By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - I received another email today from a customer of Airbox Express (Aerocasillas) in Panama. Many people are still confused because they consider themselves to be customers of Airbox Express, and Aeropost simply stepped in, stole Airbox's customer list, and "usurped" those customers away from Airbox. Now, many people continue to receive email from Aeropost even though judges in both Miami and Panama have issued orders telling them to cease and desist. I am withholding the names of the people who contacted me today, but I have a copy of the email they received last week. They write "Don, I thought these people were not to be doing business in Panama!! I am an Aerocasillas customer and just received this e-mail!" Every time this happens I forward copies of the email to the owners of Airbox Express (Aerocasillas) and their lawyers to use as evidence against Aeropost. The most recent email was signed by James Fendell, the President of Aeropost, who makes excused for their inability to move the mail during the holidays. Remember that while James Fendell is the President of Aeropost, the company is 60% owned by John Keith of Promerica Bank in Costa Rica. Their local wonk is Jeff Duchesneau. And, even at this late date, they continue to try to steal customers from Airbox Express, in spite of two judges orders against them. Eventually Airbox will win a huge civil suit against them and that will be that. In the meantime, while Aeropost makes weak excuses about not being able to deliver the mail, according to the managers of Airbox Express, getting rid of Aeropost and switching to their new service provider in Miami was the best thing they ever did. They say the mail is flowing faster and better than ever, even with the holiday rush.

Copyright 2009 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.   

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - The judge in the 11th Judicial Circuit in Miami-Dade County, Florida, ruled against Aeropost and in favor of Airbox Express (Aerocasillas) in an all day hearing held last Tuesday, 24 November 2009. According to Luis Delgado, one of the the lawyers representing Airbox Express (Aerocasillas) in the this case in Miami, "the other side stipulated they would no longer use the list of Airbox's clients," and the judge in the case accepted that stipulation. According to Delgado, the judge sternly warned Aeropost he would hold them to that stipulation, and he would be prepared to slap them with hefty fines and penalties if he learned they had continued to use the client list. That happened on Tuesday. Then, this morning I received an email from a member of the English speaking community of expatriates living in Panama, which said in part:

• "I recently received this letter from AeroPost, which confuses me considerably. I am located in Changuinola, have no idea where Sky Plaza, Costa del Este is located, and now I am being told that I can pick up my two packages at this some where location My contract for this package forwarding operation was only with Air Box, knowing nothing and the contract does not show the name AeroPost." (more)    Click Here To Read The Full Article (1,164 words)

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - John Keith, the Executive President of the Banco Promerica in Costa Rica, together with James Fendell of Aeropost in Miami, are illegally operating a mail forwarding business in the Republic of Panama. A recent inspection by Panamanian judicial authorities revealed Aeropost does not have correct and proper commercial licenses and permits, nor the specific courier licenses required to operate the kind of business they intend to run in Panama. Aeropost simply saw what they perceived to be an opportunity to literally steal customers away from Airbox Express (Aerocasillas) so they "dove on the football" so to speak. Well, as time goes by it seems that what appeared to be a nice, fat, juicy fumble for the taking was actually more like a hand grenade in disguise - they dove on it anyway and now it's going through the process of a slow-motion explosion. John Keith dispatched several of his key people from Costa Rica to Panama who were supposed to set up operations here - but in fact those people are in town as tourists and they are now working illegally, without proper working permits from the Panamanian Ministry of Labor. Now that these things are being formally and officially denounced to the Panamanian authorities, John Keith and James Fendell are pulling back somewhat - they are now conducting their customer support and call center operations in Costa Rica rather than Panama. The company itself is also operating illegally - without permits or commercial licenses. The company is in fact relying on the existing network, infrastructure, and even employees of the St. George's Bank in Panama which is also owned by John Keith and the Promerica group from Costa Rica. And since Aeropost is advertising on the La Prensa website, I called my contacts at La Prensa yesterday to let them know they are taking advertising dollars from a (scumbag) company who is operating illegally in Panama, trying to build a business in this country by stealing customers and hijacking packages and mail from the customers of a from a long standing and highly respected, existing Panamanian company, Airbox Express (Aerocasillas.). These Aeropost dirt bags are going to spend a lot of time having to find people who either have no clue as to what they have been pulling (don't worry, I'll let them know) or other's who can live with the after taste. Expect a press conference in Panama City soon. There are still a handful of people left who don't know what they did, but that won't last much longer. Oh yeah, also expect the court decision from Miami next week as well. These guys make me want to puke.

