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cathart
Junior Nomad
Posts: 94
Registered: 9-8-2005
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Further update on the "Easy" FM3 Acquisition!
Okay, remember how, in an earlier post, I told you all how happy I was that I had gotten our FM3's in Los Angeles, and how it had taken us basically
only 3 hours, and that was it? Well, here is the continuation of the story, and of course, the end wasn't at all so simple!
We knew that we did need to go to Ensenada to have the FM3's validated. We were told that in Los Angeles, and in fact, right in the document, it said
that we had 90 days to have it validated. So luckily, we decided to do that right away. This Friday, we drove to Immigration in Ensenada. Wnen we
arrived, we were immediately told that we each had to pay a $10 fine because we had not gotten our documents stamped at immigration when we entered at
the border! That would not have meant that we wouldn't have had to come down to Ensenada, but we were supposed to have them stamped first as we
entered the Country. Of course, nobody had told us to do that! Then, we were informed that because the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles had not
written our La Mision address on our FM3, it had to be reprocessed, and that we needed proof of residence in Mexico! Luckily, I happened to have with
me in the car a copy of our Title, which they accepted in lieu of a utility bill, which I did not have, because we have somebody in Rosarito who pays
our bills for us, so we don't get them. They also wanted copies of our U.S. Passports, FM3's, and another letter stating why we wanted the FM3.
Luckily, right in the Immigration office, there is a wonderful woman named Mara, who will do all of the copying and letter writing (in the necessary
Spanish, of course) for you, right on the spot! Thank goodness for her! We then had to leave everything, including our Passports there over the
weekend, to be picked up on Monday.
On Monday, we went back, and were told that we could pick up our FM3's in 3 weeks! I asked if there might be any way to speed up the process, since we
have to move out of our house on June 25th, and will not be down in Baja in order to pick up the FM3 after June 13th. We were told that yes, they
could be ready by June 13th! So now, I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that this happens as planned! It wasn't nearly as smooth as I thought! If you
do need help in Ensenada though, Mara is a Godsend, and will do her best to talk to the officials there, who seem extremely full of themselves, and
their power! She knows them all, and has a good relationship with them, and she speaks perfect English too!
I hope this might be helpful to somebody.
Cathy
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Don Alley
Super Nomad
Posts: 1997
Registered: 12-4-2003
Location: Loreto
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We used to get out tourist cards there before we got FM3s, instead of getting them at the border. We never had a problem, but I've seen posts saying
that things have changed.
The $10 fine? For what??? We never get our FM3 stamped at the border; and you are legal in Ensenada for a week with no documents.
Oh well. Good luck, I hope you get your docs on time.
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comitan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4177
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: La Paz
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Its very simple they don't want you to get your FM-3 at the Mexican Consul in the states and they make you pay. You will all learn one way or
another you are in their country and you do things their way. This was stated in the previous post about FM-3's.
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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comitan is right . they will always punish you when you get it some were else.
so don't do it it is simple.
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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turtleandtoad
Senior Nomad
Posts: 730
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Location: Wherever I park. See sig for current location.
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I don't know about a FM-3, but I know that I always get my FMT through the Vags, prepaid and ready to go, just needs a stamp. And I've never had a
problem getting it stamped. I had to explain it to an official at Sonoyta, but once I showed him all the paperwork and receipts, he gladly stamped it.
Of course, I've never tried to get it stamped in Ensenada either. I've heard about the official there and don't want to press my luck. Sounds like
another case of RCNC. 
Mike & Robin; Full-Time RV\'ers
37\' Georgetown w/3 slides & 275 Watts of Solar Power
06 Taco TRD
www.turtleandtoad.com
I am here
To paraphrase Frank Lloyd Wright; I\'m all in favor of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let\'s start with keyboards. --
Mike Dean |
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comitan
Ultra Nomad
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Location: La Paz
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What I think it really comes down to is respect, it is their area you are moving into and its their job to handle it, if you go somewhere else to have
someone do their job it is showing disrespect for them.
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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turtleandtoad
Senior Nomad
Posts: 730
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Location: Wherever I park. See sig for current location.
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In the U.S. military, we call that "Empire building". Small people in even smaller jobs pushing the limits of their authority in an attempt to create
their own little empire. And the official in Ensenada will continue to flex his muscles until someone higher on the food chain steps on him.
The reason you only hear about him is because the majority of migracion officials are polite, dedicated, and efficient people. All the ones I've dealt
with in Tecate and Sonoyta have gone out of their way to help this poor gringo that has an even poorer grasp of the Spanish language, let alone the
"Rules".
Mike & Robin; Full-Time RV\'ers
37\' Georgetown w/3 slides & 275 Watts of Solar Power
06 Taco TRD
www.turtleandtoad.com
I am here
To paraphrase Frank Lloyd Wright; I\'m all in favor of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let\'s start with keyboards. --
Mike Dean |
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comitan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4177
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: La Paz
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Mood: mellow
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TT
They are also doing the same thing in La Paz, Santa Rosalia. I can tell that La Paz Migration is also very friendly but if you get pushy they push
back harder.
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
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Mood: Wondering what is next???
