Rio de Janeiro - Gringo Management Apartments

[Prosal]

Someone has too much spare time on his hands.

Becoming an ISG icon requires time and work. Lots of time and lots of work.

[Piper1]

You're welcome. When I read it again, I realized it came across a bit rough, rather than a joking punch on the shoulder. Peace.

[Bubba Boy]

Thanks for editing your post Piper. I am glad you took the "emotion" out of your post. Was quite unnecessary.

[UrbanWildlife]

Someone has too much spare time on his hands.

I wish I also had the spare time as a repetitive whining retiree who has never used GM's service but complains anyway.

Relax, man.

That really needed to be said... Sounds so repetitive it is like a nagging wife! It most certainly gets very old and tiring reading the same old shit time and again from the same people. The repetitiveness makes anyone looking at this thread for the first time, to see that there obviously is some underlining issues above and beyond the complaint about the service being provided by David, so much so I believe they will ignore the complaint. Since you are a psychologist of some sort Piper, can you provide us some insight on this type of possessive behavior?

For the record, I had numerous contact with David from Gringo Management last year, while I was booking an apartment for friends on 2 different occasions, and found him to be very helpful, and actually going above and beyond what he had to do to ensure my people were being taken care because of the bad publicity he was receiving from Bubba Boy and another member on this thread at the time of my booking. My people were very happy with the service provided, so much so, one party sent a nice gift to David upon there return to Mexico, to show there appreciation for the great service he provided them.

[Piper1]

Someone has too much spare time on his hands.

Relax, man.

[Bigagadir1]

You guys like photos huh?

Tell me if you like these?

Damn!

Was the first picture also taken in Rio?

[Jan 156]

Aww, c'mon, Bubba. Aren't you being a bit harsh on him? He's been in biz for ages and surely deserves more than that. How about I complain about being pi**ed off with his stonewalling, then at least he's got 11 . . . only one more I know, but hey . . .

Maybe we should have a whip round* and you can do an undercover report, complete with video and tape recordings. The rest of us can chip in with photos of all the lovely things you could have bought if you weren't staying at your favourite apartment renter!


*could you start by asking his satisfied customers as they have more to spend than me. Ta.

[Bubba Boy]

Agencies with zero complaints.

www.amerioca.net
(Ken and Don get nothing but great reviews from their renters)
www.rioapartments.com
(Did not feel a lot of warm fuzzies, but they did everything they said they would do)
www.thewonderfulcity.com
(ask for Fred -- he speaks English well and is as straight as they come)
www.ez-riorentals.com
(Kenn has been in Rio renting apartments for many years with very few complaints)




Complaint 10

December 2008 #213
Funkignitor
Senior Member
Reports: 121

I rented from gringomanagement before and it was a roach infested shithole. I would never rent again from this utterly corrupt individual. You know the lowest form of life comes from wall street. Wall street has posistioned itself against america and gringomanagement has posistioned himself against mongers with low rate service.

Complaint 9

December 2008 #199
Exec Talent
Senior Member
Reports: 752

Facts
David,

In response to your wild fantasy on the Rio de Janeiro - Hotels and Apartments thread, all I have to say is typical. You simply are a liar.

They way you do business is to get over on anyone you can. It caught up to you when this thread was started. The problem is a lot of people just accept that that is the way it is because it is in Rio. They do not know that not everyone operates the way you do.

I wanted to give you a fair chance to prove everyone else wrong. I gave you more than a fair chance. I thought people like Bubba Boy maybe were too hard on you. They were not. You are everything they say you are and worse.

When I was made aware of the phone bill, I made arrangements to pay it immediately. I had been in two apartments previously that had Net Phone and there were no additional charges. The owner of the apartment in question apparently had a different plan. Again, when I was made aware of the charges, I paid it immediately, in full and without question. Attacking me with lies is not going to work here. You have told an outright lie about something that is so easily proven to be false.

I find your comment about burning bridges interesting. You rely on that. When I ask people who got burned by you why they continue to deal with you, they seem to think they have little choice. They come to Rio once or twice a year and take what they get.

Other than addressing your lies, I have no interest in having contact with you. That was my choice when I found out how you treat both your customers and your owners.

