This section is devoted to information on goods and services that are available in Mexico, and specifically TJ. The idea here is to post lasting info about quality shops and stores that are known to the members of Club Hombre.

We all know that there are a number of quality places in Mexico and in TJ. Be it auto repair, custom made boots, quality custom clothing, or home decor, there are bargains to be had in Mexico. We also know that there are a LOT of rip off joints in Mexico as well. With as much time as we all spend in Mexico, each of us has more than likely had an opportunity to shop in Mexico. It's not like we spend ALL of our time with las chicas. Even good experiences with movie theaters, shows, festivals and the like are all welcome additions to the collective knowledge of Club Hombre.

Feel Free to post info about places you frequent. Also, feel free to post about places that you were NOT happy with, or even places may have tried to rip you off.

Think of this as an extension of the Hotel and Restaurant review sections of Club Hombre.

I would be as interested in a list of:

1. What you can buy cheaper in the states that is well appreciated by your friends in Tijuana.

2. What you can buy cheaper in Tijuana that is well appreciated by your friend sin the states (especially chicanas).

3. The best places to buy it.

Thanks.

Stikeeagle:

I like this topic very much and see it as a very beneficial element to this group. I mean, there is life beyond getting laid, although at times, it may not seem like it. I'll add addresses and phone numbers when I get a chance later.


Sen Pauncho,

Is that a word you just created....chicana? If so, should I assume it means an american chica? I like it but I'm not sure if it is a typo or not.

Last year, I actually had the chicas giving me cash to buy pants from "Lucky Brand" stores in downtown San Diego. I noticed that one of the stores is open in Tijuana now however.

Womens clothing in general is cheaper in the US as long as you don't go to a mall. Outfits for chicas are about half the price of what they charge in TJ for the same thing (after all, they buy it up here and sell it down there usually anyways). Guys clothing on the other hand, is cheaper in TJ as long as you stay away from name brands (pants = $7).

Shoes are definitely cheaper in the US than in TJ.

Other hot commodities have been the small room refridgerators (available at Staples) and VCRs (from Sears), both of which are twice the price if bought in TJ.

Obviously TJ is better for over the counter drugs which are the opposite in the US, but the prices are a little higher unless you go with the generic brands. For example viagra is $9 per 100 mg in San Diego and is almost always at least $14 in TJ.

Dental work is definitely a bargain south of the border ($200 for a root canal at an oral surgeon compared to $600+ in San Diego). An extraction was only $25 in TJ and $125 in SD.

Soft contact lenses are the best buy of all in TJ for me. I can buy a carton of 6 lenses for $25 at Devlins Optica and that costs about $100 in San Diego.

I buy Noche Buena beer (my selection for the best beer in the north american continent) every holiday season in TJ at about one third the cost (of what it used to be in San Diego, but it is no longer imported).

Custom stained glass is available in TJ for about one third the price for comparable work bought in the US. I priced this at the Sports Arena Swap Meet and then found that they were still much more expensive than in TJ.

Sunglasses are much cheaper here as compared to TJ. I buy them at the swap meet for $6-8 and comparable prices in TJ are at least double.

Merican


Soft contact lenses are the best buy of all in TJ for me. I can buy a carton
of 6 lenses for $25 at Devlins Optica and that costs about $100 in San
Diego.

great info, I never thought to buy these in mexico,
they don't make you go throught the perscription B.S. do they?

No, no prescriptions are asked for at all.

Don't you just hate it when the american eye doctor says "Is this better or is this better?", and you really cannot tell the difference because they are both blurry?

Usually the result is a new prescription so that they can sell you a new set of glasses or contacts, even though you probably don't need it yet.

I made an educated guess and changed my prescription last year and haven't regretted it. I can see better and wear the same power in both eyes now.

Thanks for the info:

I got an eyetest/contacts a few years ago, but never went back for a re-test and new perscription as I figured it was BS.

