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Can someone explain this to me? I don't really understand this chart or how to use it. At the time of my post it is saying "Green (Arbolitos)" is exchanging 1 USD for 6. 57 ARS pesos. I think that is what it says. Is Green a bank or exchange place I can go to? Does anyone know where it is? Is this "Green" not for Gringos and I should just go to Cueva or someones contact listed below? If I am staying in Recoletta and my Spanish is not very good, what address can I hand to a cab driver on a piece of paper to go get a good exchange rate. I guess that is what I really want to know.Also, that rate of 6. 57 is the selling rate (what it would cost you to BUY USD from that source). If you want to change your USD into pesos you need to look under 'COMPRA' (the blue rate being 5. 77 according to that site, which is well off the mark!). You'll get 6. 20 today, even off a random guy shouting 'CAMBIO' on Florida.
Thanks for all the good info guys. I've been packing / traveling all day. Just one more 10. 5 hour flight to go. I'll be there in the morning. One quick question. When looking over my bills for counterfeits what am I looking for? I have handled Argentina pesos before but I don't know how good the fakes are or if there is an easy way to spot them.
Daddy Rulz
08-29-12, 20:10
Thanks for all the good info guys. I've been packing / traveling all day. Just one more 10. 5 hour flight to go. I'll be there in the morning. One quick question. When looking over my bills for counterfeits what am I looking for? I have handled Argentina pesos before but I don't know how good the fakes are or if there is an easy way to spot them.Buy a couple at the airport cambio and use them to compare.
TejanoLibre
08-29-12, 20:14
Thanks for all the good info guys. I've been packing / traveling all day. Just one more 10. 5 hour flight to go. I'll be there in the morning. One quick question. When looking over my bills for counterfeits what am I looking for? I have handled Argentina pesos before but I don't know how good the fakes are or if there is an easy way to spot them.The good ones are really good and the bad ones are really bad.
Xeroxed!
I have seen people rub the bills against a piece of paper to see if the ink rubs off I think.
That and you hold it up to the light to see the watermarks and thread, etc.
I have a nice collection of fakes from my Resto-Bar days.
There are a lot of fake dollars too.
The greatest forger in Argentina's history has been caught like 4 or 5 times!
They call him Picasso.
Then there are the North Korean "Super Dollars" which even the US Treasury has trouble distinguishing between real dollars.
TL
Then there are the North Korean "Super Dollars" which even the US Treasury has trouble distinguishing between real dollars.
TL obvious false rumor. Look up "D500 Super Dollar Authenticator"
There are small private companies that make this and many other consumer level / retail outlet scanners that can detect regular and NK super dollar counterfeits (much less what the Treasury uses). These commonplace scanners cost a retail outlet less than $200 to purchase
SnakeOilSales
08-30-12, 00:33
"Arbolitos", which as you've noted means "little tree" in Spanish, refers to independent individuals, generally operating on the street corners, who offer currency exchange services.
"Arbolitos" are generally more prevalent in the poorer suburbs of the city, are generally willing to sell smaller amounts of dollars, and generally sell dollars at a slightly higher price than the city cambios.
If you're a typical American 1%'er selling dollars and buying pesos, the higher rate is in your favor.
Of course, if you're a poor person living in the villas selling your increasingly worthless pesos to buy dollars, the higher price for the dollar is not good for you.
Thanks,
JacksonThis is actually slightly inaccurate. The "arbolitos" have a much larger buy / sell spread than the "cuevas" in Capital Federal have, meaning that they might buy dollars at 6. 0 and sell them at 6. 57, whereas a "cueva" would typically have a buy / sell spread of 6. 2/6. 4.
6. 15-1 at the Cervino cueva this afternoon. Now better than Xoom after including their fees.
This is actually slightly inaccurate. The "arbolitos" have a much larger buy / sell spread than the "cuevas" in Capital Federal have, meaning that they might buy dollars at 6. 0 and sell them at 6. 57, whereas a "cueva" would typically have a buy / sell spread of 6. 2/6. 4.Yes, they have higher spreads because they deal in smaller amounts, from locations with less competition, and with individuals who have fewer options.
However, I'm not sure what part of my prior comments were "slightly inaccurate".
