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View Full Version : Does anyone here have experience hiring a fixer?



Tenow
03-01-2009, 06:37 PM
I've never done that before. How do you go about finding one?

BigClay
03-01-2009, 08:17 PM
My ignorance must be showing, but what is a fixer?

seans
03-01-2009, 08:29 PM
Is it like a "Cleaner"?

Tenow
03-01-2009, 08:31 PM
Generally speaking, a fixer is a guy who gets stuff done by whatever means possible. Usually shady characters.

I guess in this sense I mean someone who knows the local laws of whatever country and regulations to help cut as much red tape as possible, specifically with border crossings.

OverkillZJ
03-01-2009, 08:53 PM
help cut as much red tape as possible, specifically with border crossings.

...Say WTF?

downtowncb
03-01-2009, 10:06 PM
And how does this apply to expedition wheeling? ...

Tenow
03-01-2009, 10:07 PM
Maybe I have a different idea of what an expedition is than everyone else.

Spr-T-23
03-01-2009, 10:12 PM
come here legaly ass

Tenow
03-01-2009, 10:16 PM
come here legaly ass

That's the entire idea.

BigClay
03-01-2009, 10:19 PM
I am not sure how a "fixer" if it is indeed someone who is usually a "shady character" could be 100% legit or legal.

Spr-T-23
03-01-2009, 10:23 PM
so you want some to make it "legit". whats the problem to require a "fixer"???

Spr-T-23
03-01-2009, 10:24 PM
if your smuggling drugs or women i want my cut for not turning you into the feds ;)

Tenow
03-01-2009, 10:26 PM
I am not sure how a "fixer" if it is indeed someone who is usually a "shady character" could be 100% legit or legal.

I looked up the dictionary definition of "fixer" before I posted and it's "Informal. A person who uses influence or makes arrangements for another, especially by improper or unlawful means."

I'm getting ready to drive to south america, what I would consider an expedition. At a bare minimum, there will be 10 border crossings involved, but possibly as many as 19, depending on the route. With return travel that makes up to 38 border crossings, all of which require you to fill out paperwork in spanish, failure to do so properly can cause you to be denied entry to the country. Requirements for someone driving through are different than a standard tourist in most countries too.

When I drove across europe none of the borders were controlled except the one going into england, and that was all in english so it was no problem. I would rather hire people to help me fill out paperwork and explain the process to me than relying on my own spanish speaking/reading/writing skills.

Hopefully that clears up any confusion.

Spr-T-23
03-01-2009, 10:29 PM
you want a guide then, why didnt you state your intentions in the first place, but anyways pick me up some drugs and women while your there

black_zj
03-01-2009, 11:08 PM
Wow, freakin retarded thread!!

downtowncb
03-02-2009, 03:07 AM
Now that your intentions are slightly clearer, I'm interested. What other precautions are you taking? A couple of friends and I were throwing around the idea of taking our jeeps down to southern Mexico, possibly to Cancun after we graduate in June. Our biggest concern was driving "nice" Cherokees and Grand Cherokees through some of the potentially sketchier parts of Mexico and having trouble with shit getting stolen or being robbed.

Tenow
03-02-2009, 05:40 AM
Now that your intentions are slightly clearer, I'm interested. What other precautions are you taking? A couple of friends and I were throwing around the idea of taking our jeeps down to southern Mexico, possibly to Cancun after we graduate in June. Our biggest concern was driving "nice" Cherokees and Grand Cherokees through some of the potentially sketchier parts of Mexico and having trouble with shit getting stolen or being robbed.

Well right now I'm still planning the route and such, actually using http://travel.state.gov a lot. Same with http://wikitravel.org. I'm going to make a list of countries I'd like to go to and actually calling/visiting the various consulates around here and asking them as many questions as I possibly can. I've still got 6 months before I plan on leaving, and that gives me 3 months to get to the bottom of Argentina.

Mexico doesn't really bother me, from what I hear the "danger zone" is near the border. South of that it's just like any other country on the list. Hopefully I'll get another car or two going with me, safety in numbers and all that. I'll probably have a wad of small bills in my wallet so I can get "robbed" without losing anything of value. Of course that's assuming I don't get shot in the face during the robbery, but I like to assume things like that.