Complaint 8

01-07-08 at 20:18 #166
Loso69
Senior Member
Reports: 413

Loso in Rio - Gringo Management
Apartment Reservation

A few days before I left on this trip, I tried to make reservations for an apartment with a Jacuzzi. David from Gringo Management confirmed the apartment was available, so I paid a deposit through PayPal. When he received the payment, David said he would send me the confirmation letter later that day. Instead, I got an e-mail saying: “I misread my calendar and the apartment is actually not available”. Bloody idiot!

When I enquired about another apartment, David said he’d get back to me tomorrow. Six days later, when I was already in Port Alegre, I finally got a reply. I didn’t like any of the alternatives David had to offer me. Not to waste my precious time, I finally agreed to switch to an apartment that looked damn ugly to me. But David assured me that the place looked much better than the pictures...

Apartment

Someone from Gringo Management showed me to my apartment and... left straight away. I didn’t like the Internet pictures and I hated the actual apartment. Apart from a sofa and the bed, the place was totally bare. The walls were totally bare. The bedspread looked as if it was older than I am. This was the kind of place you’d be ashamed to bring a girl to!

There was no safe. When I took a shower... there was no hot water. But at least the Internet connection worked, so I could complain about this dump.

Hot Water

Apparently, Nubia & Edna came round quite a few times to investigate the hot water situation. They never found me home. I basically live in the termas, and my apartment is only a place to sleep... preferably not alone.

Since the person who let me into the apartment left straight away, I’d only paid the deposit so far. David was sending me e-mails requesting to get paid in full. Not gonna happen! I wouldn’t pay up until the hot water problem was resolved. Even with hot water, I didn’t want to stay in this apartment for the full 9 days. I was already looking into other options.

David preferred to be paid by credit card. Not gonna happen! When I last rented an apartment from Gringo Management, the apartment was just fine. But after I got home, David tried to charge me extra for missing towels and cleaning a stain on the floor. I actually bought extra towels and left them in the apartment! And neither I nor any of my girls stained the floor. If David had my CC details, he could have put the extra charges on my card. Since I paid in cash, he didn’t have that option. I definitely didn’t want to give him the opportunity to put bogus charges on my card.

On Corpus Christi, the termas were closed, so I spent most of my time in the apartment. The doorman finally explained about the hot water. If I opened the shower at full blast, the water was cold... because the water heater wasn’t powerful enough. If I opened the water just a little, the water was... lukewarm.

Moving

So I had hot water... if only a little. But I still didn’t want to stay in this apartment any longer. Just when I’d decided to move to a hotel, I received an e-mail from David. The apartment with the Jacuzzi I’d originally made reservations for would be available from tomorrow. Great!

The following morning, I paid the balance for the apartment by PayPal and packed my bags. The girl from Gringo Management came by to pick up the keys. I specifically told her that I didn’t want to wait outside with my luggage. She assured me the taxi would be waiting to bring me to my new apartment. When we got downstairs, she rushed off with the keys and... left me stranded with no taxi in sight.

I tried to contact Nubia, but couldn’t get through to her. I soon got fed up with waiting and hailed a cab. I never heard from Gringo Management again...

BTW, neither the apartment I originally made reservations for nor the one I actually stayed in are currently featured on the GM web site.

Loso

Complaint 7

02-03-07 at 00:44 #46
Brazil Lover
Senior Member
Reports: 44

I am surprised to see a thread dedicated to this guy, but I'll chime in with my experience.

I rented from David a few years ago, only to find on arrival that I had been a victim of a bait-and-switch. The apartment was not the one promised, and it did not have a safe as promised. After complaining, I was informed that I was lucky to even have a place during what he considered to be a high season (it was not).

I moved out to a hotel 2 days later.

Perhaps things have changed since then, but I know I will never try him again.

Complaint 6

10-08-06 at 23:55 #22
Gladiator
Senior Member
Reports: 556

I tried gringomanagement once and all I can say is that in the future I will avoid them like the plague.

I had to move to a different apartment as soon as I could, in the meantime I had the opportunity to enjoy gringomanagement's roach-infested shit hole.

