CADmn

I feel for you Djangoplayer. Thanks for your warning. I've discovered that AT&T Mexico and AT&T USA are run completely differently, and completely separate from each other. And there is no AT&T in Canada. AT&T Mexico is run by distributors representing AT&T so it's quite possible to run into shady distributors or distributors that go bankrupt and so there's no recourse with AT&T corporate. To update my dilemma with AT&T I discovered that it's best to just pay online because then there's paper trails and you're not likely to get scammed, but this is only after you've initially established an AT&T plan in Mexico. I got back into Mexico on the first of November and went to an AT&T store in Saltillo Mexico and bought a 6 month plan with the help of the manager there who, luckily for me, spoke English. It was a big store so I hope they don't go bankrupt, but even if they do I will receive online notices, one month before plan expiry, from several different independent AT&T distributors to renew my plan online, and I will do so then. AT&T worked good for me, through Rogers, in northern British Columbia, Canada. I discovered the reason that I couldn't renew my plan online in Canada was because this was a policy of AT&T Mexico. Frustratingly it took dozens of hours to discover this fact. So now that I know I can renew my plan online, while in Mexico only, I'll do so with a longer plan so that I'm not in Canada when a plan term expires. Now that I'm familiar with AT&T Mexico I'm hesitant to switch to another carrier for fear of finding out inadequacies or shortcomings in there operations. I discovered that I can phone Canada several times with unlimited hours of calling there. AT&T will cut me off after 2 hours of phone talking but I can then immediately phone back and talk for another 2 hours, and so on. Regarding a different matter: I drove my car down from Canada to Chapala (5600 kms). Within 10 minutes of crossing into Mexico (Colombia Crossing, Texas) I was almost killed by a big rig semi truck who was driving unsafely. Luckily neither me nor my car sustained any damage. Then, closer to Chapala, while accidentally traveling on hwy 54, I took a curve (more like an unmarked U-turn!) slightly too fast and almost crashed. My summary of driving in Mexico: it's far more dangerous than any perceived threats from the cartels, so this encompasses the poor roads and the aggressive drivers in Mexico. For those of you who dare to drive in Mexico there is a good Facebook group called "On the road in Mexico" which is very helpful.

Ive been trying to talk to someone at at&t verbally over the phone in English for months now. I'm in Canada and my at&t prepaid phone plan ends on October 12. They sent me a link on September 12 to renew another prepaid term, with extras if I want them. In addition to many emails to them, with a 'no' response for adding voicemail, and a phone number they gave me that doesn't work, I get caught (for last 3 hours) in a loop with my at&t and Scotiabank trying to pay for another term with them online. I've spent many hours in the last few months regarding at&t with no satisfaction. Any numbers they give me by emails or text don't work, or it's a Spanish recording. I've never experienced this degree of frustration trying to give someone money. I'm at the ultimate degree of frustration. If I can't talk to someone over the phone in the next few days, I'll have to buy some other plan. Does anyone have an at&t number that will talk to me in English? Also, assuming I've given up on at&t does anyone know of a cheap phone plan (usually Mexican) that I can sign up to immediately online?

Yes, I use the phone like it's Canadian based now that I'm back there. 'Rogers' now appears on my phone, so they are AT&T's partner. I'm curious though, Mudgirl, who do you use when you're in Canada? I'll probably switch to Telcell when I'm back in Mexico. Does Telcell have a cell partner in Canada?

Good to know Mudgirl. Thanks

Thanks Geeser. I was concerned it wouldn't work at all in Canada once I get there.

My goal is to get a cell phone service that works from Mexico to Canada inclusive and has good coverage everywhere even in remote areas like the Peace River Region of northern BC. I don't think it's yet possible though. The only cells that seem to work good up there are Telus and Bell and other carriers who piggyback off others like Bell. It seems that having to switch carriers when moving back and forth is inevitable. Or am I wrong?

Is there an English speaking att number I can call besides *611, which was Spanish only. I got an 8 month plan with att in Merida, Yucatan last October, but she thought plan wouldn't work when I return to Canada on 13april. I only post here because I'm pressed for time to know exactly what I have. My texting never worked, which was annoying, and voicemail doesn't work either. The loss of those two never bothered me much because most people I met here in Chapala either didn't have phones or if they did they didn't have texting. When I checked att's website it said the only office in the lake area was closed. My contact in Merida who sold me a new phone and plan was useless. It's obvious they're just vendors selling att products but can't/don't know how/don't care to help when problems arise. I guess I'll know if I have roaming when I land in Canada, but I doubt it.

