ALERT MARK ANTHONY!

[papi]

DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH MARK ANTHONY! I DID NOT STICK AROUND HIS "CARTAGENA CONDO" LONG ENOEGH TO MEET MUDD'S PET ROACH BUT HE SO FAR HAS CHEATED ME OUT OF DEPOSIT. I AM NOW TRYING TO GET IT BACK FROM MY CREDIT CARD/PAYPAL. MARK TELLS ME THE CHECK IS IN THE MAIL...WHERE HAVE I HEARD THAT BEFORE? BUYER BEWARE!

[sean126]

out of curiosity...how long has it took for the refund so far?  Sometimes it takes a bit.

[daytrader]

DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH MARK ANTHONY! I DID NOT STICK AROUND HIS "CARTAGENA CONDO" LONG ENOEGH TO MEET MUDD'S PET ROACH BUT HE SO FAR HAS CHEATED ME OUT OF DEPOSIT. I AM NOW TRYING TO GET IT BACK FROM MY CREDIT CARD/PAYPAL. MARK TELLS ME THE CHECK IS IN THE MAIL...WHERE HAVE I HEARD THAT BEFORE? BUYER BEWARE!

If the transaction was done via PayPal, then Mark can credit your account instantly.  Your credit will be reflected in your PayPal account as soon as he clicks his mouse -- there is no need to wait for a check.  PayPal has really gotten pretty good, I handle all my client invoicing via PayPal and also move money around checking accounts for free. 

If the transaction was via a major credit card, then he would just issue the credit on his daily batch, and within 2 biz days the credit will be reflected on your bank card.  In no case does a vendor need to send you a check if the payment was made via a major credit card. 

Good luck! 

DayTrader

[papi]

Sean/Daytrade

Mark told me to provide my address so he could send me a check yet he had me pay the deposit via paypal. As stated above, all he has to do is go into paypal and reverse the charges.

Mark inconvenienced me greatly in CTG. I had to scramble at the last minute to find a decent place to stay. No way was I going to let my novia stay there. I can handle it having stayed in some roach infested dumps in Thailand and Korea but was not going to do that to my novia.

I don't know what Parlay Ray is smoking. Even his staff said the place is a dump and they asked me to talk to Mark about it. I have emails from them asking for my help yet I think that hotbox is beyond help. The building, area, and apartment sucks. Stay Away from this clown!

[josh]

Papi,

When you say you had incovenience, can you eloborate little bit cause I was seriously considering Cartegena and Quilla trip together to use Mark's and Jamie's service.

Did you have upfront reservation for Mark's hotel? Why was it not available at the last minute when you had already made arrangements with Mark? If it was not available at the last minute for whatever reasons, did Mark try to make amends by providing alternate comparable place? Leaving you on your own under those circumstances is really something. Newbies like me are pretty new to Colombia and we will have to go thru hardship when something like this happens at the last minute as we are not a bit familar of the city and rely on these agencies for lot of things.

Josh

[papi]

Josh, I repeat. Stay away from Mark! Go with Jamie - he will take good care of you.

I placed a deposit with Mark in the amount of $100 for the first 2 nights on his "luxury condo." After sending the deposit, I read some negative reports in the trip section. I called Mark and told him I was getting nervous and he told me that people like to complain. What a joke!

Luckily, I found a decent place to stay but it was not my plan to drive down to his dump with all our bags crammed in a taxi to have to scramble for another place at the last minute. Based on how he handles his apartment dealings, I would not touch his agency with a 10-ft pole.

[papi]

Below is Mark's response to me sent via PM. This is not a guy folks should be doing business with. If you read the trip reports, you will realize that I am not alone on this. Like I said - I also have emails from his staff asking me to talk to Mark about his place. I would not have gone public had Mark done the right thing and just reversed the charges when I requested it several days ago.

From Mark to Papi

My apartment is not a [snip]hole, I have rented to many satisifed customers for four years , I think you think to much of yourself, you are arrogant for no cause, you say you are a man of status but you are acting like a person with know class over a hundred dollars, the way you are acting I think you are a broke ass, you wish you could own property like us, I think you are just a lowlife sales working on commission thats why you are tripping over a hindred dollloars, Luis probaly saidf that because he wanted to send you some where that he could make a commission, I asked for your address so I could expedite it, please do this so I could send your money back because I know your impoverished ass needs, I dont give a [snip] what you say to the forum, I make $79,000 a year workinf for GM, who the hell do you think you are talking

[chizz]

Really, is anyone really shocked by this. I'm not, and I'm sure alot of others are not. I had my dealings with him late last year, and he exposed himself as a fraud. Sorry to hear that papi, but you hit it on the nail, go with jamie, you won't go wrong.
chizz

[soltero]

Josh, I repeat. Stay away from Mark! Go with Jamie - he will take good care of you.

