Updated August 2021

Things get broken in Mexico too.

To my dismay, a small side table near the ocean side window of the condo I rent in Mexico wobbled and sloped downward as if seeking a missing limb on the floor. One of two in a matching set, the table is shaped like an open box turned on one side, with a table top about the size of an airplane seat tray. Like an airplane tray, it is only attached on one side, meaning my guest had probably leaned his elbows a little too hard on it as we contemplated the sunset. Now the tray angled precipitously.

No worries. I am in Mexico, a land where people can make shoes out of tires. A quick call to the Intrepid Elise, a property manager and fellow expat, and I had the name of a carpenter to call. Within two hours, Alejandro arrived, took a look and showed me where the table had been repaired before for the same grievance.

I asked how much it would be to both repair the table and touch the paint up a bit. After a full 10 second appraisal, all wheels visibly grinding, he quoted 500 pesos. While I knew I could probably get him down to 400, 350 even, such is not the way of my tribe, the American expat tribe. Our tribesmen remember what we would have to go through and pay at home for such a task, $28 dollars seemed a fair deal for a repair and two-way delivery. Do you not agree?

If the same thing had happened to a side table in the US, I’d probably would have had to throw both tables away and buy new ones. It’s very difficult to find people to do anything for less than $100 at home. Even if I found a person who would take such a small job, the whole process would have been a drawn out affair. Undoubtedly costing me at least twice as much, and there’d sure not be any delivery.

With his promise to deliver the table back in three days, Alejandro took his leave, leaving me to once again marvel at the small things that make life in Mexico so different. While it’s possible that in the US, I might have asked a friend if he knew a carpenter, had the answer been no, I would have gone on line to find one. In Mexico finding a person online would never be considered. The only way this table would be repaired is through the word-of-mouth referral of a carpenter.

The Intrepid Elise was very clear that I needed to tell the carpenter that she referred him. She hadn’t had work for him of late and wanted to make sure he knew she was still thinking about him. I guessed that her name would help ensure a standard rate, no funny business.

Reputation and referrals are more important than Google in Mexico.

All the quid pro quo social elements of this conversation could be found in both countries, yet it underlined for me once again a critical aspect of doing business in Mexico: Reputation and word of mouth referrals are the only way you can survive in business here, and the only way to find people to do jobs well for the right price. Searching online is not done. Referrals from fellow expats carry far more weight in Mexico, and why that network is so important. Referrals from Mexicans is even better.

Another reason to learn Spanish

I thought back on how much more stress the task would have caused three years ago in Mexico with less experience and Spanish. Obviously, I had to call, introduce myself, tell Alejandro what I needed, and arrange a time when he could come by. After the meeting, I called him back as an afterthought to as that he take a “before” and “after” picture and email it should there being any questions on the part of my landlord.

Some contractors will not work with a good friend of mine here because his Spanish (after so many years here) is so bad. One can extrapolate from this how it would limit your choices of contractors and repairmen. I remember well how draining such tasks were without Spanish. With Spanish, this task was as easy as being at home (actually easier - at home I’d be shopping for new tables,)

Speaking Spanish and being able to control these simple tasks has finally yielded the reward of turning what had been potential frustrating experiences into a pleasant moments of interaction, moments that accumulate at a greater speed each day I live in Mexico.

Related links:

You can even pay people to stand in line for you in Mexico with a carta poder. - Two Expats in Mexico

Cash is king in Mexico and it takes more getting used to than you think [blog] - Ventanas Mexico

Most recent:

Discovering a place for grounding rituals in my life as a part-time expat.

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As a part-time expat, every time you pack, you need to define what “valuable” means to you.

About the author, Kerry Baker

If Only I Had a Place takes you through the process of renting in Mexico. Do not believe what realtors tell you. You have many opportunities beyond their offerings for luxurious places at much less.

The Mexico Solution - How to Save Your Money, Sanity and Quality of Life Through Part-Time Life in Mexico is her most recent book. The Mexico Solution is the most entertaining way you’ll ever find to learn how to set up a part time life in Mexico.