Complaint 5

07-18-06 at 08:32 #17
Sonic67
Regular Member
Reports: 1

Gringo Management
I also had very bad experience with Gringo Management 3 months ago. I rented that penthouse on 11th floor Raul Pompai (? ) or something like that next to Bunker night club. It looked very good on picture. Me and my buddy fell for the pool but when we moved in. The shower in upper room was not working- either hot or real cold. View is ok (nothing great). Lots of street noise- very hard to sleep. Water was dirty and very cold in that bath tub on terrace (he advertised as pool). After 2 days of complaining to them nothing happened. Finally gave up my rent since we were there only for 7 days and it did not want to spoil our trip because of some money (even it hurts) and with the help of Hotel staff got a penthouse three blocks from that place (Francissco Sa? ) less than the price of that stupid penthouse- brand new remodelled - all the girls we brought there loved it. Customs lights and Varandah party. Wow. Still miss it. NEVER rent from David. Discussed with all my buddies from Miami who rented from him in the past. All had some kind of bad experience with him. Never a repeat though.

Complaint 4

07-03-06 at 19:31 #13
Yariv
Regular Member
Reports: 9

My first time in Brasil I used GM and just like everyone here I was so disappointed with the apartment, and I think there was even an incident that i was shagging a girl and the damn bed fell apart

Complaint 3

06-26-06 at 05:02 #10
Big Jon
Regular Member
Reports: 4

Gringo Management
Hi to all,

I stayed with GM in November of 2005 in Rio. It was a bate and witch with me also. However, it ended well for me. The were three of us. I reserved a three bedroom from the website. When I arrived, we were shown a differt three bedroom that was so old that it was unacceptable. So, we were given a one bedroom and a two bedroom apartment that was nice, for the same price as a three bedroom. This was OK for us because it was what we really wanted from the start but we did not request it because I did not want to hurt the feelings of the third person by telling him that the two of use did not want to room with him in Rio. I like GM because Divid accepts Paypal for deposites. Does anyone know of another apartment rental company that accepts Paypal for a deposits?

Complaint 2

06-25-06 at 07:18 #9
Shemp
Senior Member
Reports: 48

In the last few years I have read posts about gringomgmt. apartments with accusations of bait & switch. This is what I found while shopping for apts. for my upcoming trip to Rio.

I saw pictures & descriptions of an apt. I liked on rua Bolivar. I found the same apt. on 4 different apartment rental web sites, I e-mailed them all asking about price & availability. 3 of them e-mailed me back saying that the apartment was unavailable for that time period. Guess what? Gringo mgmt. said the place was available. If this isn't a set-up for bait-&-swithch nothing is.

I found another apt. I liked on rioapartments.com, also on rua Bolivar near the beach which I inquired about. Rioapartments.com said the place was unavailable. Surprise, surprise, gringomgmt. said the place was available. Very suspicious don't you think?

So while I haven't personally been put in a place I didn't book, it looks like I was being set up for such a swindle. In my opinion David is a liar, a cheat & a theif.

Happy mongering,

Caipirinhas & Termas Forever,

Shemp

Complaint 1

06-24-06 at 15:57
Yodcha
Regular Member
Reports: 6

Review of Rio Apartment from Gringo Management
Bill and Mel finally completed their much anticipated Rio Adventure - what a trip in so many ways - but firstly I must do a bit of housekeeping first - Mel you please feel free to chip in with your comments at any time.

Firstly the apartment we rented was an ABSOLUTE FUCKING DISASTER - we used Gringo Management (GM) to book this apartment and I will NEVER EVER use them again.

I did contact GM on my return to Australia and requested recompense for this disaster but it was refused so I will now post my honest and accurate impression of the fiasco.

Here is how the apartment is described on their web site - Modern Luxury Duplex Penthouse Apartment - here is the url - http://www.gringomanagement.com/2bedroom.html and we paid US$170 / night.

When Mel and I first discussed this vacation we kinda decided on going for a 'top end' place with 'double showers' in both bedrooms so we could play with the girlies.

After I found these so called "Modern Luxury Duplex Penthouse Apartments" I had a number of emails between myself and GM and I specifically asked the question "Are the showers double showers – as in can 2 people comfortably shower together?"

