Postal Service & Phones

How good would you say the postal service there is? 1) When you send stuff internationally, do people always receive it? 2) When stuff is sent to you from another country do YOU always receive it?

Also, I would like internet access. I have a laptop, but how hard is it to get a phone or access a phone for the internet?

Thanks.

Postal service works so far if you live in the capital and have a P.O.Box or on route to a mailmen! But it was better before! Sending valuables by mail isn't the best way and it may get "lost" easy! There you may rely on FedEx, UPS, EPS etc.!

We do have internet cafes here on various places, but you would have to talk to a phone company for your own line and acces!

Henry

There are several private mail services. Business Mail (to which I subscribe), Mail Boxes Etc., International Mail, and maybe one or two more. I would suggest you go the route of Private Mail. You pay to send a letter ($24 pesos RD) and also to receive ($5 pesos RD) and it is about 98% secure. Only lost something once and that was misfiled....not actually lost. Business Mail has a web site (check it out). It is located on Ortega y Gassett and Roberto Pastoriza streets (in the Naco Section of Santo Domingo). I understand they have offices in Puerto Plata and possibly Santiago. I have had the service 10 years and very happy with it.
You can access internet in the various offices of Codetel (the main telephone company) and they even provide the computer.There are also cybercafes about. If you are here for extended period and want your own line with internet connection, not a problem.

That sounds pretty good. How long does it take to get a phone there and how much does it cost? (Waited three months here, then I sold out and got a cell.)

Depends on where you are and if there was a line there previously or will they have to wire a new one. If you plan to be in Santo Domingo, whould think you could have a private line in a matter of days. But be prepared to pay a deposit between $2,500 and $5,000 pesos depending on the status of the line. Cells are quite popular here also. And very easy to get.

How can I find more info on this Business Mail service, what is the web address please. Thanks...

Their e-mail:

bmail@codetel.net.do

Phone numbers: 809-683-1919 (English & Spanish)

FAX: 809-565-9725

CLICK ON THE LINK ABOVE FOR WEBSITE.

If the link does not work well.....try:

http://www.businessmail.com

It takes about 2-3 months in Sosua to get a land line installed, regardless of if there is an existing line or not. They will tell you 10 working days, and maybe you will be lucky and actually get it done in that time. It took my wife and I 3 months, and we then only got a phone because she walked down to the service office and hijacked one of the trucks (her weapon: blonde hair) and made them come and do it.

You cannot get a land line installed without a Dominican Guarantor, at least not on the north coast.

marc

I had big problems with Business Mail, because they continually overcharged me for:

- Letters, by not checking to close on the ounces! (When I made the complain, they wanted to see all the mail and finally told me, they can not do anything, because the weight has been fixed in Miami!?????)

- The same with parcels!

- Even worse, they checked the contains of the letters by chipping of a small part of the envelope (I kept those, so I can proof it!)! So how do I have the guarantee of recieving a check???? (They denied it, but now I get my letters unopened!)

I work now with my post office box and get everything as far as I can see! And definitly do not have to pay for letters I recieve! One payment of DR$ 400.- per year and thats it!

Good luck!

Henry