Bogota Reports

[QUOTE=BangoCheito;2594452]What actually happens is that if you decline the conversion the ATM offers you (which is always a ripoff), then the currency will be converted at the rate your bank gives you.[/QUOTE]Not actually. No single bank sets the rate. I wouldn't trust some of the banks. The system (interbank or whatever you call it) sets the rate.

[QUOTE=BangoCheito;2594452]Which is why a Schwab card is so good. They will give you the best rate out of anywhere.[/QUOTE]Technically correct. Schwab is good because it gives you a rebate on the ATM fees. It is the best rate because all the rates are the same. I've tested multiple ATMs in multiple countries in multiple cities over the years. All the ATMs gives you virtually the same rate (minus the ATM fees, and if you don't accept the rip-off conversion).

[QUOTE=BangoCheito;2594452]Other banks will usually give you a rate 3% or so off, but YMMV.[/QUOTE]Only rip-off banks will charge you 3%. That is the foreign exchange fee that numerous banks charge. Always READ the fine print.

[QUOTE=GreenBud;2594493]Not actually. No single bank sets the rate. I wouldn't trust some of the banks. The system (interbank or whatever you call it) sets the rate.

Technically correct. Schwab is good because it gives you a rebate on the ATM fees. It is the best rate because all the rates are the same. I've tested multiple ATMs in multiple countries in multiple cities over the years. All the ATMs gives you virtually the same rate (minus the ATM fees, and if you don't accept the rip-off conversion).

Only rip-off banks will charge you 3%. That is the foreign exchange fee that numerous banks charge. Always READ the fine print.[/QUOTE]Are you sure? I have been twice at Davivienda ATM and every time they were telling me something about 7% fees. It looked scary. I took it anyway. I don't know if they make it sound more scary than it is.

Also, even with my Schwab ATM card, I am not entirely sure they do the fee rebate if the fee comes rolled into a bad exchange rate.

[QUOTE=StinkySquid;2594702]Are you sure? I have been twice at Davivienda ATM and every time they were telling me something about 7% fees. It looked scary. I took it anyway. I don't know if they make it sound more scary than it is.

Also, even with my Schwab ATM card, I am not entirely sure they do the fee rebate if the fee comes rolled into a bad exchange rate.[/QUOTE]How could you not be sure? You simply look at your account at the end of the month.

So I was at my new favorite place again with two of the girls inviting me. I went with the one with the sweet voice. And while being totally ready to meet once again the real person being 2 points below the picture person, there I find a sweet 19 year old Venezolana with a baby face that's different from the picture but so much better, and I'm like "oh shit", I'm falling in love. So the encounter took a turn it wasn't supposed to, with me caring about her. Now Saturday we'll go out to the movies. It's hard being just a client when emotions get in the way. But I love it. I really enjoy my bachelor time in Bogota. Dating, jumped into a GF relationship in the first few weeks, then ended it because it wasn't all that and there was just more to sample. And I thought to just go to pros and otherwise save time (and money) and now I'm taking a pro girl out. Like a save-a-ho simp. Haha. But it's fun. I am playing with this like role-play, doing what feels good, and I'm not taking it all too serious. Now I don't have enough time for work with all these sweet diversions.

[QUOTE=Xpartan;2594395]It's a game to me, not a battle, LOL.[/QUOTE]I should have challenged the other guy to a duel.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2594704]How could you not be sure? You simply look at your account at the end of the month.[/QUOTE]The uncertainty comes from the fact that the ATM rebate is rolled up at the end of the month, and I had 2 ATM withdrawals last month, one from the airport ATM and another from Davivienda. My rebate isn't even 4 USD. I think the Davivienda may not have declared it's fees as fees but as a knock off the exchange rate. The other problem is to know what the exchange rate was at the time and really figure it out. But I don't think I will use Davivienda again because it seems like a rip-off and it might be, especially now that I checked my statement.