I placed a deposit with Mark in the amount of $100 for the first 2 nights on his "luxury condo." After sending the deposit, I read some negative reports in the trip section. I called Mark and told him I was getting nervous and he told me that people like to complain. What a joke!

Luckily, I found a decent place to stay but it was not my plan to drive down to his dump with all our bags crammed in a taxi to have to scramble for another place at the last minute. Based on how he handles his apartment dealings, I would not touch his agency with a 10-ft pole.

Papi, what were the specific issues regarding the condo? Did you actually go and see what condition it was in or did you balk off of what was said on the forum? If you did go and see it for yourself, could you explain the specific conditions of the apartment that made you feel that you would not want to stay there?

Mark's reply as posted does not sound to good if that's the way he converses with dissatisfied clients. I can understand his frustration from what he has responded to lately, but that letter he wrote you has no excuse coming from somone who is trying to sell something to you. I believe he wrote elsewhere that the customer is always right. That letter does not seem to promote that business model.

[EbonyPrince]

I highly recommend Jamie's service.  Jamie's service is A+ along with his well-trained personnel.  He has always and continues to do right by me.  I would also highly recommend Juan Ventura in CTG.  He has many apartments for rent and he is a standup guy that I would trust sending any of my friends to (http://www.venpro.net/fotosapartamentos/english.htm).

There are many good people to deal with in Colombia, you just need to look and take advice from people here.

Hello Juan. I really appreciated the opportunity to meet you, and I once again thank you for accomodating me Saturday. I will be sure to pass along your name with everyone that I speak to that wants to come to Colombia.

I was writing to make sure that the keys were left at the front desk. My lady-friend and her girlfriend droppted me off at the airport very early, but were heading back to pick up their clothes. I instructed her to leave them at the front desk, so I am just following up.

Thanks Juan.

Hi

No problem , all problems have solutions dealing with good people

I arrived today for my weekend, I just called receptionist and told me yes, they let the keys

thanks and I hope see you soon

Juan

[Parlay Rey]

I don't know what Parlay Ray is smoking.

WOW. I understand that you're upset with Mark. But perhaps you should think before you post, especially when you radiate more heat than light. I have nothing to do with your bad experience.

As I mentioned both publicly and privately the place was clean, accomodating and secure when I was there. YMMV.

Perhaps you should remember 2 things when you're in Colombia...

[Anzer]

I agree, there have been alot of heat regarding to Mark's service and I will admit where there is smoke there must be a fire.  I know there been some unhappy individuals with his service but I am more intrigued to know how will he approach this.   

[chizz]

Maybe we can get Jamie to expand his empire up into cartagena like alexander the great did to the world many years ago. Just an idea.
Chizz

[papi]

Soltero,

i saw his place. I really don't think any further elaboration is needed. I don't have a problem with Parlay but not sure what he's smoking in CTG. For what it is worth, Mark's staff told me the place was OK years ago possibly when Parlay stayed there but Mark won't put a nickel into it. However, I find it hard to believe the building was ever nice.

I sent Mark a PM with my lawyer's address so he can send the refund but not holding my breath. Hopefully, paypal and/or my credit card can return the cancellation.

PS. I am using a friend's PC and don't want to drop a cookie from the other forum on it. My laptop is down but will get my spare later in the week.

[papi]

Soltero,

Pete's/Screaming Eagle's place was the Ritz in comparison if that is any help. Think dingy Knights Inn with jiz stains

[markanthony7]

I would like to respond to Papis malicious groundless remarks

1. My place is not a dump it is very clean and well maintained, if you go to my website there are accurate photos that represnt its state of being  www.cartagenacondos.com 

2. Papi saw a negative post, he called me about 6 times in one day before he got to Cartagena, when he got there he said he wanted his money back technically I did not have to but I said I would, he sent me about 5 e-mails in one day over a lousy $100! I could not believe it!, I started thinking this man is impaired, and has no class! I just wanted to give his money back and not have anthing to do with him at this point anymore! so I asked him for his address so I could send him his money and he, said he would, then he starts going spastic over a $100, did you see how he lied and exaggerated and said I would not give him his moneyback, what is $100 dollars to me? I work for GM and I take home after taxes about $1,200 a week, I feel he has got to be one of the most petty and pathethic people I ever met in my life, I have more to say but I want to post his absurd e-mails so it will give credence with what I said but I might not say anything because in my opinion he is completely rediculious!

