www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I suppose it's the fault of the aguinaldo, the yearly bonus required by law for above-the-table workers in Costa Rica. I have a friend who runs a call center and needed 10 computers. He went to Universal early this week and was told that he should wait until Friday, when prices would come down. Well, he went in today and guess what? Prices were UP about 20%! Not just computers, but televisions and essentially everything. And it was the same at Office Depot. Rather amazing, but the local merchants know when they have a captive clientele.

I try never to buy anything here if I can find somebody to bring it down from the States. Ebeneezer Scrooge wold be proud of the rip off, though. Pura vida.

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis

The one that really gets me is the Econo stores that seem to be everywhere here in San Jose! They run a "Everything half price" special about once a month. The night before it starts they change all the price tags (mark everything up 100%), then sell it for 1/2 that price!! In other words they advertise half price but are actually selling the item for the same price as the day before the "sale" started!! And almost no one seems to notice or care!!!!

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

Pura Vida indeed.

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"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

So tell me, did your friend get his 20 computers in CR?

He was going to get 10, but passed. Perhaps some sanity will return before too long, but he's going to see if things improve. If they don't, I don't know what his plans are. I will share if prices return to regular rip off pricing instead of special rip off pricing.

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis

Suggestion, forget about discount prices or promotions when it comes to anything electronic in CR!!! I found a company that has helped me with anything from 52 inch 3d tv, to xbox, to iphone charger. Distribuidora Sentry. I live in Guanacaste, can make an online payment and if before 2:30 or so in the afternoon they will ship it that day with EMS and i will receive it maximum of 2 days later at my doorstep for only a couple rojo in shipping costs. Here is a link to the Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Distribuidorasentry

Facebook profile includes some products they offer, mostly featuring cell phones and small electronics. But anything like 10 computers for example, just call and ask for pricing. They are very friendly and accurately follow up with requests for things like pricing or tracking information on a purchase. Just cause it is not on the facebook profile does not mean they don't have it.

I even discovered one of the computer shops in my area makes all of their purchases from this company and purchases at the same price I can pay when buying directly from Sentry myself.