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Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Exactly...I'll rent a car for weekends out of the city when I need it, but in the city? Not a chance.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 4:46 pm Post subject:

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

So, with the "even/odd license plate" days, what happens? People with cars must carpool or ride public transit on non-driving days unless you all go to work only every second day in el DF?

Trying to think of a way this could be on topic, but nothing comes to me! Smile

geaaronson · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 948 Location: Mexico City

I agree partially with Guy on this one.
I have a vehicle here in Mexico which I have had since 2004. I purchased it in Atlanta, GA. and brought it into the country of July of 2006. I drove it around in Merida but it was not and still is not insured.
I have found driving here in Mexico too arduous, so since it has been here with me in DF for the past 12 months, a drove it for a total of one day, (to SF to teach my classes there) and one night to the International House for a meeting.
Since then it has been sitting in the street in a spot that has no meter. Since then, I have had a construction truck plow into my front fender. I did not catch him, but I am positive it is the truck bringing construction materials for the condominium being built a block away.
Someone slashed my tire 6 months ago, the same night they relieved a classic 1956 pontiac of all its tires. Another night, someone smashed my back passenger window.

At this point the car is not much use to me. Not that it ever was. I was resolved to take public transportation after my first day of driving here in Mexico City.

The car now is up for sale and I have had one interested party with whom I struck too hard a bargain.

Yes, having a car in MX city is a pain in the butt. The traffic is horrendous here, the air pollution verges on the criminal. I am glad I am not polluting. Cars in DF, no way. Let the government double the registration and taxes on vehicles and lets get rid of them. 86% of the people take 14% of the vehicles on the road, 14% of the drivers are hogging 86% of the road.

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

In DF, the "day off" is related to the last number on your plate, not odd/even, and this is only mandatory on cars over 8 years old (recently down from 10 years). If your car is newer, and passes the bi-annual verification, you can drive every day. (It has been pointed out recently, that this scheme is unconstitutional BTW, which I tend to agree with). Most people who really need a car usually have a newer one, or buy two cars making sure the regisrations don't coincide!!

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

While the hoy no circula program has been a success that's driven pollution levels way down from the 90's, they are extending it to Saturdays, so I've seen advertised. For the richer folk, it was was a boon to the auto industry in that, yes, people just bought a second car.

sweeney66 · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 147 Location: "home"

Can't imagine owning a car in D.F. The public transport, while not extremely comfortable is cheap and convinent. That being said, I've had the thought that it would be fun to rent a car for a few days and drive around to the places I've never seen

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:53 pm Post subject: Topic Time

Back to the topic: Has anybody else seen this happen or is this an isolated thing?

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

I bought ten different hot sauces at Soriana to bring back to my dad, but there were only nine in the bag when I got home (to my apartment, not to Canada). The receipt did show all ten. Alas. It's actually kind of sad because the one that was missing had the prettiest packaging.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 9:51 pm Post subject:

veroax · Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 57 Location: Bogot�, Colombia

I'm not inclined to think that this is a really widespread problem. It would be really bad for business, so I'd think the management would immediately do something as soon as they caught wind of something strange. And it would be easy to catch them... I mean where exactly are they hiding all these bottles of salsa? Once caught, I'm sure the kids would be in some kind of trouble... lose the job and get a bad reference at least. I'm not saying it could never happen. There are always a few schemers out there who want to see what they can get away with and don't care about the fallout. And I guess it's always a good idea to keep an idea on your stuff. But this still isn't something I'd be worrying about all that much.

dixie · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 644 Location: D.F

I have had this happen to me enough times that I do not find it odd when it occurs (although it does piss me off).

However, I do not think its so much about the kid trying to steal something, as it is about the fact that they don't pay any attention to what they are doing, and so they overlook an item, or end up putting it into the bag of the person behind you (because the cashier is also not paying much attention and just keeps flinging things down at them, not bothering to assist by waiting, or separating where they fling).

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Dixie's got the right idea here...we're talking kids at busy grocery stores, and not a lot of financial incentive to pay a lot of attention to what's going on. The conspiracy theorists can breathe easy.