History / POLAND: EASTERN or CENTRAL European country? [1080]

This is very simple - Poland during the cold war period was always considered Eastern Europe from a Political view point - BUT Geographically it is Central Europe. My girlfriend is Polish I always tell her Poland is Eastern Europe - I only say this because it really annoys her and I can tease her - It is Central Europe, politically though now it is Western Europe.

History / POLAND: EASTERN or CENTRAL European country? [1080]


My last point about about Poland being Western Europe was a reference to a Political shift from the cold war years. Eastern Germany was always regarded as Eastern Europe, removal of the Berlin Wall and unification brought that part of the world into Western Europe (politically)

Poland's culture is location specific and tied to its geographical location and the influences of that region, regardless of whether it is East or West politically.

UK, Ireland / EXCHANGE RATES BETWEEN POLISH ZLOTY AND BRITISH POUND [73]


Sorry to hear that - I have bought some properties in Poland (long term investment and I intend to spend more time there - really like the country) and we have just had to pay the deposits - me and the guy I am buying with have had to stump up another 10% in sterling to get the equivalent in Zloty.

Real Estate / Where to look on the internet for Poland Real Estate [112]

Can anyone give me a good web link for buying commercial property for sale in Lodz - any info would be appreciated - Cheers

Real Estate / Apartments too expensive for Poles living in Poland [54]


Actually it should like this:

602.77 per month x 12 months divided by 52 weeks in the year and then divide by 40 hours per week = PLN 3.48 per hour.

The other way only accounts for 48 weeks in a year

Travel / Driving to Poland from England - any tips? [264]

Take a plane :-)

News / Zloty exchange rates - is this just speculation? [87]

The zloty is over valued against the pound. The weak pound is more a sign of the UK's recent economic weakness and as such I expect it to return to the PLN4.8 - PLN4.9 with it occasionally drifting to to PLN5 - 5.5 in speculation. The Polish economy on the ground does not seam to reflect the official view so my guess is that the Polish economy is lagging behind the economic problems the rest of Europe has endured.

Polonia / TRAVEL TO DUBAI - VISA for a POLE? [29]

For what its worth I will give you my experience.

Although Poland is in the EU it can be subject to visa restrictions in Dubai. In the UK I can get a visa organized through the Hotel I was staying. Other than a small charge for issuing a visa there was no other cost. However my Polish GF only had a Polish passport and so I had to pay a hefty deposit with the Hotel, about £1 - £1.5k (from memory) which was refunded to me after we left the country. I had to provide proof by way of an exit stamp in her passport before I got my money back. The reason is that if someone enters Dubai and outstays their permitted time the Hotel which you are staying at is responsible and will incur a large fine. Having said that I believe different Hotels do operate slightly different polices, I guess depending on whether they have had a lot of guests stay longer than they should. It appears that Polish visitors were considered a higher risk of outstaying their permitted visit.

News / Poland - the least liked German neighbour. [210]

The problem with Germany is that it just can't help itself, it has to be the one in front of everyone else, dictating what we all should and should not do......... As a nation in the early 1920's and later again in the 1940's they wanted to run Europe. Obviously we have all moved on from those dark days but even today they still want to run Europe, not from a military aspect but this time financially, they want to be in charge...... they want to get into bed with the French and run Europe. Don't get me wrong I am tolerant of other people, regardless of race or religion so I am not being anti German, I just don't like other countries telling me how I should live in my country.

I was absolutely delighted to see the Germans having to dig very,very deep into their pockets to help their 'Greek friends' out of their little financial troubles, and will do for some years to come... the Greeks have been having a party for the last 10 years, thanks to the E.U, not paying their taxes etc. and so under the E.U rules, which the Germans were so keen we all adopt, those in the E.U monetary Union must pay their share to help out all these other countries which have been partying (Like Spain, Portugal, Italy, Ireland),....... Guess what........... the UK aren't in the E.U monetary Union so we don't have to pay, and we don't want to join this club either, we don't want someone in Brussels telling us what to do.... simple.

I want like to thank our German friends for being so very generous and understanding in donating your hard earned money and giving it to our European neighbours so they can continue to party as they did before.......... Well done Germany, keep up the hard work.

Oh just one last thing.... the bit about the Germans getting into bed with the French, well they did but someone forgot to tell the Germans that the French were also having an affair behind their back with everyone else in Europe........... he, he, somethings never change :-)

News / Poland - the least liked German neighbour. [210]

Bratwurst Boy

Im sorry but your missing my point........... I never said we had all the answers, and we like most countries around the world have problems some really big problems, and no we don't make cars, were not very good at that anymore......... No I was making the point that Germany still wants to run Europe, only this time through the back door ........ influencing economical and ultimately political direction through running the EU.

