Medellin Reports

[QUOTE=HappyShiva;2299203]I am always advised by the bank to use credit cards instead of debit cards in foreign countries. Because if your pin number get stolen and the money is debited out of your savings or checking the bank will not reimburse. Instead, most of credit cards are secured.[/QUOTE]There are many reasons to use a credit card over a debit card. Only two reasons to use a debit card instead of a credit card.

1) You have poor credit and can't get a credit card.

2) You have no self control and will overspend on a credit card getting yourself into debt.

As for the advantages of a credit card over a debit card, here are a few.

[URL]https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/credit-cards/blog/4-reasons-you-should-stop-using-your-debit-card-right-now/[/URL]

I'm a points wh*re and am always signing up for new cards to get signup bonuses. Over the last 5 years I have gotten tens of thousands of dollars worth of business class flights mostly to and from Asia doing this. But that is a whole other topic even further off the topic of this forum.

Note this is for purchase transactions as in a store or restaurant. For ATM withdrawals use a debit card. Pretty much all credit cards will treat a ATM transaction as a cash advance and hit you with significant fees and interest charges.

[QUOTE=HappyShiva;2299177]Using the debit card is risky and not preferable in mongering countries. Why not purchase a pre paid visa card for $100 each and use at any ATM machines that are free.[/QUOTE]I've used my debit cards all over the world without a problem, what is wrong with using a debit card? To my knowledge prepaid cards purchased in the USA Do not work in a foreign country, if you know of one that does work please tell us all which one it is otherwise you are talking out of your ass.

[QUOTE=BlackPage;2299226]Bull-shhit at purest level. I am not even sure whether you are just playing with us or you really believe that.

Your bank gives you a disinterested advice, right? Considered the difference in transaction fees between a debit card and a credit card, your bank really found its ideal customer, if you trust such a gross BS.

It is not just wrong by a financial standpoint, but even wrong versus logic.

1) If write your PIN with your credit card, and someone takes money from your credit card using its PIN, you will not be reimboursed. Period. Because you failed to practice normal measures of caution, like leaving a car with the keys on then claiming reimbourse from the insurance.

2) A credit card can be used without the PIN, by just showing it at the shop (where they do not care to check who is the owner) or online. A debit card CANNOT be used without its PIN. Therefore, the debit card is safer.

I am astonished, frankly.
By the way, whenever I am in the world, I use routinely both debit cards at ATMs to get local money, and credit cards to pay shops and service providers (no, not THAT service providers).


There's a simple answer: the commission fee. Are you an employee of Mastercard trying to revamp company business surreptitiously?[/QUOTE]LOL. All kinda of wrong info here. Unauthorized Credit / debit charges are covered by most if not all banks. I used to work for the compliance department at BOA and we would cover ALL unauthorized charges reported by cardholders. Read up on Regulation E, verbiage is included to cover writing your PIN on your card, you may be subject to a $50 or $500 liability (BOA has $0 liability). I've used my debit cards in Columbia multiple times in the past with no issues. If your card gets skimmed, call your bank ASAP to file a dispute, you should be reimbursed in ten biz days. Also, this only applies to US banks. I'm not sure of the procedure for other countries.

Debit cards are OK as long as you keep a close eye on your account. Unlike credit cards, if a debit card gets hacked the thief has direct access to your account funds. Most debit cards limit daily and per transaction withdrawal amounts which protects the cardholder. I avoid using debit cards for anything other than ATM withdrawals. Credit cards offer more protection but again, it's OK to use debit cards if you are careful. I haven't had problems the few times I've used debit cards in Colombia.

[QUOTE=Manizales911;2299250]I've used my debit cards all over the world without a problem, what is wrong with using a debit card? To my knowledge prepaid cards purchased in the USA Do not work in a foreign country, if you know of one that does work please tell us all which one it is otherwise you are talking out of your ass.[/QUOTE]

Same. I have the same experiences.

[QUOTE=GeneHickman;2299214]One could of course just use the debit card to draw cash and use cash everywhere.

That way, you have privacy and your loss is capped at whatever you are carrying.

I have found there are real benefits to that. Agree with credit cards. I do use them.

