I bet free internet @ McDonalds just got cheaper...at least for frequent tourists that like sex. How about the price of tall caramel frapuccino?....never mind... Just remembered that there is no Starbucks in UA.
I thought the McDouble burger at a buck was the same as a Big Mac. The only difference was lettuce, special sauce, and sesame seeds on top of the bun. These three ingredients did not make it worth more than a buck, IMHO.
yes Tom, Big Mac is still 24UAH but in April prices are going up to 36UAH. It was on news a couple days ago. it will be first price increase in over 3 years for
McDonalds in Ukaraine. From about 2009 until 2 years ago, Big Mac meal was 31UAH. I think they said whole meal will be around 60 something. Still half of US prices
The IMF projection in 2014 for where they wanted the Ukrainian currency in 2015 seems to have occurred. they wanted 16-22UAH/dollar.
This rate ensures Ukraine has a third world status comparable to places like Nicaragua in which the exchange rate is 25.5-1 dollar.
Its all about exploiting a highly educated workforce that benefits the EU and US policy-makers. At this level, they have options vs. China and other Asian countries
for production and especially IT related work.
Please ... IT is not going to cut it for Ukr. Not big enough to make a difference for its economy. They used to rely on low cost labor for steel production in the east, now that is gone. What is left is wheat and corn exports. China signed an agreement to import soft commodities from Ukr. Of course, they is also the sex industry ...
The currency collapse has been stopped by the IMF infusion. It will resume when the money is devoured by the oligarchs.
Funny think about the bigmacs, so, basically, with their puny salaries of 4,500-5,000 UAH per month, they can still afford it.
A lot of expats have driven to Ukraine with their own car and not realised that you cannot do that indefinitely; some have bought cars that turned out were smuggled in without the customs duty being paid; Others plan to bring in their 1972 Mustang and expect to have a hassle free import experience.
Just don’t. If you want a car – then buy one here and put up with the fact that it is likely to be over-priced and under-maintained.
Caveat Emptor is a phrase that could have been tailor-made for someone buying a car here.
svenden, depends on what you what to bring in to the country. a 2009 Mercedes s550 is $25000 in usa and would be about $12000 to import for a total of $37000
cheapest s550 on slando is about $50,000. these cars are just rare in ukraine. I did, however get really lucky and bought a 2007 mercedes GL350 not long ago for only $25,000.
the guy had his payments double because it was a dollar loan, he was behind and bank wanted it back.
It was difficult to get the deal done as the bank wasnt willing at first to let me pay it off because they wanted to take it and resell it at nearly $40,000. In USA, its only a $15,000 suv all day long. Ive experienced this bank greed before on a house deal. unlike the US, in which the bank simply wants to recoup the balance of the loan, In Ukraine they want to take the house and resell it for a big profit. case in point. people in Fontanka were about to lose their house. they only owed $90k on a 400 square meter house easily worth 200k. My deal for a friend of mine would pay off the loan and give them 30k and walk away, buying it for 120k when the bank found out, they were refusing to take the 90K payoff because they wanted to get the house and sell it for more and make a generous profit. It took the mayor's involvement and an additional $5000 bribe to the bank to get it done. Its the Ukrainian way.
For your average car, you might be right, Svenden, but for high value stuff, importing is the way to go, especially with the current exchange rate
"A lot of expats have driven to Ukraine with their own car and not realised that you cannot do that indefinitely; some have bought cars that turned out were smuggled in without the customs duty being paid; Others plan to bring in their 1972 Mustang and expect to have a hassle free import experience."
I saw a Toyota SUV in Kiev with a license plate from the Dominican Rep. don't know how or how legit is it. Parking and traffic in majors European cities is a hassle. A decent Lada or Opel will do and will be less prompt to be stolen.
svenden wrote: "Rick, That sounds like you got a good car deal there"
yes I did as the next cheapest one was a 2006 and they wanted $35,000 and preferred it in Dollars
It was a good investment. Ive also got a 2013 Hyundai Sonata that I bought from Budget car rental in Ukraine.
It had been damaged but was still drivable. They must have ripped whoever was renting it a new A-hole because I got it cheap.
I drove it for 6 months before I fixed it. an Expat friend of mine drives it and the Mercedes for VIP travel services.
He does lots of airport pickups through a couple agencies and probably does Kyiv-Odesa 3 times a week at $300 per trip.
There are plenty of westerners who dont know any better so its turned out to be an excellent little business. It is grossing at least $1000 a week
which is phenomenal money for Ukraine. There is no lack of bride seekers who are willing to let the agency make their arrangements. We pay a 20% commission.