pappysmarket

14 hours ago, timjwilson said:

Winston - yes - good man 

His company moved us from Houston to Lake Chapala in 2002. Excellent service.

That was our first real introduction to mordida in 2002. 600 pesos each and we watched as a nice lady took the touch screen test for us and informed us we both got 100%, lol. Took our pictures and handed us the license 10 minutes later. Some will surely say we are part of the problem and of course I won't argue that point. On the other hand, I know of no state in the US that requires any kind of test for someone with a valid license in another state. We could have easily passed the test ourselves since we had studied and our Spanish was passable but we were advised to use the "system" that had been created for gringos. When in Rome...  Our first actual introduction had come when we used a facilitator in Chapala to obtain our initial visas, forget the term, maybe Temporal? Got the photos and then asked about how we were supposed to "register" the visa in GDL after we actually made the move from Houston. That will be taken care of we were told. The visas will be mailed to you and all you have to do is buy an ink pad and put your fingerprint in the obvious location. Done and done, never had to "register". Pick your side, arguments can be made for both sides. Being able to pay someone to do something much quicker than the official way was the path we chose and would do so again in a heartbeat. We were told it would be at least one month before we could get our Bomberos inspection for the BnB and then we would be told what exact fire extinguishers we needed and where they should be put. The easier way was to arrange for them to come to us with everything they would say we needed along with a bill for that and they would install everything exactly how they wanted it done. Done and done the following week. Gotta love it and Viva Mexico!

Still a lot better than the 8-9 when we first moved to Mexico.

...but now they can brag they have given the little guy something. That's all that is about.

On 8/26/2023 at 1:24 PM, heidinrick said:

we tried to eat breakfast at Pancho's new restaurant west of Ajijic. First of all, an EXTREMELY limited menu with absolutely no substitutions. Heidi doesn't care for pancakes and they said they come with the breakfast and they can't change it. We both ordered eggs over easy and sausages. What we got was scrambled eggs and bacon! At this point, I paid for our coffee and we left. Thank God the Anchot next door was open...great breakfast at a great price. Needless to say, won't be returning to Pancho's!

Gee, both pork and still eggs, gotta be flexible...NOT

On 8/23/2023 at 9:59 AM, HoneyBee said:

If at first you do not succeed try try again. 😊 (Culture has nothing to do with littering and recycling, but rather education).

When I once asked an employee why he just threw a potato chip bag on the ground he replied that once it is empty it no longer "belongs" to him and needs to be discarded ASAP. I would call that a cultural issue but I guess educating him that that is not true might work. Good luck.

19 hours ago, Floradude said:

We have had several previous attempts at re-cycling, including the City of Chapala.  Sadly, none on them made a go of it.

I certainly remember "Ajijic Limpio".  Big fanfare, lots of money spent by gringos determined to change the culture...

12 hours ago, Tingting said:

Of course you're right, Lou, and I realize that the party won't be forever. We once had Dish and didn't think twice about it...until it was an issue and we found out that the address used was questionable. These were early days and we honestly thought it was a regular Dish setup since we were still paying the company directly. It didn't take too long to find out otherwise, however.

I have to take (a small) issue with your comment about the trend. My point wasn't about the media (we know better), but simply that the noose is really tightening for expats. It's very hard to open up accounts if you're no longer a US resident. When we decided to switch our brokerage because of the acquisition, it was hell trying to find someone that would TAKE our money! No state driver's license? It's a hard nope. Keeping a small toehold in the US is important because we want to vote in federal elections, bank in the US because our of our savings and pensions, and medical. I have no intention of leaving Mexico, ever. We're fortunate enough that we have insurance that will always cover us so heading back because of medical isn't an issue for us. BUT I never say never because I don't know what's around the corner...and should that day ever come, it won't be the day to scramble and try to get accounts established. My point is that they ARE tightening the noose...or you can call it enforcing rules that have always been there, whatever floats your boat, but just don't assume that because something is working now that it always will. JMHO, of course. I only make this claim because I've lived it...and I was very open and honest will all of the companies I dealt with about our residency, hence the issues. 

We were in a similar situation as you describe. Our health insurance was through British Petroleum who bought Amoco where my wife worked and retired from. The coverage was, and still is, top notch and since they have employees and retirees world wide they never cared where you lived. You paid the same for the same coverage you always had. Then in 2018 we received a letter saying that since we were eligible for Medicare our premium of $324 a month would stay the same only if we received care in the US using Medicare. To continue receiving care in Mexico the premium would increase to $1400/ mo. effective in 2019. We both had kept paying for Part B just in case and since going to the US for care was maybe doable but certainly not ideal we quickly decided we needed to sell and return which we did. If not for that we would still be in Mexico and we never saw that one coming. The upside is our premium is still the same for our Medicare Advantage plan, we can see any regular doc for a $15 co-pay, any specialist for $30 and the best part is a $2000 maximum per person out of pocket in any year. That came in handy 2 years ago and again this year. I hope nobody else ever faces this but it's always good to have a backup plan just in case. In hindsight it never would have worked trying to get to the US for the care I ended up needing. For TV you can bite the bullet and purchase a router from a VPN company that has already been "hacked" to appear being in the US. I actually hacked one myself that I bought on Amazon and it worked perfectly. My nerd quotient is barely above 0 on the meter but I followed directions and had many chats online and finally got it working. I wouldn't do it again as I could have easily ruined the router. I went with ExpressVPN and right now on Amazon they have a preinstalled ExpressVPN router for $190. Set it up and you're "in the US" but as Lou said, they are constantly trying to plug those holes so there's no guarantee. Greetings to all expats in Mexico. Viva Mexico!