3. Personally I don't care how popular he is I don't think much of him as a person, first he broke an agreement, I am from the Old school a deal is a deal, you keep your word, I reserved it for him and denied other customers the opportunity to stay there and lost money because he reneged but I still told him he could have his money, even when I had a legitimate right to keep it because he gave me know prior notice to cancellation

4. Also Latin Dreaming vouched that our condo was an exceptional value I am going to say this again my place is very, very, very nice, also I have a laundry list of clients for over four years of rental service and I have no complaints

5. Papi you have no right to say that my condo was roach invested I have every right to sue you for defamation of character and slanderous remarks, you may have caused irreputable damage to our business with your recless and careless malicious remarks, I get free legal assitance through my GM UAW lawyers if you think I am bluffing call 330-799-7711, they represent us in every state of the Union

[fathertime]

I am going to say this again my place is very, very, very nice, also I have a laundry list of clients for over four years of rental service and I have no complaints

Come on man, I seem to remember a complaint just last week on this site!  Everybody gets complaints, there is no denying that...

Fathertime!

[bundy_138]

Based on Marks response, I wouldn't rent his place.  Have you ever heard of the saying "the customer is always right"?  Even if you think Papi was being a jerk or was unprofessional, you DO NOT talk smack about him (or any customer) on a public forum.  You should have tried to save face, be polite and professional, and just Paypal him the money (just as he paid you).  The way you handled this situation just ruined any chance of me renting from you.  Me and my novia are going to honeymoon in CTG and intially considered renting from you.  Your response just encouraged me to look elsewhere.

Bundy

[Fuzzyone]

Mark

   Did Papi ever stay at your place? When did he wish to cancel? and finally did he ever provide you with a address?

[EbonyPrince]

Well put Bundy.  I don't know if that email was really written by Mark, but it was in bad taste if it was. 

I highly recommend checking out any of Juan's places.  He can get you anything that you want, and I will always look to deal with him first in CTG (http://www.venpro.net/fotosapartamentos/english.htm).  You can peel him off an email, and he is always prompt at responding.  I also highly recommend El Laguito, which is a very nice area in CTG.

[P Daddy]

I got a chuckle out of Mark "bragging" he made $ 79,000 a year...definitely big money where I come from....keep up the good work Mark!

Having your own business sounds great to many, but for the many who start a business, only a few are successful, and where the majority usually fail is in customer service and handling disgruntled customers.  Mark certainly has dropped the ball in these areas, and IF Mark's business has been damaged on this forum, it has been damaged by HIS very own posts and replies to complaints, not by anything that Papi recently posted.

Mark, instead of consulting with your "lawyers" at GM, maybe you should examine your attitude regarding customer complaints...maybe read some books on the topic to get some ideas...

My bottom line advice to you though would be, get out of business and stick with your GM job...you're not cut out to be a business owner.

[sean126]

In all fairness I can understand Mark's frustration and probable outburst.  We have a couple bad reports and a couple of good reports about his condo.  Everyone dismissed the good ones and focused on the bad ones.  What the heck is wrong with that picture?  What happened to equal weight?  When I was a teenager, I used to work at a big fancy hotel in our town.  I saw roaches sometimes in a very expensive hotel.  Unless your going to pay over $1,000 a night somewhere, chances are...you very well may see a bug.  Roach, waterbug, beetle, spider...what have you. I stayed at El Prado in Baq. and saw a few roaches here and there and even salamanders...or what ever those lizards are.  Yes, they was in my room.  And that's supposedly where the President of Colombia stays when he visits Baq.

In all fairness..Papi says he didn't even stay at the hotel and still wrote an opinion about it based on someone else's experience that he read about.  I like Papi, but if he didn't stay there...he should have not given an opinion about the condition of a condo he never stayed in.  That was unfair.  

I don't think theres a person on here...writing about how wrong it was for Mark to lose his cool...that hasn't lost their cool when they shouldn't have.  Mark's human like the rest of us and subject to just "lose it" once in a while.  Is it professional? No.    Is it human? yes.   I'm sure somewhere along the line...each of us opened up our big mouth when we shouldn't have to WHO we shouldn't have and stuck both our feet right in there.

As I said... I like Papi...but if he can make other people on this board mad, couldn't he make Mark mad also?  I'm not taking sides and saying who's right or who's wrong....I'm just saying...I think you guys are losing sight of "fairness" for both sides of the fence.   I mean...I do recall reading two good reports about the condo also or is anyone saying those guys aren't telling the whole truth?  


I'm only talking about the Condo stuff here.

[SocialDreg]

I was going to stay there for a week but now I am going to find another place

[bundy_138]

Gimmime a break Sean!!  So what if Papi made Mark mad!?  Mark is a business owner.  His BEST form of advertisement is word of mouth.  Being a business owner myself, I always take the bad before the good until I find out the truth myself.  I was turned off by the way Mark handled the situation.  Never badmouth a customer, EVER.  I have owned my own business since I was in high school.  I have had people call me ever name in the book, had people tell me I was wrong when I knew I was right, and I always kept my composure.  You bend over backwards to accomodate the customer, no matter has disgruntled he may be.  You may loose the persons business, but if you handle the sitaution as Mark just did, you will loose alot more business. 

Bundy

[DVito]

An agency owner on moderated status??