Copyright 2009 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.   

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Last week I tried to contact a man named John Keith, the CEO of the "Banco Promerica" in Costa Rica, after I found out that James Fendell in Miami sold part of his business several years back. In fact, James Fendell owns 40% of Aeropost while John Keith and Banco Promerica own the other 60%. I had one simple question - does John Keith know about the bullshit games and unethical tactics being used by James Fendell in his attempt to destroy Airbox Express (Aerocasillas) in Panama by stealing their customers and sequestering the mail in Miami? My though was that maybe, just maybe, James Fendell was running wild and doing crazy and stupid shit, while John Keith had no idea that these things were going on.

As they say, silence is deafening. I got no response whatsoever in my repeated attempts to contact John Keith directly in Costa Rica. I made telephone calls, spoke to his assistant, left voice mail, and nothing. Today I learned that earlier this week judicial authorities in Panama made an inspection of the facilities Aeropost are now using in Panama City, and guess what? Their offices are located in the St. George's Bank building, which is actually the same as the "Banco Promerica" in Costa Rica (and therefore, John Keith.) One of John Keith's primary managers has been moved from Costa Rica to Panama to run the new Aeropost operation here - unfortunately she's here on a tourist visa and is working illegally (whoops!) Complaints to be filed soon. Also, the judicial inspectors found that Aeropost is operating in Panama illegally, without a commercial license, or a courier's license, both of which are required for this kind of business. What's more, they found all kinds of evidence to indicated that the Aeropost people have literally stolen things like documents, forms, and even delivery routes that they are using to (illegally) deliver packages to their (stolen) customers. And finally, who is delivering those packages? The messengers who actually work for St. George's bank, which is in reality Banco Promerica and John Keith.

And who is John Keith? I just want to make sure Google know's we're talking about the same dude - isn't SEO a wonderful thing?

• Mr. Keith is the Managing Partner of Caribe Hospitality. Mr. Keith is also a senior executive in Promerica Financial Corporation, a network of commercial banks in Central America. He has been with the Promerica Group since its foundation 15 years ago. He has over 23 years of banking experience in Costa Rica and Central America.
  
  
• Mr. Keith is also a principal partner in Portafolio Inmobiliario S.A, a leading real estate developer in the region. He has been involved in setting up the joint venture in Latin America for Payless Shoe Source.
  
  
• Mr. Keith was born in Costa Rica 44 years ago; he is based in Costa Rica and has a BBA from the University of Michigan.

This afternoon there will be another hearing in the 11th Circuit Court in Miami, and I suspect the outcome will go resoundingly in favor of Airbox Express (Aerocasillas.) The damage caused by these scumbags, James Fendell and John Keith, is considerable and it will take years to recover. I suspect that eventually the judicial authorities in Panama will also decide in favor of Airbox as well, and those (scumbags) who are responsible will be made to pay for their actions and their exceptionally poor business decisions. Nothing short of shameful...

Copyright 2009 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.   

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - I just found out that Aeropost, the company that's illegally trying to usurp all of Airbox's customers, is not actually owned by James Fendell. Apparently some years ago Fendell sold 60% ownership to Banco Promerica, whose President is John Keith. The Promerica group has investments in a lot of things, and chances are they might be completely unaware of the bullshit James Fendell and his people in Miami are pulling. Well, if that's the case right now it won't be for long. I just sent an email off to John Keith, asking for a comment. Because if they are aware of this stuff, then it's not James Fendell who's pulling the strings, but rather John Keith. I just want to know who I should be focusing on, that's all. And by the way, I've also been told that mail and packages are flowing flawlessly for existing Airbox customers who have started to use the new address - the switch to the new service provider (away from Aeropost) has actually improved service significantly. Go figure. Anyway, more to come as I continue to unravel the Aeropost network of crap.

Copyright 2009 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.    

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Received today via email - "Hi Don,I have a package 'lost' or more likely held hostage at aeropost. My cel phone had a mes. that there was a package, but no name, no phone number etc. Any idea how to reach these scoundrels in PC. It is not in the Airbox system so far and it's been two weeks. Hope the Postal inspector gets these guys; criminal and no less. Thanks, J." I still have not heard the results of the most recent hearing that was supposed to occur yesterday in the 11th Circuit Court in Miami, but I suspect that eventually Aeropost will be ordered and forced to turn over all mail rightfully belonging to Airbox Express (Aerocasillas) customers in Panama. I suspect that James Fendell and the crooks at Aeropost will eventually be held accountable for their illegal actions - both here in Panama as well as in Miami. I will post more updates and follow up information as it becomes available.

