What are the experiences and tips for doing a border run to Savannakhet, Laos for a Thai visa?

Just wanted to let the people that gave me some good advise on my earlier post about a border run to Savannakhet Laos for my first border run. After reading Nigel's post I maned up and drove down and took care of it. having been sick for a couple weeks I was dreading it, but when we arrived at the Thai side of freedom bridge and we found a place to park we asked the attendant if the bus had left yet he said it would be about 45 min to 1 hour but a taxi could get us there and back in 1/2 hour, we took the taxi option and I have to say the driver was great, he handled everything at the Thai immigration, literally held our hands for the process and than drove us to the Laos side and walked us threw immigration there than back across freedom bridge and threw Thai immigration right at 1/2 hour the same passengers that had been there before we left the Thai side were still waiting for the bus, 1900 baht for fees and including the drivers tip. Thank you to those that gave me good information the help was really appreciated.