It is suppose to be a DEMOCRACY which means when a country votes NO to a proposed treaty the result should be accepted. BUT NO, not in the good old EU, what key members like Germany and France want to do is keep pushing and applying political pressure on those countries that voted NO until the answer comes back YES.

I just find it amusing that for so long we have had Germany telling everyone else in the EU that cares to listen how wonderful a big cosy EU club is. Then along came the worst recession since the 1930's and all of a sudden the German people find out that they are down for dishing out a big juicy dollop of financial aid to those 'fellow' countries that have been, well lets say less frugal with their spending habits. All of a sudden germany wants to change the rules.

Once again thank you Germany, keep up the good work :-)

News / Poland - the least liked German neighbour. [210]

Oh God, 1939 again, I rest my case............. Any way, I'm sorry but I just can't take anyone seriously where they come from a country where lederhosen and oompa oompa music is considered cool and fashionable, and the population has had a charisma bypass operation at birth, sorry just not having it....... anyway where's your sense of humour........ oh forgot your German you don't have one, :-)))))))

Real Estate / MNE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY , LOFTS, U SCHEIBLERA, LODZ [36]

Unfortunately there is a very real chance I will lose the apartment. OPAL DEVELOPMENTS (WHO OWNED MNE INVESTMENTS) had most of my money 5 years ago and the balance 18 months ago. For the last 8 months they have been promising me the Notary papers - the truth of the matter is that I have been lied to and deceived - empty promises - its really disgusting

I have spent 2 years traveling from England to Lodz to fit out this apartment myself (Bathroom, kitchen, ceramic flooring, decoration - everything), my pension money was used to buy this place and fit it out to live - I had permission to live there from Opal before getting my Notary papers. Before I bought in Lodz I traveled around Central & Eastern Europe looking for an old building that had been renovated - I found what I wanted in Lodz and I visit there every month.

OPAL DEVELOPMENTS have other development sites close by, under other names.

If I lose this apartment I will put every piece of information I have out into the public domain including the names of the people who have done this to me, how they did it, and also the problems I uncovered with the development (I am a Construction Surveyor by profession). Future clients of OPAL DEVELOPMENTS - PART OF THE MEYDAN GROUP in Australia can decide if they like this company and want to do business with them in the future.

If you are really bored an have nothing much interesting to do I have a couple of videos of what we did:

First is during construction

dl.dropbox.com/u/52888877/IMG_0496.MOV

Second is nearly finished but I stopped because we have problem with developer

dl.dropbox.com/u/52888877/Video%2009-04-2011%2016%2017%2019.mov

Real Estate / MNE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY , LOFTS, U SCHEIBLERA, LODZ [36]

Thank you, I have a lawyer on board - probably "shutting the door after the horse has bolted" though - I hope through awareness of my situation other people will not fall in to the trap I have.

PS the development is actually finished with 40% occupancy they just could not sell all the apartments they had left hence why they are applying for bankruptcy.

Real Estate / MNE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY , LOFTS, U SCHEIBLERA, LODZ [36]

You are absolutely correct - that is in fact the only course of action. However I know the level they are looking at and its going to hurt. Banks are a bit like Rottweilers once they get their teeth into you they don't want to let go

Real Estate / MNE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY , LOFTS, U SCHEIBLERA, LODZ [36]

Midas

Basically they just lied and deceived me.

My problem occurred when the original apartment I was buying had a problem with oil coming through the walls, it looks like a water leak but it is oil. They could not stop it coming through the plaster. They have this problem in some parts of the development at U scheiblera.......... it was where the old machinery leaked oil into the old walls - now in some places it is coming back. I had to change the original apartment I was buying and sign an addendum to the contract - that's when they screwed me. They even lied about my parking space I paid for - originally I was told that my parking space was under the main building where my apartment is - on 'completion' they wanted to tell me that my parking space was in a remote building away from the main building.

I could write a story about this company......................but they have just lied and lied and lied. If it is found that they, the people working for Opal / MNE have acted illegally I will be instructing my lawyers to prosecute them.

I am not the only one to have been caught there are others that have also been caught.

Someone somewhere has a lot to answer - I have no intention of going quietly either........... I may not get my money back but equally I will pursue these people anyway I have to.

There are enough low life, parasitical scum bags scamming and cheating people in this world we don't need anymore.

Real Estate / MNE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY , LOFTS, U SCHEIBLERA, LODZ [36]

Wroclaw Boy

ehow.com/about_6311948_interesting-pit-bull-puppies.html

Misconceptions

Pit bull puppies are not born with "locking jaws" nor are their jaws the strongest of dog breeds. According to Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin of the University of Georgia, there's no evidence of a locking mechanism in the pit bull jaw. Dr. Brady Barr of National Geographic compared bite pressure per square inch (PSI) between a pit bull, a rottweiler and a German shepherd. The pit bull had the lowest PSI while the rottweiler had the highest on record for any domestic canine.

