panthdave has left 1647 comments

panthdave comments on Colombia - recession finally biting?

Funny also what nobody is even talking about is the money that was being sent to Colombia from the United States from families has to be dramatically down.....via W.Union/Money Gram......What I heard is that it was so much it drove part of Colombias economy all the money being sent back home from Colombians in the United States.... I wonder how that took effect in the last 12 months...

panthdave comments on Colombia - recession finally biting?

There will be no Full Recovery anywhere sorry....... No way....Now when you talk Full Recovery nobody wants to talk about all the debt accrued by businesses in the last 18 months...that needs to be paid back along with Current Expenses...That is going to hurt businesses so they will be very careful on there monthly payrolls...Small-Medium-Large Corp....Will take businesses 2-10 Years to pay back all debt accrued during this recession..Maybe even more...

panthdave comments on Where to Buy Coca leaves in Bogotá?

Mate de Coca is legal in Colombia..I know I was able to get in Peru all the time...Its actually almost necessary when you go to Cuzco..I actually use to bring back to Miami in the late eighties and actually Customs back then did not say anything until one trip they said Mate de Coca is not allowed anymore and they confisicated my tea...

panthdave comments on Venezuelan army blows up two bridges in Colombia

Nothing is going to happen....Very stupid move by Chavez...unless he did not order and his military is starting to rebel against him who knows..

panthdave comments on Flights from Medellin to San Juan, PR

Damn 700.00 could be cheap..My 12/24-01/04 ticket was 847.70 that hit good in this economy...

panthdave comments on Colombia - recession finally biting?

Awesome makopp5 but does your business depend on holiday shopping .......or your gross receipts/revenue go higher during holiday months...

panthdave comments on Colombia - recession finally biting?

There is no recovery....What is happening is the recession has stablized but no new jobs are being created for all the lost jobs..So again I stress what do the people who lost there jobs do and what about all the new graduates coming out of school too...Man...Get Ready... Hope for the Best in 2010 there is a recovery and jobs will start opening again....but investors and big business need to feel comfortable with the future..I don't think shareholders,investors and businesses feel comfortable opening up old postions or new positions.. I throwing this out on the limb here but I think December your going to see more job losses or temporary layoffs for a month or pay cuts temporary for a month....There is no cushion in cash flow in any business right now..to cover overhead in the holiday month were most businesses slow down except Holiday businesses and Retail business...

panthdave comments on Colombia - recession finally biting?

Recession is slowing down...but the question of all the lost jobs are there new ones being created right now I think NOT ...Who ever survived and kept there job is in good shape... So what do all the people who lost there jobs do now....Very limited if lucky on full time jobs..Mostly independent contractors or part time no benefits...are getting jobs..

panthdave comments on Flights from Medellin to San Juan, PR

American via Miami or Copa via Panama... Get ready to unload your cash..

panthdave comments on Chavez is lining up, but would the US public support another war effort

Colombia can handle Venezuela on there own...United States will support Colombia on there actions...

panthdave comments on Capital One Direct Banking account withdrawl @ Carrefour in Barranquilla

Varies bank to bank..The other day TRM was 1983 and I received 2004 from Citibank..

panthdave comments on Normal Living Costs United States and Colombia ....Tourism Not Included

Well States have an advantage already unemployment check every week on top of the 5000.00.... The way it looks like is that the Obama administration will give this benefit infinity...no expiration.LOLOLOL..

panthdave comments on Avianca is Serious JOKE

Synergy Group Brazil.....Ocean Air Brazil and Avianca Colombia...Don't you guys and gals see the Ocean Air Plane at MDE...Its parked always in the Cargo Area.. Now Avianca and Taca merged which I really don't know the details of that merger....If Synergy Group owns most of Taca Now or just an alliance merger...

panthdave comments on Normal Living Costs United States and Colombia ....Tourism Not Included

Going back to Cellular service..My mother has prepaid T-Mobile Service which is running her about 8.50-10.00 a month.but the incoming calls do count as minutes and in Colombia if you have no more minutes left you can still receive calls...I see that changing .. All and All...The difference of costs between Colombia and United States is getting closer..

panthdave comments on Torrents Sites ???