23 hours ago, RickS said:

Tongue in cheek?

 

Yeah, this forum needs that emoji.

Recycling only works if there is a willing buyer who will pay more than the cost of getting the stuff ready to be picked up. Harry is trying his best but I'm surprised this didn't happen sooner. When China said "No Mas" to this stuff several years ago the end was in sight.

I'm sure there must be a good reason for this !!!?????******

Why would an "old timer" say that?

11 hours ago, Ferret said:

I follow rules. Period. Those who choose not to, in the case of taxes, are committing fraud.

I don't get my dander up over those who choose not to follow the rules...but...when they get caught and cry that does get a reaction from me.

Get a router that's already including a VPN.

22 hours ago, Usvetsinmexico said:

This wouldnt be a problem if people just recognized they are to old to drive.  Anytime you see someone totally focused forward when driving.. they shouldn't be driving.  You are suppose to do a round robin on your mirrors constantly.  Perifrial vision diminishes as you age and thus makes it so you cant see what is coming at you from the sides which means you need to keep the eyes moving even more.  Like I keep saying I ride the bike path when I don't drive my car and the people who are shocked that bikes are riding on the bike path is scary.  These people litterly jump when I have to stop on top of there drivers window and they look at me like "what are you doing there" and that lets me know they are not thinking or looking at the bike path.  It happens a lot.  Heck just look at how bad they park.  Over the lines all the time messing up what little parking is available around here because they are taking up 2 spots because they don't even recognize they are over the line.

One of the things that does happen as we age is the muscles in our necks stiffen and us old farts have trouble turning our heads as far as when we were young. Insurance companies will tell you older folks get in more backing up accidents than they statistically should for that reason. Don't believe me, try turning your head all the way around to the left or right to see clearly as you back up. Chances are you use your mirrors or the back up camera instead. It's not you, it's all of us.

11 hours ago, phil in mexico said:

The red cross  would be a ideal testing venue and they could  use the donations 

How  much is the mordida to bypass that step?

18 hours ago, bmh said:

All you have to do,e is drive by once in a while and yes it is where th dealers moved to. I do not know if they have anything to do with the van but if it is the same gang or cartel they are but I remember that at one time the police did not want to mess around with the guys from that area because they were helping the children at Christmas so maybe it is one of the reason nothing happens.. The police is thinking of the children..

Methinks if the police are leaving them alone, the police are being "helped" at Christmas, not the children...unless police nowadays in Mexico are much different than when we were there.

Based on the changing attitudes of people in general the last few years, I would say you have a much better chance of getting action on an animal abuse claim than trying to stigmatize poor homeless people. Not necessarily my preference but I do keep my finger in the wind to see from which direction it blows. Good luck.

23 hours ago, HoneyBee said:

There is another article in the Informador today regarding not renewing a driver license if you have commit more the one serious infraction. Mexico and Saudi Arabia are the only 2 countries I am aware that use speed bumps as a mean to slow drivers down.

Speed bumps are used, sparingly, here in the Rio Grande Valley to slow traffic and as of yesterday we were still part of the US. It does feel more like Mexico here...thankfully.

Some say the EV manufactures are just making sure the environmental destruction takes place in other countries. They claim child labor is being used to mine rare earth minerals in horrible conditions that pollute the earth. I'm not sure where the truth lies.

49 minutes ago, RickS said:

... and a make-do golf course!

Yep, the caddies from Chula Vista constructed, as the water receded, a nine hole "course" that was mainly used by themselves. Cattle and horses grazed far out and the rumor was that the administration in Mexico DF wanted the lake to disappear and for a new airport to be built there. Landowners at the former lake's edge built many improvements that they figured would be permanent including many fences. Everything ended up underwater as the lake rebounded a couple of years later under a deluge of rain that year. Many of those fences are still there and are a threat to navigation.

21 hours ago, elevator said:

Least amount of rain in my nine years here by far. I remember when we first came down folks talking about how low the lake was several years before. Said one could walk out hundreds of yards.  It is what it is.

Way more than "hundreds of yards". A good mile or more. There were 3 dirt roads leading to various points to the west with one road going all the way to Joco.

