i am even worse than you. I only use a card when I can put it in the machine myself, punch a pin or choice of currency and take it out myself. No ATM's that may eat my card...........Mostly Supermarkets.............
- Thread starter Dolores
- Start date
Plastic is on its way to become the main mode of payment in the DR
I haven't had any problems when using my debit card for purchases, and no, never has left my sight. Since it's a DR bank card, I just have to swipe or tap at the little machine, simple. Here's a cautionary story though: my lady friend recently lost about 2500 pesos from her BPD debit card account due to two unknown charges to some unknown to her website. Luckily she only had about that amount in the bank at the time, or it likely would have been worse. As best we can figure, her card info was compromised when paying for a farmacia or colmado delivery (using a verifone type gizmo). Not sure how, exactly. I suggest not using your card for those types of purchases. She got a new debit card, of course.
PICHARDO was so far off it ain't funny. He said ALL transactions, not just a majority would have to be done electronically.
Motoconchos with portable card readers, etc.
He also said that all guns would be smart guns and a multitude of other absurd things never realized.
He was correct about the Santo Trafficjam Metro being built.
Are those rides always paid for using plastic? I probably will never use the Metro, but I suspect you can pay cash for a ticket to get a ride on it.
I only use my debit card to withdraw currency from a BPD ATM. All of my purchases are with my Citibank AA card, which gives me miles. (I've got 350K+ so far)
I've only had one fraud charge on my Citi card, and it was at a jewelry store in India, which was promptly removed.
Sometimes when I read other people posting on here I think we are living in different countries. In the capital you can hardly get an apartment for less than US$ 1000 a month, I honestly can't imagine anyone expecting the rent to be paid in cash. All the colmados take cards, you pay for Uber on your credit card, all the bars take cards. Everyone is paid online through internet banking, even sending money to the guy who takes the kid to school or paying for a school trip, all online.
I agree Maria, at my business we paid everyone with bank transfers, including all contractors and non-employees.
It was a requisite for us to retain them to do repairs.
The kid who used to wash my car was paid by transfer, my housecleaner and massage lady as well. I don't think I've run across anyone who didn't have a bank account.
Interesting comment on card eating.
It's happened to me twice. The first time at what I think was a Bank Resevwa in the ZC in September, 2017. My first visit to the capital. I went into the bank the next day and with my passport and got my card bank.
The second time was in 2019 at the Popular on Duarte in Boca Chica. Never got the card back because the lines in the bank were overwhelming. My bank is prettg good about getting cards to me. Never has happened since then.
Both times were some kind of SW glitch that I have no clue about.
I've also been charged twice for non-existent withdrawls. Lost the first one and am still fighting the second.
Indeed, I would agree. You are living in a different country. I pay just under $165 USD a month here in the heart of Santiago for a nice one bedroom with key controlled entry and a parking garage downstairs. 24hr video surveillance and panoramic views of the city from my rooftop. I love it!
I think most governments, especially western governments, would love for us to be a cashless society but for this very same reason, I don't see it happening anytime soon.
Indeed. Don't really care about Santo Domingo.. So there is that. I am clearly in a "different" county and am thankful every day for that.
As others have put above, I would not compare the capital to other places. Big difference. Our rent has never ever been even near 1000 USD. That's roughly something we'd pay living in EU. The capital for us is only when we absolutely have to take care of stuff...
the majority of my transactions here are plastic. 95% , who pays cash for dinner, shopping etc. Santo Dom is a techno savvy city. I only use pesos for a cup of coffee and a shoeshine, everything else gets slammed on a card or money transfer. Someone else mentioned guns. Guns have made huge modern advances as well. Who would have thought that laser sights, red dot optics and internal locking mechanisms would be assessable to all.
Gun license duration was just extended to 2 years again a few days ago.
I don't think you could rent a place in the barrios of Santo Domingo for RD$ 10,000 a month these days.
FWIW dept: I just got an email from Banco Popular, the Corporation with the highest profits in the country:
After a cordial greeting, we inform you that our service fee schedule will be updated starting April 26, 2025. We invite you to consult the changes at www.popularenlinea.com
You will have the option to cancel the contract at any time before the modification takes effect at no additional cost, although you will still be required to comply with any outstanding obligations.
We are committed to providing you with a memorable service experience.
Visit Popularenlinea.com and discover the great benefits we have for you.
For more information about our products and services: www.popularenlinea.com
After a cordial greeting, we inform you that our service fee schedule will be updated starting April 26, 2025. We invite you to consult the changes at www.popularenlinea.com
You will have the option to cancel the contract at any time before the modification takes effect at no additional cost, although you will still be required to comply with any outstanding obligations.
We are committed to providing you with a memorable service experience.
Visit Popularenlinea.com and discover the great benefits we have for you.
For more information about our products and services: www.popularenlinea.com
I too received that email, and I compared the current fees with the changes coming in April. Very few changes, and none that affect my accounts. They made it easy to compare because the changes in the new fee schedule are a different color font.