Visitor Fee And Discrimination - Page 5

49erman · #41 03-03-2008, 10:39 AM

So I am sure it is just random that the AMET here always seem to stop me for some random minor violation after letting 3-4 barely running publicos go by. Believe me- that white gringo skin is just a beacon for AMET other scam artists to make some money off the gringos.

fightfish · #42 03-03-2008, 10:43 AM

Amen. That is a very good example.

CFA123 · #43 03-03-2008, 05:38 PM

AmericanSentiment... I hope everyone reads your posts as being nothing more than JustOneAmerican'sSentiment.

49erman & others who complain about the police... after 5+ years of driving in DR I've only found police officials - AMET, PN, & Politur to be deferential to myself & foreigners in general in traffic stops/situations. That's in Santiago, the north coast, and some limited driving in the capital. Don't know if it's my driving ability, appearance, or pure luck that's kept me from having problems. I do show deference and respect as I would to an official of the law anywhere & have (so far) been treated the same in return. You know the drill... window down, documents out, and if it's at night - overhead light turned on so as not to appear to be hiding anything. So far, so good. Usually just waved on my way. Of course, I haven't broken any rules of the road, either

I do see from time to time complaints in the forums from others... and do believe there are some police that will take advantage of a situation - I just don't know what makes someone a target for them.

The Virginian · #44 03-03-2008, 07:19 PM

49erman, sorry to hear of your bad incounter. My wife and I have only been living here for 15 months. We have been stopped I think twice. It was late at night, we had been to Sosua and driving back to Puerto Plata. Once we showed our papers we were allowed to leave. I actually feel bad for the police here, they have a very difficult job. I normally shake there hand and ask in Spanish how are they. By the way thats all I know in Spainsh, they repsond in a nice way, check my papers and then we are allowed to leave.

By the way, we are gringo's, actualy we are so white we are like flash lights. LOL. Relax my friend and enjoy, this is a WONDERFUL place to be.

dv8 · #45 03-04-2008, 07:53 PM

phil&gerry, you asked, i belive, for teleferico chages: 100 pesos for dominicans and 200pesos for foreigners. i always get dominican price since i ask in spanish and say i have a cedula (never had to show it thou). when i recently went there with a girlfriend visiting me she paid 200 pesos without complaining (she lives in london so 1.50 or 3 pounds make no difference to her).
as far as AMET goes - miesposo is very white and european/american looking. we have been stopped by police few times but as soon as he rolls the window and asks what's going on (in very dominican spanish) they let us go. his policy is: if they do not have shotguns poined at you - do not stop, and so far it has worked. i have seen AMET waiving at us numerous times (for no apparent reason), he ignores them and just drives by.

NALs · #46 03-04-2008, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky

It's all a matter of perspective.
One could say they overcharge tourists, or one could say that the tourist price is the normal price and they give residents a discount.
The latter makes more sense.
Anyone with an ounce of brains would be willing to give locals a discount, as they are repeat customers.
That being said, there are shady characters who try to rip tourists off, any chance they get, be it by overcharging them or outright stealing.

Or, the local rate is subsidized.

-NALs

BushBaby · #47 03-05-2008, 12:30 AM

There is a good lesson here for ALL buyers in this country. It is highly unlikely that a Dominican (or any other salesman.woman for that matter) will ever sell anything they are not going to make a profit on - it is up to US (the buyers) to determine how much profit we are prepared for the salesman/woman to make. There is no such thing in the DR as 'Recommended Selling Price', it is more a matter of a 'what you can get for it' price.

If you are interested in buying something - feign disinterest & walk away as though you are not going to buy at ANY price. Look more interested in something else & negotiate on that (before turning it down because you do not REALLY want it)!! During the chat, pick up the thing you are REALLY interested in & ask the casual question - then put it down again!! Continue in this manner until you get to a price YOU are prepared to pay on the item YOU wish to buy.

There is an art to buying in the DR & it is very similar to the art in most underdeveloped countries, ............. it is called 'Take your time, negotiate & learn how to say NO gracefully'.

For those who bellyache about paying over the odds whem leaving the country - sorry but I have NO sympathy with you. The price for leaving the country is CLEARLY stated in hotels, travel documents & at the airport. BE PREPARED for goodness sake & get the right money ready beforehand. If nothing else, it will save you time & effort going through the gates prior to getting on to the plane & out of this 'Discriminating' country!! ~ Grahame.

Alyonka · #48 03-05-2008, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BushBaby

There is a good lesson here for ALL buyers in this country. It is highly unlikely that a Dominican (or any other salesman.woman for that matter) will ever sell anything they are not going to make a profit on - it is up to US (the buyers) to determine how much profit we are prepared for the salesman/woman to make. There is no such thing in the DR as 'Recommended Selling Price', it is more a matter of a 'what you can get for it' price.

It is probably true about motoconcho/taxi rides, markets and small stores. But sometimes we stay at the chain hotels, go to the stores and gyms owned by foreigners, where it is not even expected to bargain. When I went to Gold's gym and asked for a daily pass - I was told it costs 230 or 260 pesos (don't remember). Was it a foreigner rate or local rate? I don't know. If I tried to bargain at the Golds gym in the US - they would probably decide I was crazy. Why would I think about bargaining in the same gym in the DR????? The same stands for hotels, restaurants, etc.

CFA123 · #49 03-05-2008, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alyonka

... sometimes we stay at the chain hotels, go to the stores and gyms owned by foreigners, where it is not even expected to bargain.

Owned by foreigners? Would be difficult to say that 'Dominicans' are guilty of price gouging in a discriminatory manner if that's the case...

Alyonka · #50 03-05-2008, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CFA123

Owned by foreigners? Would be difficult to say that 'Dominicans' are guilty of price gouging in a discriminatory manner if that's the case...

I think that in a place, where it is normal to take advantage of tourists, EVERYONE would do it, not just Dominicans. Actually, it is the same almost everywhere I have been to. That is why I don't really like being a tourist.