And have the protection from my issuer and money back benefits. Never had fraud outside.

Of the country on my credit card. A few times in the US.[/QUOTE]

There are lots of deals around like that. Credit unions, various banks, other brokerages. Schwab is popular here so go with them if you don't have time to shop around. I did and found that there are better deals available.

[QUOTE=RiceRocket99;2299079]This has been said many times before, but it's worth repeating because it's literally the best thing I did when I first read about it on this forum a few years back. Get a Charles Schawb checkings account that requires no minimum balance, they charge no ATM fees and reimburse any third party fees worldwide.[/QUOTE]

I don't stay in Poblado, but I do stay in upscale apts in Laureles / Bello / Envigado neighborhoods with no door man, no hassle, and unlimited access to pussy LOL. I usually pay 150 mil plus taxi and get 2-3 hours with full on GFE and often times BBFS and anal with no upcharge. I treat the girls like queens, and I get the same in return.

[QUOTE=Knowledge;2299040]Yeah, but 150 k for most is true for the facebook girls. Most are happy with 50 K if you aren't in a Poblado hotel or high end airbnb. You aren't going to get local rates in that kind of lodging. It's only fair I guess.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Knowledge;2299040]Most are happy with 50 K if you aren't in a Poblado hotel or high end airbnb. [/QUOTE]50 K sounds about right in terms of what I hear from the girls I know here. Often tourists start the negotiation by offering 150 k to 300 K and the girls aren't going to turn that down either LOL. Most visitors think in terms of their purchasing power in dollars back home instead of the local situation.

It's like a drinking game for me. Every time somebody on here says "back home it would have cost more" I want to take a shot.

[QUOTE=Orgasmico;2299359]50 K sounds about right in terms of what I hear from the girls I know here. Often tourists start the negotiation by offering 150 k to 300 K and the girls aren't going to turn that down either LOL. Most visitors think in terms of their purchasing power in dollars back home instead of the local situation.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Orgasmico;2299359]50 K sounds about right in terms of what I hear from the girls I know here. Often tourists start the negotiation by offering 150 k to 300 K and the girls aren't going to turn that down either LOL. Most visitors think in terms of their purchasing power in dollars back home instead of the local situation.[/QUOTE]The problem is, most of the guys here are pulling from the pool of girls who have a lot of experience with gringos. Most of them know they don't have to go under 150 k, plus taxi, plus extra for anything the guy specifically requests.

[QUOTE=Orgasmico;2299359]50 K sounds about right in terms of what I hear from the girls I know here. Often tourists start the negotiation by offering 150 k to 300 K and the girls aren't going to turn that down either LOL. Most visitors think in terms of their purchasing power in dollars back home instead of the local situation.[/QUOTE]Which has always been the case unfortunately. This is how places get ruined. There is a World War story about military guys buying pussy in Italy. When they asked the ladies how much to fuck, the ladies would always hold up three fingers. So the guys would pay three dollars. Fucked up the market because the jackazzes did not know the 3 fingers actually meant 3 cents, not 3 dollars (as would have been a comparable price for back home.) Sounds just like the argument a couple of weeks ago about if the girl is meaning 150K pesos or $150 when she says 150.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2299412]This is how places get ruined. There is a World War story about military guys buying pussy in Italy. When they asked the ladies how much to fuck, the ladies would always hold up three fingers. So the guys would pay three dollars. Fucked up the market because the jackazzes did not know the 3 fingers actually meant 3 cents, not 3 dollars (as would have been a comparable price for back home.) .[/QUOTE]This is a great story. Throw on top of that the guys paying 3 dollars were probably bragging to their friends back home about how little they were paying LOL. Then those guys that heard about the 3 dollars back home came and started offering 5 dollars and a tip because they thought they could get better service than the 3 dollar guys that way and so on and so on.

What happened? This site looks like it was down for a few days, no reports since the 17th, anyone know.

The Tall Man.

[QUOTE=TheTallMan;2299482]What happened? This site looks like it was down for a few days, no reports since the 17th, anyone know.

The Tall Man.[/QUOTE]Yes, it was down.

Pm me if interested in meeting for drinks.