Cartagena Reports

[Hunter]

Treeshark, sorry it’s long, here is a slightly different version that I sent to some of the owners a few weeks ago:

Over the first two years or so I was rarely in Ctg, during that time Mery seemed to Mery a bit disorganised but a trustworthy person, as nearly everybody else also thought. This year I spent 6 months in Ctg as I wished to re-model all the apts I control and sort out other businesses, I was also contemplating slightly changing the management structure of the apts I control, so wished to observe what was going on.

During my observation phase I realised Mery was far more disorganised than I thought, I also came to doubt that she was a nice a person as many thought, from some of the things I saw her do and heard her say, the more worrying one was, I saw Mery lie a good half a dozen plus times, when a lie was not needed, as there was really nothing to lie about, it seemed to me that a lie came way to easily to her lips.

First of all I have several things that I have NOT proved sufficiently, although there are strong indications from what I am seeing that fraud was committed, over the coming months I will have a more information to evaluate whether I am correct with these assumptions, these are not on the list below.

This list is a slimmed down version of what I would tell anybody face to face and should be seen as nothing more than the highlights, even skimmed down it’s to long, once questions started getting asked more lies stated appearing, a lot more, a few of the lies are below included below:

STOLEN CLIENT

I had received a number of complaints from tenants regarding Mery lack of responses from e-mails and other admin related problems previous to my long trip to Ctg, so after my observation phase, I set up a new system with some input from others, which Mery agreed to join for the apts that I control and one other initially, there would be two managers Mery/Karina, Karina would mostly be behind the scenes doing the admin things and responding to e-mails, they would split the commissions 10% & 5%.

A number of people who regularly get asked by tourists who turn up at the last minute and looking for an apt, were going to feed them to Merys apts (they were presently feeding them to other apt managers), most of these people won’t deal with Mery as they find her to difficult, so they would feed Michael them, who would know from the booking site which apts were empty. They would make their own commissions that wouldn’t affect Mery/Karina commissions.

Mery stole Michael’s client, probably because she didn't want to give 5% commission to Karina or pocket the lot if she is not declaring the rental income to the other owner.

Mery made up three lies:

Lie 1: Michael called Mery that night to check that his client had arrived OK, she told him that he had seen the apt and didn’t like it and wanted another apt. Michael had showed this guy the apt the day before and he had told him he definitely wanted it.

Lie 2: When confronted face to face the next day Mery claimed the guy wanted a cheaper apt which is also a lie because Mery ended up charging him a little more than we were.

Lie 3: I was in Panama at the time, when I confronted on my return a few days later, she told me a different story, I had had enough by then and can’t remember the story now.

Client Story: Michael asked him the next day, when the Client turned up at the apt building (there was three of mine empty, including the one he had booked), Mery said there were no apts available in the building and she took him over to another building, I got Michael do double check this story with him, before I confronted Mery.

Unfortunately for Mery Michael knew the client, when I confronted her regards what happened, she made a third story up, I said fine, but Michael says the client has a different story, telling her it, the client is in the apt now and gets up early we can go and meet him, Mery said I am to busy, I have an appointment elsewhere, ok I said how about later today, fine she says, ok I say arrange the time call me and I will meet both of you, she never called, I gave her two chances to prove her story/ies. The client didn't leave Ctg for a few days more, Michael saw him at Loco Gringo with me a couple of days later, pointed to him and said that’s the guy, I said no need to bother him now, Mery proved her guilt.

This is the point I ditched Mery and started checking up on things.


CAR PARKING

Car parking spaces in one building rented in high seasons, 10-15,000 pesos a day, the doorman gave Mery the money, and I asked 3 of them they confirm the same story, with two witnesses with me when I was asking the questions, nothing logged down anywhere.

Car parked in one of my spaces in November, authorized by Mery, it had been there for 4 months, for how much or what favour…..?

NOTE, one owner (a Mery defender), said maybe Mery thought she could just take the money and didn’t need to tell you as it was so little, I replied, why then did Mery and another person put notices out looking for people to rent the spaces.