[QUOTE=StinkySquid;2594709]The uncertainty comes from the fact that the ATM rebate is rolled up at the end of the month, and I had 2 ATM withdrawals last month, one from the airport ATM and another from Davivienda. My rebate isn't even 4 USD. I think the Davivienda may not have declared it's fees as fees but as a knock off the exchange rate. The other problem is to know what the exchange rate was at the time and really figure it out. But I don't think I will use Davivienda again because it seems like a rip-off and it might be, especially now that I checked my statement.[/QUOTE]Dude it is simple. When you get the slip from the machine you look to see how much came out of your account. Divide the 2 to find the exchange rate you got. The machine charges 13,000 pesos. At the rate now that is $3. 35. If it does not mention fees, then it does not charge fees. You can always call Schwab to find out the individual rebates. Davivienda never ripped me off. You are making brain surgery out of it.

[QUOTE=GreenBud;2594493]Not actually. No single bank sets the rate. I wouldn't trust some of the banks. The system (interbank or whatever you call it) sets the rate.

Technically correct. Schwab is good because it gives you a rebate on the ATM fees. It is the best rate because all the rates are the same. I've tested multiple ATMs in multiple countries in multiple cities over the years. All the ATMs gives you virtually the same rate (minus the ATM fees, and if you don't accept the rip-off conversion).

Only rip-off banks will charge you 3%. That is the foreign exchange fee that numerous banks charge. Always READ the fine print.[/QUOTE]And I assume you are talking about your home bank. All the Canadian ones charge either 2. 5 or 3. 5 percent for currency exchange. They call it their bank exchange rate, but it is the mid market rate less their 2. 5 or 3. 5 percent.

Don't know about US banks. People swear that Shwab doesn't have this sort of exchange rate. I don't know, and it is not relevant to me as Swab does not offer these brokerage accounts outside the US.

[QUOTE=GreenBud;2594493]Not actually. No single bank sets the rate. I wouldn't trust some of the banks. The system (interbank or whatever you call it) sets the rate.

Technically correct. Schwab is good because it gives you a rebate on the ATM fees. It is the best rate because all the rates are the same. I've tested multiple ATMs in multiple countries in multiple cities over the years. All the ATMs gives you virtually the same rate (minus the ATM fees, and if you don't accept the rip-off conversion).

Only rip-off banks will charge you 3%. That is the foreign exchange fee that numerous banks charge. Always READ the fine print.[/QUOTE]Is there an american bank that doesn't charge the 3% on ATM cards? It was my impression that this was a standard fee for all banks.

I mostly use Chase, I'm not a big fan of Mr Diamond, I've used them many yrs, but its time for a divorce, I've seen enough of that scumbag!

I had two bad experiences in Santa Fe just recently. I have also had good experiences in Santa FE, but I want to write about the bad experiences as a warning to others.

I found a Venezuelan named Valeria near the northwest corner of Calle 23 and Carrera 15. She quoted me 40 K for 20 minutes. I asked her if it was OK for me to rub baby oil on her body, and she accepted. I showed her the baby oil while we were outside. However, when I pulled out the baby oil in the room, she wanted 10 K extra. I said I had asked her about this beforehand, and she told me that she hadn't understood me earlier. Which I don't believe. So I wiped off the baby oil on my own body and asked if it was OK to touch her. She still insisted on a tip. This was a mood-killer and we spent more time arguing. 10 K COP is not a lot of money, but I figured that I had enough information at that point to know that I should stop giving her money and look for someone else.

Still angry after the experience, I walked around debating with myself whether I should just go back to my hotel or try again with someone else. A slightly chubby Venezuelan named Katerin at the southeast corner of Calle 24 and Carrera 16 called out to me. She told me 40 K for 30 minutes, which surprised me and seemed like it might be too good to be true. I asked her how many minutes for sex and how many minutes for getting dressed. She said 30 minutes for sex. However, the knock came after 11 minutes. My timer showed 19 minutes remaining. She claimed that it was saying that 19 minutes had passed and I explained that the timer started at 30 and the numbers were dropping towards zero. She asked me if I wanted to pay for another rato, but I said we had agreed on 30 minutes and she wasn't upholding her end of the deal. I said she lied to me when she told me 30 minutes outside. But there's not much recourse in situations like this. What am I going to do, go to the police? I can warn other people, though "Valeria" and "Katerin" can easily change the names they use in Santa Fe and their locations. And, of course, I can avoid them in the future.