17 hours ago, blankletmusic said:

That's the biggest problem I had as well.  I fear that if certain "electoral events" ( I'll call them) transpire in the next year and a half in the US, Mexico and other Gringo-popular places will be deluged with  NOB escapees. Ones that are able to escape, that is. I'll surely be one of them, hence this post about what's really changed there in recent years. It sounds like the traffic is a real PITA. Not something I had to deal with then. Bumper to bumper traffic was virtually unknown to me then-sounds like a regular occurence now.

I can remember sitting through several series of red lights in Chapala waiting to turn left.....that was about the worst of it then.

We arrived in 2001 and were burned out by 2008 with our B&B business and sold it and had planned to stay in the area. The numbers of new arrivals, and especially their demands for NOB products and services, got us to wondering. Also around that time financing for used cars became much more prevalent and locals who previously could not afford a car suddenly could. We were certainly happy for them but it also meant much more traffic. The traffic problem could have, and should have, been solved by proper planning but was not. Social changes which are just as prevalent here in the US, probably worse actually, mainly the "Everything is about me" culture seemed to take firm root in Chapala. I suspect the ease of living there, so much English being spoken, had much to do with it. Most other places in Mexico where expats live have nothing close to a Lake Chapala Society which is both a blessing and a curse to Lake Chapala. We knew people who had been there for years that bragged about not knowing any more Spanish than "adios". There were always wealthy Mexicans who owned homes but they were mostly second homes used only a few times a year. The natural building cycle that happens whenever there is increased demand was haphazard at best but that's pretty normal. Depending on what you want, the weather will never be changed by increased population. It's not as wonderful as some say but it's pretty darn good, especially if you can escape to the coast during cold and hot times. It's the second best weather I ever lived in, only behind Southern California. I could still avoid traffic by using what we called the "Low Roads" and maybe that's still possible. The biggest change was the people moving in...they weren't looking for the same things we had looked for. Talk of leash laws and such was an indication to us that the tide was turning. We're not big complainers but we do vote with our feet. We decided to move to Puerto Vallarta and found it much more to our liking. The tourist part of PV is generally confined to 3 or 4 blocks near the ocean. Further inland was, who knows today, the real Mexico we came to love. Most full time expats there were not interested in anything like the LCS. We visited there once and knew it wasn't anything we were interested in. Different strokes for different folks as they say. Alas, PV has also been discovered and the Old Town area has been greatly changed by high rise buildings. The friends we made in Lake Chapala, gringos and Mexicans alike, will always be missed as well as places like Bruno's and Ajijic Tango where we knew the owners and employees as well as Barbara's Bazar. Having the opportunity to be one of the 3 Kings on Dia de Tres Reyes for several years is a memory I still cherish. Seeing the locals pour out of very modest homes to catch a glimpse and grab some candy is something every gringo there should see at least once. It's not for everyone but many of the people who post here have been there for many years and still love it which just proves that you have to try it to see if it's for you. Do yourself a big favor and rent first. One of the most asked questions by our guests at Casa Flores B&B was is it difficult to buy a home in Mexico. The answer was and is, no. The question that was rarely asked was is it easy to sell a home in Mexico. Talk to an established realtor for that answer.

18 hours ago, Mostlylost said:

You never never "pay up"  It is a crime for you as well as him. He won't call a tow truck That is a provable illegal act on his part. 

As you should do anywhere in the world.  Respect him.  Say you are sorry if you are wrong. Tell him you are happy to pay the fine.  Ask politely for the ticket.  

...until your spouse says she needs the sanitario badly, which is within sight at the Pemex station and the officer says, "You're not going anywhere" and pats his service gun. Been there, done that and paid up. Happy wife, happy life.

16 hours ago, Mostlylost said:

Actually I have to charge higher prices on Amazon  for the same product than I do on Mercadolibre because Amazon's sales % charge is higher, and they charge a monthly fee in addition. 

Don't know about Amazon Mexico but in the US Amazon demands their price be no higher than anywhere else. They simply bury the listing so far down it's unlikely to be found since they cannot actually forbid that. They use BOTS to search for such things.

19 hours ago, Mostlylost said:

Mercadolibre is a 60 billion dollar market cap company that does business in 18 countries. You can get refunded very quickly if there is a problem or if you are unhappy with your purchase. There is no huge staff necessary. and no action from the ccard company is necessary. Many people have CCards issued in at least 18 countries that use ML.

If they are not accepting a USA ccard it has nothing to to with a company policy regarding USA issued cards, rather the individual cardholder's trying to get it approved is missing something.

As a Mercadolibre merchant I have had customers return a product after they used it  for 3 weeks and ML refunded their money and charged my account. In addition I have to pay the return costs.

The OP stated they don't like to use their USA issued card because there is a foreign purchase fee. 

I'm sure you are correct. I was merely explaining why SOME companies, small businesses, restaurants, etc. do not accept US CC. I have personal knowledge of that fact.