I am using piratebay.org....There up and down now with all the suits in Sweden...I don't think piratebay has much life left...but you never know..... Using them until they completely get shut down..

panthdave comments on Normal Living Costs United States and Colombia ....Tourism Not Included

You will make up the property tax by paying DIAN 16%IVA..LOL.....or if you get caught 33% Income Tax...and they knock at your door and make you payup...in Colombia...

panthdave comments on Normal Living Costs United States and Colombia ....Tourism Not Included

I agree Property taxes are lower in Colombia as I stated..above...I see there are different opinions but when I see Colombians starting to say the States are becoming more cost effective than Bogota or Colombia..that should raise some eyebrows..My lifestyle and also in the last three years I am seeing Colombia getting more expensive and the S.Florida is becoming less expensive....Now I one of these persons that don't like to spend the day looking for bargains and somehow I do better in Miami..Example I like to spend an hour or little more buying groceries so I go to Exito in Medellin and Publix in S.Florida...I guess people who have time to shop in Colombia and go to Centro all the time will do better..I don't go to downtown Miami to shop at all...or Centro Medellin..

panthdave comments on Normal Living Costs United States and Colombia ....Tourism Not Included

Cellular will be cheaper if you only receive calls in Colombia people who make calls much Cheaper in the States and you don't have to worry about calling a landline or cellphone all the same...Also people don't have to worry calling a cellphone from a landline without paying extra..Overall cheaper...If you make 1000 outgoing minutes..or even 500 outgoing minutes a month..Cellular is cheaper. House at 500K is over...People are getting into 3Bedroom 2 Bath for 100,000-150,000 now in middle class neighborhoods...Well in Miami..Friend just got in one in S.Miami for 92,000..Middle Class Barrio.. Everything is dirt cheap..You can bargain everywhere.. I even had a Rolo from Bogota agree with me....As of now Miami is much cheaper than Bogota Colombia...with there lifestyle..and they have money..

panthdave comments on Normal Living Costs United States and Colombia ....Tourism Not Included

How at 7 Mil or more per gallon..My wife just filled up the Moto in Envigado......www.gasbuddy.com has gas in Miami at 2.70-2.80 per gallon....which is 5.5Mil..I am talking unleaded now..which most cars are..

panthdave comments on Normal Living Costs United States and Colombia ....Tourism Not Included

Mike Gas is more expensive trust me.....7Mil is about 3.50 per gallon all the time too..Miami is cheaper all the time..2.50-3.00 dollars here..

panthdave comments on Avianca is Serious JOKE

Avianca phone purchase are very simple for me...My credit card is stored in the Avianca plus system...So they just charge that card it takes a few minutes for me with the rep... I also use Expedia..because I get bonus points via Capital One but only for the international flights....Local Flights with Avianca I go to an office and its a few minutes...They charged my card in Envigado within minutes swipe cuotas una done...If you go to the airport office you make a reservation with the rep and then make you go the Caja line to pay.. Love Avianca they just posted 8 Business Class upgrade credits to my account for being a Executive Platinum Member....I have many times been upgraded at the MDE Airport without even using the credits... Everything good with me on Avianca...Alsoo good mile tickets ..Getting three economy tickets this spring for 40,000 Miles Medellin-Lima...Roundtrip...and I can use my business class upgrade credits with my mile tickets...

panthdave comments on Normal Living Costs United States and Colombia ....Tourism Not Included

35.00-50.00 per month for unlimited service Metro PCS or Boost and of top of that NO Contract...No way do they even have unlimited in Colombia Cellular Service... Impossible Cellular Service cheaper in Colombia...If somebody spoke 2000 anytime minutes your telling me Colombia is cheaper No Way..Not even if there mobile to mobile...which is free here in the states..Actually Sprint phones now all calls to mobile phones are free doesn't matter what carrier..

panthdave comments on Torrents Sites ???

My wife uses azures bit torrent all the time for Latin Music,Videos,Movies...

panthdave comments on What Do You Hate About Colombia?

Tax system,Banking System, and too much paperwork to get things done.

panthdave comments on Breaking News: Anyone Have Reletives in Orlando? Massive Shooting with Dead& Wounded Downtown

CNN is reporting 7 wounded critical condition...but none dead

panthdave comments on Dollar up up and away

I came to a conclusion I think somebody else said here too Stock Market Down-Dollar Stronger Stock Market Up- Dollar Weaker I have been going back and forth with Peso for three years...Don't watch anymore I just build a cushion..I stopped watching.