Copyright 2009 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.    

By Karen Jowers - Staff writer - Air Force Times - The flow of mail - including prescription drugs sent through the Tricare Mail-Order Pharmacy program - is about to slam to a halt for about 4,800 military retirees and their survivors living overseas who use APO and FPO addresses at U.S. embassies and consulates. Neither State Department nor Defense Department officials would confirm a date when mail will stop, but other sources said the effective date at the moment is Dec. 31. The change will not affect others with APO or FPO mail privileges on overseas military installations, including about 20,000 military retirees who have such addresses because of some other connection to the military community - having a Defense Department civilian job, or being married to an active-duty member assigned overseas, for example. Nor will it affect Defense Department personnel, both military and civilian officially assigned to embassies and consulates. The change will limit affected retirees to using foreign mail systems that in some parts of the world can be slow, unreliable or expensive. "Eliminating embassy mail privileges for American military retirees overseas was a poor decision on a number of levels," said Joe Davis, a spokesman for Veterans of Foreign Wars. "Not only will the U.S. government have to pay higher postage rates, they will no longer be able to guarantee delivery once it enters a foreign postal system. " Some retirees who have received APO/FPO mail through embassies and consulates are particularly concerned about the effect on Tricare Mail-Order Pharmacy prescriptions. "Congress needs to get involved immediately," Davis said. Tricare will continue to process prescriptions through Dec. 1 to allow time for delivery before the mail service ends, said spokeswoman Bonnie Powell. Tricare will begin sending out letters to affected retirees in the next few weeks to let them know of the change and their prescription options, she said. The core issue is a change in mail delivery responsibility for embassies and consulates, said a government official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. For about two years, officials from the State Department and Pentagon have been working to shift mail delivery to State Department facilities overseas from the traditional APO/FPO addresses to a new designation to be known as DPO, for Diplomatic Post Offices. Under the current system, the Defense Department covers the cost of getting APO/FPO mail from the U.S. port of embarkation to overseas locations, which is the most expensive part of the process. The State Department covers similar costs for diplomatic mail. The sender - whether Tricare, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, the Veterans Affairs Department, or a relative or friend of a retiree - pays only regular domestic rates to get the mail to the postal facility at the U.S. port of embarkation where APO/FPO mail is processed for overseas delivery. As part of the initiative to separate State Department and military mail, State has said it cannot be responsible for the costs of mail going to military retirees at embassies and consulates. Although no firm cost estimates available, sources said the cost is considerable. State Department retirees living in overseas areas have never been authorized to receive APO/FPO mail, nor will they be authorized to receive DPO mail, the source said. Complicating the issue further, the Defense Department, by law, cannot pay the State Department for delivery of military retiree mail, the source said. Defense and service officials reportedly are considering whether to pursue legislation that would allow the Defense Department to pay for military retiree mail to embassies and consulates, but cost is part of that decision. The source said there has been "significant emotional discussion" about the fact that if retirees and their survivors are not notified in time to make alternate plans for getting their medications through Tricare, their health and even lives could be in jeopardy. The source said this only applies to post offices that will be converted to DPOs, and they will not be converted before this issue has been resolved. The largest number of affected retirees are in Panama. Retired Air Force Master Sgt. Jose Claudio, commander of the Latin America/Carribean chapter of the VFW, said about 900 military retirees are registered with the U.S. Consulate in Panama for mail purposes. "It's a mess for a lot of people living in Panama, especially the widows," Claudio said. "This will have a big impact on the veterans, widows and children," said retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Floyd Skoubo, who handles Tricare issues for the VFW in Panama. Many retirees also get Social Security, military retirement and disability benefit checks through embassy and consulate post offices, Skoubo said. Using local foreign mail, those checks would become lucrative targets for theft, he said. In addition, he said, veterans living abroad must also file U.S. tax returns, and mail in their payments for taxes. "These could also be lost in local postal offices and mail forwarders," he said.   

