Colombian Mindfuck #683

vicshere says on Nov 11, 2007, 05:03:

tom you will have a long list by the time you are done

listo

Medellin Traveler says on Nov 11, 2007, 06:10:

tomtom,33,

I wanted to add something to your previous post about finally opening a bank account in Colombia.

My friend tells me that there are more ladrones working in the bank to steal your money than there are in the streets. I guess when you put money into a Colombian bank the employees get busy at stealing your money, even if it's nickel and diming you, sooner or later your account is going to be completely empty of any cash you depositted.

I do not know if this is true or not, but have heard if from several Paisas I spoke to regarding banking in Colombia. When I asked a friend how her company pays employees with the bank, and their account without getting ripped off, the reply was, they do and have been victims of many scams but they have insurance on their back accout, after fighting with the bank for sometime, they got there money back. I guess you need to insure your money if you deposit it in a Colombian bank.

Again, don't know what the real deal is with banking in Colombia but wanted to give you a heads up on what I've heard after you previously posted about opening an account there.

Also, can you expound more on the type of phone service you've been using versus the post-pay phone you are having trouble with at the moment?

Medellin es una chimba! www.medellintraveler.com

expatriate says on Nov 11, 2007, 06:19:

Colombians seem to go out of their way to make life difficult.

My wife has been trying to have her pension deposited at a different branch of the same bank, Bancolombia, for six months now, without success yet.

tomtom33 says on Nov 11, 2007, 07:15:

MT, We have been using Comcel prepago. You get 200K for a 100K card. I also have land lines in CTG and in MDE. I don't know much about the land lines.

Funny you should mention bank theft. My rental agent in CTG was depositing money into my novia's Bancolombia account. For some reason she never checked on each deposit when I E-mailed her about a deposit. She just called Bancolombia last week, and they told her that no deposits had been credited. Fortunately my rental agent keeps meticulous records and deposit receipts. She has another appointment with Bancolombia on Tues.

Why in the fuck should we have to waste time with this crap? Porque estamos en Colombia.

Medellin Traveler says on Nov 11, 2007, 08:21:

From what a hear... a very popular answer to why the money you deposited in your bank account is not in your account anymore is... they, whoever they are, must have cloned your card and then withdrew money at an ATM, so sorry, not our problem.

Medellin es una chimba! www.medellintraveler.com

miamimike says on Nov 11, 2007, 08:45:

This is a big reason that Colombia will never will a Retirement mecca for Mainstream Americans(couple variety) until they resolve Issues like this that you guys mention in this Thread,,,American baby Boomers will never tolerate this BS,,,They want adventures but not of this nature,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

lawyer CO says on Nov 11, 2007, 08:51:

the case of tom is very common in Colombia. Be aware that they would check credit history of the girl through databases such as SIFIN AND DATACREDITO.

Plus, work certificates may be asked.

The best way to get a post paid plan is have a friend who has a company plan and try to get you in it, if not prepare a lot of papers.

Esteban

john_stark says on Nov 11, 2007, 09:35:

That is exactly my opinion, Miamimike.

tomtom33 says on Nov 11, 2007, 09:53:

Life here is an adventure. But I can do with a little less adventure.

I spent 4 months in the US this summer. Things were so quiet and tranquil. However I was anxious to return to my adopted country by the end of the 4 months.

I had never before thought about things in those terms, Mike. You are right on the money. Good thing I have nothing better to do.

MitchAlvarez says on Nov 11, 2007, 10:11:

Wow those are some crazy stories. I have several accounts. NO problems yet. But I am aware of all these stories. Thats why most of my recent transactions I've been dealing with Citibank and its branch in Medellin.

Tengale miedo a una huelga de mujeres o a una escasez de aguardiente. :)

tomtom33 says on Nov 11, 2007, 10:45:

Citibank here and Citibank in the US are two different companies. Count your blessings, Mitch.

BAQ says on Nov 11, 2007, 10:50:

Contact a MOVISTAR agent, all you need is a credit card to guarantee payment ie, security deposit and you should not have any problems. As far as Bancolombia and Avianca, never had much problem, meaning no more than any other bank or airline in Colombia. Just remember, this is Colombia, not the USA and yea, they dont give a damn if you dont want to use them. That seems to be part of the culture. CUSTOMER SERIVE is not in the latin dictionary.