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Great post CatHart good info. I don't think the $10 is an important issue. It will be interesting to see what phony issue they will use when the next
one of us gets it stamped at the border. I would hope you send a letter to the consulate about the thief.
Did I understand all that is needed for proof is a utility bill?
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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comitan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4177
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Location: La Paz
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I do not understand where some of you people are coming from. I have to say you know nothing of Mexico or the people. What gives you the right to
call someone who is doing his job an Empire Builder, Small people in small jobs,and the worst of all thiefs. This is the attitude that gives gringo's
a bad name.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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thanks comitan
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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turtleandtoad
Senior Nomad
Posts: 730
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Location: Wherever I park. See sig for current location.
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Let me get this straight. A local Mexican official can ignore the Federal Mexican laws, impose an illegal fine, and make you redo already approved
paperwork, which you meekly do. And when you complain about it to fellow gringos, you're suddenly responsible for giving all gringos a bad name?
Mike & Robin; Full-Time RV\'ers
37\' Georgetown w/3 slides & 275 Watts of Solar Power
06 Taco TRD
www.turtleandtoad.com
I am here
To paraphrase Frank Lloyd Wright; I\'m all in favor of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let\'s start with keyboards. --
Mike Dean |
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comitan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4177
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: La Paz
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#1 how can you say its an illegal fine. What is the Mexican law that they broke by imposing the fine.
#2 They did not have all of the paperwork done correctly.
#3 Its all about attitude.
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
Member Is Offline
Mood: Wondering what is next???
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Comitan,
I am sorry if you perceive disrespect for the people or culture of Mexico.
I do not have any less respect then I do for my children, friends,or my mother, God rest her sole.
Disrespect for a single person, and I know there are many demigods in all cultures, is not a condemnation for a nation.
I'm of the belief the people of Mexico that have to live under these demigods or "Empire Builder" do not have much respect for them either.
Not taking action is the reason these "Empire Builders" seems to be so prevalent for so long.
A thief is a thief.
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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Paula
Super Nomad
Posts: 2219
Registered: 1-5-2006
Location: Loreto
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Interesting conversation!
I don't see anything in Cathy's story that indicates she was rude or disrespectful. It is understandable that she might want to do her paperwork in
the US, thinking it would avoid language difficulties and other kinds of confusion. She was treated badly with the fines and re-doing the paperwork,
and who really can say why?
That said, I think she got good advice in the earlier paperwork thread. Do it here, always smile, be veeeeerrrrryyyyyy patient, and realize how lucky
you are to be visiting or living in Mexico! Have a good sense of humor, and the humility to realize that in the global scheme of things, your
paperwork and a few dollars are no big deal, and everything will eventually be fine! (Unless of course you really are a big American jerk, and get
what you deserve  :lol
Que le vaya bien, Cathy!
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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ROTFLMAO
| Quote: | Originally posted by cathart
I asked if there might be any way to speed up the process, since we have to move out of our house on June 25th, and will not be down in Baja in order
to pick up the FM3 after June 13th. We were told that yes, they could be ready by June 13th! |
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cathart
Junior Nomad
Posts: 94
Registered: 9-8-2005
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I actually wasn't complaining about the fine, and the official did give me the option of driving back to Tijuana to get the stamp instead of paying
the fine. I was complaining more about having to duplicate paperwork already submitted and accepted in the States-- after I had already been
given the FM3. It was just the address that needed to be written in, and I did have proof of that. And, as I pointed out, the time
line seems to be flexible, when the right people are there to help. They just tell everyone "Come back in three weeks" as a matter of course! I was
really making the post as a way of giving others here information that might be useful, because I'm sure I'm not the only one who will have these
difficulties.
[Edited on 5-30-2006 by cathart]
[Edited on 5-30-2006 by cathart]
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Cathy...now that you've done that...
if you leave the country in the next three weeks you need a letter from imm and pay a $21.00 fee at the bank....to be legal
i'd stay there the 3 weeks
it's really not bad...3 weeks
it takes 6-8 weeks to get the USA passport...unless....you pay a EXTRA fee of $60.00 then you move to the front of the line...
WHAT A RIP OFF...
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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| Quote: | Originally posted by cathart
I actually wasn't complaining about the fine, and the official did give me the option of driving back to Tijuana to get the stamp instead of paying
the fine. I was complaining more about having to duplicate paperwork already submitted and accepted in the States-- after I had already been
given the FM3. It was just the address that needed to be written in, and I did have proof of that. And, as I pointed out, the time
line seems to be flexible, when the right people are there to help. They just tell everyone "Come back in three weeks" as a matter of course! I was
really making the post as a way of giving others here information that might be useful, because I'm sure I'm not the only one who will have these
difficulties.
[Edited on 5-30-2006 by cathart]
[Edited on 5-30-2006 by cathart] |
I think if I remember right you were warned to not do it that way from members of this fourm.
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
Member Is Offline
Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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| Quote: | Originally posted by turtleandtoad
Let me get this straight. A local Mexican official can ignore the Federal Mexican laws, impose an illegal fine, and make you redo already approved
paperwork, which you meekly do. And when you complain about it to fellow gringos, you're suddenly responsible for giving all gringos a bad name?
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this is Mexico and you had better learn a little bit about the way the country works and some of the local customs before you come here. and if you
donut like it then don't come.
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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