[pulpfiction]

Not only do we pay taxes on the right to own a vehicle in this state (and use our wonderful, super-efficient network of roads.....), incur insanely high DMV fees, and have the highest gas tax in the nation, but...

Just checked into the fees for filing a small-claims action. $90 to file, and $1 per page if you need a court clerk to photocopy any court records! For purposes of comparison, NY's filing fee is either $15 or $20, and NJ's is $35.

FREAKING RIDICULOUS.

[kidyankee764]

You get that money back from the defendant if you win. If you don't win, you shouldn't have applied in the first place.

Makes sense to me.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

You get that money back from the defendant if you win. If you don't win, you shouldn't have applied in the first place.

Makes sense to me.

How many people actually successfully collect the judgement that they're awarded in small claims? I'm going to take a wild guess that quite a few people don't collect what they've been awarded.

In keeping with the theme of the OP's thread, i'll add my own little minor irritant. The $40 "administrative fee" that DMV charges you on your new vehicle. If you're going to charge me for 2 emissions tests, then damnit i want them to be performed. Nothing but a complete money grab by the state.

[pulpfiction]

Oh, I fully realize it'll be returned. It just blows my mind that our small-claims fees are so astronomically high relative to surrounding states.

Collection won't be an issue. I'm suing 3 major banks for overdraft fees incurred throughout the past few years (six year statute of limitations). Within a few days of receiving the summons, they settle for a complete refund of all fees.

[mlassoff]

Or....you could not bounce checks to begin with...

[kidyankee764]

If you name the court fees in your lawsuit (which is an obvious request), then you will be awarded upon winning.

Re not collecting what's awarded - that doesn't have much to do with the OPs complaint, as they wouldn't receive any of the reward - not solely court fees.

Originally Posted by mlassoff

Or....you could not bounce checks to begin with...

LOL - seriously...

[pulpfiction]

Actually, this doesn't involve a single bounced check. This is about their 'courtesy overdraft program' where, for example, I'd exceed the balance in my checking account, and they'd pull the money from my savings account (where I leave 90%+ of my money). So, I'd wind up getting charged a $36 overdraft fee when given the 'courtesy' of pulling the funds for my $2 coffee from my savings.

Banks, until recently, never gave consumers the option to opt in or opt out of this 'courtesy'. Obviously I would have much preferred that the charge for my coffee was denied instead of it going through and having it cost me $38. That's called a contract of adhesion.

[mlassoff]

Originally Posted by pulpfiction

Actually, this doesn't involve a single bounced check. This is about their 'courtesy overdraft program' where, for example, I'd exceed the balance in my checking account, and they'd pull the money from my savings account (where I leave 90%+ of my money). So, I'd wind up getting charged a $36 overdraft fee when given the 'courtesy' of pulling the funds for my $2 coffee from my savings.

Banks, until recently, never gave consumers the option to opt in or opt out of this 'courtesy'. Obviously I would have much preferred that the charge for my coffee was denied instead of it going through and having it cost me $38. That's called a contract of adhesion.

Sure.. That's a perspective. However, you could also choose to maintain an accurate register-- or just throw some extra money in your checking account.

To me the basic fact is: You're not supposed to overdraft your account. Period. It's actually illegal to bounce a check. Obviously, your situation is more complex-- In then end I do two things.... I keep extra money in my checking AND I keep an accurate register. If this involves more than one bank, you obviously knew the consequences of overdrafting and choose to ignore them...

I think you're suit is a great example of why a slightly higher filing fee is necessary (with perhaps waivers granted for folks with true need) to keep nuisances out of the courts...

[gtmo]

Originally Posted by pulpfiction

Not only do we pay taxes on the right to own a vehicle in this state (and use our wonderful, super-efficient network of roads.....), incur insanely high DMV fees, and have the highest gas tax in the nation, but...

Just checked into the fees for filing a small-claims action. $90 to file, and $1 per page if you need a court clerk to photocopy any court records! For purposes of comparison, NY's filing fee is either $15 or $20, and NJ's is $35.

FREAKING RIDICULOUS.

Those taxes are paid to the town.

[Off-beat]

New Jersey and New York are also where all the idiots live. The smart people live in Connecticut! :P

So frankly, the high cost of doing things here is way worth it!