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I opened a corporate account last year and it was a nightmare. First I had to make the application and that had to be reviewed by their “board,” which took more than a week — then I had to supply them with a copy of my FBI fingerprints, apostilled police report, notarized letters of reference from my bank in the States, tax returns, and a letter from me stating how much I would be depositing into their account on a monthly/yearly basis. I was told by the bank manager that these new regulations are part of OUR Homeland Insecurity department and had very little to do with their banking rules. And they would only take a $500 cash deposit from me and the rest had to be wire-transferred from my bank in the States. Then I was told that all of these new regs were to prove that I am not a terrorist, nor am I funding a terrorist operation, and that my money is clean. Go figure.
How much are you talking about taking? During construction of my house, I usually took just under the legal limit in cash ($10,000) and wire-transferred the rest of what I needed to my back account in CR. Do you have an account there? If so, that would be the easiest thing to do. Then there are always travelers checks.
Nobody can tell you this amount ahead of time. It depends on their value and the mood of the customs officials that day (from what I’ve heard!). You might want to talk to your shipper; they should have some idea, that’s their job. If the items are used, they probably won’t be taxed much but I can’t tell you for sure.
On one trip I was carrying 5-pounds of frozen elk tenderloin, a brick of parmesan reggiano, risotto rice, and a sack of dried wild mushrooms. A customs agent asked me if I was carrying any food and he pointed to the bag that had the cheese in it, so I said yes, and told him what it was. He waved me through and only afterwards did I realize that he was actually pointing to the bag that had the elk in it! I always bring down assorted dry foods like polenta, granola, sea salt, quinoa, brown rice and have never had a problem.
On one trip I was carrying 5-pounds of frozen elk tenderloin, a brick of parmesan reggiano, risotto rice, and a sack of dried wild mushrooms. A customs agent asked me if I was carrying any food and he pointed to the bag that had the cheese in it, so I said yes, and told him what it was. He waved me through and only afterwards did I realize that he was actually pointing to the bag that had the elk in it! I always bring down assorted dry foods like polenta, granola, sea salt, quinoa, brown rice and have never had a problem.
Check with http://www.interbusonline.com — you can probably get there for a lot less.
I just read the complaint and it seems you could just plug in different names and the name of some property development project and you have the same game with the same high-pressure tactics. Do some more checking. There are other interesting documents out there.
Beth, the woman who owns Angel Valley Farm B and B knows Ben Cart pretty well. I’ve never met him, but I did meet his aunt on my last trip because she stayed at AVF. he seems to be one of the honest developers in the San Ramon area.
This was posted on the Costa Rica Living board so I hope Scott doesn’t mind that I post it here; it certainly seems relevant to the developments who have a pay-first-see-later policy.
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Subject: Real Estate Tip by Rudy
Hello Everyone-Although I evolved from real estate consultant to
sales-I do
sometimes help people that are interested in buying here that have
found
properties on the internet etc.I wish to share a caution of “due
diligence”
concerning several developments now happening in Costa Rica. There are
ocean view
lots being marketed via companies that have a few quirks. The first is
a very
cheap price compared with other lots as an introductory offer.
Secondly,there is a deposit of around 40% of the purchase price which
will be refunded if
you do not like the property. A little quirk is they want you to put
the
deposit down first-then they will fly you over from the states etc to
view the
property and if you do not like the property-your money will be
refunded. In my
research of this company I found the lots were yet to be subdivided and
in
the registro and an “agreement for deed” was being issued which in fact
could
not be since in actuality there was not a deed? I discovered there was
a bank
involved with the project as a trustee and in conversation with the
project
manager in Miami I casually mentioned if this particular bank was
involved .
His reply-never heard of them? That was enough for me- I advised my
client not
to buy and told the company I would never tell a client to put up a
deposit
first-sight unseen. I am sure deposits are being given back initially
but
later????? Anyway-I wanted to share this with everyone and a caution
to your
friends that might have an interest. Best RegardsRudy Matthews-
Note from Scott – If you search for Rudy, you’ll find a few of his articles on this site….
I didn’t mean to imply that I was interested in hiring an illegal Nica worker, I was just curious about these statements that they will work cheaper than a Tico. if my Tico gardener works for $1.42 an hour, how much does a Nica charge that would be so much cheaper that I would hire someone illegal and run the risk of getting caught just to save what, $.25, $.50?
I’m curious about how cheap Nica labor is compared to employing a Tico for the same job? The salaries for workers are already pretty low — as an example, my gardener earns $1.42 an hour. What would a Nica charge for this same job?
If the US does in fact link your financial records to your passport, and then impose travel restrictions, you are as good as being in debtor’s prison because you won’t be able to leave the States at all!
One of the reasons is that the courts are hideously slow and the victims of child abuse or molestation need to have a lawyer to represent them and because most Ticos can’t afford a lawyer some of the cases pending against pedophiles take forever to get to court, and are postponed time and time again. Here in Colorado we are trying to get new laws passed that would give judges the right to impose the death penalty on pedophiles who commit more than one offense.
Uh-oh! San Ramon was the best kept secret in Costa Rica until I opened my fat yap! LOL The best place to stay is
http://www.AngelValleyFarmBandB.com — my friend Beth and Andrew own the place and they are wonderful! San Ramon has it all — it’s not glitzy or glamorous and there are probably more cows than people, but it has everything you need for a nice life — supermarkets, movie theatres, doctors, hospitals, good dentists. I love it there I’m sure you will too! But don’t tell anybody else about this place or it will become Gringolandia! LOL