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - In the hearing last Wednesday in Miami, in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in Miami-Dade County, Florida, the judge in the case, the Honorable Ronald M. Friedman, said "Simple solution. They don't use your proprietary mechanism and you don't deal with their clients. Their clients. Oh, did I say their clients? I think I did. Because you don't get them if they don't give them to you. It's their clients. You want to compete? Go compete. Don't take their clients. Go compete with anybody else you want. Go compete with anybody else you want. I don't have any problem with that at all. Go get any new customer and compete with them. Not their customers. Because how did you get that customer? You got it from them, period. MR. COHEN: But, Your Honor --- THE COURT: I'm sorry, but you didn't go into a telephone directory and pull out all of these names and send it out, you took their list of their customers. I have a real problem with that. A real problem with that..." The complete text of the transcript of the proceedings follows;   Click Here To Read The Full Article (5,451 words)

By Ivan Donoso for TVN Noticias - The shipment of packages and cargo belonging to some merchants from the United States to Panama has been delayed in recent days due to a conflict between two companies that until recently were partners. For 17 years the company Air Box or Aerocasillas, with a portfolio of more than 12,000 customers here in Panama, has worked together with another company in Miami called Aeropost, but lately there has been a misunderstanding. Right now Aerocasillas has filed a lawsuit in Miami because according to them Aeropost has retained most of their customers illegally. In a written statement Aeropost says they have given Airbox all of their packages and mail, but they respect the rights of the Panamanian customers to choose, and they ask Airbox Express to develop their own website, and it is certain that the customers are getting the worst part. The decision of the court in Miami is expected in the coming days.   

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - The lawyers for Airbox Express (Aerocasillas) in Panama are going to have a field day. Yesterday I was contacted by an Airbox Express customer who received a delivery from Aeropost employees. James Fendell, the CEO of Aeropost illegally redirected mail and packages that had been ordered by Airbox customers, in an attempt to hold that mail hostage and to force Airbox customers to switch over and magically become their customers. Forget the fact that Airbox Express has been working in this market for more than 17 years, and they have built up their customer base slowly over time through hard work - James Fendell and Aeropost thought it would be quicker and easier to simply hijack all of those customers, to literally steal them away from Airbox. Yesterday this entire bizarre scenario took another important twist. A guy wearing a shirt that said "Aeropost" arrived to deliver a package, but he was carrying a briefcase marked "Aerocasillas" and he presented documentation which identified the package as coming from "Aerocasillas" as well. There is no doubt - what James Fendell and Aeropost are trying to do in the Republic of Panama is flat-out illegal. They will eventually be held responsible for their actions in both criminal and civil court in Panama. And as I write this the 11th Circuit Court in Miami is hearing the case presented by Airbox, requesting an injunction against Aeropost. I should know the results of that hearing very soon, which was scheduled to finish eight minutes ago.

Copyright 2009 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.   

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - The unilateral decision taken by James Fendell, the CEO of Aeropost to illegally seize mail and packages in transit through his warehouse facilities in Miami Florida actually belonging to customers of Airbox (Aerocasillas) in Panama is starting to cause a series of unintended consequences. For example this afternoon I was contacted by the owner of Luzdecor here in Panama City. He sent an email to Aeropost today which said:

• "Subject: Hijacked Cargo. Good Afternoon Mr. Fendell & Mr. Goldner, I have been very patient with the situation that has occurred since the separation of Aeropost and Airbox Express / Aerocasillas. But now my patience has run out. I have contacted your only operator, Keila, on three occasions to find out when packages that have already arrived to your facilities in Doral Florida would be delivered to me. On Wednesday, October 7, 2009, she said that they would be delivered that afternoon. Please see attached transcript of the conversation. Of course that did not happen. Then I contacted her again on Thursday October 8, 2009 and she then advised me that two of many packages would be delivered no later than Saturday. Transcript attached. Saturday came and went with no delivery. Today I contacted her again and it was more frustrating. Transcript also attached. No delivery. No surprise. Now I am angry! You have no presence here in Panama. My contract is with Aerocasillas, not with your company. I have many hundreds of dollars worth of goods in the order and delivery pipeline that is needed and you have, in effect, hijacked those goods. See attached Package Page and Pre alert Page. I am very angry and will now pursue all legal channels available in the United States and here in Panama. In addition, I will contact as many Television Stations, Newspapers and Internet sites to make them aware of your unethical, immoral and most certainly, illegal activities. Luzdecor / Falco, S.A."

And According To The Transcripts: The operator for Aeropost admits that the company does not have any office or presence here in Panama City. As a matter of fact I wonder if they even have a commercial permit or licenses to operate in Panama at all. If they don't, and if they've delivered even one piece of mail, then they are breaking Panamanian law. And do you want to know why they can't deliver the mail? Because they lack those permits. So now their attempt to screw over Airbox Express is biting them in the ass, again. Hey, just for kicks, do a Google search for "James Fendell" or for "Aeropost Fendell" and see what comes up. Man, I love SEO. This James Fendell guy is a real lowlife scumbag who obviously thinks it's fair play to steal the customers of a former client. I doubt they will ever be able to operate successfully in the Republic of Panama. They spend several months trying to sabotage Airbox, and now they are sabotaging themselves. File these guys two steps below "pond scum".

