www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Daisy did not come to work this morning. Hotel Little Havana staff says that burglars broke into her apartment, beat her, tied her up, ransacked her home and stole all her valuables.

_________________
"I'm not one those pathetic lietuenant colonels working a silly civilian job, working out two hours a day trying to reclaim a body they lost 20 years ago and four hours a night completing War College by correspondence in a sad attempt at colonel. Tyler Durden told us [i]'Self improvement is masturbation[/i].' My mid-life crisis is going to involve a new sports car, or the zoftig redhead with daddy issues in accounting, or better yet, racking up frequent flyer miles going to Pattaya."

Holy sh*t. I hope this is just a rumor. If it's true, that sucks. She's a sweetheart.

_________________
You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

The sad thing is, that the stuff they stole (microwave, tv, laptop, etc) is sooo much more expensive than what it would cost us at the local WalMart. First, there is no Walmart equivilent, and the government puts huge tariffs on consumer goods they consider luxuries. With spotty income tax enforcement/collection, the govts in these countries tax "the rich" by taxing what they buy.

And figure she is probably using the computer to keep in contact with her family and friends in the states and back home, losing the computer is losing more than some pictures and files.

_________________
"I'm not one those pathetic lietuenant colonels working a silly civilian job, working out two hours a day trying to reclaim a body they lost 20 years ago and four hours a night completing War College by correspondence in a sad attempt at colonel. Tyler Durden told us [i]'Self improvement is masturbation[/i].' My mid-life crisis is going to involve a new sports car, or the zoftig redhead with daddy issues in accounting, or better yet, racking up frequent flyer miles going to Pattaya."

In a way you are correct in that there is no equivilent (in terms of equally low prices; BUT you are totally wrong that there is no Walmart!! HYPERMAS (I KNOW OF AT LEAST 5 LOCATIONS) ARE OWNED AND OPPERATED BY WALMART AND ARE VERY SIMULAR TO WALMART SUPERSTORES. And since they bought Hypermas, the prices on electronic, appliances, and simular items have dropped conciderably.

I am very sorry to hear this happened to Daisy.

_________________
Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

quote]

In a way you are correct in that there is no equivilent (in terms of equally low prices; BUT you are totally wrong that there is no Walmart!! HYPERMAS (I KNOW OF AT LEAST 5 LOCATIONS) ARE OWNED AND OPPERATED BY WALMART AND ARE VERY SIMULAR TO WALMART SUPERSTORES.[/quote]

I agree, but even the local Pali, Hipermart, etc. don't benefit from the efficiencies of the US logistics channels.

_________________
"I'm not one those pathetic lietuenant colonels working a silly civilian job, working out two hours a day trying to reclaim a body they lost 20 years ago and four hours a night completing War College by correspondence in a sad attempt at colonel. Tyler Durden told us [i]'Self improvement is masturbation[/i].' My mid-life crisis is going to involve a new sports car, or the zoftig redhead with daddy issues in accounting, or better yet, racking up frequent flyer miles going to Pattaya."

Pali is a Costa Rican chain (I believe), so they couldn't spell "logistics". I love how when you buy a cart full of food, they give you 2-3 flimsy plastic shopping bags to pack it all up in.

As far as Hipermas, it is owned and oprated by Walmart in the same way as the stores stateside. However, they are severely limited in the prices they can offer due to heavy import duities. They won't sell items below cost (which is item cost + duty).

Sorry to hear that.

Walmart owns Hipermas, Mas x Menos, and two other chains here or about 75% of the market. The issue is not logistics, it is the import taxes.


BKTUNA/Boyd
I am never going home

_________________
BKTUNA/Boyd
I am never going home

Pali is part of the Walmart operation. Their stores in Costa Rica are branded Hipermas, Mas x Menos, Maxi Bodega and Pali.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Please pass on my best wishes to Daisy. I've always enjoyed chatting with her over a beer at the ZB/HLH.

One comment about taxes in as non-political a way as possible to clarify what's been said above about the costs of electronic devices.

Income taxes such as we have in the U.S. & Europe are generally progressive in that people pay a higher percentage of their income if they earn more money. If you earn $30,000 per year, your federal income tax would be something like 26%, but if you earn $100,000 your income tax would be a higher percentage at 34% or thereabouts. Progressive income tax rates are supposed to get progressively higher as you earn more money. This doesn't take into account FICA, Medicare or other things.

Sales taxes and value-added taxes and import duties are generally regressive when considered as a whole because people earning less money tend to pay a higher percentage of their earnings for these taxes than people with more money.

These statements are not meant to be political, just the way it is in the world, at least the developed world where it's hard to avoid sales taxes on small items.

I hope this thread doesn't degenerate into a debate on taxes. Again, best wishes to Daisy.

_________________
"All them women gonna make me,
teach 'em what they don't know how..." TMIB

Sad to hear what happened. More tico lowlifes at work. Maybe we should take up a collection for Daisy? She is a central character in the lives of any credible CR monger.

Pali is not a Costa Rica company. It was founded in Nicaragua and solely owned by Danuel Ortega's brother till Walmart bought 51%. He still owns 49%. It is the major grocery chain (actually about the only) in Nicaragua. To verify that Walmart is owner of all 4 chains that ID listed just walk into any of them and look at the Walmart badges all the employees are wearing and look at all the "EQUATE" brand products on the shelves.

_________________
Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

Walmart Mexico now owns 100% of the company.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

I don't even know the lady but I'm with Brother MrLasVegas on a donation--the good ones should be supported. To whom do I PayPal?

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Seen here a few time's very nice girl. I hope they catch the bastards....

_________________
"THE TRUTH IS' EVERYBODY IS GOING TO HURT YOU. YOU JUST GOTTA FIND THE ONE WORTH SUFFERING FOR"
Robert Nesta Marley

This is the one that may be worth the 15k tip. I'll see her next week and consider it.

_________________
Play Safe