Hers is the response I got from GM - "Are the showers double showers – as in can 2 people comfortably shower together? Yes"

OK after much discussion with Mel and considerable review of the Apartments we decided to rent 1 solely on the basis that they had "double showers" as we both love playing with the girlies in the showers.

BIG MISTAKE.

The response from GM that they were double showers and that 2 people could comfortably shower together was an absolute LIE in relation to the shower downstairs - it was as single shower. No big deal you might be saying - well let me continue.

The beds were absolute CRAP - they were almost impossible to sleep on. El cheapo wooden slatted bases with 5 inch foam mattresses on top - no sprung base - no support of any type or form - like sleeping on a morticians slab - I would suggest these beds would be buyable at any flea market on any weekend for $20 - hardly becoming of a "Modern Luxury Duplex Penthouse Apartments". These beds were almost impossible to sleep on - were totally unsatisfactory for fucking on - it was totally out of the question to have a girl sleep the night - it just did not work.

But wait there is more.

There was totally insufficient curtaining / blinds to stop daylight filtering into the room as soon as the sun started to rise - they had these pissy bamboo type slatted blinds which may have been decorative but were totally inefficient at stop light entering - once again hardly good enough for a "Modern Luxury Duplex Penthouse Apartments".

The level of traffic noise from early morning on was unbelievable. Yes the apartment faced a main road - yes maybe I should have checked this - yes it is / was world cup football time - BUT - I still would have thought a "Modern Luxury Duplex Penthouse Apartments" may have had sufficient glazing / noise prevention that might have allowed some sleep after 6am each day.

The aluminium windows and doors rattled incessantly as soon as there was any wind / air movement outside - which there was most of the time once again hardly what I think would normally be the case in "Modern Luxury Duplex Penthouse Apartments".

And now for the toilet upstairs - IT WOULD NOT FLUSH FOR 4 FUCKING DAYS. The first time I tried to flush it just would not work. I literally had to bucket water into it for first 2 days to get rid of the turds.

I contacted the GM representative next morning who arranged the 'fix-it' man to visit - he left with the problem still existing. I finally had to remove the lid from the top of the cistern and I finally got it to a situation where I could get it to flush but only by physically putting my hand inside the cistern EVERY TIME and manually operating the flush system - once again hardly what I would have thought one would be required to do in a "Modern Luxury Duplex Penthouse Apartments".

Finally after 4 days 'fix-it' man returned and did get it working.

Oh and the main light in Mel's bedroom downstairs did not work and it took 3 days to get 'fix-it' man to change a globe.

OK OK I can here some of you saying this is just Rio - maybe so - maybe not.

Here is a link to the apartment I stayed in last October - http://www.rioapartments.se/default...subcat2=421&id= - it is the first apartment listed on this page. This apartment - unlike the one we rented through GM - was exactly as described on the site - but it only had a single shower - so I did not rent it again.

The point I am trying to make with this comparison is that the false and misleading representations that GM made as to the quality of the "Modern Luxury Duplex Penthouse Apartment" that we rented turned what was going to be my 'trip of a lifetime' into what was almost a disaster. I was trying to survive on something like 2-3 hours sleep per night - it was fucking impossible to sleep in THAT APARTMENT with all the problems associated with it.

If GM had been honest with that initial question - "Are the showers double showers – as in can 2 people comfortably shower together?" - where they answered YES - which led me to rent this apartment - had they been honest and said NO - then none of this negativity would need to be appearing and it would have saved a lot of embarrassment to a lot of people.

NEVER EVER AGAIN WILL I CONSIDER USING GRINGO MANAGEMENT TO BOOK AN APARTMENT.

=================================================

Guys,

I really, really did not want to have to post what I posted above - but I feel so aggrieved by this whole affair I just had to do this - there is a final 'kicker' to this whole affair but you will need to wait to the final day of this report - UFB.