Of course, 40 K COP is only about 10 dollars. I know I'm getting worked up over tiny amounts of money. I hate being lied to, even if the amount of money at stake is small. But I guess it would be unrealistic to expect every session to be good. Still, I feel like I made a mistake or several mistakes somewhere. Any suggestions?

I just realized that I should write down the start time and use my phone as a clock rather than a timer in order to avoid the issue I had with Katerin misinterpreting the number, though I think she was still going to stop after 11 minutes in any case.

[QUOTE=Zeos1;2594781]And I assume you are talking about your home bank. [/QUOTE]Yes, USA banks.

Hi,

In Santa Fe, how dangerous is walking alone during the day and at night?

I will always walk alone.

Thanks for the news.

[QUOTE=GreenBud;2594493]Not actually. No single bank sets the rate. I wouldn't trust some of the banks. The system (interbank or whatever you call it) sets the rate.

Technically correct. Schwab is good because it gives you a rebate on the ATM fees. It is the best rate because all the rates are the same. I've tested multiple ATMs in multiple countries in multiple cities over the years. All the ATMs gives you virtually the same rate (minus the ATM fees, and if you don't accept the rip-off conversion).

Only rip-off banks will charge you 3%. That is the foreign exchange fee that numerous banks charge. Always READ the fine print.[/QUOTE]There is so much misinformation spread around by people who to my incredible surprise are able to actually operate an ATM (cajero).

Here are the facts:

1. The bank doesn't set the rate. Not your bank and not the foreign bank either. Visa establishes the exchange rate around midnight for the next day. That rate is what you will get. (Unless you accept the "Bank conversion rate" or some such similar named item.

2. Your bank back home may charge you fees. The bank you are getting your money from may charge you fees. This is why you get a Schwab card. They don't charge fees for withdrawals AND they reimburse you for any fees the foreign bank charges. Those charges are always stated. BanColombia will charge you a 20 mil fee for using their ATM. BBVA, Davienda, Colpatria and Banc Pinchinata don't charge a fee.

3. The foreign bank doesn't dink you on the exchange rate. Visa sets the rate you will get the same rate at which ever bank you use unless they charge a fee (which will be explicitly defined).

In summary, everything GreenBud said is exactly correct.

[QUOTE=Trim1;2594855]I had two bad experiences in Santa Fe just recently. I have also had good experiences in Santa FE, but I want to write about the bad experiences as a warning to others.

I found a Venezuelan named Valeria near the northwest corner of Calle 23 and Carrera 15. She quoted me 40 K for 20 minutes. I asked her if it was OK for me to rub baby oil on her body, and she accepted. I showed her the baby oil while we were outside. However, when I pulled out the baby oil in the room, she wanted 10 K extra. I said I had asked her about this beforehand, and she told me that she hadn't understood me earlier. Which I don't believe. So I wiped off the baby oil on my own body and asked if it was OK to touch her. She still insisted on a tip. This was a mood-killer and we spent more time arguing. 10 K COP is not a lot of money, but I figured that I had enough information at that point to know that I should stop giving her money and look for someone else.[/QUOTE]The biggest mistake I see, in my opinion, is not going back to your hotel after the first session. You were already in a negative frame of mind, which made you more likely to react to another negative experience.

I don't know how well you speak Spanish, but if you have special requests, like the baby oil, you might want to learn a detailed sales pitch, so you can be absolutely certain everything is understood before heading to the room.

If it was me, I would expect an added charge for any uncommon request. First, it's obviously somewhat important to you, otherwise you wouldn't be carrying around a bottle of baby oil. If it's important to you, she has some leverage. Second, does your request require more time, effort or risk on her part? If so, it's reasonable she would want extra. Whether you put baby oil on her, or on yourself, it's still going to end up on her. She'll need to spend at least a few extra seconds washing it off. Then there's the problem with baby oil on the sheets, towels, maybe on her clothes, or in her hair.

If you had taken that into consideration and expected to pay a bit extra you could have had a good session and avoided the second frustrating encounter.

The second session I can't help much with. Whoever runs the short time rooms probably sets the time. The quicker they get you out, the more money they make. Perhaps, in the future, talk to the person at the desk before going to the room and clarify with them how long you will have.

Another of my opinions is that telling a working girl she lied won't ever be helpful. I've been down that road before. The best you can do is just walk away and go get yourself in a better frame of mind.