My big unknown is getting across the Darien gap, the area between Panama and Colombia where there are literally no roads and it's controlled by guerrillas who kidnap and kill just about everyone. I'm just going to ship my car around that nasty bit then pick it up on the other side.

slim616
03-02-2009, 06:48 AM
This fixer you need would have to ride with you in order to any good. If not that wad of bills is going to be needed for just about every crooked cop out there. Mexico is the worse. My guys who go home get their cars Shipped around mexico just because 9 times out of 10 they get it stolen by the police on the way home. I used to work for the niece of the former president of mexico and she was telling me how a few years back when she went home they tried to grab her husband just because he was american. They were saved when their friends drove the paid off taxi cab driver off the road as he was taking them out of town. If I were you defently do your home work on this one and get someone familiar with the region to give you good info because it will save your life.

BigClay
03-02-2009, 09:04 AM
I looked up the dictionary definition of "fixer" before I posted and it's "Informal. A person who uses influence or makes arrangements for another, especially by improper or unlawful means."

I'm getting ready to drive to south america, what I would consider an expedition. At a bare minimum, there will be 10 border crossings involved, but possibly as many as 19, depending on the route. With return travel that makes up to 38 border crossings, all of which require you to fill out paperwork in spanish, failure to do so properly can cause you to be denied entry to the country. Requirements for someone driving through are different than a standard tourist in most countries too.

When I drove across europe none of the borders were controlled except the one going into england, and that was all in english so it was no problem. I would rather hire people to help me fill out paperwork and explain the process to me than relying on my own spanish speaking/reading/writing skills.

Hopefully that clears up any confusion.

Ahh I got you know. This makes a lot more sense. Have you tried contacting your Congressman to see if there is anything he/she can do or advice they can give you?

gonzoman
03-16-2009, 02:09 PM
I would not recommend South America as a whole right now. I am fluent in Spanish, and came within one conversation of being nabbed by rebels on the route I was planning to take several years ago. The only thing that saved my ass was a conversation with a local Indian, which resulted in my eating dinner with his family...... the roasted crickets were different to say the least. As I was leaving I guess he decided I was cool and he warned me about rebels operating along my planned route.

I was not on something as noticeable as an expedition either.... just driving a rented vehicle randomly through the South of Mexico and into bordering countries. If you draw attention to yourself with US plates.... going expedition style it will just be a matter of time before you are targeted for mordida "bribes" or worse, targeted by the criminal and rebel elements that all the South American countries have to contend with.

Mtn WJ
03-16-2009, 02:41 PM
Personally with the way things are going in Mexico these days - I would put the trip off and go to Moab.

Tenow
03-17-2009, 01:04 AM
I think I'm suffering from the opposite of Mean world syndrome.

I really don't think it will be that dangerous as long as I use common sense and don't do anything stupid.

JordanA
03-17-2009, 01:16 AM
Tenow, if you can't find a "fixer", check out ADVrider.com. It's a motorcycle forum and lots of people take trips that stretch from Washington State to the southern tip of South America. I'm sure they've got some info you could use.

gonzoman
03-17-2009, 01:25 AM
I think I'm suffering from the opposite of Mean world syndrome.

I really don't think it will be that dangerous as long as I use common sense and don't do anything stupid.


By definition what do you mean by too stupid? I have lots of experience in Mexico, and Venezuela primarily. The people there are genuine and warm. Hell, I would go back in a minute so my kids could see the things I saw when I was young, if things were better. But as it stands you will not catch me in either country with my kids until things improve. But the economic situation is grim in South America. And the criminal sector has taken on a life of its own. They operate with immunity. And you better pad your account to make regular payoffs everywhere you go.

The people who I know still living there are very careful. Most have guards and live in gated,secured homes. And none of them venture out of the house with jewelry of any kind.... I hope that gives you an idea of what its like.

Regardless of how you carry yourself a guy traversing South America expedition style is going to be viewed as a rich American. Not knowing the language well will not help your situation.

