Souvenir Photo Studio, by Al Bourassa: Wednesday July 5, 2017 Washer

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Wednesday July 5, 2017

Yesterday I decided to get cracking and pick up my share (and Bella's) of the latest Coopera payout. The paperwork required was only a copy of my Cedula (and I did the Passport for good measure) and a copy of the bank book, in color, and then get them notarized. A quick trip to Banco Del Pacifico and now the government crooks now owe us around $3,000 less. However, the chances of seeing the balance are now slim and none.

I called up our buddy Gustavo for recommendations for places to buy a new washing machine. He mentioned a few places in El Centro and offered to help us find them, so off we went. We must have stopped at 12 different stores and sort of made up our minds as we went. Near Gran Colombia and Luis Cordero we narrowed it down to two stores, salesmen and machines. We decided we wanted a big capacity machine for the big comforters, etc.

ElectrOfertas had the best price on a 19 kg capacity Samsung at $580, then a fellow at Almacenes Espana was offering us a 22 kg capacity Mabe with a 3-year warranty for $675. So I was leaning to the Mabe because of the warranty,... but something didn't sound right... I checked online and the manufacturer only offers a 1-year warranty... Hmmmm.

So this morning after getting out blurbs on the next OBG dance (July 19th) and after physio, I made a quick trip to the bank to deposit the Coopera money in mine and Bella's accounts, and withdraw enough money for the big washer. Then I zipped downtown on Buzzer and made a stop first at the Fuji store to get an enlargement made of a certain photo and picked out a frame to fit.

Next I went to find the salesman at Almacenes Espana but they said he wasn't there. I questioned the other salesmen about the Mabe warranty and they all said it is only 1-year, and went and brought over the manager to confirm. Just then the salesman miraculously shows up and says that yes, he is offering 3 years because of an available extended warranty, ...now at an extra cost, so the price is jumping to $745. I politely told him that I do not deal with people who lie to me and left.

So I went to ElectOfertas who have 2 stores in the same block on Gran Colombia. The manager, Luis, said the salesman Jorge was young, restless, and off somewhere but should be back in a moment. 20 minutes later they track him down and I buy the Samsung, as advertised and for the price offered. I was very happy with the service of Luis and the young man. They offered to deliver it after 4pm. Great!

So I wander back to the Fuji store and pick up my framed photo, and call Ken at Joes' Secret Garden to make sure he is home. He is just back from a painful dentist visit and yes, he is staying home. He had mentioned that he LOVED this particular photo that I took of wine glasses a week ago and would like a print. So, Happy Birthday Ken, you have your print framed and ready for your wall.

Then I beetled over to Gringo Visas to pick up their version of Gringo Yellow Pages for Cuenca and they gave me several books to pass around. If anyone wants one, send me an email.

Then the clock was running out on me so I met Cristina at her doctor's office for yet another appointment which meant a run for her to the big IESS office for another permission stamp which has spawned another appointment for tomorrow..

Speaking of IESS, I have read an interview with this Diana Calle who wants every gringo on IESS to visit her in an office downtown but has refused to respond to 3 emails with simple, direct questions. Ugh... I spoke to people on Monday who had been to see her and they intimated that she is anxious to get gringos to cancel! In her interview she complained of being yelled at....

Since I was passing right by, I decided to stop into the Benenaula family store, Mr Motorcycle, because Gustavo says they sell the fiberglass cases for the back of the motorcycles. Mine is just a hair too small for my new helmet so that is a pain you-know-where. So we checked, and sure enough, the one they sell is a little bigger, but the mechanic was away until 2:30 (my day for missing absolutely everybody when I want to spend money) so I went for a long-awaited pizza and came back. Naturally, while roaming and talking to Papa Benenaula, I also decided on a little windscreen complete with two additional bright lights... However this was going to take longer than 4pm so I left Buzzer there and took the #15 home.

The delivery guys called and showed up aroung 5pm and brought the machine up to our lavanderia but were not contracted for installation. No worries, I was sure that we could handle it, and we did. We checked the old machine and it was only a 12 kg unit (which Cristina hopes to repair and sell). It was no problem getting the new unit set up and we threw in a load which looked awfully small in that big machine. Oh, we are going to like this one.. and it has a 3-year warranty on the electronic panel... bonus! The wash just finished and boy does the centrifugal dryer ever work!! The clothes are almost dry..!! So we are happy with the decision.

While writing this the doorbell rings and I run down to talk to a fellow from Coopera. They want a short testimonial from me, with a photo for one of the newspapers, by tomorrow morning... Nothing like more pressure...

I hope you enjoy the photos. That was the day’s excitement.

Cheers, Al

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