Rio de Janeiro - Gringo Management Apartments

[Prosal]

Everybody has tried to scam a little to a lot. Harsh maybe? Maybe but definitely true.

The day you make it financially beneficial for a brasilian to screw you over is the day you get screwed over.

[Sperto]

As you see, I'd personally rather save big bucks for other things (I totally gasped and choked when I looked at your prices), but at least one of your customers in not shy about spending lots of dosh.

You made me curious to check out GM's prices.

* Studio on Rua Djalma Ulrich 49 #1002: New Year US$ 1300.
That's about R$ 3000. That price is just outrageous.

I've stayed in studios in that building (not GM's). These studios do have a nice view and you can almost spit down at the shoe-shiners outside Help, but the studios are very small even to be studios.

My price for the New Year pacote this Year is R$ 700 (the lady raised the price) and one box of chocolate. Not on Djalma Ulrich, but close by. The apto is much bigger and with a view that makes you cry tears of happiness.

[Bubba Boy]

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.

[Jan 156]

I rent apartments and assist in other business matters in Rio.

Assist in other business matters?

I genuinely laughed out loud when I read that. The dude needs to put "Comedian" on his resume.

I think it's a bit rich to claim to assist in business matters when you don't live there, as I understand GM doesn't. The only people I know who'd I'd ask to assist in business matters are people who were either born there or who have lived there a long time and have enough connections to bring real clout. Otherwise it's just a case of taking your place even lower down the food chain (and sometimes this is the only option for some people admittedly!)

GM, maybe it's time to quite while you are ahead (or as ahead as you're likely to get) on this thread? You have some happy customers and some very irate ones. The picture seems to be mirrored on other sites such as Trip Adviser. If you can learn anything from it, so be it, and maybe you will take steps to ensure all your customers are happy ones in future! No point in drinking a beer when someone's just p*ssed in it, as they say You're up against some seasoned visitors on ISG and the complaints don't seem likely to just evaporate.

As you see, I'd personally rather save big bucks for other things (I totally gasped and choked when I looked at your prices), but at least one of your customers in not shy about spending lots of dosh. Unfortunately, people who are in the habit of spending money generally often expect top notch as a matter of course. People who can provide that sort of top notch will generally have zero complaints against them (unless by people who are patently stupid).

Before I had enough friends and contacts in Rio I would have considered you for a one-night rent, as most agents can't be bothered with that. But at the prices you charge I expect a cleaner track record in feedback, else why take the chance? Nothing personal, just observations.

ps if anyone is looking for a place in Aparthotel (the place where GM's vaunted star apartment is located) at short notice, there's a dealer on the second floor of shops in the building - he's a tricky chap, you have to haggle and negotiate, but he's fun to do business with and will at least sit and chat over a cup of coffee. Have twice had problems with the gas there though. There's plenty of folk charging GM's prices and getting away with it, but my point is that if you go to the Ritz you shouldn't have to send the food back.

[Dwilso39]

You guys like photos huh?

Tell me if you like these?

Please tell me where I can find this!

[Bubba Boy]

I rent apartments and assist in other business matters in Rio.

Assist in other business matters?

I genuinely laughed out loud when I read that. The dude needs to put "Comedian" on his resume.

[Bad Boy Billy]

Your photos are just the best!

You guys like photos huh?

Tell me if you like these?

[Bad Boy Billy]

I recognize a couple of the garotas in the six member team that got banged. I am guessing it was Karla Models and/or Escortshow agencies.

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.

Seriously, everyone on this planet at some point or another has to have a party at VIPS. If your on a tight budget, then it might be a bit more difficult to organize.

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.

[Bad Boy Billy]

Agreed - excellent photos, hot girls, wild times. Bad Boy - What's the story behind the photos? (i.e., how did you pre-arrange so many girls at the one time?)

No story my friend - you just gotta collect a few momentos of your travels through life so you can show the grandkids right?

[Bad Boy Billy]

Usually i skip reading this thread as I regard it as a BS-thread.

Guys please nobody at any stage think this is a bullshit thread.

It is serious - and it should be treated so.

We all come to Rio for one reason - to fuck *****s.

