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Joerger École

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Everything posted by Joerger École

  1. Rowan, Sorry, here is the web reference:  https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/55/kw/dogs Best of luck! James
  2. Rowan, I am not aware of a rule about waiting six months after the rabies jab.  Check out this page on the US Customs web site. It suggests that if the dog has had rabies jabs regularly that it may be admitted without delay. If not, then there must be a 30 delay after the jab, unless it is a puppy which has different requirements. Much easier that importing to EU, or particularly to England. James
  3. We have taken our dogs back and forth from France, Holland and Germany to the USA numerous times.  Right now the USA requirements are that your dog have a valid rabies certificate, a micro chip, and a health certificate.  It is best if the health cert. is within ten days of arrival in the US.  The costs are quite variable depending on if the dog is accompanying the passenger or being shipped.  We have paid between 200-250 dollars or equivelent in euros for one-way accompanying us on the same plane.  I have no idea what it would cost to ship the dog. Let me know if you want more specifics. We feel like we are quite expert on the subject by now.   James
  4. We have made the trip back and forth from Portland, Oregon to Paris with our dogs numerous times. We have not had a problem except once when our dogs did not arrive with us on the last leg from Frankfurt. They arrived on the next plane an hour later. The main things are to make sure your dog has current rabies vaccination and a Health Certificate from your French vet. Your dog will need to be in an airline approved cage with a water and food dish. We strap a tongue activated water bottle to the door of the cage so the dogs can drink when they want. I would be happy to tell you more details if you want to send me a private email. It is not too hard. Expect to pay about 200-250 US$ each way. If you can fly direct to your location it is better as the difficulties seem to be with connecting flights especially if the time between flights is short. Jim
  5. Sprogster, I understand you point. I was not aware of that change.  I guess we were lucky to get situated here when we did. Best of luck to the OP.  Perhaps, as you or another poster said, the new Administration will modify the practice for the better. However, given all they have on their plate, I will not hold my breath. Thanks, James
  6. JohnRoss,   Yes, I was getting the %20 business everytime I tried to search for anything other than my favorites items. It did start, however, nearly a week ago.  Glad they got it sorted. James
  7. JohnRoss,   I had exactly the same problem with AOL for the last couple of weeks. I also relied on IE to search.  When I tried to search using AOL today the problem had mysteriously disappeared.  Must have been something on their end. I have used AOL for over 12 years and have found it occasionally difficult, but for the most part it has served me well enough. I would change but old habits die hard! James
  8. Victor, We have had the same experience as Lori in obtaining our 10 year card.  We are Americans, both retired (though I continue to do some work for a few months each year in the US), living in France since 2002.  After 5 years here we applied for and received the 10 year card with no problem.  The 10 year card was issued in May of 2007. I recall that we not only wrote a letter but we also filled out an application form. All transactions took place at our maire.  Something seems very wrong about your experience.  I suggest that you ask for a formal application form, write another letter explaining how you have integrated in France, consider it your permanent home, etc.  I think that someone is giving you bad advice.  I have no way of knowing for sure, but I think the "Bush immigration theory" that is being suggested is just that ( all respect to those that think this is the cause of Victor's difficulty).  Just for the record, I was not a Bush supporter and would gladly cast aspersions on anything his administration did to ruin relations with other countries. James
  9. Sorry I can't help you. There were no DVD's when we took the course and I have long lost the booklet - though I suspect it would be out of date by now.  I wish you the best.   James
  10. Elihai, My wife and I used Fehrenbach to prepare for our written and performance test.  We thought their instruction was excellent especially for us with limited French language skills at the time.  Our primary instructor was an American who guided us through the process very well. Yes, it was a hassle to have to travel to Paris for the instruction but we considered it worthwhile as we would not have been able to pass the exam, at the time, without the skillful instruction.  Ask for Susan if she is still available. We both passed the written exam the first time in spite of the fact that the translator provided by the examiners was German and did not translate properly. For example, he would say something like:  "At the next intersection you may...." when the actual text said "At the next intersection you must...."  Seemingly small difference but it confused many in the examining room. We, fortunately, had been trained so well that we knew the difference in the French text and got the right answers in spite of the poor translation. You do not mention your nationality, but I would just remind you that if you are an American from certain U.S.  States you can simply exchange your US license for a French license. We, unfortunately, were from Oregon which does not have an agreement with France for license exchange. Good luck!  
  11. The video is very moving and impressive. The care and thought shown is above and beyond. WOW!! Magnolia you are doing a wonderful thing.  My best wishes for you and your new friend, Luca.