Thanks,
Jackson
I got here yesterday and went to Florida street. I talked to a couple "cambio" guys on the street. The first told me 6. 15 the second told me 6. 20. I went to the Western Union Gato Hunter mentioned and waited in line. They were pretty busy. When it was my turn I asked what the rate was and the guy said 6. 15. I said no thanks and started to leave and he asked me how much. I said on the street it was 6. 20 and he said ok 6. 20. I checked all the bills for the invisible face in the white part that is visible when you hold it up to the light. I figure that would be the hardest part to fake. They were all good so I left pretty happy about the whole thing. Thanks to everyone for all the good information.
Always something new it seems. In light speed recap, so far my xp over last couple weeks has been:
1. Sent before left the states, got confirmation ready for cash pickup less than 5 min. A+ I'm thinking.
2. Quick send but Xoom puts hold, asks for photo ID, bank or utility statement. Half day road block hassle to send in and have hold lifted. Cash pickup was same as before. Just double sign receipt and go.
3. This time More Casa guy hassles me for occupation and other misc info, makes a call, fills out form.
4. Lady cashier has me fill out personal info form again, also adds request for my business website. Plus phone call, more red tape time block.
Brings me to today. Sent xfer last night that put me over the $2999 per 30 day standard limit. Was at $2950 and sent myself $1k to test process of going over.
Xoom website automatically has me fill in additional occupation and driver license info. Got usual email confirmation of in process. Took bit longer than usual but from sending late night yesterday, got confirmed ready for pickup this morning. Xoom site now shows me new limit of $6k per 30 days and current remaining portion (and I assume capped at $19, 950 per 180 days from their FAQ but will test that when come to it)
Of course, More Casa can't make it that easy. This time the lady cashier asks me what my buenos aires cell number is. I tell her but she gets all red tape about how my recipient info says my local bs. As apt info but for cell number lists my US phone number. She seemed to want to insist that my recipient phone number must be my bs. As cell (which they collected as personal info on prior transactions). All prior transactions I'd sent. And profile for recipient I have setup in Xoom. Lists myself as recipient with my local bs. As apt address plus my contact number which is my US cell number and with intl roaming, works just fine down here.
I kept telling cashier my local recipient number is accurate because that's the phone I have as permanent number and works fine here in bs. As. Showed her my iPhone to reinforce the point and made a call showing my iPhone number. She still just couldn't handle that 'discrepancy' and made a few more calls.
25min later somebody at More office waived this obstruction long as I promised for my next transaction I correct this. So said yes and she moved on to next step. Thought last time recording my business website was just formality but turns out this time they really looked at it. The More office she called looked up my business website, had all sorts of confused reactions and had to spend 15 min defending my own business.
Finally after lot of frustration and explaining my source of income, their back office signed off and cashier lady went to counting cash and double receipt mode. Which contradicted what she herself had told me was need to fill out the personal info form each time. Oh well, wasn't going to complain.
Overall, I like having Xoom as additional dollars to peso source along with USD I brought. But hassles so far seem to be one non-stop new roadblock after another.
So did my 4th and final pre-going-over-standard-limit transfer today. Sent myself $950 to make my 30-day period total $2950. Just under the $2999 limit before further Xoom side verification stuff supposedly occurs (will report on that when I try that later in week)
For this one, I thought would be smooth sailing given my prior reports (already sent in extra verification docs to Xoom, including passport photo, DL photo, and bank statement confirming US address. Plus the More Casa requested form filled out with my name, occupation etc last time I picked up cash)
However, this time the cashier lady had me fill out form again. Last time guy filled out for me but looks like same form. But this time she asked for additional info the guy who filled out for me last time didn't.
Form wanted my name and address in states, and same for here in Argentina. Marital staus, some other misc junk. But on top of occupation title the cashier had me also fill in company name and web page. No idea what would have happened if I said my company didn't have a web URL but she was very insistent and had me fill it out twice on both top and bottom end of form.
Basically with that plus phone call she made, added about 25 min. The last 5 min was the usual double recipt sign and count out of money. I asked her if I had to do this each time because already filled out form last time and she said yes each time. So not giving up on Xoom given other ways to get dollars in are even more hassle but I'm just preparing myself for a 30-60min session each time now given line of people ahead of me
What you describe would have drove me nuts! But then I'm not known for having a lot of patience! LOL.