Mel's Take on the Apartment Provided by Gringo Management

My first reaction to the apartment that Gringo management described as a luxury apartment was that the place was more or less a dump. Words having meaning and in Rio luxury suggests almost as good as the Marriott. The apartment we were provided was terrible in many ways. The bed was just a thin mattress on a wood slab-not even a queen size bed. The aircondtioner was set way up out of reach so you could not adjust the temperature controls without standing on a chair! The Ac was from two old loud wall units. The floor was not carpeted at all. We were promised that we would have two walk in showers. This was a must for me but we were simply lied to and told we had two walk in showers when we did not. The pool is little more than 5 by 6 more a cold tub than a pool. The street noise is horrible. The lobby is out of the 1950s. (the front desk staff were nice) The living room furniture (a small plastic covered counch and a chair) is way below low end Walmart Quality (I think you could find it for 10.00 in a yard sale) The TV was on a stand like out of a college dorm. In Order to run that a lap top you end up with cords everywhere as the number of electrical outlets is too small (I am sure the electrical outlets are way below American codes.) The door keys were a pain to use. We had as BBB said problems with the lights and the toilets-the repairman said the problems came from the fact that the fixtures were all of very low quality. We came to see the apartment as more or less a joke. I can see why Gringo management wants payment in advance as I cant imagine any one paying 180.00 or so a day for this place after seeing it. It is way below the quality level of tthe Princess Copacabana hotel. I attach some pictures of the hotel to validate my point. (it should be noted that Priscilla is not included in the rent) The picture of the TV set shows the tv in one of the bedrooms-the ceiling fan shows how cheap the fixtures all were. The TV set and its stand speak for them selves. IF BBB and I did not both have a good sense of humor we would have been even more upset by this worse than a motel six quality apartment. it became a standing joke with us and others who saw it when we told them it had been advertised by Gringo Management as luxury. The beds were so small you really could not have a comfortable sleepover if you wished. The beds were low to the ground and would work well as the set for a remake of "Animal House". We bought our own toilet paper as none was provided. I would not stay there again for $100.00 a night let alone the $180.00 we paid. Everything BBB says is correct and if anything he is to kind!

[JohnnyBraz]

Believe it or not, there are only four GM critics on this long thread - but they are whining and repetitive. Two of the four critics spend a lot of time here, and one of them has never used GM's service. The other one is a well-known poster who I recently told to stop PMing me. I got tired of his many obsessive-compulsive PMs (you know who you are).

These two guys, who have met each other, also spend a lot of time on another Brazil thread whining about the currency-exchange rates. That says a lot about them. Chill, guys. Life is short, especially for retirees who need to monitor currency exchange-rates every day. The rest of us live on and enjoy real life.

I rented from GM, and like hundreds of others, I enjoyed great service and a great ocean-front apartment at great value.

You seem to think gm is the best man to ever walk the earth, he is just a rip off man. He has an apartment on his website for 150 us dollars a night, well I rent that same apartment direct with the owner for 80 us dollars a night, he charges nearly double. So is that what you call your "great value". I take it you have very little, (if none) buisness skills in life.

[Piper1]

Believe it or not, there are only four GM critics on this long thread - but they are whining and repetitive. Two of the four critics spend a lot of time here, and one of them has never used GM's service. The other one is a well-known poster who I recently told to stop PMing me. I got tired of his many obsessive-compulsive PMs (you know who you are).

These two guys, who have met each other, also spend a lot of time on another Brazil thread whining about the currency-exchange rates. That says a lot about them. Chill, guys. Life is short, especially for retirees who need to monitor currency exchange-rates every day. The rest of us live on and enjoy real life.

I rented from GM, and like hundreds of others, I enjoyed great service and a great ocean-front apartment at great value.

[Bubba Boy]

ANYBODY trying to assist might be a bit harsh. I work with www.riorelocation.com and our business is helping many who want to relocate here. Mostly the Oil and Gas people from Europe, but also anyone else. Of course we have to charge for our time, but the rentals and sales make the most of the money. The other services we do not make much, or anything. If someone does want to relocate here, as we all know, there is a LOT of paperwork and delays. We have americans, europeans and brazilians working in the company. I would guess most folks on this forum are not into relocation, so this is not nescessarily a solicitation, just making a counter-point about being screwed by everyone that lives here.

I don't know "off road" personally, but I have read every post of his in the last few years and he does seem like an honest, intelligent decent guy. Hence, I would not like to lump him in with my generalisation of your average business guy in Rio. Kenn from ez-rentals also does a good job. Unfortunately the good guys are few and far between in Rio.