panthdave comments on LCD Prices - Samsung and LG

You need to look at the model numbers....The older models usually are very close in price at Exito and the United States but on the newer models not even close.....LG 42" 1080P Full HD I bought in October for 699.00 at TigerDirect Mall of Americas ... The same exact Model at Exito 1080P was 400.00 dollars more...now Exito had a 42" LG 720P for a good price that same model was only 100.00 more than TigerDirect in Miami.. Best Buy is expensive..would not even compare....TigerDirect Outlet/Comp USA Stores you can get better prices You cannot compare the size but you need to compare model number and if its Full HD or not....like 1080P to 720P is a difference...Newer Models to Older Models.. Newer Models will always be expensive in Colombia..... Also factor in if your airline is going to charge you extra to check in the TV as baggage...I was lucky since I was a Platino Member they waived the 100.00 fee and on Avianca they only allow up to 42 inches on a LCD TV...

panthdave comments on Pesos or Dollars for Venezuela Bolivares?

July I received 6.75 in Caracas to the dollar but needed to change 500 or more..

panthdave comments on Exchange your dollars while you can. 2016

The rate tomorrow will be 2006 http://www.superfinanciera.gov.co/

panthdave comments on Yikes! ATM Fees

HSBC near Parque Poblado...Gives a notice of 5500COP....BBVA at the airport gave a notice but did not show the amount but when I used did not deduct any fees...Citibank No Fees....We are taking about the ATM/Withdrawal Bank....Capital One never charges ATM Fees International or Domestic but they will not responsible for the otherside... Might be a trend..Now BancodeBogota,BancoPopular,BancoAvillas,BBVA are with the ATH Network...So I would think this would be up to the ATH network if there going to start charging fees....Colpatria did not charge any fees last month..but I am only using citibank for now on anyways..I don't like the security at the Colombian Banks ATMs except Citibank...and Citibank ATM's are newer and you can withdraw million pesos in one shot...

panthdave comments on Bogota-Miami Taca

Miami Mike have you used Avianca after Synergy Group bought out Avianca.......Since the new ownership I have had no problems on Avianca on every flight..I am now Executive Platino with there Avianca Plus program and use the miles for vacations with my wife..which comes in handy too with the Avianca Plus Program since Bogota is the hub every easy to use miles to fly internationally..to go on vacation.. OnePass you need to fly to Panama to use miles internationally or fly AeroRepublic to use miles locally and also to get to MDE you need to go thru Panama no direct flights. American you need to fly to Miami to use miles or you use the miles with LAN but need to fly to Quito,Lima.or Santiago to fly international on miles..from MDE...

panthdave comments on help with airfares :(

My flight coming back on the 4th is now sold out..You can't even buy a ticket...I fly 12/24-01/04 bought that ticket in July for 800.00...MDE-MIA Direct..They still have seats on the 12/24 flight..

panthdave comments on help with airfares :(

Kat your problem is leaving on January 3rd or 4th....The 4th is the first Monday after New Years Eve and Weekend....I bet ya if you picked the 2nd week of January to come back you would get a better price but leaving on the 3rd or 4th of January your going to pay premium price...no way around that..

panthdave comments on BWI or DC or Philly?

Good Luck little late for Christmas Tickets and want to leave right after New Years....If you could leave the 2nd week of January you might get a different price...My January 4th flight actually is sold out coming back.....You can't even buy a ticket..

panthdave comments on Once-Feared Medellin A Lesson To Drug-Hit Juarez

Really what purpose would you want to be in Juarez anyways even even if it was the safest town in the world....

panthdave comments on Once-Feared Medellin A Lesson To Drug-Hit Juarez

Medellin has changed drastically in the last month or so....with the small drug gangs battling over territory...The main bosses have been arrested...Police better get a hold of this quickly..Why would we want to compare Juarez to Medellin....I just don't see how we can compare there are two different animals...Medellin is completely different..The people and culture even though both are Latin...

panthdave comments on Colombia Dollar Sales in Market Finished for Year, Zuluaga Says

They better do that quick Colombia will not allow the peso to stay strong...Remember last summer dealt with 1700 to 1 but they changed that quickly... Exporters have a tough time with a strong peso...

panthdave comments on First visit to el Poblado.

I always give 4000 for the Minimum and always roundup....and for Medellin I would not buy which many disagree with me but I really think Poblado has been overbuilt and is overpriced....and the crash is going to happen in real estate in Medellin..just like Miami..but have been wrong waiting for Panama City to crash..Too many empty apartments are sitting in Poblado..Nice Area but overpriced....I have already moved out of Castropol to Envigado which I am very happy.... Enjoy Medellin..I also have to give credit to the police they are starting to cleanup some areas..again only saying starting alittle..and also there dealing with the small drug gang wars going on right now...but thats everywhere..go to Rio,Miami,New York,Los Angeles..damn St.Louis,Atlanta, Mexican Border...

panthdave comments on stupid question...