Went to the place on Arenales today. Was 6. 20, but they deducted a 3% fee (never had that before). Asked the girl why the new fee and she pretended she didn't know what I was talking about. Ended up being 6. 02. Anyone else having to put up with this B. S. ?
Gringo Verde
09-01-12, 18:15
Went to the place on Arenales today. Was 6. 20, but they deducted a 3% fee (never had that before). Asked the girl why the new fee and she pretended she didn't know what I was talking about. Ended up being 6. 02. Anyone else having to put up with this B. S. ?I went to the cambio at 3205 Scalabrini Ortiz on Thursday and got 6. 15 pesos to the dollar on a $1000 exchange. No fee, no hassle.
GV
Went to the place on Arenales today. Was 6. 20, but they deducted a 3% fee (never had that before). Asked the girl why the new fee and she pretended she didn't know what I was talking about. Ended up being 6. 02. Anyone else having to put up with this B. S. ?I was at Arenales yesterday around 2:00 pm and got 6.20. Large bills and small bills have different exchange rates at this place. $100 and $50 bills get the best rate. Anything smaller gets lower rate.
Gato Hunter
09-05-12, 00:01
Iavehad very off and on results with Xoom, I filled out all the forms I have a real job and good income. E but I have Ben cutoff then a few weeks later I could send about 1k$ then I was off again with no reason, fuck that shit.
Next trip it's cash ans cash onLy when I run out party's over. Will have AMEX card just incase jejejejejejee budget for early 2012 is 4k$ for 2 weeks magic pocket is back! I will have no p roblems changing money and if my wingman is with me I have very little to worry about, besides the western eunion office is easy as pie. I have done many runs to cervionos on the bus with 3 months salary aim my pockets and jock.
Plus cash on hand only is my SAFTEY valve I got out of hand last trip.
Daddy Rulz
09-05-12, 00:47
Iavehad very off and on results with Xoom, I filled out all the forms I have a real job and good income. E but I have Ben cutoff then a few weeks later I could send about 1k$ then I was off again with no reason, fuck that shit.
Next trip it's cash ans cash onLy when I run out party's over. Will have AMEX card just incase jejejejejejee budget for early 2012 is 4k$ for 2 weeks magic pocket is back! I will have no p roblems changing money and if my wingman is with me I have very little to worry about, besides the western eunion office is easy as pie. I have done many runs to cervionos on the bus with 3 months salary aim my pockets and jock.
Plus cash on hand only is my SAFTEY valve I got out of hand last trip.I know a guy this week that got 4 trucho 100 P notes there. He didn't know to check them but none had the watermark so be carefull when exchanging. Not just there but anywhere. For the most part I am 100% comfortable changing money at cambios but there is an element of buyer beware involved.
Silver Star
09-05-12, 10:46
I know a guy this week that got 4 trucho 100 P notes there. He didn't know to check them but none had the watermark so be carefull when exchanging. Not just there but anywhere. For the most part I am 100% comfortable changing money at cambios but there is an element of buyer beware involved.I have heard of fakes from cambios too, but usually they have a shoddy watermark, and the silver strip is pretty good.
Daddy Rulz
09-05-12, 11:02
I have heard of fakes from cambios too, but usually they have a shoddy watermark, and the silver strip is pretty good.These that I saw had none. The paper felt normal but when held up to the light there was none.
If you see a decent rate, or don't care that much, either way I've found there actually is a max cap to the fee they charge for single transfer.
Up to $1000, the xfer fee scales up. Example for bank source xfers, $6.75 for $200 converted to pesos cash pickup, $15.75 for $500, and max capped at $30 for $1000.
Thought it just kept scaling, but after $1000, it just stays flat at $30. Just did a $1500 xfer and paid the same $30 fee. So basically, it added 0.06 to my exchange rate, e.g. offered rate 6.05, but effective rate with fee if I had done $1000 would have been 5.87 to 1. With $1500 it effectively made it 5.93 to 1.
Not as good as a cueva with cash but so far I've found the delta small enough I've been mostly using Xoom while only going couple times to do USD cash exchanges at cueva on Scalabrini Ortiz.
