Originally Posted by
quikcolin
Well... I didn't have much luck today. I phoned the RCMP and inquired as to the status of their printer related issues. My status relative to the backlog due to the printer issues, and also asked for my licence numbers. Before I go any further, I was nothing but nice, courteous and pleasant from start to finish with the representative on the phone.
I was met with a bit of resistance immediately. She wasn't really interested in having the conversation, it seemed. She promptly told me that it's not "printer issues" but "printer maintenance". I then proceeded to ask if that due to the fact that I'm "approved and issued" that I could be provided my licence numbers - at which point she sharply informed me that no one is to EVER obtain their licence numbers ahead of time. That we must wait until the physical cards are mailed out and in hand before we can purchase a firearm, ammo, etc (I desperately wanted to get into the conversation about how the number is all that's needed as most ammo and firearms are purchased online... but I knew she wasn't going to care). I explained to her the reason I called was due to the fact that I know of others who have been issued the numbers ahead of time due to the printer issues... she sharply told me "that's not possible". I then proceeded to ask where I was in relation to the backlog... she wouldn't look, but gave me a rough idea, saying "probably about 2-3 weeks before it's printed", she wouldn't look at my file specifically when I asked, and after I questioned her again looking for a better idea of where my licence was in the printing process (because many of you knew almost exactly when yours would hit the printer from conversations with the RCMP)... again she would only give me a rough idea based on her loose knowledge of the backlog - nothing specific relative to my licence specifically.
It was a frustrating conversation to say the least. She wouldn't offer up any cold hard facts, and just loose information relative to the situation. No licence numbers or further help. Again, I couldn't have been nicer, calmer and courteous.... but believe me, I wanted to pull my hair out. I must have be lucky enough to get the "wrong person". Boo.
I did tell her that I wanted the number so I could begin the process of purchasing a rifle that is very hard to obtain... that if I didn't get the number soon, it's very likely that the firearm would be sold and gone forever. Was that a mistake?
I'm thinking I should call back and get someone else who's a little more receptive?