cost and availability of young men to move stuff, question about gas tank

[colleen]

A friend moved here from SMA yesterday. A friend of a friend offered her 2 sons and her husband to help move the furniture and boxes. When I called, no, they have other jobs tomorrow. My friend has been paying 50 pesos per hr for help in SMA. Now I have been quoted 150 an hour. Our jardinero, who is a great worker wanted $150 also. I got him down to $100. I can't imagine that the woman who offered her sons' help has her kids working for more than 50 pesos an hour delivering papers. She said she'd find other kids to work but also wants 100 per hour. Now we got ripped off alot when we moved here but this is pretty amazing. I suppose the person who finds the help takes a good cut.

Also..tho the rental contract was written in English, and says there is a gas tank, there was no gas tank, the portable kind, nor was anything on the roof. It's written right there in the contract and the realtor actually told me that in MX, renters always bring their own tanks. Sure they do. I've never heard of anyone who was renting being required to buy a gas tank which will then be traded off by the guys who walk around selling gas. The one that was brought over has seen many, many years. Of course it will disappear as soon as my friend needs more gas. I'd never go to court here in MX since I don't know a single Gringo who has won the most obvious things. Too bad I'm so involved in this.

So...please share.