Daddy Rulz
09-10-12, 19:27
Walking down Lavalle today at 4:44 I see all the Arbolitas, but nobody is saying a word. At 4:45 on the dot it was like the director yelled action and they all started saying,"cambio, cambio, cambio, dolleras, reales, cambio, cambio, cambio." kind of creepy.
Just helpful update for whomever may end up using Xoom.
1. Standard limit is $2999 within 30 day window, but can upgrade yourself with more verification docs to $6000 per 30 day window (turns out there's actually another third tier level that with more docs gets you to something like $20k / mo and $90k I think over 6 months. There may even be another custom level but this third tier hits after you've been approved for tier2 6k and when you get close to it the website points out with a helpful link tip how to get approved for tier3.
2. For whatever tier you are on, turns out the per 30 day window is a rolling period, not a blanket reset. So if you sent your first transaction on Aug 1, your entire 'limit balance' does not reset to 0 on Aug 31.
-it just removes whatever transactions are older than 30 days from the limit balance you are able to send.
-so if you sent $1 on Aug 1, then $2998 on Aug 30, and are on the tier1 (max $2999 plan). You will only have $1 of your limit reset on Aug 31. You'd have to in fact wait close to another month on Sep 29 to be able to have the Aug 30 txn wiped clean.
3. In short. If you plan to use Xoom consistently, it's best to send at even intervals, say once a week on the dot so you always have a txn from your limit balance being reset every week. Or upgrade to tier2 or 3, but even then the principle is the same.
Chicago Guy
09-16-12, 12:16
In the 'cuevas' on Calle Florida, do you get a better exchange rate for large amounts?
Also, how safe is the area around Calle Florida? Would it be advisable to exchange max 1000 USD per visit?
And finally: Do you think QE3 will have any negative impact on the strength of the USD in Argentina?
BlueFalcon
09-16-12, 14:44
Chicago Guy:
Should be no problem on Calle Florida, just don't advertise you are carrying $.
As for QE3, take a look at a 5yr chart of ARS / USD. Since late 2008, no amount of FED debasement has affected the ARS' desire to weaken against the USD. It seems that a dysfunctional Argentina trumps a dysfunctional FED.
BF.
In the 'cuevas' on Calle Florida, do you get a better exchange rate for large amounts?
Also, how safe is the area around Calle Florida? Would it be advisable to exchange max 1000 USD per visit?
And finally: Do you think QE3 will have any negative impact on the strength of the USD in Argentina?
BlueFalcon
09-16-12, 23:50
I've google mapped Western Union near Calle Florida. There is none listed at Florida / Lavalle. Is there a Western Union or other cueva / arbolito at Florida and Lavalle?
Thanks.
Bf
I've google mapped Western Union near Calle Florida. There is none listed at Florida / Lavalle. Is there a Western Union or other cueva / arbolito at Florida and Lavalle?
Thanks.
BfI'm not convinced it's a 'real' Western Union. It just has a Western Union sign outside it!
And there are more cuevas / arbolitos at Florida and Lavalle than you can wave a stick at.
Amantelondres
09-17-12, 10:26
I'm not convinced it's a 'real' Western Union. It just has a Western Union sign outside it!
And there are more cuevas / arbolitos at Florida and Lavalle than you can wave a stick at.Re arbolitos in Florida, I've always wandered if the pesos you get are fake. Any experiences? Personally I wouldn't trust the guys offering 'cambio' further than I can throw them!
Re arbolitos in Florida, I've always wandered if the pesos you get are fake. Any experiences? Personally I wouldn't trust the guys offering 'cambio' further than I can throw them!Never had any problems myself. Used a few random ones at first, then the cueva referred to as 'Western Union' regularly for a year until my current, more discreet 'supplier. '
Don't know if it helps to be a fairly good Spanish speaker. Probably does.
Daddy Rulz
09-17-12, 11:52
Re arbolitos in Florida, I've always wandered if the pesos you get are fake. Any experiences? Personally I wouldn't trust the guys offering 'cambio' further than I can throw them!I know one guy that got a few fake hundreds mixed in. He didn't know how to check them and so they (cambio) saw an opportunity. I make a big show of checking every bill at every place I go to so I think that cuts down on the swindling. Check your bills right there where they make change. I also do this at hooks, or I used to when I was still goin there.