Copyright 2009 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.   

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - I was recently informed that apparently (the scumbags at) Aeropost in Miami, who have been illegally holding your mail and packages hostage at their physical warehouse facility in Miami as part of their immoral and unethical attempt to steal Airbox's customers, has finally released the mail. Apparently they have been feeling the heat from the people who actually own those packages and mail, who have been bombarding them with phone calls and email demanding that they knock off the shenanigans and simply deliver the damn mail. And I suspect my rather caustic reporting on these bastards had some effect as well. Holy Backfire, Batman! Thanks to their lowlife attempt to steal all of Airbox's customers and to drive Airbox out of business, the entire world now knows what unethical pricks the people behind Aeropost, specifically James Fendell and Fred Goldner, actually are. I also learned yesterday Aeropost tried to pull this exact same bullshit against another small mail company on the island of St. Vincent in the Caribbean. The company involved filed legal action against Aeropost both in St. Vincent and in Miami, and as a result Aeropost is now legally prohibited from operating there. The lawsuit in Miami was settled out of court however Aeropost has not yet made any of the payments they are required to make as part of the settlement. And I have to ask, is anyone surprised that James Fendell would go back on his word? Of course not. If I have learned anything at all in covering this story, the owner of Aeropost, James Fendell, is an absolute scumbag who should not be trusted with anything at all. It makes no sense whatsoever to trust this man and his company with anything, whatsoever. He has publicly established a pattern of conduct which includes lying to his business partners, stealing their customers, going back on his word, and engaging in unethical and immoral predatory business practices. It's much, much better that we here in Panama have been given the opportunity to see the true colors of this man and his company at an early stage of the game. The hearing in this case in the lawsuit filed against Aeropost by Airbox Express is scheduled for Wednesday, 14 October 2009. I can't wait.

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Copyright 2009 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.   

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Received today in the comments section of an earlier article: "Thankfully Airbox Express Aerocasillas' PO Box 025207 in Miami did not change so you don't need to change your PO Box address for mail & magazines. The only change is the street address for packages which can easily be updated when you make your next purchase.

The integration process with our new operations center in Miami has been a success. Mail & magazines mailed to P.O. Box 25207, Miami, FL 33102-5207 and packages received at our new address, 7801 NW 37th St. Doral, FL 33166-6503, are being delivered more promptly than ever.

We would like to apologize for any inconvenience if you still have not received packages that were shipped to our previous address (Aeropost). Unfortunately, Aeropost has failed to cooperate with us in facilitating this transition. Our main priority, however, continues to be providing you with excellent service. We are doing everything to resolve this matter as soon as possible. If Aeropost demands payment for the delivery of a package, please proceed to do so. Ask them for an invoice & payment receipt and Airbox Express Aerocasillas will reimburse you 100% for the freight.

We would like to thank you once again for your time and support. To avoid further inconveniences, make sure to direct all your packages to 7801 NW 37th St, Doral, FL 33166-6503

Best regards, Keith Blume President, Airbox Express Aerocasillas"

Copyright 2009 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.   

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - I just received an email from Lic. Edgard S. Muñoz M., a lawyer who works for the firm SUCRE, ARIAS & REYES here in Panama City. In his email he writes: "Dear Mr. Winner: Enclosed to this communication you will find copies of the following documents sent today by registered mail to your office: 1. Letter from our office requesting you to comply with Law No.22 of year 2005 from the Republic of Panama regarding the “Right to Reply” in relation with your comments made about our client during October 7 and 8, 2009 2. Statement from our client, Aeropost International, answering your comments made through your webpage, which is considered under Panamanian Law an Communication Media in the Republic of Panama. Best regards, Edgard S. Muñoz M., SUCRE, ARIAS & REYES, Direct Tel: (507) 204-7928, Tel: (507) 204-7900, Fax: (507) 264-1168, www.sucre.net" Well golly, it will be my distinct pleasure. I mean, really. It's not every day that someone comes banging on my door to demand equal time. Obviously the people at Aeropost want to make this into a case of "he said, she said" and that's perfectly fine with me. I mean, I already have my mind made up - I think I'll choose to believe my wife's Pastor - but that's just me, and anyway it's also encumbent upon me to fully disclose those kinds of biases. Wait - here's another one - Airbox Express has been advertising on my website for years. Anyway, without any further ado, may I present the Aeropost version of events, for what it's worth... (more)

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• A Comment from Keith Blume, Owner of Airbox Express
  
  
• Newsflash! Aeropost Rolls Over Like A Limp Fish!
  