CHRISTMAS MONEY

Mery said to me that it’s a good idea to give a tip for the doorman at Christmas (I think she said for the cleaner as well but not 100% sure on that one), I said that’s fine, how much did you give, as I was doing the calculations a few months later, she said 140,000 pesos.
My construction manager has a painter who works for him, who is married to the cleaner, he mentioned in a conversation the cleaner had never received any Christmas presents off Mery in 5 years for working for her. Later I remembered the above and checked my accounts to confirm the amount, I checked with the 3 doorman at one building who had been working there 14-16 years & also asked the cleaner, they had received nothing.

NOTE, this can’t be a calculation error as Mery told me she had already given them the money and we were going through the numbers a few months after Christmas.

SHEETS & TOWELS

On handing over to new management Mery/Karina, I found 9 sets of missing sheets, I replaced the sheets.

After the stolen client problem above with Michael, I went on yet another handover with Mery, to check the sheets and towels, I found the cleaning cupboard doors open and un-locked in the first apt that I went to, all the sheets, towels, cleaning products gone. I said to Mery where everything is, she said its nothing to do with me, Michael rents the apt, I said Michael hasn’t got any keys for the cleaning cupboards, you haven’t given them to us yet. She kept repeating its Michaels fault, several times, I got pissed at her and started shouting at her, she then realized that Michael didn’t have the keys and she had them, she then blamed the cleaner, I had enough by then and told to get out of the apt.

NON-BOOKINGS

I checked 114 bookings via people who stayed in my apts who e-mailed me or the logging in book with the doorman at the buildings where the apts are located, 4 were not logged down on Merys accounts.

F/X FRAUD

This is the main fraud, it is harder to get a good average number of how much Mery has been skimming off, because most people can’t remember what they paid unless it was recent, so I have only checked 7 recent dollar bookings to people who stayed in my apts who can remember what they paid, Mery gives a different rate to what I should be getting, about 15% less on average.

Mery main defender keeps saying it just calculation errors....

NOTE TO CALCULATION ERRORS

In October and November there was 76 bill payments, there was 1 error (I have found errors here before over the last 2.5 years), I count this as an error as sometimes I find the numbers in my favour, sometimes not.

Fraud is when all the errors are in Merys favour, none in mine, such as the FX rate Mery gives me.

As to math’s, Mery uses a calculator it is just as easy to type 2109 x 10 as it is to type 2000 x 10.

Mery is in and out of the FX houses all the time, she knows the exchange rates very well, where the best deals are etc.

I have been busy and rarely in Ctg and not checked Merys dollar exchange rate for about 1.5 years or so, I had checked a couple of people about 1 year or so ago, but they had both paid pesos. The rental payments in dollars that I checked previous to that I, were all fine to a small percentage in her favour 1/2%, which I had no problem with as exchange costs have to be taken into consideration etc, this proves that Mery knew how to calculate the dollar peso rate before.

During the Mery/Karina rental management (when I was in Panama), Michael was checking that one of the tenants he sent had paid their rent with Mery, Mery confirmed they had paid in dollars and then started saying that she would give x amount of pesos, Michael said, but that isn’t the correct rate, it was approx 200 pesos less a dollar than the rate at the time that you could get in Ctg, Mery blustered (if you spend a bit of time around Mery, you can see the lies coming a lot of the time, hard to explain in writing) as she realised she had made a mistaken, she then said 2,000 pesos was a round number and because the pesos jumped around a lot she was going to use that number.

Michael told me the above and about his booking that he had in one of my apts a few months earlier for his family visiting Ctg, I knew he paid $75 a day, but what I didn’t know was that he couldn't pay all his bill in dollars, Mery insisted on receiving 2,400 pesos per dollar for what he couldn’t pay in dollars (roughly correct to what you should be able to exchange dollars for in Ctg at the time), yet Mery only put down 2,133 for me. It’s quite funny that she knew exactly what to charge him and what exchange rate to give to me.

I should have been checking things more regularly, but I have a lot of business interests and this is just a minor one, I also thought like many do with regards to Mery’s honesty, BUT as they say, they get caught when they get greedier.