Member #3320
09-17-12, 12:53
Their was a nice report we had made about one of the cuevas at Calle Cervino.
I can't see the reports. I think the moderator has removed it.
It is one of the best places to go and change money. No swindling.
I got a rate of 6. 20 about a week ago for 1000 us$
The first time I went to the Western Union place on Florida I checked every bill and they were all real. The second time I got lazy and just counted them. I ended up with 4 fake 100 peso bills. Fakes are really easy to spot. The silver dashed lines across the bill are not reflective and there is no watermark (the face in the white part). I would take a picture of a fake next to a real one but a pick pocket stole all my fake money. Which brings me to my second point. Wear jeans on Florida. If you wear pants or shorts with a vertical pocket they will just shove their hand in there, grab your money and run while a second guy distracts you. I've already figured out how to line my pocket with razor blades for my next trip.
I think dealing with the cambio's on Florida for your money exchange is pretty safe. They might try and slip you a few fake bills if you are touristy but they won't do very many. If they ripped you off for all your bills they know you would go to the police. It's not like they can pick up and run, they are in an office. Even the guys saying cambio on the street are only taking you to the office with the money guy. You're not exchanging your money right there on the street. If you just take 1 minute to check your bills before you leave it will be obvious if they are fake. When confronted what will they do? Probably give you a fake apology and pretend they thought those bills were real. These cambios are run like a business even if they are "black market". I used a street cambio guy and he lead me into a mall. Your not in some dark back alleyway.
It sounds like I've been extremely lucky regarding fake bills. I've never checked a single bill and I've changed many thousands of dollars over the last 5 years, and I've never had a fake one.
Or maybe I _have_ been slipped some fakes and I've unknowingly passed them on without even realizing it!
Daddy Rulz
09-18-12, 10:22
It sounds like I've been extremely lucky regarding fake bills. I've never checked a single bill and I've changed many thousands of dollars over the last 5 years, and I've never had a fake one.
Or maybe I _have_ been slipped some fakes and I've unknowingly passed them on without even realizing it!I got a fake 100 peso bill from an ATM at Banco Frances at Cabildo why LaCroze once. I took it inside and the tool of a manager just kept saying it was impossible. This was way back before there was much of a gap between official and blue rates.
Chicago Guy
09-19-12, 16:04
Are the cuevas on Calle Florida open in weekends and on public holidays?
Are the cuevas on Calle Florida open in weekends and on public holidays?There's always some open at the weekend. I've never wandered down there on public holidays, but I imagine the shops will be open, so the cuevas should be also.
Daddy Rulz
09-19-12, 18:32
There's always some open at the weekend. I've never wandered down there on public holidays, but I imagine the shops will be open, so the cuevas should be also.I have changed money on the weekend. You will pay a slight premium due to the lack of competition, but will still be far ahead of using your bank card. I have never changed money on a Sunday, and off the top of my old addled head I don't recall hearing "cambio, cambio, cambio, dolares, reales, cambio, cambio" whilst walking in el centro on Sunday but I could be wrong.
AllIWantIsLove
09-20-12, 01:54
There's always some open at the weekend. I've never wandered down there on public holidays, but I imagine the shops will be open, so the cuevas should be also.I don't know about all, but the place I was using the last time I was there was always closed on holidays. (But it wasn't on Florida.)
Bob
Anybody got some they want to get rid of?
I'm off to the mother country for the first time in over 3 years and would like to have a few quid in my pocket when I arrive.
I'll pay a good premium over what you'll get at a cueva (if you can even sell them at a cueva?).
Daddy Rulz
09-21-12, 18:57
Anybody got some they want to get rid of?
I'm off to the mother country for the first time in over 3 years and would like to have a few quid in my pocket when I arrive.
I'll pay a good premium over what you'll get at a cueva (if you can even sell them at a cueva?).When I was at the bar with Casa in it's name that may not be mentioned on this forum I saw two birds selling pounds to an American guy at some complex formula that worked out to 7 pesos per pound. The sold him several hundred pesos worth. My point being go to a couple expat places and offer to take pounds off their hands for them.
When I was at the bar with Casa in it's name that may not be mentioned on this forum I saw two birds selling pounds to an American guy at some complex formula that worked out to 7 pesos per pound. The sold him several hundred pesos worth. My point being go to a couple expat places and offer to take pounds off their hands for them.7 pesos?
