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chuchaqui
Joined: 02 Oct 2003
Posts: 13
Location: Baltimore, MD
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 Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2003 4:17 am Post subject: passport photos in the US or abroad |
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| I am getting ready to go to Ecuador in about 7 weeks to get a TEFL certificate and then teach thereafter, probably in Ecuador, but possibly in another Latin American country. My question may be a bit nitpicky, but money is tight. I was just wondering if it were cheaper to buy passport photos in the US, or Latin America, for the purpose of getting tourist visas in various countries as I plan to travel quite extensively. Any info would be appreciated. |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2003 4:21 am Post subject: Picture this |
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Dear chuchaqui,
Well, I can't speak about Latin America - but I know that I ALWAYS got my photos done in the States when I was working in the Middle East. Not only was it cheaper in the USA, but it was also a LOT more convenient.
Regards,
John |
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denise
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 3419
Location: finally home-ish
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| Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2003 4:23 am Post subject: |
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I can't comment on the price/convenience of getting them in Latin America, but I'd say that it wouldn't hurt to get a few in the States (I know how expensive the damn things are, though!). That way you'll have some with you and you'll be prepared before you even get there. Once you get to Ecuador/elsewhere, you can always get more. I think passport photos are one of those things that you can never have enough of.
d
Edit: Ooops! Looks like johnslat and I posted at the same time. Sorry for the redundancy! |
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shmooj
Joined: 11 Sep 2003
Posts: 1758
Location: Seoul, ROK
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| Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2003 5:01 am Post subject: |
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Another thing. When you hit the ground in the country you end up in, you will have a billion things to think about in a language and culture you cannot fathom. Get them done in the US. What is a few dollars/cents to save your peace of mind?
Oh, and get much more than you think you'll need done. You'd be surprised how often they can be required. |
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Ben Round de Bloc
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1946
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| Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2003 1:50 pm Post subject: |
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| I renewed my U.S. passport here in Mexico. I found it much less of a hassle here than in the U.S. Passport photos were cheaper here and the process of renewal quite fast and easy. |
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J-Pop
Joined: 07 Oct 2003
Posts: 215
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2003 2:48 pm Post subject: Agree |
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| Ben Round de Bloc wrote: |
| I renewed my U.S. passport here in Mexico. I found it much less of a hassle here than in the U.S. Passport photos were cheaper here and the process of renewal quite fast and easy. |
Similar experience here.
I actually got my working visa for Japan, from the Japanese consulate in Mexico City. I didn't have any pics, so we went outside, walked around the area & quickly found a place: the price was cheap & the photos were processed while we waited, if I recall.
If you know some Spanish & ESPECIALLY if you think you'll be able to bring along with you a local (like I did), I would wait & get them done there--much cheaper.
This is what you might do, to make sure you get the best price (some places, especially in Mexico, jack the price when they know you're a gringo!):
Have your friend (a local) go ahead of you--so you're not seen together--& ask the price. THEN you show up. You might be able to get them done at 1/3 maybe 1/4 what you would pay in the States. Especially, if you buy more & get some kind of quantity discount.
Perhaps, as a compromise (like shmooj said, you might have a lot going on) take a couple extra ones with you to begin with, then replenish the supply as you use em up. If you find a place that gives a great deal, THEN splurge a bit & stock up on em. Any decent sized city (even smaller ones) should have these types of photo shops. Shouldn't be a problem to find one. Maybe, in very small villages or towns there might not be one.
FWIW, Good luck! |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2003 4:12 pm Post subject: UK passports |
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| UK passport renewal is ALWAYS easier at an Embassy or Consulate than from one of the Passport Offices back in the UK. |
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chuchaqui
Joined: 02 Oct 2003
Posts: 13
Location: Baltimore, MD
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| Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2003 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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| I figured that passport photos would be cheaper in LA than here in the USA. They are EXTREMELY expensive, I can't understand why two 2 inch pics would cost more than 24 5X7's at Wallmart? Thanks for the tip of bringing in a local to ask the price though, because I am king of gueros, can't imagine anyone down south being as pale as I am... |
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shmooj
Joined: 11 Sep 2003
Posts: 1758
Location: Seoul, ROK
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| Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 3:03 am Post subject: |
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| chuchaqui wrote: |
| They are EXTREMELY expensive, I can't understand why two 2 inch pics would cost more than 24 5X7's at Wallmart? |
Wow. I had no idea they would cost you that much. Puts your query into perspective for me really. |
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denise
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 3419
Location: finally home-ish
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| Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 3:07 am Post subject: |
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Passport photo prices in the States are outrageous. I think I paid something like $40 for four. And I still had to get more when I arrived in Japan.
d |
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Deborann
Joined: 20 Oct 2003
Posts: 314
Location: Middle of the Middle Kingdom
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| Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 5:41 am Post subject: Passport photos in OZ |
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Come to Oz - they are $A10 for 4 - way cheaper than the States.
D. |
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lucy k
Joined: 06 May 2003
Posts: 82
Location: istanbul, turkey
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| Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 6:37 am Post subject: |
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| I've generally found that passport photos are cheaper and easier to get outside the USA. I can really only speak for Turkey and Chile, but they are abundant in these places. I guess it's safe to have a few when you arrive, but I would guess that they are not hard to come by in Ecuador. Also, if you are American, then you shouldn't need photos for tourist visas for Latin American countries. I'm not sure about Colombia or Venezuela, but I didn't need photos in any of the other countries! Good luck! |
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MELEE
Joined: 22 Jan 2003
Posts: 2583
Location: The Mexican Hinterland
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| Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 3:28 pm Post subject: |
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Chuchaqui
--I assume from your name that you know some Ecuadorian Spanish  So my advice is GET THE PHOTOS THERE!!!
Why, they will be cheaper, the quality will be the same, and some places (like Mexico) will be picky about what the photos look like. I still have some of the photos I had taken in Ecuador in 1995! It was a pack of twenty of various sizes and it was insanely cheap--but that was before the dolarization.  |
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