Weekends I agree I am starting to see many Colombians wearing shorts or surfer shorts with sandals in Medellin well I see many in Envigado where I am.

panthdave comments on Plus Debit Cards still not working

Larry all those banks you listed are under the ATH Network....Well take that back don't know about about BBVA if there under the ATH Network......Citibank here I come...

panthdave comments on Tainted cocaine kills 3, sickens dozens from colombia

It comes down to one thing the coke in the late 70's and 80's was much cleaner than it is now...Escobar Days...he made sure he had quality product being shipped to the States...Now look who has taken over the FARC....well there is your answer...I would not touch coke now...NO WAY...You never know what the FARC will put in there product...Also want to add look who has cornered the market the Mexican Cartels...they don't give a hoot if they poison you or not..

panthdave comments on Net Talk TK6000 Phone Device??? Has anybody used...

Well going to order...Decided...If it bombs out I will go back to Vonage...The only difference between MagicJack and TK6000 is that the TK6000 has added a RJ-45 connection on the device..so it can attach to the router instead of USB on the computer..

panthdave comments on Net Talk TK6000 Phone Device??? Has anybody used...

I was thinking about....I would assume with no monthly income..for service..They always have to depend on new customers for there income..but not sure how that works...They have to fund there VOIP server..I am sure..Happy with Vonage for the last two years...but the savings would be nice..

panthdave comments on Video of the lightening storm today in Barranquilla

Florida are the worst lighting storms I seen...Gainesville Lighting capital of the world..My opinion..

panthdave comments on PBH research project: comparing ATM exchange rates to evaluate different debit/credit cards

I did that once with my Mastercard I used at Exito as a POS Transaction and then the same day I used my Visa/Plus Card at BBVA..Small difference but was told the mastercard goes thru Mastercard/Cirrus International network and the Plus ATM card goes thru the Visa/Plus International Network....I was also told there the ones that set the rate based on the market rate which I am sure is set by Banco Republica or some other entity in agreement with those networks to be used...Not the local banks..If the bank charges a fee there suppose to notify you before you complete the transacation....which happened to me at the HSBC in Castropol they wanted to charge 5,500 Pesos as a fee..First time seen that a bank in Colombia...I walked to Banco de Bogota..and there is no fee.....I also noticed the networks don't update so fast and have gone early in the morning and there were still on yesterdays rate.. I also know the local banks do get a piece of the 1% that is charged automatically by the network you use..so thats why most don't charge a fee because they get a portion of the 1%...If they didn't why would they add the network to there ATM's...Now what your bank charges is an agreement between you and your bank...that's why most separate that fee from the transacation on your statement..AMEX does not there sneaky...but read the fine print they will charge you 2% of the rate...but remember AMEX has there own authorization network...thats how there so profitable...well not lately because of all the accounts defaulting...Just a note..

panthdave comments on How do I send an international text message to the U.S.?

Comcel...00444-1-Area Code-Number.......Expensive...Will eat your prepaid minutes or postpago don't know how much that is... Same as international call..I think..

panthdave comments on FYI. AA has cut down to ONE FLIGHT to MDE from MIA

I was searching flights today in November and December and notice American still has both flights....When is this taking effect????? I am afraid with AA going to one flight a day and Spirit going to twice a week..until December 1st...Seats will be on demand and tickets will go up...Getting my early December ticket tonight..

panthdave comments on Careful, VONAGE WORLD CALL COLOMBIA, might not be all its cracked up to be!

Thanks for the update...Because they have a deal now for 24.99 they include Colombia for unlimited calling......I have Vonage in my Medellin apartment and thats how my wife and I talk when I am at work in Miami....Magic Jack I don't like because you need to keep your computer on....did Magic Jack come up with a solution that could be used directly with the router...

panthdave comments on Temporal Spousal Visa Colombia Denial..for Minor Felony.....

Well I have my appointment Wednesday let see what happens??? They need three days to approve or deny...If they deny I will try again..part of the process and past...

panthdave comments on Can colombians now travel to Puerto Rico without visa??

I will be very shocked.....I would say NO.....because you can fly to the United States without a passport..the same for the US Virgin Islands....That means you would have to go thru immigration control for all flights flying to the United States fro m Puerto Rico which probably would anger many people...because its like a Domestic Flight right now.....