[Off Road]

My final point. Anybody, whether it be locals or expats that say they assist in business matters is basically saying "I am going to scam you for a much as I can get out of your dumb gringo ass". Harsh maybe? Maybe but definitely true.

ANYBODY trying to assist might be a bit harsh. I work with www.riorelocation.com and our business is helping many who want to relocate here. Mostly the Oil and Gas people from Europe, but also anyone else. Of course we have to charge for our time, but the rentals and sales make the most of the money. The other services we do not make much, or anything. If someone does want to relocate here, as we all know, there is a LOT of paperwork and delays. We have americans, europeans and brazilians working in the company. I would guess most folks on this forum are not into relocation, so this is not nescessarily a solicitation, just making a counter-point about being screwed by everyone that lives here.

[Hughdad]

Correcta-mundo. All girls came from Karlas - I just called up Karla and somehow got her to understand what we wanted - 6 girls at 1pm - another 6 at 4pm - went off perfectly.

Agree 100% - you only live once - you gotta do this.

Not exactly sure what it cost now - 12 x R100 plus R120 taxi each shift I think - plus about R800 for the room I think - plus beer plus food plus out taxis etc.

BUT

I will be back in April - I will be arranging another one - I will probably be looking for an extra member or 2 depending on whether my mate comes to Rio with me or not.

Billy,

Do you have an address for Karla Models. Or did you arrange by phone? Did you select the ladies by their book. Or did they send over their available ladies? Looks like you had a great time. I was thinking of using them for a smaller fiesta at VIPs.

Thanks for all your great posts!

[JohnnyBraz]

I have lived and worked in various countries through Asia and Europe all my life. I don't mean I have just visited countries for a few days, I mean really worked in many different countries for several months and in some cases years. I have seen it all, pretty much every scam and come across some handy contacts that I would trust a good deal of my money with.

I can see scammers a mile off. Just by the way they talk and follow through things that they are supposed to. I can also identify good contacts quickly, ones to pursue and test a little further.

Now this brings me to the point I want to make. I have been in Rio for probably 9 months per year out of the last 4 or so years. In that time I have looked to do business here. I have tested the waters a little and the same result has come back every time. Zero worthwhile contacts. Everybody has tried to scam a little to a lot. Adding to this the Brazilian economy is not setup to business efficiently. It is setup so the people with a little bit of power can scam a little to a lot to get things through. The risk reward for doing business in Rio is not worth it in my opinion.

My final point. Anybody, whether it be locals or expats that say they assist in business matters is basically saying "I am going to scam you for a much as I can get out of your dumb gringo ass". Harsh maybe? Maybe but definitely true.

Good point. I very rarley go to the beach in front off othon palace, due to all they want to do is rip off gringo's. Brazilians pay 2reals for a beer, 3 for a chair. Tourists pay how ever much they can extort from them. It is a matter off princible. Brazilians have very little buisness skills, as they would raither rip someone off for 20r then make 100r.

[Jan 156]

The point I was making is that if you are getting screwed by a non-resident, who in turn is getting screwed by a Brasilian, you are getting screwed twice. I'd rather play hokey with the originator. My landlady is not from Brasil but has lived there most of her life now. Same for a businessman friend who has a string of top retail outlets and is taken for Brasilian. They will both try to screw me given the opportunity, but it's a game, and they know I know, and we either argue and stomp off or come to a firm handshake. Many visitors to Brasil come from a nanny state and then mewl when they get jacked. I think it's maybe cos they haven't covered their ar*e in the first place and are more clear about their image than how to express exactly what it is they want to achieve (and in terms that make sense to the other guy rather than some arbitrary 'back home' standard). At the end of the day I thoroughly like the Brasilian mentality, but I respect your view if you don't. Brasilians have a different way of doing things. Personally I prefer it to the American way. But I try not to denigrate Americans. While it's good to tell people to beware, I don't like it when this board starts denigrating Brasilians. GM's not Brasilian but he's screwing you (from many reports) a lot more than many Brasilians do!

The main thing in any deal is to remember it has to be worth the other person's while. Match what you're genuinely offering to what he's genuinely wanting/needs.

Classic book on dealing with Brasilians - recommended: A Death in Brazil by Peter Robb.