  12. Tenniswitch, I have shipped numerous packages of used clothing, linens, pots and pans to myself from the US to France.  On the US customs form I simply write "used clothing" or the appropriate statement and show the value as very low.  I have never had the French Customs authority intervene on these kinds of items, though I suppose they could have.  All these items were sent via the US Postal Service.  On the other hand, I send a used bicycle frame via FEDEX and was required to pay a hefty customs and VAT charge.  I have concluded that items going via special shipping companies are much more likely to be charged customs fees.  Good luck! Jim
  13. Samdebretagne Thanks for your reply. I am familiar with what you are saying as we had a few problems of that sort over the years. Still my friends are saying that their bank tells them there is nothing they can do.  It seems odd.  I am wondering if anyone has had a good experience before but now there is some kind of block on their account(s)?  I will check with my own bank to see if they know of any reason this would be happening. Jim
  14. Hello,   We are Americans living in France for the last 6-7 years.  In addition to using our French bank card, we have also used a couple of American crdit/debit cards for purchases and to withdraw cash.  We have only had the occasional problem.  However, right now some friends are staying in our place in France while we are in the USA for a few months. They report that they have been unable to use their USA based debit/credit cards in cash machines and for purchases. Their bank is tellingthem they must now go into a bank and ask for a cash withdrawal rather than using cash machines or credit purchases. Has anyone had trouble using their USA bank cards recently?  Is there something new going on with USA bank cards?  We need to know so we can plan for our return in one month. Any help is much appreciated. Jim
  15. Hello, As suggested by Bug Bear it is likely not very economical to buy in the USA and ship to France.  We shipped a container of furniture and furnishing from the US a number of years back.  The shipping costs and insurance, even though we packed and unloaded the container, were around $4000 US.  This was the most economical method we could find.  Even though nearly everything in the container was used we were still charged VAT and customs fees on such things as bicycles, tools, and anything the customs inspectors thought was new. This brought the grand total of the shipment to around $6000. At that time the French government allowed a one-time (only one shipment in other words) exclusion for used items over a year old, I believe.  In your situation, with new items you will pay VAT and customs fees which will amount to around 50% of the declared value. So, all in all, unless you already own the stuff and it is used, it is probably not economical. Where are you in France? Just curious about where other Americans are living. Jim
  16. I have the Sky+  box and another Sky box. Both work fine.  During a period that I did not have a subscription, just FTA, the Sky+ recording features did not work.  You must have a Sky+ subscription. As an earlier poster said, at a certain price point in the subscription the Sky+ feature is free, errr... no extra cost. As mentioned by another poster, a solution for recording is a DVD recorder with a hard disk. Some have a synch feature so you get essentially the same functionality as with the Sky+ box. Best luck! 
  17. I was advised that if you  plan to ship or move the plasma TV's that there is more risk of damage than with an LCD.  Just another consideration!  We bought a "vulgar"  LCD and it is wonderful.  Just say "Yes" to vulgar. In fact my OH, who was initially against the idea of big TV, now says we should have gone bigger. Har! James
  18. I have been following the CMU issue for several months.  We recently received a letter that says that we are covered by CMU for the base as a result of being resident.  I was not sure that we would continue to be covered based on the various postings of others.  I am not gloating and feel very bad for all of those who have been denied coverage.  I am just confused as to why we are being covered and others are not.  Can anyone explain or shed light on why we are covered.  Here is our situation. We live in 41.  We are Americans living in France since 2002.  I am 63 and my wife is 62.  We have a modest income from work I do in the USA each year.  We have filed French taxes for the last four years (although we do not pay French income taxes due to the tax treaty with the USA.). Until this year we had to apply each year for a temporary visitor visa. This year we applied, and were granted, residence visas (all professions). Again, can anyone who understands all of this coming and going explain why we are being covered and what, if anything, we need to do to continue to receive coverage?  Thanks. James
  19. Hello All, We are downsizing our library and have about 150 paperback books, English language, mostly mysteries, that we would like to give to someone who might enjoy them.  We are in 41 - Loir et Cher near to Blois and Mer.  Anyone interested? James
  20. We also use the gentle head collar for our two Aussie Shepherd dogs.  They are a great solution in that the dog must turn it's head naturally toward you when you pull back.  It does not hurt the dog as a choke chain can do for a strong dog, and it naturally trains them to walk without pulling (takes a bit of time for the dog to get the message though). Highly suggest you try this method.  See the following web site for some information: http://www.premier.com/pages.cfm?id=29 James
  21. I can't find anything on this subject in previous postings.  I have an old house with crepis surfaces.  Humidity has caused the crepis to separate from the wall near the ground.  I have completed the initial removal of the peeling crepis and cover the cement with undercoat paint. I want to repair/replace the areas where I removed the peeling crepis but the color of the new surface will not match the faded surface on most of the house. Currently it is the common cream color (ton pierre, I think). My question:  Does one paint over crepis to renew the color?  If so, what paint is correct? Or, is it necessary to remove the old crepis and resurface with new material? I am sure that someone out there has experience with crepis as it seems to be the surface of choice in many regions of France. Thanks in advance. James
  22. Just to clarify, we are both in our early 60ties, have 200% coverage.  I do not claim to have the best price point or best insurance. I was just trying to give the OP an idea of how inexpensive health insurance can be here compared to the USA. Our total cost is about 220 euro a month right now compared to approximately $1500 a month for less coverage in the USA.
  23. Faenette, We are Americans who to France several years ago.  If you plan to reside here then you might consider some sort of very short term insurance to provide cover for the three month period before you are eligible for French medical insurance. That is, unless your income for the prior year would make your contribution to the French system exceed the cost of the private insurance. When we applied they used our US tax declaration for the year before to determine our contribution level. The tax declaration used depends on when you apply.  If I understand it correctly, if you apply after Oct. 2007 they will use your tax declaration for 2006.  Before Oct. 2007 they will use your declaration for 2005. Check out the exact information as we applied a few years ago and there may be some changes.  I do think that once you have the Carte de Sejour in hand you can apply right away. As the earlier posted mentioned, once you are covered by the French system, you will receive reimbersement for about 70% of your costs.  Our top-up insurance is about 125 euros per month and that brings us up to nearly 100% coverage for everything except dental and vision which are reimbersed a bit lower. Overall our cost of insurance is considerably below what we payed in the USA. Feel free to send me a PM or email if I can be of help in your adjustments.  We live not too far from where you will locate. James
  24. Hello, We are also from the USA.  We looked into importing our car from the US to France and decided that it was just too complicated and expensive to be worthwhile.  Even if you do bring it over, another consideration is access to mechanics that can work on your car.  We own a French spec. SAAB now and have to drive quite a long distance to get service and repair from a SAAB dealer. You are most likely better off buying a French car or a popular model such as Toyota for ease of repair and maintenance. Best of luck in your travels and relocation. 
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