11 piece of paper telling you how much everything cost.  It was not a flat fee EVERYTHING had it's own charge.   Cash only.     The test was fill in the blank.  One of the questions was what is the speed limit on Queen Mary highway.  BTW Queen Mary Hwy is on another island 40+ miles away, but they wanted you to know what the speed limit was.

    Ha, I could write a book on the shit you have to deal with in the islands.






    What differentiates an average host and a great host is anticipating unexpressed needs and wants of their guests.  Just because the want/need is not expressed, doesn't mean it wouldn't be appreciated. 
  • lyndausvi said:
    Yeah here in CO I had to do SS first, then wait 24 hours before I could go to the DMV (so taking one day off work to get it all done at once wasn't an option).  
    Our location SS office could not print out cards. You could not even mail  in from the VI.  You had to physically go there to prove who you were, then they sent in your information to be mailed to you.  Of course main from the states was hit or miss.  

    DMV, while greatly improved during my 14 years there, was a nightmare on it's own.  It was generally an all day process.   Well if you were lucky that the ONLY camera was working.   If it wasn't then it could takes weeks or even months.     Can't make this shit up, at one point there was only ONE camera for 2 islands.  So the camera would make it's round between St Thomas and St John.     Eventually each island had their own.   But then the new cards split apart and stateside places would not accept them.         

    But hey they stopped charging you $1 for schedule of fees.  Yep, it cost you $1 to get an 8x11 piece of paper telling you how much everything cost.  It was not a flat fee EVERYTHING had it's own charge.   Cash only.     The test was fill in the blank.  One of the questions was what is the speed limit on Queen Mary highway.  BTW Queen Mary Hwy is on another island 40+ miles away, but they wanted you to know what the speed limit was.

    Ha, I could write a book on the shit you have to deal with in the islands.
    Sounds terrible, good thing you don't live there anymore.
    Married 9.12.15
    image
  • lyndausvi said:
    Yeah here in CO I had to do SS first, then wait 24 hours before I could go to the DMV (so taking one day off work to get it all done at once wasn't an option).  
    Our location SS office could not print out cards. You could not even mail  in from the VI.  You had to physically go there to prove who you were, then they sent in your information to be mailed to you.  Of course main from the states was hit or miss.  

    DMV, while greatly improved during my 14 years there, was a nightmare on it's own.  It was generally an all day process.   Well if you were lucky that the ONLY camera was working.   If it wasn't then it could takes weeks or even months.     Can't make this shit up, at one point there was only ONE camera for 2 islands.  So the camera would make it's round between St Thomas and St John.     Eventually each island had their own.   But then the new cards split apart and stateside places would not accept them.         

    But hey they stopped charging you $1 for schedule of fees.  Yep, it cost you $1 to get an 8x11 piece of paper telling you how much everything cost.  It was not a flat fee EVERYTHING had it's own charge.   Cash only.     The test was fill in the blank.  One of the questions was what is the speed limit on Queen Mary highway.  BTW Queen Mary Hwy is on another island 40+ miles away, but they wanted you to know what the speed limit was.

    Ha, I could write a book on the shit you have to deal with in the islands.
    Sounds terrible, good thing you don't live there anymore.
    As crazy as it seems, I miss it.      You get use to the entire island being out of something simple as potatoes.  Or the power going out EVERY SINGLE DAY.






    What differentiates an average host and a great host is anticipating unexpressed needs and wants of their guests.  Just because the want/need is not expressed, doesn't mean it wouldn't be appreciated. 
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