When I was there, they tried to convince me I needed some reading glasses also, ( about $90 for some crappy looking ones)

I've been using some of the $2.99 ones for years.

I figure if I want contacts, the worst that can happen is I will not wear them if they are not correct. (I dont think there is much "magic" involved in getting eye ware/contacts).

Looks like too many places in the business, so its high profit. ( meaning we get screwed)

Anyone know anything about drop-in gyms located near la Zona Norte? I'm planning an extended trip and want to keep my workout schedule.

Thanks,

The Senator

Anyone know anything about longer term rentals longer than 1 day, or 30 minutes ;-) ;-) near la Zona Norte? I'm looking for a fully furnished room in a quiet area near la Zona if that's even possible from March 16th, 2002, until April 27th, 2002.

Ideas?

Thanks,

The Senator

Senator, haven't seen a posting from you in ages. where've you been?

Master Bates

Master Bates,

Busy, busy, busy. I've been working too hard to catch up on my ClubHombre. And, I've been training a newbie at work with prying eyes. I don't have a computer at home. Luckily, I work with Mr. Shadow and he keeps me somewhat informed. Thanks for the concern though.

Also, I've reposted my above 2 messages at ClubHombre.com: Tijuana: Available Goods & Services: Gyms and ClubHombre.com: Tijuana: Available Goods & Services : Longer Term Rentals respectively. I hope to get some help.

Thanks,

The Senator

Master Bates writes:

Senator, haven't seen a posting from you in ages. where've you been?

in ages??? It's only been a month! I was posting during my last trip in late December. I guess times flies when you're getting old.

The Senator

Mr Senator
Hola amigo
there is a gym a few blocks from Adelitas that a lot of the chicas go to.
It is called hard body I think.
I have no idea on how much it is but check it out.
It is the street right after playboy to your left go up a block or so and it will be on your left.

tell em Milkman sent you and you will get a free water bottle previously used by an Adelita Chica.

On the Hotels checkout some of them past la Tropa there are quite a few hidden ones that are not noisy at all.
tell them how long you are staying and what kind of special price can they give you.
Do not pay all up front , pay by the day if possible.

I hope this helps you
take care
Milkman

Hard Body is on Mutualismo-two blocks west of Ni~oes Heroes- between 1st and 2nd.

PARKING

What's the deal with safety of parking? When you cross the border and follow the road signs to the main area near Revolucion, and the guys are outside the lots waving you in. If you park in their lot, do they ever just steal your car themselves and say they don't know what happened to it? Also, do they generally prevent other people from coming in and hotwiring your car and driving off with it? Thanks travis

I have a feeling that the "wavers" you're referencing are not connected with parking lots. They are cappers for the auto body shops that line both sides of Calle 3rd that leads from the border ramps through downtown to Revolucion.

I've never known of anybody having inordinate problems at any of the attended parking lots in downtown TJ. Shit happens from time to time but not any more than in U.S. parking lots - particularly the U.S. lots along the border.

I usually stay at Hotel Villa Zaragoza which takes care of my parking. But if I drive in for a day, I park either in the structure that you enter across the street from Madona's strip club and next to Caliente (4th St. just west of Revo). The big outdoor lot behind the Jai Alai Fronton entering at 7th between Revo and Madero has also been reliable and cheap. The zona lots are fine too but you have a higher risk of the cops waiting to harass you when you pull out of one of them late at night than if you are parked in another part of town. Only place I ever had a problem was Hotel Leyva where my car got crunched by some asshole without a conscience when I left it there for 4 days....but that could happen anywhere.

There are a few items I am interested in buying in TJ:

1) Yerba Mate. This is more of a South American beverage, but I would like to find a source (inexpensive) in TJ.

2) Quality huarache sandals or quality sandals in general. I know there are several store-fronts on Revolution that sell these sandals, but I am looking for a quality vendor. Note, an American fashion shoe brand sells a knockoff for $200.

Thanks,

Taco Surfer