Costa Rica Retirement – Three Men And Nearly A Rip Off!

Here’s the ‘man in the wall’ – Hombre 3 in the tale, and no metaphor intended but for visual interest, some of the fat little pirates raiding the garden this week.

We hear the water pump cutting in too frequently – must be leak but there’s no evidence anywhere. John checks the water meter… its racing round and we’ve used a year’s supply of water in a month!

Enter Hombre 1 – the jolly water man who collects our $4 or so every month. The water authority has the only diagnostic kit; he does an inspection and says he’ll get the right man to call.

Four days and several prompts later, Hombre 1 brings Hombre 2, but not with the expected ‘stethoscope’, just a length of pipe through which they attempt, unsuccessfully, to hear water.

By now, we know its under the tiled floors or in the wall behind our bathrooms; the wall downstairs is damp and water is leaking through an electrical socket! Hombre 2 promises to return with the kit.

Earlier, Hombre 1 had ventured Hombre 2 would sort it all – just ‘one muchacho’ (boy) … in other words, he’s setting up the repair being done but since John has that organized, I repeat we only need the detection bit … in dodgy Spanish but I’m sure the request is perfectly clear.

However, Hombre 2 returns with Hombre 3 – they drill holes through the floors and hit the water, not the technique we expected but it worked. As we need this sorting, we agree Hombre 3 will do the work, so he starts knocking out the concrete, cutting out the metal rebar and pulling out loads of sodden mud. We switch the water on, a torrent erupts – Bingo, and the repairs get done.

Next morning, Hombre 3 returns to fill the hole and Hombre 2 arrives to check progress. He’s waxing lyrical about his role in not having to dig up the floors – sure, good thing, but what about the promised estimate?

There’s some shifty footwork and he asks for 130,000 colones – about US$220, and that’s only labour, we supplied the materials! Excuse me Senor, for 6-7 hours work?? – think again por favor. Hombre 3 departs, we establish Hombre 2 is ‘independente’ and agree on c50,000 for his time; still a high rate but worth it for a tough job well done.

Hombre 1 is embarrassed and agrees the 130M was ‘excessivo’ – Hombre 2 is never seen again! This is the first time we’ve had an attempted rip-off by a public official and we were never sure that locating our problem was part of his paid responsibility.

A few bucks in thanks would have been fine but this guy tried us for suckers. Once bitten, twice shied – however friendly and helpful, which Ticos always are, we’ll be sure to insist on price up front!

Meantime, another job done – remember the sign that disappeared one dark night? – the new one is made, glued, screwed and reinforced. Money on how long this one will last?

Written by VIP Member Sheelagh Richards. Sheelagh is originally from Scotland and her husband John who is from Wales are two inveterate British travellers who fell in love with Costa Rica, the beauty of the Talamanca mountain range and the perfect climate of the Rio General valley where they have established a small Bed & Breakfast called Casa de Los Celtas. You can see a free online video interview with John & Sheelagh Richards here.

You can see more about John and Sheelagh’s very affordable B&B outside San Isidro here.

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Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.