How long to hear back on USFA membership?

[GrayGhost]

Hi All!

About 4 weeks ago, I sent off my USFA application and I included a self-addressed postcard for confirmation of receipt. As of today, I haven't heard anything from them--no postcard, e-mail, nor charges to my credit card.

I understand the membership year starts in August, so they might be busy with renewals and other new memberships. But, I am a little concerned I won't have any proof of membership by the time I plan to enter my first competition--1 Oct.

Should I start worrying or just be a little more patient?

thanks,
GrayGhost

[akaiyuki]

You can call them to see if they've processed your membership. And you can ask for a fax confrimation if you need it on 10/1. Also you can just fill out the membership form again at the competition, and if they find out that you're already a member then they will just tore that application up.

[Morion]

It took them about 3 weeks to mail me my card and I paid by check.

[oiuyt]

You can call them to see if they've processed your membership. And you can ask for a fax confrimation if you need it on 10/1. Also you can just fill out the membership form again at the competition, and if they find out that you're already a member then they will just tore that application up.

An email is a better option. They're very willing to drop back an email confirmation which can serve as proof of membership until your card arrives. Meanwhile it's easier and faster to process such requests by email than when tying up phone lines.

-B

[JEC]

When you send your membership application, you could also enclose a Fax back confirmation (similar to NAC's) which typically is faxed back in a day or two.

[GrayGhost]

Thanks to all for the info and suggestions!

I called USFA over the weekend and they called back on Monday. They didn't have any record of my application, so I went to Staples and faxed another one to them. I also asked for an email confirmation as I don't have easy access to incoming faxes. (I also kept my Staples receipt just in case.)

I wonder--I originally mailed my application from Georgia. Would it have gone thru New Orleans on its way to Colorado and got stranded there? I may never know.

thanks again,
GrayGhost

[GrayGhost]

Update: I haven't gotten a reply email yet, but I did see on my credit card online account that they've received my dues. I think with a copy of the application I faxed and a printout of the charges from the credit card company, I should be OK until I receive a membership card.

Here's hoping USFA gets some sort of online membership going in the near future (or at least before I have to renew).

later,
GrayGhost

[FencinSvensin]

(I'm probably going to get my membership revoked if I say this buuutt..) The USFA has this retardedness about it, where they can't really do things fast and/or correctly...like when I got my membership, they told me that I didn't send it it, so I had to fill out another memership form. Then, a month later I get in the mail not one, but TWO membership cards (they ended up charging the card twice)

Not ONLY that, but my foil rating was also not printed on the card, annndd the expiration date on the card said February 2005....I got my membership in January of '05....

sooo.....that's the USFA for ya

[oiuyt]

annndd the expiration date on the card said February 2005....

Surprising given that ALL memberships expire in July. I don't know what system the USFA uses for printing up the cards, but it should be fairly unusual for the month field to get messed up since it's constant.

-B

[Greg]

The USFA in Colorado Springs is a really small operation run out of small office suite. They get the job done and make do very well with their limited resources, but due to their small staff, there are delays for some things. I waited about 6 weeks for my membership card.

[JEC]

...the expiration date on the card said February 2005....

I think that if you read it carefully it says: Issued: ... at the top of the data on the left side, and at the bottom left it says Valid to: .... I suspect that the issue date of your card was Feb. 2005.

[GrayGhost]

The USFA in Colorado Springs is a really small operation run out of small office suite. They get the job done and make do very well with their limited resources, but due to their small staff, there are delays for some things. I waited about 6 weeks for my membership card.

That's my understanding, too. This is why I'm willing to be a little more patient.

later,
GrayGhost