Comments on: Day of the Dead and Casas & Gente http://www.yucatanliving.com/news/day-of-the-dead-and-casas-gente.htm Online magazine about living, working and traveling in Merida and the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:05:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Khaki http://www.yucatanliving.com/news/day-of-the-dead-and-casas-gente.htm/comment-page-1#comment-26938 Khaki Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:55:30 +0000 http://www.yucatanliving.com/news/day-of-the-dead-and-casas-gente.htm#comment-26938 I was thrilled when CitiBank came to Merida – initially believing their claim about how easy and inexpensive it would be to transfer money to and from the States and Mexico… It is neither inexpensive nor easy – I went to their website and discovered (a) their charges and fees are half-hidden and through the roof (being sneaky with listing fees is a big red flag) and (b) it would take a team of Philadelphia lawyers to figure out how to “really” use their online banking – so… I’ll just keep my fee free Capital One card and get my pesos from the ATM at BANAMEX at either Plaza Fiesta or in Progreso - no muss, no fuss, no bother - and no charge. I was thrilled when CitiBank came to Merida – initially believing their claim about how easy and inexpensive it would be to transfer money to and from the States and Mexico… It is neither inexpensive nor easy – I went to their website and discovered (a) their charges and fees are half-hidden and through the roof (being sneaky with listing fees is a big red flag) and (b) it would take a team of Philadelphia lawyers to figure out how to “really” use their online banking – so… I’ll just keep my fee free Capital One card and get my pesos from the ATM at BANAMEX at either Plaza Fiesta or in Progreso – no muss, no fuss, no bother – and no charge.

]]> By: Tito http://www.yucatanliving.com/news/day-of-the-dead-and-casas-gente.htm/comment-page-1#comment-26905 Tito Tue, 30 Oct 2007 02:50:37 +0000 http://www.yucatanliving.com/news/day-of-the-dead-and-casas-gente.htm#comment-26905 Bettye had better luck than many other Citibank customers who have complained about the three percent currency conversion fees imposed by that institution, as well as most other U.S. banks, for ATM withdrawals as well as debit card use in foreign countries. Credit union cards are known to be more equitable in these manners. These practices have been instituted with full knowledge that the greatest negative impact would be in Mexico. So much for Free Trade. The restaurant conversion process mentioned is unfortunately part of a growing downtown Mérida rewns to gouge tourists with unfavorable exchange rates, and to tack on service charges and tips without customer permission. Mexican businesses are supposed to charge in the country´s national currency, and customers have every right to refuse to accept card charges made in dollars. Bettye had better luck than many other Citibank customers who have complained about the three percent currency conversion fees imposed by that institution, as well as most other U.S. banks, for ATM withdrawals as well as debit card use in foreign countries. Credit union cards are known to be more equitable in these manners.

These practices have been instituted with full knowledge that the greatest negative impact would be in Mexico. So much for Free Trade.

The restaurant conversion process mentioned is unfortunately part of a growing downtown Mérida rewns to gouge tourists with unfavorable exchange rates, and to tack on service charges and tips without customer permission. Mexican businesses are supposed to charge in the country´s national currency, and customers have every right to refuse to accept card charges made in dollars.

]]> By: Bettye http://www.yucatanliving.com/news/day-of-the-dead-and-casas-gente.htm/comment-page-1#comment-26875 Bettye Mon, 29 Oct 2007 14:18:00 +0000 http://www.yucatanliving.com/news/day-of-the-dead-and-casas-gente.htm#comment-26875 Your citibank atm card is accepted at BANAMEX atms without fees and withdrawals up to $5000 pesos per day so sometimes it's easier to get pesos and skip the credit cards Your citibank atm card is accepted at BANAMEX atms without fees and withdrawals up to $5000 pesos per day so sometimes it’s easier to get pesos and skip the credit cards

]]> By: Khaki http://www.yucatanliving.com/news/day-of-the-dead-and-casas-gente.htm/comment-page-1#comment-26847 Khaki Mon, 29 Oct 2007 01:18:18 +0000 http://www.yucatanliving.com/news/day-of-the-dead-and-casas-gente.htm#comment-26847 Woops - just looked at the currency conversions fees from the above post. I bank with Capital One - guess that makes a difference... the only one with no fees or other charges... :) Woops – just looked at the currency conversions fees from the above post. I bank with Capital One – guess that makes a difference… the only one with no fees or other charges… :)

]]> By: Khaki http://www.yucatanliving.com/news/day-of-the-dead-and-casas-gente.htm/comment-page-1#comment-26845 Khaki Mon, 29 Oct 2007 01:14:13 +0000 http://www.yucatanliving.com/news/day-of-the-dead-and-casas-gente.htm#comment-26845 I have used my MasterCard for years - with never a problem and never a surcharge. But the only place I use it is at ATMs at BANAMEX - Then take the cash and make my purchases or pay bills. I have used my MasterCard for years – with never a problem and never a surcharge. But the only place I use it is at ATMs at BANAMEX – Then take the cash and make my purchases or pay bills.

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