  
• James Fendell Should Be Expelled From the American Chamber of Commerce

   Click Here To Read The Full Article (1,746 words)

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Yesterday the Panamanian company Aerocasillas S.A. (Airbox Express) filed a lawsuit and other legal actions against Aeropost in the Circuit Court of the 11th Judicial Circuit, Miami-Dade County, Florida. The lawsuit is a great read and it fully explains the situation, so please feel free to click this link if you would like to download a copy for yourself and enjoy a leisurely perusal. There was one other significant change overnight. Yesterday afternoon the (scumbags at) Aeropost were telling people through their website that the mail they had hijacked could be picked up at one of three operating locations of a company called "Postnet" in Panama City. Well, as of this morning and after the publication of my article yesterday, now Aeropost has removed all references to any operating location in Panama City, and they only say that they will drop off your mail. I have not yet been able to contact anyone from the Postnet operation, but from what I understand they probably had no idea what (those scumbags at) Aeropost were doing, and now they want no part of it. As a matter of fact, I seriously doubt any existing, established, and self respecting company will want anything to do with these guys in this market. And most importantly, Aeropost continues to illegally hold mail in transit basically "kidnapped" - as they try to convince Airbox customers to switch over to them. The legal actions continue, and later today TVN will be interviewing the general manager at Airbox. Tomorrow - maybe La Prensa, who knows... Like I said yesterday, I'm just getting warmed up.

On A Side Note: It saddens me that Aeropost is an American company from the United States. In my personal opinion they are conducting themselves in a truly despicable manner, and I certainly hope they get everything they have coming to them. As a fellow American, they are an embarrassment.

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• A Comment from Keith Blume, Owner of Airbox Express
  
  
• Newsflash! Aeropost Rolls Over Like A Limp Fish!
  
  
• James Fendell Should Be Expelled From the American Chamber of Commerce

Copyright 2009 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.   

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - I wouldn't trust these bastards from Aeropost in Miami to lick the spit from the bottom of my shoes. I have spent quite a bit of time between yesterday afternoon and this morning looking into the evolution of this entire problem between Airbox Express and one of their former service providers, a company called Aeropost from Miami. From what I have learned thus far, it now seems the immoral and unscrupulous scumbags from Aeropost has stabbed one of their longtime customers, Airbox Express of Panama, in the back. They are now trying to do as much damage as possible to Airbox Express, to steal their customers, and even steal employees from Airbox Express. This morning I learned these pricks from Aeropost are calling directly into the offices of Airbox Express in Panama City and offering future employment opportunities to current Airbox Express employees in an attempt to get them to switch sides. Aeropost has also "seized" or "placed a hold" on mail and packages at their facility in Miami that rightfully belongs to Airbox Express customers. If you are a customer of Airbox Express in Panama, Aeropost has illegally seized your mail in Miami and they are not delivering it as required by federal law! Aeropost has also raided the database of customer information and they are sending repeated email directly to Airbox Express customers, asking them to switch over to their new company. Jorge Zelaya is the General Manager of Airbox Express, and Keith Blume is the owner. I have known both of these people for years, and they have worked hard to build a solid business that provides good service, and Airbox Express has been a long time advertiser on this website. There is no doubt whatsoever that what these bastards from Aeropost are doing is morally corrupt at the very least. There's also a good possibility their actions have broken several federal laws as well. As I write this, Keith Blume is filing an injunction in court in Miami to force these bastards to cease and desist. No matter what happens, if the people behind Aeropost would stoop to these levels in order to try to make a buck, would you trust them with your mail? I sure has hell would not. (more)

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• Aerocasillas S.A. (Airbox) Sues Aeropost - Get Your Copy Here
  
  
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• A Comment from Keith Blume, Owner of Airbox Express
  
  
• Newsflash! Aeropost Rolls Over Like A Limp Fish!
  