Semper Fidelis !

Papi de Alejo says on Nov 11, 2007, 10:57:

I think when you are working for a large company, the corporate culture dictates the level of customer service. This summer, I was looking for a little trinket to take back with me. I went into a local that was run by a young lady who said that she made all of the things in the local. She was very friendly, not flirty. She was very professional and was attentive to all of my questions. She will always get my trinket business.

Frank Rizzo says on Nov 11, 2007, 11:03:

They invented Murphy's law in Colombia.

Esteban is exactly correct. Here's what we did and it worked flawlessly.. If you want credit in Colombia. Get your bank acct. open (search PBH on that) use a associdad with NIT or determine what way is best for you. We opened in our company name. Deposit $5k, take your checks and money card to the places you need to buy larger items. Washers, dryers, fridge, building materials. Pay out with maximum times (veses) 6 or 12 the post-checks or on the CC. Buy up to $4k...leaving the other $1k for bank fees, interest, etc.. (you pay for credit there)...let all that pay out...over 1 year..and you'll have minimal credit with that.

If you want CC's there and CC's for Homecenter, etc. enough credit to buy a car.. it takes 1 year to 18 months and you need to buy on credit about $20k and that'll give you decent credit there.

tomtom33 says on Nov 11, 2007, 13:55:

My CapitalOne VISA with no international transaction fees works fine for all credit purchases. It costs nothing and pays 4.75% on the money I have deposited. Colombia cannot compete.

I should have credit in Colombia. I have owned an apartment in Cartagena for nearly 4 years. That's 4 years of on-time water, electric, tax and phone bills. And my administration fees have always been on time.

Thanks for the Movistar suggestion. I may use them. However, they fucked me when they were transitioning from Bell South. They are on my list. And I'm not anxious to change cell numbers. Some of my harem may not be able to contact me.

poco says on Nov 11, 2007, 14:03:

Many times I’ve wondered,, are these people traveling/living in Columbia or maybe a different Colombia than what I’m familiar with.

Going on six years and NEVER a problem,, not even one. Well, it did take one week to get a phone installed. I thought that STRANGE,, one week,, for what? The house had a working phone.

Ha,, NOT THE SAME PHONE COMPANY. The other company had to install a COMPLETELY new cable. I guess they don’t share?

Phone, instant and no problem. Internet,, they ask me all the time if I want the new wide band (500K). Bank,, unless you have a business I can’t see it necessary. I had a bank account opened but not in my name. I keep some emergency money in case the ATM’s crap out for a long period. How long did that take,, oh,, 30 minutes. Money laundering is a big problem.

Cell phone with Comcel on a prepaid plan,, let’s see,, it took her 30 minutes and she got a new Motoslvr L6 with the signup, well,, OK 10,000 COP. Credit card,, what’s that? Employment,, ha,, just put something down. No credit is better than credit that might have a blemish.

Health insurance? Ha,, no problem and I don’t have a cedula. Think I’ve determined why some say you can’t get it. I know why? They don’t snap to one of the questions.

Utilities,, instant water, gas or electric. Satellite TV,, less than a week but I live in a mountainous rural area hours from any city so they had to send a TRUCK with,, ready for this,,, TWO GUYS and TWO nice looking young women. I thought,, nice, these guys have their girl friends to keep them company. They sat in the truck for about an hour and then came inside,, that’s when I noticed they had company ID badges. It just doesn’t get any better than this, 4 installation folks,, two guys to screw stuff together and two women to make sure their screwing met company standards.

Buying property no problem. She understands the system, you know,, stuff the title company takes care of in the U.S.

Buying cars or motos. No problem, you just need to complete the paper work and take it to the right places. Gezzzz, you’ve really got to be worthless to have a problem obtaining credit.

Colombia credit card? No problem but they aren’t a good deal.

For 5 years I’ve enjoyed seeing posts about problems and think to myself,, Ha,, living in a small community in the mountains with a Colombia that isn't ignorant is a GOOD THING.