Like I said...................Rottweiler

Real Estate / MNE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY , LOFTS, U SCHEIBLERA, LODZ [36]

Hi Argen,

I do not know Polish Investments & Acquisitions sp zoo. I bought my apartment from MNE Developments direct and have appointed a Lawyer to complete outstanding paperwork.

I am assuming that this company tried to sell apartments that they did not own

Real Estate / MNE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY , LOFTS, U SCHEIBLERA, LODZ [36]

The final date to register any claim for anyone who has been tricked into parting with money, lied to by the sales people at MNE / Opal Developments, continually deceived and generally treated in a pretty disgusting way........ closes shortly.

I understand that the receiver on behalf of the bank has started to sell off apartments left unsold.

I paid for this apartment in full - 100%.Opal Developments have taken all of the money AND NOT PASSED THE MONEY TO THEIR BANK. They have now left me without the ownership papers.

There are also serious defects with the building which have never been addressed........ As a Construction Surveyor and someone who bought this place to live in Lodz I have been following this development for 5 long years, ever since I paid my deposit......they have never been addressed.

I am not the only person to have been conned by Opal Developments, I have spoken with several other people from this site who have had similar experiences.

Opal Developments have started another subsidiary company and are building another development down the road........ Shame on you Lodz council / Municipal Authority for letting this happen......

After 5 years in Poland I have had enough.......anyone thinking of investing in Poland I have this piece of advice.......DONT, SERIOUSLY DON'T DO IT, I was advised by my Polish friends not too, and I didnt listen.

Real Estate / MNE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY , LOFTS, U SCHEIBLERA, LODZ [36]

Yes you are right in everything you said.

The are many many problems with the Opal Development in Tymienieckiego.

1. The heating does not work in bigger apartments (as you described). This is a big problem
2. Many apartments and common areas have oil which leaked from the old textle machinery into the walls years ago and is coming through the plaster. We had to change our apartment because they could not solve the problem.

3. When they constructed the building they reduced the thickness of the sound insulation in the floor and the screed on top was made thicker to save money.

4. The screed they put down as a floor finish is substandard. The finished screed has a hard skin on the top surface but underneath the screed is soft and crumbly - classic signs that the mixture is too weak - again proberbly to save money.

5. The finish screed was suppose to have reinforcement mesh in - there is no reinforcent in the screed.
6 . The roof leaks.
7. The door entry system does not work.
8. Tiles and plaster are falling off the walls in the stairwell area - again problem with oil leaching through the walls
9. No services installed for the kitchen areas (water / drains).
10. There is a ventilation system in the building - vertical pipes with outlets serving all rooms. We have had to block the ventilation grilles up because it is continually blowing very fine black and white dust into the apartment. The dust gets into everything. We have had throw out one TV which was destroyed by the dust.

The development was late finishing and they had problems getting labour to finish the development. The used cheap foreign labour. The building on the face of it looks good, but it is superficial. The build quality is very, very poor.

The list above is just an example - the futher I look the more problems I see.

The developer OPAL DEVELOPMENTS are building other projects in Tymienieckiego. They are a walking disaster. They are now trying to sell the remaining apartments (possibly 200 Nr) off cheap.

If anyone wants a real challenge buy one...... Alternatively you could open a window and throw your money out the window - it would cheaper and less stress..

In conclusion and following legal advice I will be starting criminal proceedings against some of the people at Opal Developments for the lies and deception (I have lost 613,000PLN). I have kept a detailed account of this purchase going nearly 6 years now and he is disgusted at what he has read from OPAL DEVELOPMENTS.I am in Poland now speaking with local media to publicise what has actually be going on here. I won't get my money back and I will lose the apartment - but I will make public what this company has been doing.

Real Estate / MNE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY , LOFTS, U SCHEIBLERA, LODZ [36]

As I have mentioned before I have been involved with this disaster now for 5 years. I bet no one has informed the recent purchasers of all the problems in the Development. I was over there a few weeks ago, put a banner up and said my piece and got lots of media interest. Opal Developments and the people now trying to sell off the unsold apartments put pressure on me to remove the banner and keep quiet - probably because they had the auction coming up and didn't want me to 'spoil their party'. I haven't finished yet - in fact I have hardly started. The whole situation smells bad - really bad.

• 
  Protest Banner
  
• 
  Express News Lodz
  

Real Estate / MNE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY , LOFTS, U SCHEIBLERA, LODZ [36]

Actually yes I do...... They have more money and resources than me. The choice is very simple....

A) Put your trust in God - no good not religious!
B) Fight them in the courts - no good this is Poland. Justice has not fully evolved there yet
C) Raise the public profile and try to inform other potential Opal clients as to how this company operates - my choice

Real Estate / MNE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY , LOFTS, U SCHEIBLERA, LODZ [36]

Sorry no it's absolutely not about self gratification - you are way off in your conclusion.