407ETR bill 2.5 years after taking 407

[trucanuck]

Took 407 ETR in May of 2007 with Quebec plates on vehicle. Never received bill.
Moved to Ontario thus vehicle was changed to Ontario plates.
Received bill in September 2009 for May 2007 portion.

Is there any limit on how late they can bill you? What if it was 25 years later? It seems unreasonable to receive a bill for a service from 2.5 years ago. There must be a limit on this. Please reply if you know how to resolve this WITHOUT paying 407ETR.

[Jon Lai]

You used it, you have to pay for it. At least they didn't charge you interest.

[VorteC]

You used it, you have to pay for it. At least they didn't charge you interest.

Please reply if you know how to resolve this WITHOUT paying 407ETR.

...

[mrmccowcow]

There are signs on the 407 which say even if you are out of province, you still have to pay for it.

[gilboman]

and it's reasonable to use and not pay:confused:

[MS MSP]

You used it, you have to pay for it. At least they didn't charge you interest.

+1.

Pay up.

[trucanuck]

Ok what if the bill was 50 years later would that be ok?

There is no doubt that a service should be paid for, however there must be a time limit on which the bill should be sent to be valid.

Please no more replies like the ones above they are completely off topic and unwelcome. If you do not wish to help do not reply.

[grappos13]

^ i guess the way to help is to tell you that there is nothing you can do about it and that u need to pay it... they had u on file.. they found out that the plates are now in Ontario.. and they billed u for when u used it before.. so it seems u need to pay..sorry

[hightech]

trucanuck,

So let me get this straight:

- you used the portion of the highway for your travel
- you entered into an agreement that using the highway involves charges you need to pay.
- you get a bill for services rendered (albeit 2.5 years later)

Now you want to find a way to weasel out of paying for something you agreed to?

In the words of Russell Peters "Hey be a man! Do the right thing!"

Pay the damn bill. If you don't want to pay, then don't use the 407.

some info from the 407:

Q. What happens if I enter 407 ETR, discover it is a toll highway and do not want to use it? A. As our system is highly automated, all vehicles entering the highway without a transponder will have their licence plate image taken and a bill will be created. If you get on by mistake, the best solution is to get off at the next exit ramp and the toll fees will be minimized.

To help drivers avoid this problem, toll highway signs are placed strategically along routes leading to 407 ETR to let you know in advance that 407 ETR is a toll route.



Q. Do out-of-province users also have to pay tolls? A. By law, all users of the highway are responsible to pay for usage, including out-of-province and U.S. customers.

Some past examples here:

http://www.kbcafe.com/toronto/?guid=20070615084040

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=720858

[trucanuck]

trucanuck,

So let me get this straight:

- you used the portion of the highway for your travel
- you entered into an agreement that using the highway involves charges you need to pay.
- you get a bill for services rendered (albeit 2.5 years later)

Now you want to find a way to weasel out of paying for something you agreed to?

In the words of Russell Peters "Hey be a man! Do the right thing!"

Pay the damn bill. If you don't want to pay, then don't use the 407.

some info from the 407:

Q. What happens if I enter 407 ETR, discover it is a toll highway and do not want to use it? A. As our system is highly automated, all vehicles entering the highway without a transponder will have their licence plate image taken and a bill will be created. If you get on by mistake, the best solution is to get off at the next exit ramp and the toll fees will be minimized.

To help drivers avoid this problem, toll highway signs are placed strategically along routes leading to 407 ETR to let you know in advance that 407 ETR is a toll route.



Q. Do out-of-province users also have to pay tolls? A. By law, all users of the highway are responsible to pay for usage, including out-of-province and U.S. customers.

Yes that's correct. My question is how long after a service is used do you have to get the bill. Suppose you got some visa charges on your bill from 20 years ago would you pay them? THere must be some time limit. If you know of this please reply. Thanks for helping clarify.

[MS MSP]

Yes that's correct. My question is how long after a service is used do you have to get the bill. Suppose you got some visa charges on your bill from 20 years ago would you pay them? THere must be some time limit. If you know of this please reply. Thanks for helping clarify.

so you admit to trying to weasel out of paying....nice.

You don't think moving out of province was cause for the delay..it obviously took them time to track you down.

Did you skip out of paying rent or utilities when you moved from Quebec?

Pay up.

[comicbookguy]

Yes that's correct. My question is how long after a service is used do you have to get the bill. Suppose you got some visa charges on your bill from 20 years ago would you pay them? THere must be some time limit. If you know of this please reply. Thanks for helping clarify.

why does there need to be a time limit for the validity of a charge? i think it's the policy of the vendor to charge according to their timeframe. it seems your situation was more complicated than normal, hence the delay.

[cheap sk8]

In Ontario the Limitations Act, 2002 (http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_02l24_e.htm) sets the statute of limitations on unsecured debt collection to two (2) years (http://www.bankruptcycanada.com/limitationacts.htm), after which point you're in the clear. However, no such act exists in Québec, and since they billed you while you were or still are a Québécois, this law may not apply to you and if you or the 407 ETR take this to court, they can make such a claim and will most likely win, unless there's a ruling on this otherwise that I'm not aware of.

[mr_raider]

If they don't charge you interest, then the longer they wait to charge, the better off you are. Due to inflation, a 2009 dollar is worth less than a 2007 dollar. I say you came out ahead!

[fastlayne]

Took 407 ETR in May of 2007 with Quebec plates on vehicle. Never received bill.
Moved to Ontario thus vehicle was changed to Ontario plates.
Received bill in September 2009 for May 2007 portion.

Is there any limit on how late they can bill you? What if it was 25 years later? It seems unreasonable to receive a bill for a service from 2.5 years ago. There must be a limit on this. Please reply if you know how to resolve this WITHOUT paying 407ETR.

Oh, you were so close. I think the limit is 3 years. ;)

You can avoid paying the fee by not renewing any vehicles in your name. :rolleyes: