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Bajatripper
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3148
Registered: 3-20-2010
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by ehall
Never felt like I was short changed except when I argued with an attendant about my change and he pulled out a calculator and made me feel like an
idiot. Ha Ha my bad ( I paid in pesos and got change back in dollars, really screwed me up) |
Now, there's someone who would interest me as a friend--a person who isn't afraid to admit his mistakes. You are a member of that rare breed, all too
few and far in-between.
There most certainly is but one side to every story: the TRUTH. Variations of it are nothing but lies.
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
Member Is Offline
Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajatripper
| Quote: | Originally posted by ehall
Never felt like I was short changed except when I argued with an attendant about my change and he pulled out a calculator and made me feel like an
idiot. Ha Ha my bad ( I paid in pesos and got change back in dollars, really screwed me up) |
Now, there's someone who would interest me as a friend--a person who isn't afraid to admit his mistakes. You are a member of that rare breed, all too
few and far in-between. |
When I receive change and shake my head in utter confusion and an attendant or clerk politely straightens me out, I explain (in Spanish)
"It's no fun, getting old, and going blind and stupid"
Without exception this leaves them howling with laughter, and the guys usually slap my shoulder.
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Pemex stations are franchises, but without a lot of independence form government regulation and control. |
You totally missed my point. From many experiences traveling Baja, I seem to recall that the stations that advertise credito also mention some
internet outfit that handles the transactions.
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AndyinLHC
Newbie
Posts: 7
Registered: 11-18-2013
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Member Is Offline
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I use my credit card all the time now. I view my account online to set up travel notifications for the dates I'm down there and check my
transactions. I get the exact current exchange rate without any fees or reduced rates. I follow the attendant if they take my card inside. I've
used it all over Baja Norte with no problems. The more you use the card the bank will build up a "profile". If spending isn't within the profile
then it will trigger an alert or block a transaction. It allows me to keep my pesos for important things like camarones and tequila!
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fudscrud
Nomad
Posts: 113
Registered: 6-8-2010
Member Is Offline
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If you pay in $US, keep an eye for the exchange rate at different stations.
I almost always use pesos while in Mex but we were on a two day ride from Tecate to Coyote Cals (Erendira) and back so didn't bother getting pesos.
Gassed up in Ojo Negros and the exchange was 12.5/1 then on to Sto Tomas and it was 11/1. It didn't make a huge difference with just three dirt bikes
but if you're filling a big tank this will get into your beer money.
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6343
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
Member Is Offline
Mood: TEQUILA!
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I really had NO idea what the attendants make.
I now feel that at least 10 pesos is now in order no matter what.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Udo
I really had NO idea what the attendants make.
I now feel that at least 10 pesos is now in order no matter what. |
Probably until Mexico adopts self-serve, your words are wisdom. I imagine that in many cases, the families of the pump jockeys are living off and
feeding their kids from the propinas.
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Whale-ista
Super Nomad
Posts: 2009
Registered: 2-18-2013
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Sunny with chance of whales
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I regularly tip attendants- but I'll be more generous now knowing their pay grade. I never asked what they are paid. Thanks for the Information.
I also ask them for Information on places to stay, trustworthy mechanics, places to eat etc. They often are locals and know the neighborhood and are
also good sources of travel Information- they'll know if there are problems along the highway from conversations with other customers.
I try to return to the same station each trip to catch up on local chisme and get introduced to the neighbors who come in. Many come by to chat as
well as purchase gas. I've had some interesting chats that way- almost as good as a barber or beauty shop!
Regarding exchange rate: in January the 28th parallel Pemex had "12:1" posted in their windows. A few KM away, in GN, the first Pemex off the hwy
charged me 11:1 when my debit card was rejected. I went to the ATM next to the station and used the debit card for pesos- and my credit union gave me
a 13:1 exchange. Crazy...
Now I always use the hwy station, never the GN stations- and I've heard others say the same. (Unfortunately, did I read that the hwy Pemex at the
28th parallel is closed?)
\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a
Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Whale-ista
I regularly tip attendants- but I'll be more generous now knowing their pay grade. I never asked what they are paid. Thanks for the Information.
I also ask them for Information on places to stay, trustworthy mechanics, places to eat etc. They often are locals and know the neighborhood and are
also good sources of travel Information- they'll know if there are problems along the highway from conversations with other customers.
I try to return to the same station each trip to catch up on local chisme and get introduced to the neighbors who come in. Many come by to chat as
well as purchase gas. I've had some interesting chats that way- almost as good as a barber or beauty shop!
Regarding exchange rate: in January the 28th parallel Pemex had "12:1" posted in their windows. A few KM away, in GN, the first Pemex off the hwy
charged me 11:1 when my debit card was rejected. I went to the ATM next to the station and used the debit card for pesos- and my credit union gave me
a 13:1 exchange. Crazy...
Now I always use the hwy station, never the GN stations- and I've heard others say the same. (Unfortunately, did I read that the hwy Pemex at the
28th parallel is closed?) |
A young man named Waldo who worked for Hotel Caracoles, and who had spent considerable time NOB, told us several years ago that if you are headed
South, do not buy gas in Guerrero Negro if you can avoid it. The Northern most Pemex at Vizcaino is known to be reputable.
Now, if you are headed North, that could be a problem inasmuch as if it is true that the Pemex right by the border on the main highway is closed, you
would have to go up to Villa Maria. However, I have found that station to be a crapshoot, in that it has been out of gas more than once when I stopped
there. And, when headed North, it would be a major dolor en el culo to have to turn around to go back and fill up in Guerrero Negro.
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J.P.
Super Nomad
Posts: 1673
Registered: 7-8-2010
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
Mood: Easy Does It
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| Quote: | One attendant told me while she was filling the tank that she works 8 hours a day and makes 160 pesos. After I heard that I decided to tip 10 pesos
every time, whether the windows are washed or not.
[Edited on 5-13-2014 by SFandH] |
When I was in high school I worked as a pump jockey and would have ben glad to make 160 p a shift 
Heck what am I talking about that was in the mid 50's
The jocks at the local Pemex all know me and they know I tip pretty good so there is competition to get me to their pump.
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