Hunter

[Treeshark]

Treeshark, yes that was one of things she was doing, there is a great deal more besides.

Yes you told me on tyhe PM at PBH that you had ditched your future wife, I didn´t want to bring it up.

A funny thing just happened, I posted your name on the previouse post and Tom33, I then went out to Envigado, in Exito who should I bump into but Tom33, I hardly ever see a foreigner, let alone bump into one who I know and just posted his name on here, its a small world.

Hunter

"As to the fraud, there are a number; I will go over them if people wish"

Mery has been a landmark in Cartagena like LDV. So yes please tell all the things that happened.

I know that lots of people think the world of Mery but it would be best to know the truth.

[Jeff997]

You are obviously not the brightest bulb out there! It is ALL of our business since we use to rent from this thief. If Mery steals from one person who entrusted her with his properties then she WILL steal from anyone. This is how things work when dealing with thieves. Also, I had reservations that got screwed up because Mery lost the apartment. She did not tell me. So this effects me personally. People on this forum need to be informed when someone is stealing from us mongers.

I am getting a tired of some of the people who are defending Mery. She was caught red handed stealing. To me there is no defence. It seems a lot of people here are completely bias since they own apartments she rents. I know at least one of the owners has no choice but to deal with Mery because none of the other rental people will do business with him. He has already asked Juan several times to take over his apartments but Juan will not do it. So since he is stuck with Mery he will defend her regardless of how irrational his arguments are.

This is all a crock of shit.

There is more emissions from this thread causing global warming, than what us evil Americans put out in a year.

Again it is Hunters and Mery's business. If Hunter wants to run Mery down, then he has a right based on a bad business relationship, but the rest of you don't know shit and should shut up.

[MJG Dogs]

This is all a crock of shit........

There is more emissions from this thread causing global warming, than what us evil Americans put out in a year.

Again it is Hunters and Mery's business. If Hunter wants to run Mery down, then he has a right based on a bad business relationship, but the rest of you don't know shit and should shut up.

I am MJGDogs, and I along with The Minuteman Project, The NRA, and all of us whom want the UN and the EU to go fuck themselves, approve of this message

[Jeff997]

Are you the owner of that place way off in Bocogrande that no one wants to rent?

Please try to get your facts straight before you post things that are unsubstantiated. You speculate as to what might happen when you show up this coming February and also state many things as fact that simply are untrue.

I have two apartments that Mery rents for me and I will soon be updating the website with all new apartments that she will have available, including 4 units in the new Mirador del Laguito building. Two of these units are completed and furnished for rental, the other two are in the final stages and will be available soon.

My name is Dogman and I endorse this message. (that is a joke)

[Jeff997]

Now we can all see why Dogman is defending Mery! It turns out he is one of the few owners that still trusts her! Obviously we cannot trust his opinion on this matter since he is profiting from her.

Hunter has now come forward on this forum to expose Mery as the thief she is.

All I can say is "I WAS RIGHT! I WAS RIGHT!!!"

All you people who did not want to believe me look pretty stupid right now, don't you? The truth has come out like I said it would. Seems the people arguing with me were making money from Mery, and now one of the owners is explaining in public that Mery was stealing.

I feel like patting myself on the back for being so damn right!

As I said from the beginning, Mery was stealing from clients and for this she is out of business. Anyone who would do business from an established thief is not helping us renters. We must all beware of Mery and Dogman!

[True Hunter]

Treeshark, yes that was one of things she was doing, there is a great deal more besides.

Yes you told me on tyhe PM at PBH that you had ditched your future wife, I didn´t want to bring it up.

A funny thing just happened, I posted your name on the previouse post and Tom33, I then went out to Envigado, in Exito who should I bump into but Tom33, I hardly ever see a foreigner, let alone bump into one who I know and just posted his name on here, its a small world.

Hunter

[Treeshark]

There are only 3 people that I trust in Colombia.

Hunter is one of them.

In other words mate, she was renting out the units when she claimed that they were empty and keeping the money. The same thing that happened to my family years ago when we rented our beach house. And I was pissed as hell about it at the time too.

