Advice for new purchasers of condos in Playa

[diogeron]

Typo in the title but I don't know how to edit. That should be "for new PURCHASERS of condos in Playa"

I would think that there are others than me who have recently bought property in Playa. I've noticed that advice on things like: (a) getting utilities (b) DSL vs. Cable tele (c) Internet connectivity and a whole host of general advice would be helpful to others on the site who are either buying or thinking of buying in and around Playa, hence the idea for the thread. Here's a specific example of the kind of thing where I would think advice from locals might be of interest if those of you who have experience with these kinds of things want to take the time to respond.

We've just bought a condo in Playa and I thought it might be interesting (ok, it's self-serving) to see if any of you have advice for those of us who have recently put our money where our digital mouths are and have bought something there recently. To wit, I just got an e-mail from the people who are doing the window treatments in our place saying that the estimate was off because they did not include half of the "rings" in the estimate, to the tune of an additional $120. It's not that much money, granted, given the investment, but this is the second "mistake" they have made, so I wrote back and said that I didn't think I should have to pay more than what they told me I should have to pay (they are 9/10 finished) but that I would "split the difference" with them and give them $60. Do any of you locals have an opinion as to whether my response was reasonable, if they probably did err because they just aren't that good, or if they thought they could just "ring" another $120 out of somebody who had already invested a lot of money with them? In the US, I would have told them that since they made the mistake, they should eat it and if they didn't, I would have said, "Fine, let's go to Small Claims Court over $60 if you have the time and money."

[synestere]

Hmmm , what rings are you on about Ron .

[diogeron]

That's an excellent question, my man. In fact, I wrote my contact person and asked if "rings" might have been mistranslated. I have no desire to be "Lord of the Rings." I just want to get the place furnished so that when we come down in a week or so, don't have to sleep on the floor and have the lights from the soccer field across the street streaming in our window. I just want to sit up on the solarium, have a cold beer, and remind myself how lazy I've become in my dotage.

Originally Posted by synestere

Hmmm , what rings are you on about Ron .

[synestere]

Seems like big dollars for curtain rings ....

[diogeron]

Maybe Gollum has them and wants big bucks to get them back Seriously, that was my response as well.

Originally Posted by synestere

Seems like big dollars for curtain rings ....

[playa mama]

I am a condo owner also and I found that the costs for hanging curtains (cortinovas) was horribly expensive. I could have brought the same curtains with me from the states for about 1/5 the amount. I just may have to do that the next time around. Yes, I understand they under estimated the number of curtain rings they should have expected to put in their bid, but I just chalk it up to the Mexican way of doing some things.

[diogeron]

Yes, Cortinova is the place I failed to mention, but I will since you had the same problem. I'll be interested to see what the response is to my "counter-offer" to give them half of the amount, which is still a rip off.

Originally Posted by playa mama

I am a condo owner also and I found that the costs for hanging curtains (cortinovas) was horribly expensive. I could have brought the same curtains with me from the states for about 1/5 the amount. I just may have to do that the next time around. Yes, I understand they under estimated the number of curtain rings they should have expected to put in their bid, but I just chalk it up to the Mexican way of doing some things.

[cuffedlinks]

Originally Posted by synestere

Seems like big dollars for curtain rings ....

Especially those plastic ones you can sell as earrings in airports when you're strapped for cash....

[playa mama]

BTW, I like this thread and I hope more people post questions and answers.

I for one would like to know how many condo owners have wireless internet or have cable internet. Which is better in Playa? Do you have to do the whole building or can each condo have what they want or not at all?

Has anyone been to the new furniture store on the north end of Playa on the highway - I think it is called Casa Latina? Is the furniture there like what they have at Azcue or Detagglio or is it a different design? Is it in the same price range as the other stores?

[diogeron]

Yes, I've had conflicting advice on this issue, which is an important one to us because my wife is a professor who teaches an online MBA class second semester and having reliable Internet access is a non-negotiable issue with us. The Italian owner/builder of our condo (only four, so small building), whom I like and whose opinion I trust, said that "broadband" from the cable company was much more unreliable than those of us in the US (and I suspect Canada at least) are used to. He said that the DSL was more reliable. Others have told me that DISH or like was fine and that you could get SIRIUS sat radio etc. from it as well. As I said in the original post, we're babes in the woods at this point and just learning, so any advice from folks who have already been tossed into the ring on these issues would be appreciated, not only by us, but hopefully by others.

Originally Posted by playa mama

BTW, I like this thread and I hope more people post questions and answers.

I for one would like to know how many condo owners have wireless internet or have cable internet. Which is better in Playa? Do you have to do the whole building or can each condo have what they want or not at all?

Has anyone been to the new furniture store on the north end of Playa on the highway - I think it is called Casa Latina? Is the furniture there like what they have at Azcue or Detagglio or is it a different design? Is it in the same price range as the other stores?

[playa mama]

Sorry, I forgot to say in my previous post that I would just pay for the extra curtain rings. Don't you have a property manager that can handle that level of detail for you?

When our condos were "finished" they came without lights, bathroom towel bars, etc. We had our property manager purchase the items we needed (including beds) and have someone install those things so when we came down the first time, we actually had lights and beds - don't need much more than that!

I actually had a great time furnishing it otherwise. How many times in your life can you go out and spend $15,000+ on furnishings to do the whole thing at one time. Never happened to me before and it will probably never happen again.

Also check out the Decor Mueble store on the north west corner of Constituyentes and 307. They do have some nice wood furniture that is made somewhere in the Yucatan - never did understand exactly where. But the clerk speaks great English and is very helpful. That furniture held up better to mold than any of the expensive fancy stuff I had purchased when we had no power after both Emily and Wilma.

[Michele]

I pm'd this to someone already, but I think it's OK to post....
I have a friend who just started an Interior Design and Furniture Acquisition company here in Playa. She is American (Jersey) and just finalized her corp. papers here. She will almost completely outfit a new condo or home from furniture to glassware. She does all the buying personally, is professional, FAST and passionate about her work. All the products are "Hecho en Mexico". If anyone is interested I can PM you her contact info.

[Maverick69]

Hey Ron,
You better have those curtains up . That soccer field throws a ton of light at night. We actually looked at being your neighbours . We tried to check your place out but couldn't pry the door open.
Just kidding. Very nice complex by the way.
Brent

[Maverick69]

Thank you to everyone that contributes to this thread . It will help us and others immensley.

Brent

[Mitch]

I have high speed internet from the local cable company and have never had a problem! I am very happy with my service. I have heard nothing but complaints from people who have used Playa Wireless, the local wireless internet company!