  
• James Fendell Should Be Expelled From the American Chamber of Commerce

   Click Here To Read The Full Article (1,864 words)

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - I received a telephone call this afternoon from the manager of Airbox Express, Jorge Zelaya, expressing his concern over what has been happening since this past weekend with Aeropost. According to Jorge, Aeropost has apparently decided to sequester the packages that were in the pipeline, not deliver them, and to send email directly to all of Airbox's customers, asking them to switch to Aeropost. I still don't have all of the details, but you can bet that I'm going to get them. More as it becomes available. Right now this is a very fluid situation.

Related Articles:

• More Info on the Airbox Express Problem - And Why Aeropost Can Never Be Trusted
  
  
• Aerocasillas S.A. (Airbox) Sues Aeropost - Get Your Copy Here
  
  
• Well, That's A First - Aeropost Demands Equal Time
  
  
• A Comment from Keith Blume, Owner of Airbox Express
  
  
• Newsflash! Aeropost Rolls Over Like A Limp Fish!
  
  
• James Fendell Should Be Expelled From the American Chamber of Commerce

Copyright 2009 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.   

Airbox Express Aerocasillas is the industry leader in P.O. Box and Express Cargo Services with more than 15 years of experience in Latin America. Through your Airbox Express Aerocasillas Smart Address, you can bring all your purchases from the best stores and web sites in the USA, receive and send documents and letters, subscribe to magazines, bring spare parts and even bring heavy merchandise via our maritime service. All of this is provided with the guarantee of a service that is easy to use, fast, affordable and secure. (more)   Click Here To Read The Full Article (1,079 words)

UNI Global Union - The President and Executive of the Panama Postal Workers Union, FETRACELAP, met with UNI Head of Post & Logistics Neil Anderson, UNI Americas Regional Secretary Rodolfo Benitez and UNI Americas Post & Logistics Director, Cenise Monteiro, to discuss the issues facing this newly elected Executive of the union. In recent union elections a whole new team to run the union was put in place and they have been seeking UNI Americas help with the issues currently facing them in Panama. The most pressing issue is a new Bill that has been brought into the Panama parliament that looks to change the postal regulations, to set up a new postal regulator and to make the market more open. Neil Anderson told the union this is an issue for Post & Logistics unions globally and UNI Post & Logistics was working with affiliates to help them lobby their local parliaments and law makers to put proper regulation in place, with independent regulators who took into account social issues and were obligated to talk to unions and workers about how the regulations would affect their jobs. The union President, Ismael Ruiz, said the bill would precipitate the modernization of Panama Postal services and the union feared this would mean job losses and staff reductions which the union members say will not help improve the quality of service improvements that are needed to ensure Panama Post is a viable and competitive business. (See Comments)   Click Here To Read The Full Article (30 words)

Mail Boxes Etc. (The UPS Store) is a USA based Postal and Business service Franchise Company with over 6,000 stores located around the World. In Panama we are pleased to service your local and international mailing needs at any of our 16 MBE Stores located in Panama. Through our mailing forward service in Miami, Florida, we deliver our newly arriving customers to Panama all their USA mail, favorite magazine subscriptions, as well as online purchases from favorite sites like Amazon.com and Barnes and Nobles. We provide you an USA based address that you can use for all your mailing needs as well as keeping connected with family and friends. (more)    Click Here To Read The Full Article (126 words)

Airbox Express Aerocasillas is the industry leader in P.O. Box and Express Cargo Services with more than 15 years of experience in Latin America, and we are proud to serve the needs and expectations of our customers by giving favorable results for all of our clients. Through your Airbox Express Aerocasillas Smart Address, you can bring all your purchases from the best stores and web sites in the USA, receive and send documents and letters, subscribe to magazines, bring spare parts and even bring heavy merchandise via our maritime service. All of this is provided with the guarantee of a service that is easy to use, fast, affordable and secure. (more)   Click Here To Read The Full Article (1,332 words)

(Denver, CO)---Since opening its first location in 1993, PostNet has been a one-stop shop for the small business owner. Fourteen years later, the Denver-based company is bringing their signature services to Panama – the first step in the brand’s expansion into Central America. Pranas Lukauskis, CEO of Panaoutsource & Mail S.A., has acquired the master franchise for PostNet in Panama and will have a soft opening for PostNet Panama on September 20th with a grand opening tentatively scheduled for October 11th. Panaoutsource has done everything to customize their business for the Panamanian market: in addition to global shipping companies such as FedEx, DHL and UPS, Panaoutsource will also utilize the services of regional companies Copa Airlines Courier and Grupo Zoom. Once the Panama City business is running smoothly, Panaoutsource plans to open four additional locations across the country by 2010. (more)    Click Here To Read The Full Article (119 words)