If you do utilize the services of a fixer, understand there is a good chance this fixer will be working every angle to squeeze you for money too.

Sounds like a cool trip. I am fluent in the language, know the customs, spent 13 years there. And I wouldn't make that trip today.

slim616
03-17-2009, 12:57 PM
if you want i'll let you talk to my guys and they'll tell you some stories to change your mind. They wanted me to come down to guatemala to visit this winter but I declined when I found out that they would have to send an armed escort to get me from the airport to their village. Common sense wont save you when the people who your dealing with have none. The reason you see these magazines doing these things is because the have contacted the local governments paid the fees and have officials looking after them all the time to make sure nothing happens. Keep in mind the U.S does not negotiate with terrorist so if you get captured, other then the embassy saying "we'll try our best" your on your own. Also money does not work so well on the rebels because they think if you have this much on you, your family is bound to have more. So they milk it till they feel that they have gotten it all, then your either shot or put into slave labor. Good luck and keep us posted on what you find out, if times were better this would be an awsome trip.

JordanA
03-17-2009, 05:40 PM
I traveled to Guatemala recently, and it wasn't too bad. We flew in the Guatemala city where we stayed for most of the trip. It was not a good idea to go past the 15 foot wall surrounding the house after dark, that's for sure.

We traveled up to Chichicastenango via bus and had no troubles, but I am sure that it is more than common for bad things to occur along these remote, mountain roads. We also went to Tikal, to see the Mayan ruins, and actually did run into a bit of trouble up there. Our plane (tiny little turboprop) was stopped on the runway by a group of men with shotguns and AK-47's or a good semi-auto knockoff. They held us up for only about 20 minutes and eventually took some money and left.

Scary 20 minutes.

gonzoman
03-17-2009, 06:43 PM
I traveled to Guatemala recently, and it wasn't too bad. We flew in the Guatemala city where we stayed for most of the trip. It was not a good idea to go past the 15 foot wall surrounding the house after dark, that's for sure.

We traveled up to Chichicastenango via bus and had no troubles, but I am sure that it is more than common for bad things to occur along these remote, mountain roads. We also went to Tikal, to see the Mayan ruins, and actually did run into a bit of trouble up there. Our plane (tiny little turboprop) was stopped on the runway by a group of men with shotguns and AK-47's or a good semi-auto knockoff. They held us up for only about 20 minutes and eventually took some money and left.

Scary 20 minutes.

Sadly that's life there now. You live behind 15 foot walls, topped with broken glass, and you do everything you can do to not draw attention to the fact that you might have money when in public.

Having had that experience. Imagine trying to travel across South America, in a Jeep, loaded down with all sorts of goodies.:smt101:smt101. And if by some miracle you make it to your destination, turning back and trying it again. :D

Cody
03-17-2009, 06:57 PM
you need to post on www.expeditionportal.com (http://www.expeditionportal.com) there are lots of guys that have done similar trips that can offer excellent advice.

I think the key is to try to draw as little attention to yourself as possible, and a ZJ might not necessarily be the best choice of vehicles for a trip like that--both for blending in and in the instance you need to find replacement parts.

driving all the way down into S. America is one of my goals in the next few years. I think that it would be an awesome experience.

ZJ TINS
03-17-2009, 10:47 PM
My new puppy was fixed at 4 months in St Martins Island. I can find out the name of the fixer for you!

Tenow
03-30-2009, 04:01 PM
you need to post on www.expeditionportal.com (http://www.expeditionportal.com) there are lots of guys that have done similar trips that can offer excellent advice.

I think the key is to try to draw as little attention to yourself as possible, and a ZJ might not necessarily be the best choice of vehicles for a trip like that--both for blending in and in the instance you need to find replacement parts.

driving all the way down into S. America is one of my goals in the next few years. I think that it would be an awesome experience.

I'm starting to rethink the idea of the ZJ. I love mine, and I really want to drive it, BUT I've also started thinking about getting a Land Rover Defender for the trip. I've also been approached by a manufacturer about using one of their cars, that kinda fell apart but it shows there is interest out there for sponsorships. Right now I'm keeping my mind open with the default plan of driving the Jeep.