Didn't need to return toll transponders because they were outdated

[y_p_w]

I thought that I was going to need to return some toll transponders from Bay Area FasTrak, but the message I got was that they were out of warranty and that I should discard them as I would any e-waste. As far as I can tell, they still work but they're no longer issuing this particular version of the transponder. But if I really wished to, I could mail it to them or drop them off at their office. They have a return address on them with a guarantee of postage paid. My one worry was that mailing them might subject me to tolls since I've heard of active toll tags being returned (or perhaps lost/found and dropped off in the mail) where they went past a tool bridge. However, the message I got was that they were disabled, so I guess that's not a risk since they're no longer active.

These were maybe state of the art in 2018 (I think that was the year I got them). They were smaller, had switches for number of passengers, and had a longer life battery. When the switch was set it would beep one to three times, which was useful to know if the battery was dead since it would stop beeping. The new ones don't use batteries. I'm guessing they use newer tech that doesn't require a battery and is powered through RF provided when driving near a receiver. My parents have one of these, which makes no noise but does have a switch. They've also noted that the oldest version will no longer work maybe in a year.

 

[demarpaint]

I thought that I was going to need to return some toll transponders from Bay Area FasTrak, but the message I got was that they were out of warranty and that I should discard them as I would any e-waste. As far as I can tell, they still work but they're no longer issuing this particular version of the transponder. But if I really wished to, I could mail it to them or drop them off at their office. They have a return address on them with a guarantee of postage paid. My one worry was that mailing them might subject me to tolls since I've heard of active toll tags being returned (or perhaps lost/found and dropped off in the mail) where they went past a tool bridge. However, the message I got was that they were disabled, so I guess that's not a risk since they're no longer active.

These were maybe state of the art in 2018 (I think that was the year I got them). They were smaller, had switches for number of passengers, and had a longer life battery. When the switch was set it would beep one to three times, which was useful to know if the battery was dead since it would stop beeping. The new ones don't use batteries. I'm guessing they use newer tech that doesn't require a battery and is powered through RF provided when driving near a receiver. My parents have one of these, which makes no noise but does have a switch. They've also noted that the oldest version will no longer work maybe in a year.

I mailed mine back, in NYS, to get new units. I wrapped them in foil to avoid the 'possibility' of getting billed for tolls. No problems to report.

 

[John105]

We get charged for non return, but there is an office near my work. Just walked in with old, and walked out with new.

Patents must have expired because now NJ has a totally different one than PA. Very wide and height less. My NY ones are the older 2016 types. Like a wedge.

 

[y_p_w]

I mailed mine back, in NYS, to get new units. I wrapped them in foil to avoid the 'possibility' of getting billed for tolls. No problems to report.

It’s kind of weird returning them. One can drop them at a post office or theoretically a mailbox where the return address is right there on the label and is guaranteed postage paid. But to do that it can’t be covered by anything.

The last time I returned them was different. I went to their office in San Francisco to exchange when I was already in town for something else. I had the one in my car but I needed two of a newer style including one for my wife’s car. That gave me three active ones on my account so I didn’t need a required deposit on any beyond three. My intention was to keep two but had to return the one in my wife’s car. To do that they gave me an envelope that had the same return information as on the transponder. It literally just said “return postage guaranteed” with the same address. But I could place it in an electronics bag that blocks any signals. Don’t recall if it was the same one I got originally, but they’re always issued in such bags.

But it’s cool now. They don’t want it back since they don’t reuse them, so I’ve got a nice little keepsake. Or two.

 

[demarpaint]

It’s kind of weird returning them. One can drop them at a post office or theoretically a mailbox where the return address is right there on the label and is guaranteed postage paid. But to do that it can’t be covered by anything.

The last time I returned them was different. I went to their office in San Francisco to exchange when I was already in town for something else. I had the one in my car but I needed two of a newer style including one for my wife’s car. That gave me three active ones on my account so I didn’t need a required deposit on any beyond three. My intention was to keep two but had to return the one in my wife’s car. To do that they gave me an envelope that had the same return information as on the transponder. It literally just said “return postage guaranteed” with the same address. But I could place it in an electronics bag that blocks any signals. Don’t recall if it was the same one I got originally, but they’re always issued in such bags.

But it’s cool now. They don’t want it back since they don’t reuse them, so I’ve got a nice little keepsake. Or two.

I called them prior to sending them back to order new ones, and did what they told me to do. They wanted them back. IIRC I was instructed to send them in the pouch they were sent with many years ago which kept them from being read if you were traveling with someone and using their EZ pass. The pouch was designed to prevent both EZ passes from being read when using a toll road. If you didn't have that to wrap them in foil. Seemed easy enough. I did have to pay return postage, and if they didn't get them back I believe I had to pay for the replacements. Its been a while, my memory is a little fuzzy.

 

[y_p_w]

I called them prior to sending them back to order new ones, and did what they told me to do. They wanted them back. IIRC I was instructed to send them in the pouch they were sent with many years ago which kept them from being read if you were traveling with someone and using their EZ pass. The pouch was designed to prevent both EZ passes from being read when using a toll road. If you didn't have that to wrap them in foil. Seemed easy enough. I did have to pay return postage, and if they didn't get them back I believe I had to pay for the replacements. Its been a while, my memory is a little fuzzy.

I recall back when users were worried about being tracked by traffic monitoring, it was suggested to place it in one of those ESD protection pouches they came in. Then take it out for tolls.

 

[demarpaint]

I recall back when users were worried about being tracked by traffic monitoring, it was suggested to place it in one of those ESD protection pouches they came in. Then take it out for tolls.

Interesting, I don't remember that. Even living on an island mine never saw that much use, but around here you have to have one to get on or off L.I. If you get off the island they do bill you in the mail for crossing one of the bridges, the fee is very high.

 

[dogememe]

I do have a few old Bay Area Fastrak things in my garage somewhere. I rarely cross bridges these days so I just pay the extra $1 to pay by plate. I should contact them and see if they want them back.

 

[opus1]

Illinois doesn't want to bother with the old ones. They sent out new RFID tags automatically in April/May and credited my account for the $10 deposit (x2) on the transponders I had. Instructions were to dispose of them responsibly.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

I have AAA in NY. They have a connection with E-Z Pass, and the DMV. A local AAA office is near my home. I brought back the 2016 transponders to them, they updated whatever vehicle information that had changed, and gave me new transponders that were for whatever specific vehicle I had, and new RF bags. So, I just marked them for the specific vehicle, and leave them in the bag in the glove box, or center console. AAA has it's perks. I've gotten registration done there, new plates too. The only thing they don't do are driver license's, unfortunately

 

[y_p_w]

Interesting, I don't remember that. Even living on an island mine never saw that much use, but around here you have to have one to get on or off L.I. If you get off the island they do bill you in the mail for crossing one of the bridges, the fee is very high.

The bags are typically called ESD bags or static shields. They're metalized polyester and basically short everything so that static can't build up. A lot of things come in them including hard drives and memory modules, although I've seen the latter come in plastic blister packaging that is also metalized. But the metal serves to block RF signals. And around here we have toll bridges as well as express lanes. Express lanes require a transponder with a switch to set the number of people in the vehicle.

I've heard of a stolen car that was recovered because the thief kept it and didn't seem to know that there was a toll transponder in the glovebox. They sensed a pattern and then waited for the thief to drive past and pulled him over.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Had a friend who's father had dementia, or altzheimer's , I forget.....He took his car on a 3 day ride, family reported him missing to the Police. He had no cell phone to track. State Police in NY tracked him via the transponder patterns. They found him. The father had no idea what he was doing or where he was going. Terrible disease