9 ms·

I learned recently that you want a fixer that knows and bribes people where it's customary and expected. Going through lengthy processes deaf to the trigger phr

I learned recently that you want a fixer that knows and bribes people where it's customary and expected. Going through lengthy processes deaf to the trigger phrases will make your life, which could be incredibly easy, unbearably hard in many countries.

nimos 3y ago
Honestly I don't think most people need a "fixer" - just any local friend. Either they will know the expected bribe amount or they can figure it out. Also you might be able to get them to do stuff for you where all of the sudden the bribe is 1/10 the amount because they are local. Maybe if you are doing more serious stuff like business or real estate it makes sense.
- mlinhares 3y ago
  In specific countries, like Brazil, “fixer” is a real job (it’s called “despachante” there) and it’s supposedly someone that knows the bureaucracy and how to navigate it. Most of the time when you need to deal with a government agency you’d go through one of them. They don’t advertise that they’ll bribe people to get it done but that’s how it works.
  - matheusmoreira 3y ago
    Their services are well worth it, bribes or not. The less you interact with brazilian bureaucracy, the happier you are.
gwd 3y ago
It is worth pointing out that (at least according to the corporate training I have to take every year) this is considered illegal by the US government for a US citizen to do even not on US soil; if the Feds get wind of it and feel like making a point they could throw you in jail, even with an intermediary "fixer".
- Roritharr 3y ago
  That's why these services are usually provided by "expat services agencies" that do these things intransparently to your knowledge.
  - brnt 3y ago
    It's amazing how based on the label, people are fooled. At least people in Vietnam don't kid themselves and call a bribe a bribe.
  - mcculley 3y ago
    Other common terms are “broker” or “agent”. I pay the agent. He deals with the local bureaucracy. He knows what things should cost.
    - samstave 3y ago
      AKA; ...'eeeeyyyyy, IgottaGuy..."
      - mcculley 3y ago
        In my experience, they are more professional. I engage with a firm who offers "customs brokerage" and "agent" services. They take care of any local payments necessary. I get a proper invoice that I pay with a wire transfer.
        samstave 3y ago
        Yooz nedda'h gotta'h guy.. den, huz?
- 15155 3y ago
  The FCPA allows "grease payments" to officials performing their official duties.
  - deleted 3y ago

nimos 3y ago

Honestly I don't think most people need a "fixer" - just any local friend. Either they will know the expected bribe amount or they can figure it out. Also you might be able to get them to do stuff for you where all of the sudden the bribe is 1/10 the amount because they are local. Maybe if you are doing more serious stuff like business or real estate it makes sense.

mlinhares 3y ago
In specific countries, like Brazil, “fixer” is a real job (it’s called “despachante” there) and it’s supposedly someone that knows the bureaucracy and how to navigate it. Most of the time when you need to deal with a government agency you’d go through one of them. They don’t advertise that they’ll bribe people to get it done but that’s how it works.
- matheusmoreira 3y ago
  Their services are well worth it, bribes or not. The less you interact with brazilian bureaucracy, the happier you are.

gwd 3y ago

It is worth pointing out that (at least according to the corporate training I have to take every year) this is considered illegal by the US government for a US citizen to do even not on US soil; if the Feds get wind of it and feel like making a point they could throw you in jail, even with an intermediary "fixer".

Roritharr 3y ago
That's why these services are usually provided by "expat services agencies" that do these things intransparently to your knowledge.
- brnt 3y ago
  It's amazing how based on the label, people are fooled. At least people in Vietnam don't kid themselves and call a bribe a bribe.
- mcculley 3y ago
  Other common terms are “broker” or “agent”. I pay the agent. He deals with the local bureaucracy. He knows what things should cost.
  - samstave 3y ago
    AKA; ...'eeeeyyyyy, IgottaGuy..."
    - mcculley 3y ago
      In my experience, they are more professional. I engage with a firm who offers "customs brokerage" and "agent" services. They take care of any local payments necessary. I get a proper invoice that I pay with a wire transfer.
      - samstave 3y ago
        Yooz nedda'h gotta'h guy.. den, huz?
15155 3y ago
The FCPA allows "grease payments" to officials performing their official duties.
- deleted 3y ago