This is what I wasn't sure about. Thanks Mudgirl. I thought I read somewhere that I couldn't deposit at all, anything, into the Scotiabank ATM close to Walmart. If I can deposit Pesos into that particular ATM, then my problem is solved. Sure, there is an fx spread charge for Buy and Sell, which is universal, so if you take out Pesos and immediately put them back you'll lose on the buy/sell spread. It's not a conversion charge per se, but a Spread charge -- like on any stock market. That ATM only charges me about a 27 Peso Transaction fee: very small, especially if the transaction is large. Here's the good part: Since I took out a large withdrawal in mid March, and now, the CAD dollar has fallen against it's rising MX currency counterpart pair to such an extent that I doubt I'll lose much on that buy/sell Spread. Have you used that Scotiabank ATM I'm referring to and put Pesos into it? If not, are you certain that I can deposit Pesos into it? Thanks

Good to know. Thanks Geeser. Another easy question ... I hope: How/where do I get some pesos put back into my Scotiabank Canadian account so I can access online? I don't want, or need, to do a bank transfer. Do I need $cad paper to get it into my account? Or can I just put in Peso paper and let the bank/Intercam/ATM do the conversion to $CAD?

Thanks Geeser. I hope they have some English speakers answering the phone. I took a couple of basic Spanish lessons, but ran out of time, so I can't converse in Spanish. I was hoping to find something in Chapala to save on travel time. It's bigger than Ajijic, so it would make sense. Ill have to check Intercams hours.

An easy question ... usually. Can I go to any bank here in Chapala town and get Canadian dollars for Pesos? I'm going back to Canada in a few days, and scrambling to get ready. I took out too many pesos last month from the Scotiabank ATM by Walmart. I don't think I can deposit pesos back into ATM per previous research on the topic. Or can I? I don't have time to do hours of research on the topic, so any help appreciated. I still have to pack, clean, find a good COVID testing site I can just walk in on Tuesday. Then there's ArrivCan to fill out? Soriana in Chapala might be closest for COVID test as I live close to Christiania Park. No car. Is travel back and forth between countries really stressful, or is it just me and/or my old 'anxiety' friend flaring up. (Dammit, why did this text turn red when I did a spelling correction!) Lol

Thanks Oregon, and everyone who's replied. I'll give Carlos or Jose a call. I didn't realize the instant heaters were so high tech and temperamental. I'll just give the landlord the bill. Even then, I feel that I should maybe warn others about him. What a letdown he's been. I'd hate to see others fall victim.

Thanks MtnMama. I'm sure it's not on warranty. Is there nobody in Chapala area that's familiar with this kind of problem? Which thread is that list you mentioned?

Ferret and Tim: Thanks for the replies. Skip to 5th paragraph below to avoid my rant. ;-) It's a sad state of affairs here as a tenant in a so-called prominent Mexican's upstairs suite. I guess once he had my last month's rent he stopped even the presumption of caring. I've been both homeowner and tenant in my home country, and never experienced such a poor quality landlord. I guess living here with hot water is an unnecessary luxury. I thought I had a good deal in comparison with other strict landlord/tenant agreements I'd read about, and I did, but I had hoped the 'slime' element (which I'd read about in my research of Mexico) wouldn't dirty it. What is slime? Spouting words and assurances and using words like 'trust' and 'friend' but then completely reneging on everything you've said, implied, and promised -- continuously, over and over, time and time again. I've never experienced that brand of shameful behavior before. Everything I've said to this point is also for those -- whose comments about Mexico I've read on this forum -- who think and say Mexico is no different than other countries; that you just need to adjust and accept the way things are done here; that everybody is different, including landlords. Well, the Mexican people are different from what the average non-Mexican -- let's say gringos -- are accustomed to. There's just too much evidence to support this statement, regardless how much one loves Mexico, for it to be denied. I'll never accept shameful behavior. I know, "you just happened to get a bad landlord". Yawn. Before I get too much hate response, I've met a great Mexican family who have been very kind to me and I've spent a lot of time with them, including Christmas Eve. They are great, as are many others I've met. But when money comes into play I expect to be disappointed, even in my own home country. It must be the boldfaced lies here that bother me the most. Not lies you say. I disagree, because when you don't keep your word -- and repeatedly so -- without a very good reason, you're a liar. Okay, the rant is over. I'm not going to spend much money on this problem, so buying a new heater is out. If I wasn't paying high rent I'd just go without a heater -- but in true gringo fashion 'its the principle of the thing' that bothers me, plus I like hot showers. I don't think it's a water flow problem Ferret, as it worked great before the Centro wide water problems took hold -- and the batteries were changed. I'll definitely keep your solution in mind though. Thanks. Maybe it's plugged with that black junk that comes out every time the water is restored. After I moved in my landlord said the pipes were too old to get hot water in the sinks, but the shower did give hot water. Then, about 6 weeks ago I started getting hot water from the sinks too. Then about 4 weeks ago, no hot water anywhere, even though water flowed cleanly everywhere. Maybe my Uber driver, who speaks very good English, can help solve this, just like he did with my 'no gas delivery' problem I had in December. I'd been trying to get gas delivered for two weeks, but after I called him I had gas delivered within 45 minutes. Wow.

