This Place is Run By Amateurs

[JuanitaBanana]

CABILDO:
I had a phone call yesterday from the Cabildo, querying my present address. So I went to the Town Hall in Antigua today and they presented me with my car-tax bill, which had been sent to an address I moved from 2 years ago, even though, when I showed them my Padron with my new address, it was on their computer with my new address.
Next: was my Basura tax for my business. They had been sending the bills to an address that I lived in 16 years ago in Villa Florida. When he looked up the business on his computer, "Lo and Behold", the correct address in Caleta Gardens.
On Offering to pay by Card. Errr ..  No, cash only.

BANK:
After waiting for two weeks for my new Cards, I finally went to the bank to ask if the had arrived yet. "Oh they have been sent to your home". She checked it and they had indeed been sent, to a house I lived in 2 years ago in Triquivijate. On further checking my account details, there was my new address, so she had to cancel those and send for 2 more, which I now have.

Why aren't the computers linked together for things like this. My husband has had Pension Papers sent from Las Palmas to 3 different addresses that he's lived in.

Like I say, The place is run by Amateurs 

[waggy]

Try applying for a fishing rod licence, Juanita: they just will not let you have your home UK address on it - so you have to declare your Canarian addresses, in my case all 6 of them since I don't stay at the same holiday address twice and the licence runs for 3 years.
When I renew it in a month's time I'm going to say Santa's Grotto, North Pole, N1 S0.

[Brightspark]

Why aren't the computers linked together for things like this.

I have always said this about the Spanish, they have PC's, but none of them talk to eachother, I think they are only on desks for decoration most of the time.
The one I always remember is when we were trying to get the little ones birth certificate sorted out, within 1 building we had to see 3 different departments, each department sent us back and forth to the other one, then the other one, then the other... picking up bits of stamped paper that they didn't issue, then they had to phone through to each other asking what info they have inputted on the computer etc etc

It really is a nightmare

[Florence]

A different rant but along the same bureaucratic lines... I spent almost an hour yesterday in the Correos to pick up a package.  There were many fed up people in front of me waiting an eternity to be seen.  I watched in fascination as the staff slowly went about their business.  One woman remained at a counter for the entire 50 minutes I was there so only one counter was in action really.  What did she need that could possibly take so long?

It seemed to me that there was nothing much at hand for the staff so they had to leave their desks to find things and there was an awful lot of photocopying going on.  I never remembered a photocopier being part of the kit in the UK post offices.  I know they must do things other than sell stamps - (do they process asylum seekers and organise adoptions as well?) in which case, why do they only have 2 members of staff dealing with customers.  And why do they have 2 other members of staff in the background who appear to do nothing other than chat to each other and occasionally pick up litter?

[JuanitaBanana]

That sounds like my bank. I keep threatening to change banks, but they're all the same.
La Caixa in Caleta is a nightmare. One girl at the desk by the door who never seems to be doing anything, one desk empty, and the other desk with one girl tending the line of people stretched out the door, and somebody in a partitioned office who always has her head buried in a computer.   ( updating her Facebook ?? )

The empty desk  used to be occupied with another worker but .....

You're stand in line for 20 minutes just to deposit some cash, then the lady in front wants to open a bank account, aaaahhhhh !!! Or a tourist wants to change money but they don't have a passport, and start arguing that nobody told them etc.. etc...

They tell you to deposit your money in the machine, but 9 times out of 10 it doesn't work, so I don't trust it any more.

Aaahhhhhhhhh  Beam me up Scotty, Ha, the joys of living in Paradise. I need a cold Beer.

[Spike On Q]

ISN'T THAT THE REASON TO LIVE HERE?

I love the uncertainty of life and celebrate when it all works!

[nacnud]

036 on Vimeo

I know this has been put up before but cant help thinking of this when Spanish Bureaucracy is mentioned.
hit the the link 036 on Vimeo to open video

[Books Cards & Things Corralejo]

Spike on Q you are right - yes it is frustrating, it can take time but is that not the beauty of the place. If you don't like it, don't moan about it, leave or accept it for what it is. We live here because of the laid back lifestyle which in turn means delays, poor bureaucracy and lack of skills in the right place or we could live in an efficient European country with everything organised, life at 100 mph an hour and everyone competing to be the best. I prefer here.

[Brightspark]

Spike on Q you are right - yes it is frustrating, it can take time but is that not the beauty of the place. If you don't like it, don't moan about it, leave or accept it for what it is. We live here because of the laid back lifestyle which in turn means delays, poor bureaucracy and lack of skills in the right place or we could live in an efficient European country with everything organised, life at 100 mph an hour and everyone competing to be the best. I prefer here.

I guess it could be an age related thing.
If your close to retirement and do have alot of time on your hands then yes the slowness of the island might not bother you as much.
When your trying to live and raise a family there trust me, the frustration becomes alot more of an issue.

[Spike On Q]

Fuerteventura has moved ahead in leaps and bounds over the last 15 years. IT systems do work, Broadband is available in most populated areas, we've got good drinking water on tap and sewage treatment plants too, loads of TV channels and planes don't crash as often as they used to, etc. etc..

May I suggest before people make that huge step to leave their homes behind to come and live here they consider ALL aspects of life here. It is not like northern Europe, the culture here will not change drastically because a few foreigners are unhappy with the way things are done. Hopefully the Island will stay very much as it is

[Brightspark]

Broadband is available in most populated areas

Stop right there, no it isn't.

ADSL is available in most populated areas

[woe10]

Nacnud, that video was taken down off YouTube, as it was deemed INSULTING to the Spanish Government.

I did get to see it when it was up, so funny, so true. Glad you found it.

[woe10]

ISN'T THAT THE REASON TO LIVE HERE?

I love the uncertainty of life and celebrate when it all works!

I Fully agree with you if you are retired with nowt to do. But when people are running businesses, it can take all day sometimes to get one thing done because of idiots.

I remember waiting in line with about 30 people in Banco Santander in Rosario. when it came to my turn, the guy just got up and went for a coffee break, never said a word, still 30 people behind me   

[Florence]

I work out here so there never seems to be enough hours in the day to get things done.  But I suppose sitting down in the Correos for nearly an hour does give me a chance to take a breather. 

[Brightspark]

I work out here so there never seems to be enough hours in the day to get things done.  But I suppose sitting down in the Correos for nearly an hour does give me a chance to take a breather.

lmao oh yeah I remember the fun times at the correos

[Spike On Q]

Wrong Post Office - Antigua or Gran Tarajal are much more suitable - normally no wait at all, in fact they've discontinued the numbered queuing system because there weren't any queues. A nice smiling face from our neighbour who generally serves us. Easy parking for both P.O.'s too!

Puerto reminds me very much of the main Post Office in Nottingham where they installed television screens as the queues were so long. We suggested "timer boards" like you get at Alton Towers and a tea wagon - not well recieved!