Personally, I think folks are being ""Jerked Off"" in the cites and from some of these posts I’d say for good reason.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

tomtom33 says on Nov 11, 2007, 15:01:

I can only speak for Cartagena and Medellin. Neither city is anything like you describe, Poco. Jerked off? Hell yes. My novia, who was born and raised in Antioquia, says that all this shit is common in Colombia as a whole. And she has lived a lot in the countryside.

The only reason I can think of is that Colombia has her head squarely up her ass. Colombian businesses will not be able to compete against international businesses. But I could care less if Avianca goes out of business tomorrow.

arthur brode says on Nov 11, 2007, 15:50:

Iam learning to become more Colombian and not "sweat the small stuff"

http://www.calirentals.net/

vicshere says on Nov 11, 2007, 16:00:

yes sir, if you can't let this shit roll off your back...they will break you sooner or later

listo

tomtom33 says on Nov 11, 2007, 16:10:

I keep thinking that once I get X taken care of, things will be easier. I am coming to realize that there will always be another X. I am trying to learn to let it be. But I am very, very slow. And I like to bitch.

vicshere says on Nov 11, 2007, 16:12:

tom it takes about 5 years man then your are almost Colombianized

listo

poco says on Nov 11, 2007, 16:33:

Quote: And she has lived a lot in the countryside.

In the United States most people don't understand HOW things work. I mean REALLY work, like the paper work for property title or banks or transfers etc. Court Houses in the U.S. Ha, most people only understand them as somewhere to plead guilty or Not guilty.

Credit in the U.S. that's funny,, most only understand enough to obtain it to buy a new iPod, sign up for a cell phone plan or purchase a big screen TV. The use of, ramifications or understanding the terms seems almost non-existent.

What most U.S. citizens know is where or who to PAY to get it done. I'd say 90% don't care to know how it gets done, just that it happens and if it doesn't they can sue someone. As you probably know,, seeking legal recourse isn't common in Colombia but I do see the potential for escalation.

Colombians need to understand EXACTLY how something works and that requires doing it and how can you understand something you've never done?

From what I've seen it appears many don't understand the system of filing, where to file, notaries, who to ask, how to ask, what to pay, where to pay, where to go, insurance requirements etc. They might not understand the information given due to inexperience.

I do agree Colombian business will never be able to compete internationally in a majority of cases. If you've been there long enough you might have determined more than half are pretty lazy folks. Who knows, maybe jobs are harder to find in the rural areas and they work harder. If so, this means MORE than half are fairly lazy in the cities. ie: Lazy enough to not give a shit?

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

poco says on Nov 11, 2007, 16:47:

Quote: Will Comcel be the next addition?

Comcel has the best reception in most areas or so I understand. Movistar is the old Bell South (I think) and is a second choice.

I'd wait until a better tower and transmissions system comes along before blowing them off.

The rest,, who cares,, unless of course they have a good deal.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

tomtom33 says on Nov 11, 2007, 16:47:

Vic, I'll hit 5 years in Feb. Of course I have spent closer to half of that 5 years in the US. Did that time in the US inordinately retard my naturalization? Maybe it will take an extra 5 years for me.

And my Spanish language skills suck. However, I am studying at UPB to try to improve. But it's damn hard to concentrate on Spanish with all those young goddesses strolling around.

spigrimace says on Nov 12, 2007, 07:46:

Always make sure you LOOK at the bank stamps. Bancolombia has 3 for deposits/payments 1) "recieved" for cash deposits. 2) Received with payment 3) Received without paymet. For those who don´t know why someone would submit something without payment, the best example is for DIAN. DIAN actually has a soft spot and will let you pay taxes late (except retencion de la fuente) with interest at about 39% a year. So if you have a business, you can use DIAN as a credit card by submitting your form such as bimensual IVA without payment. If you don´t submit the form at all, then they have fines, minimum $210,000 and every month it goes up up to the max fine of the amount of the original payment owed and fines dont accrue interest. But there are no fines if you present the form on time. It has happened to me 3 times already that a DIAN form that I submitted with payment was marked "received sin pago" and I had to make a stink about fixing it. I agree, I believe the bank tellers make thise mistakes on purpose and pocket it.

miamimike says on Nov 12, 2007, 18:54:

. I agree, I believe the bank tellers make thise mistakes on purpose and pocket it==================================================================

Agree 100%!

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,