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Post by suzanne on Dec 28, 2007 11:21:14 GMT -5
Our apartment keys arrived yesterday. So I am getting excited. They sent specific information about the apartment including instructions not to run the washer /drier combo at night so as not to disturb the neighbors. Are they that noisy?
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Post by Truffaut on Dec 28, 2007 11:23:59 GMT -5
Suzanne,
Congratulations! I don't suspect the appliances are that noisy, but do keep in mind that the noise pollution laws in Paris are very stringent, and can be punished by fines payable immediately. Generally, the French try to avoid bothersome noise from about 9pm until around 9am.
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Post by suzanne on Dec 28, 2007 11:38:53 GMT -5
Thanks Truffaut. Funny thing happened last year. We sitting quietly eating dinner in our little apartment around 8 PM. There was a knock ont he door and a guy asked us if we knew why he was hearing a loud humming noise in his apartment below ours. I thought it was weird since we could not hear it. I always have so much trouble figuring out how to even use the appliances. I do recall that the dishwasher was louder than ours at home. There were no instructions for the washer and when I did get it going it took forever to finish. I discovered that by using the delicate cycle it finished faster and the clothes were less wrinkled.
Another adventure in Paris. I read your info about the snow at the Eiffel Tower. Are you in Paris now?
Suzanne
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Post by annettecinca on Dec 28, 2007 12:02:01 GMT -5
Woohoo! The countdown begins!
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Post by greyghost1 on Dec 28, 2007 12:32:30 GMT -5
suzanne, we stayed at an apt on rue Princesse this past March and when I used our washer/dryer combo it sounded like it was going to leave its moorings and go up through the ceiling. It was extremely noisy. And it took forever to dry anything.
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Post by Truffaut on Dec 28, 2007 14:14:35 GMT -5
Suzanne, No, I'm stuck in Maryland Greyghost, The dryers in Paris are horrible. We didn't even bother to buy one, because they basically don't work.
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Post by suzanne on Dec 28, 2007 14:31:34 GMT -5
On that note, Is it possible to use only the washer part of the washer/drier combo? I really prefer to hang my clothes rather than have them come out a wrinkled mess.
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Dec 28, 2007 19:25:27 GMT -5
Suzanne - I'm sure Truffaut will have more precise information but we've never found a way to set the blasted things for "wash only" without the three hour alleged-dry cycle. I hate the combination machines - they take forever and do a woefully inadequate job. (A friend in rural France told us that he would never buy anything other than an American brand like Maytag - !)
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jsmla
Junior Member
Posts: 84
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Post by jsmla on Dec 28, 2007 19:58:45 GMT -5
Do they always send the keys in the mail? It would be unbelievably thrilling to have my very own key to my very own (at least for a week) Paris apartment in my hot little hand. I think I would let it accidentally fall out of my purse a few times just so I could show off. You must be so excited!
Jennifer
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Dec 28, 2007 20:21:21 GMT -5
Jennifer, it depends entirely on the agency - if they are going to send you the keys (or meet you at the apartment) they will let you know (info should be in your confirmation documents somewhere - if not, you might want to send them a message to see how they handle it).
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Post by suzanne on Dec 28, 2007 21:10:23 GMT -5
Jennifer, this is the 4th time I've rented from this agency(vacationinparis.com) and they have always sent the keys approximately two weeks before arrival. I like that because we do not have to meet someone at the apartment at a given time. Although there is something to be said about having someone there to show you how to work the darn washing machine. The last time we went to paris our flight got in late, our luggage went missing, and our shuttle left without us. We got to the apartment at 6 instead of 3 as we had planned so we were very happy to have the apartment keys in hand.
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Post by Truffaut on Dec 29, 2007 8:32:02 GMT -5
A lot of the American appliances are just too big for the available space in a Paris apartment. Our dear friend, AnneParis, has a glorious "frigo américain" in her unusually large kitchen--a double-door refrigerator with an ice maker. It's the only one I've seen in Paris!
I can see how the mailed keys are convenient, but what happens if you misplace them or leave them at home? We've been very happy with having our concierge meet guests upon arrival. In over three years, there have only been two problems--one of which was entirely my fault.
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Post by suzanne on Dec 29, 2007 13:05:10 GMT -5
Truffaut, They provide two emergency contact phone numbers to call if you lose the keys. There is also an extra set in the apartment. I guard those keys with my life. They also do not return your security deposit until they get the keys back. I have already put tme in my carryon bag and will transfer them to my nck pouch upon arrival in Paris.
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Dec 29, 2007 14:21:45 GMT -5
Suzanne - you are wise to guard the keys carefully. We were told on one trip (don't recall by whom) that replacing a set of keys (expecially if they have to have the locksmith come to the place, make the new ones on site, etc.) is extremely expensive and time consuming (perhaps in part because of all the old locks?) which is why they charge so much if you lose them.
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Post by Ray(aka) tripnebraska on Dec 29, 2007 16:03:32 GMT -5
Suzanne, When our apartment Key arrived from Vacation in Paris, I immediately called them, and said, I have loved working with your company, but I'm disappointed to only receive one key, for 2 couples to use. You can imagine my embarrassment when the pleasant reply was, "that's because the rest of your keys are on the foyer table in the apartment." I had to laugh at myself for that one.
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Post by Truffaut on Dec 29, 2007 16:33:43 GMT -5
Becky, Each of the keys to our front door costs $75!! When we had the lock on the door replaced, it was $1,000!!!!!
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