I kinda thought that was what was going on.

To err is human, to forgive is divine. Try to think of those kind of thoughts, but do what you gotta do.

I got into a fight with the chica that night i saw you. The first fight that we had in 2 years. So I am still single.

Now to be crystal clear for everyone.

I believe anything that Hunter says and I accept it as truth.

My name is Tiburon and I endorse this message.

[Dogman2]

i tried sending you a pm, can you send me a pm with the cost or renting your place. i'll be there dec 29 to jan 8. are they one or 2 bedroom? thanks

chido - i am unable to send a pm, please excuse this post as self promotion of my property, but it is in response to a direct question.

mery has the info on pricing and availability, one of my units is a 2 bedroom in torre centauro, the other is a a bedroom in mirador del laguito. both have airconditioning, hot water, and high speed internet at 256k.

i will post a link to (colombiarental.com) a site i have set up for her apartments, this will be posted in the classified section of the colombia forum. keep in mind that i am updating that site as soon as the new photos can be implemented.

[Chido]

I've rented from Mery at least 10 times over the past several years. From a renter's perspective, I have never had any problems with her. She has always treated me very well and gone out of her way to help me and in terms of customer service gets a 10. She quotes me a price, and I agree to it or tell her it is too high. If I think the price is in line with the market, then I rent from her. I have no idea what her arrangement is with the owner and that's not my business. I do think that she, like many people in her culture, will try to make an extra $$ where she can. She used to get me Miss Colombia tickets in advance at cost for the bathing suit competition. Now, she is trying to scalp them to me since she saw an opportunity. So, I don't buy them from her and try to get the best price I can. She tells me she had to pay a higher than face to get them. I cannot verify if this is the truth or not, so I will not judge her as I know what the situation is as far as making an extra peso when the opportunity exists. If I don't like her price, I go elsewhere, plain and simple. Until I see an actual owner post a bad experience here, then this bs is just unsubstantiated rumor.

[Chido]

I tried sending you a PM, can you send me a PM with the cost or renting your place. I'll be there Dec 29 to Jan 8. Are they one or 2 bedroom? Thanks

Please try to get your facts straight before you post things that are unsubstantiated. You speculate as to what might happen when you show up this coming February and also state many things as fact that simply are untrue.

I have two apartments that Mery rents for me and I will soon be updating the website with all new apartments that she will have available, including 4 units in the new Mirador del Laguito building. Two of these units are completed and furnished for rental, the other two are in the final stages and will be available soon.

My name is Dogman and I endorse this message. (that is a joke)

[Jelly Donut]

Well, it is a fact that I rented two different apartments from Mery this month. I'm currently planning on renting another apartment from her in January. So, she is in business and rents at least three apartments - one Marina del Rey, one in Playa Mar and one in Torre Centauro.


My name is not Jelly Donut, but I do shamelessly endorse this message

[MJG Dogs]

Well;

Upon reviewing Dogman2's posting, treeshark's takes and Tom 33's posting, I have a clearer picture.

Again no one knows all of the facts, between Mery and H*****, except the involved parties. But hey maybe the scandal is as bad as the UN food for Oil program....

Well Mery must be Guilty as charged, according to the psuedo- EU World Court, maybe should be handcuffed and flown to Brussels and put in jail, before any trail occurs,kind of like Milosovic was, oh better yet maybe since Koffe Annun has nothing to do now, he can be flown to Cartagena and mediate the whole situation, maybe bring up a resolution before the UN security Council, but wait the United States and Great britian will veto any resolution. It wouldn't work, Koffe would steal ALL of the money from ALL of the aprtment owners

Now that Jeff997,998 or jeff 3 pie squared has been exposed by Dogman2 and Treeshark maybe it is time to shut his pie hole, for if Mery was a thief, I seriously think that Tom33, Treeshark and especially Dogman2 would come to her defense. Jeff9997,998 and pie squared, also mentions Bruce in his posts, perhaps he also has an axe to grind with Bruce?

