caja
8/22/2014 07:27 EST
It is evident that the comments about high prices are made by people who have never been to Japan, UK or europe for the most part.
IMHO (in my humble opinion) Paraguay is like many other places: some things are more expensive while other things are less expensive. A generalized, blanket statement is neither accurate or useful. This is like saying "rain today"; where and how much?
Regarding cellular service: tigo and claro services seem to be most popular. I've had "plans" on three continents and these cell companies all collude or use plans that require certain comittments, this is nothing new. Granted the north american companies have better rates due to a much larger market which allows more competitive pricing. The recharging of minutes seems to be better for me than some plan..." to each his own."
My family uses Paraguay Box for receiving items we've purchased online from the states. There has never been a problem and the cost is not much greater than the USPS, about $15 annual fee plus weight charge. You have a Miami street address, which is required by most US retailers. Also this company has several locations in the Gran Asuncion area as well as around the country.
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aramisss
8/23/2014 16:23 EST
Paraguay is as or more expensive than the US! Period. The Paraguayans are currency manipulators and charges extremely high for just about anything but cell phone is the least of your problems in Paraguay. Lets take a typical ATM withdrawal in Asuncion. First there is the $5 fee that is added on before hand. So although you want $100 you are charged $105.00. O.K. I can deal with $5 but then here comes the surprise. If you happen to use Itau Bank then you will be surprised with another charge of $7.16 after the fact then your Bank charges 3% on top of that meaning the whole idea of a $ 100.00 withdrawal is going to cost you $ 15.16. This is one of many ways Paraguay rips you off!
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aramisss
8/23/2014 16:30 EST
By the way less and less US retailers are accepting mailbox address such as that of Paraguay Box. Target is no longer shipping to mailbox addresses due to the risk involved, so it has to be factored in.
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aramisss
8/23/2014 16:30 EST
By the way less and less US retailers are accepting mailbox address such as that of Paraguay Box. Target is no longer shipping to mailbox addresses due to the risk involved, so it has to be factored in.
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caja
8/25/2014 11:46 EST
Yes, I reported long ago that Target was not accepting addresses like the ones provided by shipping agents. There are many merchants which do ship to customers with such street addresses. It is using a business like UPS to receive your mail. Nothing new this has been around for awhile.
I have found that if the issuing bank or card company is informed in advance that you have a new shipping address you will not have as many problems. This is not to say there will be no problems. I am by no means an expert on the matter, just have resided on three continents and 10 US states. After all, few things are perfect.
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majbjb
9/11/2014 10:10 EST
If you're relying on ATM's to access your money from overseas, of course your going to have to pay a premium. If you are in Europe using a US ATM card you'll have similar fee's. If your down here permanently you should get a local account and wire transfer foreign funds into it so your not eaten up by the small fee's every time you want to take out a $100 or so. I do so to our Itau account every few months and can do without the ATM cards then. Someone posted on another site that US gov't direct deposits can even go into foreign banks (like Social Security for instance). I'm going to research that and if true I'll post about the experience.
While Target doesn't ship to PY Box anymore, Walmart and Amazon still do. But the longer we stay here the less we feel the need for "US fixes" of consumer goods as more of this stuff is coming available here or you just learn to live without. But still nice to get US books and or movies here occasionally.
And I second Caja on the cell plans, it's a crap shoot on any continent or in any country whether your going to get a good "deal". It's almost like a full time job (both in the US and in PY!) trying to figure out what plan is best and/or cheapest to go with.
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