Thanks Go Solar. Since I'm only here until April I don't want to spend a lot of money -- well ... none actually, but if I have no choice I would spend a little. Surely there must be some skilled person in the area. I just need to find them. 😉

Can anybody recommend someone to fix my Bosch instant hot water heater? Landlord says mañanna a week ago, but he knew about it 2 weeks ago. I've been without hot water now for over a month. Give a name and number if possible. Thanks

Thanks artsnob. Appreciated. I hope she's as good a denturist as she is a dentist: it sounds like she is.

Thanksver much for the update Dennis. Good to hear that you've had good service. My preference would be for someone in Chapala but she sounds excellent. I'll give her a call.

My lower denture cracked. I need to fix it as it's about to break in half. Can't eat with est. How did you fare? Cost? What's Dra Rocio's address, and ph no please? Thanks

Thanks for all your posts here Ferret. Per your above post, and others, I wasn't clear about when you installed a new tank - 2, or 4 years ago. Now we know it was 4 years ago, not 2. It's good to hear you don't use much gas. The best way to keep the price down is less total population use. You may know this already, but gas price (natural and propane) usually goes up in the fall, and usually goes down in the spring/summer, so if one has a big tank they can take advantage of the seasonal price cycles. Gas price is already coming down. The best way to accurately determine usage is to fill to the top. Then one knows the exact liters used over a defined period of time. Per others' comments about low cost of propane: only a fool would knowingly pay an exorbitant amount more than necessary -- unless they're trying to show off how rich they are, which is also foolish. The fact that someone else might pay twice as much for the same product, but in a different format, is irrelevant to the person who wants to pay the least as possible (doesn't any good money manager?), unless that person is engaging in an act of charity. But if you think you're underpaying for something, you can always give a big tip to the employees who bring it to you. This way those same employees may be more inclined to give you preferential future treatment if you need it. But you still pay the market price for the gas (as low as possible), and you help keep the market price for gas as low possible (even for the poor). So, no matter how low the price of something is, if you truly care about the poor, you'll seriously engage in paying the lowest price possible for whatever product your buying, and you won't mockingly dismiss the endeavors of others to also pay the lowest price possible.

So, Ferret, Dec 17, 2019 then, and not 2017?

Isac gas failed to show for their appointment today, so I called my bilingual Uber driver out of desperation. My approximate two week ordeal is finally over. He had Gas Rosa come within the hour. I used the opportunity to go on the roof with them. I took pics of tank and gauge. Turns out landlord had mistaken % for kilograms on guage. The tank is 300 liters per label on side. Rosa charged me $12.87/liter. I was so frustrated with landlord I only put in 54 liters which filled the empty tank to 15%. If I run out before mid April I'll then know my exact usage average which should be helpful for future rentals. So sick of gas related issues. But Bosch water heater fired right up simply by turning on the shower tap, so no lighting pilot light was necessary. I'm amazed at the minute amount of gas that Ferret says she consumes: A 180 liter tank lasts 4 years. That is amazing. Slightly confused though as Ferret initially said her new tank was only 2 years old.

I'm obviously doing something wrong. No hablo Espanol. 4 times Millenium said they'd come over last 12 days or so, and still no gas. It ran out. I last cooked on Thursday afternoon, but yesterday when I turned stove on there was nothing. Maybe there is a leak. Had water failure this week also, and it just came back yesterday. I'm very frustrated. I'll just put food/meat in freezer and go to American legion for food today (if they're open). I'll check out Zgas if they're here in Chapala. Maybe I should stand out on the street and just flag down a passing gas truck 😉

Thanks Ferret. Yes, not much problems with earthquakes in Canada, plus no shortage of gas -- just need to poke another hole in the ground and voila, but mostly in BC, Alberta, and some in Saskatchewan. It's not me I'm concerned about. Even in Canada few people under 60 say what they mean and mean what they say. But, in Mexico, I've met enough people here to understand that a greater proportion of people here, compared to Canada, feel it's perfectly acceptable to deceive others, especially when money is involved. And those who don't do it as much just laugh it off -- like it's an acceptable part of their culture. So, I know I'll be fine. This is nothing compared to stress I've endured in the past in Canada. It's not stressful at all to endure this type of pervasive and culturally accepted dishonesty down here -- it's just real sad, because I know it holds them back from true success. Anybody with true knowledge/wisdom knows that reputation is more important than short-term financial gain. I can live anywhere. It doesn't have to be Mexico. Mexico was just the closest, and my first place as a snowbird. Maybe once I try other places I'll end up back here simply because it's better than the others, and it's closer to home -- and it's warm in the winter. So, with a deep breath, and a shake of my head, I'll just say "it's very sad".

Wise words Jim. Who said too many gringos in one place is not good! "Welcome to Mexico" is also starting to induce a strong negative connotation for me. 😉