El Cangrejo, Panama City, Panama, 06/01/2007 - Panama's Airbox Express Aerocasillas enables temporary and permanent Expats the ability to travel without worry of changing addresses. Airbox Express Aerocasillas, Panama’s oldest and largest mail and package forwarding company, today announced their new “Snowbird” service for permanent and temporary Expats living in Panama. “We will hold our client’s mail and packages until they return to Panama at no additional charge or storage fees,” said Yvonne Kilborn, Assistant General Manager and Head of Communications. “We also offer an option to forward mail or urgent packages via courier anywhere in the world," said Kilborn. This option enables Airbox Express clients who travel extensively to receive important items in a timely manner instead of waiting until their return to Panama. Kilborn continued, “This avoids the need to change billing and address details with banks and credit card companies. The client simply tells us which mail and packages they wish forwarded by courier and we hold the rest until they return.” Baby Boomer Expats and business people living in Panama rely on mail and package forwarding services to receive goods and correspondence from overseas in a timely manner. Clients use an address in Miami for their International Mail and Packages. “After arrival in Miami, they are processed, sorted and shipped to Panama via our private courier service and delivered to our clients throughout the country,” said Kilborn. Popular items shipped to Panama include DVDs, books, specialty auto parts and clothing not available in local stores. Online shopping for products not available in Panama remains popular with Expats despite the added costs of shipping from Miami to Panama.   

After comparing companies providing a mail and package delivery service, we are certain you will choose Airbox Express. Airbox Express has the best people, technology, operations and service in the country. We give our clients more control of their account so they know when their mail and packages have been delivered. Our operations are centered in Panama City and not in the USA, therefore our clients benefit by choosing a low cost provider. Airbox Express/Aerocasillas is #1 in Panama. As the market leader, we process more mail and packages than the competition. While competitors have come and gone, Airbox Express/Aerocasillas has over 15 years experience providing mail and package delivery service to thousands of clients. All mail and packages for our clients in Panama City and David is delivered directly to your home or office. Our clients in Boquete receive daily deliveries to Flete Chavales, located on Main Street two doors down near Banistmo bank. You may get started today by opening a promotional account. Our promotional account has no monthly fees. With a promotional account you only pay when mail and packages are received or delivered. If you receive mail regularly and know your monthly consumption we have other accounts that may be more cost effective. To save more money, you may also choose to receive mail weekly rather than daily.    Click Here To Read The Full Article (910 words)

(From: Larry and Alice in Santiago) Hi, Don. Here's the information on U.S. Mail Service to Santiago - Hot Express 2292 N.W. 82nd Ave., Miami, FL 33122, Telephone: 305-593-9350. Tina Alvarez is the gal we dealth with. Very accommodating. They have three different plans to choose from depending on the volume of mail you expect to receive each month. You only have to pay by the month and there are no initial fees or yearly contracts. They also have an office in Panama City. Kenia, who speaks English very well, is the manager there (tel. 226-9837) and she is also very personalable and accommodating. They accept packages, no problem. They make deliveries to David & Boquete weekly also. Delivery service is by Uno Express out of Panama City. They have an office in Santiago, beside McDonalds and behind the Delta Petro Station. Uno Express office number: 958-8459 Delivery is once a week, usually on Fridays. We are happy to have the service available. We hope this will help someone else that is moving to Panama. We appreciate your site, Don. It's nice to have a "place" to go to to find out infomation. Larry & Alice Anderson, Santiago, Veraguas   

We've discussed the details and requirements of moving to Panama with Pets on the email groups at least a dozen times. I've collected up some of the most salient points and included them in this recap.   Click Here To Read The Full Article (2,956 words)

There are a few legal hurdles and things to consider if you plan to or want to either buy a bun here in Panama when you arrive, or bring one with you when you come. This subject was recently discussed at length in the Americans in Panama Yahoo! group, and Susan was nice enough to capture it all for this article. Thanks, Susan...   Click Here To Read The Full Article (1,710 words)

Contact Mabel Gambarelli at Inter-Cargo Systems in Houston, mabel @ shipICS.com or 713-688-4549. Are you shipping other things besides a car? If so, you could put the car in the container with your other things.    Click Here To Read The Full Article (131 words)

Immigrating to Panama for many of us, means bringing Household Goods/Cars from the United States; as permitted by the Pensionada laws of Panama. Here's an overview of some of the things you will need to consider.    Click Here To Read The Full Article (478 words)