We all try to make that experience as enjoyable as possible.

The last thing any of us need is some low-life lieing thieving prick like GM taking our pants off with apartments - this thread is a warning to ALL intending Rio visitors - rent from GM at your peril.

That must have been one fantastic party.

It was THE BEST day of my life.

3 guys - 12 girls in 2 x 2 hour shifts - and I fucked all 12 of them.

[Mangera]

Agreed - excellent photos, hot girls, wild times. Bad Boy - What's the story behind the photos? (i.e., how did you pre-arrange so many girls at the one time?)

I recognize a couple of the garotas in the six member team that got banged. I am guessing it was Karla Models and/or Escortshow agencies.

I have organized my fair share of parties at the VIPS location. Its not up to par with GM's facilities, but it does the job for festas

Seriously, everyone on this planet at some point or another has to have a party at VIPS. If your on a tight budget, then it might be a bit more difficult to organize. Then again, what are credit cards for, lol?

Let the telenovela proceed............

[Piper1]

Your photos are just the best!

That must have been one fantastic party.

Agreed - excellent photos, hot girls, wild times. Bad Boy - What's the story behind the photos? (i.e., how did you pre-arrange so many girls at the one time?)

[Sperto]

Usually i skip reading this thread as I regard it as a BS-thread.
Luckily I checked it out.

Your photos are just the best!

That must have been one fantastic party.

[Jan 156]

What lovely photos! But I have to change my opinion of GM - if I all that fabulous booty is included in the price then 200R a day (what's that? about 470R?) sounds not bad

Example of renting locally from a local:

I've just re-negotiated my place and it's costing me 45R a day, including Carnaval, and I think my landlady is pretty cool but she doesn't include free booty. And it costs me on the bus to Centro or VM so things get expensive

GM: 'Pool'. Mine: no pool (but nicer stroll to beach)
GM: Gym. Mine: ditto, but cheaper
GM: Room service . Mine: do my own, though the landlady cleans sometimes free of charge.
GM: Living room & dining area. Mine: living room and dining area (not marble, but quite homely furniture - I get nice compliments)
GM: New couch. Mine: chairs and loungers, including sun lounge on balcony where I usually have my breakfast
GM: 29 inch stereo-cable-TV. Mine: small TV whose only purpose is to amuse gaotas while I sleep.
GM: DVD. MIne: I have my own MP3s and there's power speakers there.
GM: Safe. Mine: Hiding places and things to lock my valuables to.
GM: Internet access. Mine: 24hr internet cafe yards away
GM: Air con etc. Mine: Air-con - I usually throw in a bit extra if I use it a lot though as I don't get charged for electric.
GM: 'paintings'. Mine: Carnaval memorabilia
GM: 2 Bedrooms. Mine: 1 bedroom. Got me there. I generally like to sleep with my garota and would rather a wingman had his own place to fart in.
GM: Kitchen. Mine: Kitchen (to be honest, an aparthotel kitchen is bigger than mine though)
GM: Nice kitchen (again?) with big refrigerator, freezer, stove and oven. Mine: yadder yadder same
GM: Coffee machine, mixer, microwave and toaster. Mine: same.

My landlady doesn't pick me up from the airport, but she lives across the road and I can complain if I want something. In return, I water the plants. The only photos of the apartment are probably the ones I've posted with garotas.

Bad Boy Billy: nice taste in booty, dude! Shame you didn't like the 'wallpaper'. Pleased it didn't stop you.

[Bad Boy Billy]

My feeling is that this thread is turning into a free advertising service for you.

GM is certainly getting a lot of exposure - but I would not consider it 'advertising'.

There is a plethora of negative reports about GM - he never answers them directly - he simply attempts to deflect the complaint in any direction he can - provided he accepts no responsiblity whatsover.

It would be just nice to see him at some stage either:

1. Tell the truth.

2. Answer a direct question.

As I have consistently said - there are 'reputeable' and 'reliable' operators who can provide apartments to intending visitors - who has EVER heard of a complaint about RioApartments or indeed Ezi-Riorentals?

Why risk it? Rent from Gringomanagement at your peril.