Well now that Jeff997-998 pie squared has indicated that he will be in Cartagena in Feb, lets all hope he has a great time, maybe he can hang out at LDV with the Italians. Also Jeff997,998, Mery does not like smoking in her units, smoking contributes to Global Warming

what a crock of shit this all is.......

I am MJGDogs , and I along with Tom Tancredo, approve of this message.....

[True Hunter]

Treeshark, I can answer many questions regarding Mery, but first:

I was on this website briefly 3 years or so ago and couldn’t file my posts, I managed to post a few posts but the rest wouldn’t upload to the site so I left, I would prefer to use my normal handle, Hunter, but I am using True Hunter instead.

I could be a fake, if you don’t have my e-mail, Treeshark the last time we met was earlier in the year at Mangos in Medellin, and I was sat by the main dancing platform when Aussie Greg brought you over. I am also meeting Tom 33 this Saturday night for a night out in Medellin.

Onto Mery, I found a lot of lies with regards to Mery over the last 6 months, mostly over the last 6 weeks, a few weeks ago I started looking into things more deeply and un-covered a lot of things.

I informed a number of the other owners, as of 1.5 weeks go, some have left, some are leaving, at least two say they are sticking with Mery for now, Mr B. and Dogman2 are the ones sticking with her, I have not been in contact with people regards this issue for 1.5 weeks, so I don’t know the present situation of all the owners.

I was asked by some of the owners to try and sort the problem out with her, to me that is impossible as I don´make deals with theifs, also not to post anything on the web etc., I told them that I wouldn’t start any threads, which I haven’t, but would reply to any where this came up. BUT if I see people defending Mery I will post each and every time, quite simply I am out to destroy her and will be doing whatever is necessary, I have no time for people like her, some may say that this is because I want her clients, but if this was the case why would I switch to two new managers who have a few clients and leave one who has a large client base. In my opinion there are more than enough people going to Cartagena that rent apartments for quite a few rental managers.

I have not heard about Mery directly stealing from client, my investigation didn’t go down that route, only heard about that on the web, how true this is I have no idea, but if she stole money from me and other owners, why not from the renters.

As to the fraud, there are a number; I will go over them if people wish. Proof is plenty full from the cleaner, to the doorman, Merys hand written accounts, to the building registration books, to people who have stayed at the apts, etc. whenever I am in Ctg, I will quite happily show the information regarding PROOF on the fraud to anybody seriously interested, I am rarely 100% sure of anything in life, but I am 100% sure Mery is a thief and a lier. On the net I can only go over it.

Now that I have been banned from another website, I will post here with regards to Colombian information as I do elsewhere, hopefully on issues more related to this website.

Hunter

[Treeshark]

Jejejejejejejejejeje

"Yet, Treeshark likes to post imaginary posts defending her"

Treeshark scratches his head with his fin and wonders how the jeffie boys managed to read his imaginary post???? Perhaps if you snort imaginary Colombian joy powder, you can read imaginary posts???

Oh well, to this humble old Treeshark a fact is whatever Tom33 says. And Tom33 said "Mery has lost the management of many apartments. However, I do not want to get into any whys or wherefores. I live in Laguito. Mery still owns one apartment in Laguito. You should have no problem renting that from her. I would have no qualms about renting from her. She is a very nice lady."

The old Treeshark trusts Tom33.

Now the jeffie boys CLAIM that Mery has been stealing but gives no details. Stealing what???? Condoms??? Chicas??? Camas??? Skimming rent money??

LETS HEAR SOME FUCKING DETAILS.

My logic is pretty simple. I will believe whatever Tom33 says.

But the old Treeshark wonders why the jeffie boys are on this crusade against Mery. The jeffie boys claim that it because they would have been left stranded when they showed up in Cartagena. And wanted to warn others. As those who have been in Cartagena in Feb know, finding an apartment in Feb is about as hard as finding a hooker in LDV.

And I have never rented from Mery and have only met the lady twice.

Dogman, if your units in the new Mirador del Laguito building have hot water then maybe I will rent one next time I am down there.

My name is Treeshark and I endorse this message.