Damn it. That really was a missed opportunity!
TejanoLibre
09-21-12, 19:39
7 pesos?
Damn it. That really was a missed opportunity!It should be closer to 9. 3 to 1.
You did not miss much.
TL
Morgando69
09-21-12, 20:03
I get 9 pesos per pound here. Delivered to my door on receipt in overseas bank account.
It should be closer to 9. 3 to 1.
You did not miss much.
TL
It should be closer to 9. 3 to 1.
You did not miss much.
TLI'm buying, you muppet.
So I missed a helluva deal.
*shakes head*
Daddy Rulz
09-22-12, 01:37
7 pesos?
Damn it. That really was a missed opportunity!I don't think they had much more than pocket change. The point though is if you go to a couple expat places and listen for the accent you might run into people that will give you the selling price instead of the buying price because they don't know any better.
Member #2041
09-23-12, 02:47
I will be traveling to Argentina the end of next week, and I just signed up for an account with Xoom, and I was wondering if I can send myself Argentine Pesos at the Xoom rate (approx 5.97 pesos presently) using my USA Credit card, transacting in dollars (If I read Xoom correctly, their transaction fee for this type of transaction would be 4% plus about $4.50 USA.
I am wondering, does Xoom allow a USA citizen to pick up the funds at an Argentine pickup using a USA ID such as a passport, and to charge the transaction to their own USA credit card? In particular, this is of interest to me since my point of arrival in Argentina is Mendoza, not Buenos Aires, and Xoom's solitary pick up location in Mendoza is near the Sheraton where I am staying.
Even with the transaction fees, I'd be getting an effective exchange rate of around $5.70 using Xoom if this works, and I doubt I could easily find that sort of rate anywhere in Mendoza
I will be traveling to Argentina the end of next week, and I just signed up for an account with Xoom, and I was wondering if I can send myself Argentine Pesos at the Xoom rate (approx 5. 97 pesos presently) using my USA Credit card, transacting in dollars (If I read Xoom correctly, their transaction fee for this type of transaction would be 4% plus about $4. 50 USA.
I am wondering, does Xoom allow a USA citizen to pick up the funds at an Argentine pickup using a USA I'd such as a passport, and to charge the transaction to their own USA credit card? In particular, this is of interest to me since my point of arrival in Argentina is Mendoza, not Buenos Aires, and Xoom's solitary pick up location in Mendoza is near the Sheraton where I am staying.
Even with the transaction fees, I'd be getting an effective exchange rate of around $5. 70 using Xoom if this works, and I doubt I could easily find that sort of rate anywhere in MendozaBring your dollars to mendoza dude, forget the credit card. Cash talks and credit walks. You will have little trouble exchanging dollars at just below the blue rate in medoza dude. The demand is not specific to buenos aires in the slightest. Argentines sense a devaluation and WANT to convert whatever they have away from pesos. Last April when I was in corrienties the stores had signs asking for dollars at better rates than the boys were getting in Buenos Aires (at that time 4. 8:1 in BA. 5.2:1 in Paso la Patria, a small town just east of corrienties). Just go from business to business in Mendoza asking about "cambio". You'll do just fine. The whole Xzoom thing only seems to be of value if you are timid about bringing dollars with you. Monger On Dude. Toymann.
Ps. How are you entering Argentina in Mendoza. Not long ago I was not allowed to deplane in mendoza because they didn't have immigration services when my BA flight was redirected due to the volcano, had to go to Santiago. Would have loved to deplane in mendoza and taken the bus to BA, spent 3 damn days in shitty Santiago! Did something change as my info is relative to June 2011?
Ps. Make sure you bring "clean 100 dollar bills" with you, No rips, tears or teller stamps. Good Luck. Toymann
Member #2041
09-23-12, 03:11
Bring your dollars to mendoza dude, forget the credit card. Cash talks and credit walks. You will have little trouble exchanging dollars at just below the blue rate in medoza dude. The demand is not specific to buenos aires in the slightest. Argentines sense a devaluation and WANT to convert whatever they have away from pesos. Last April when I was in corrienties the stores had signs asking for dollars at better rates than the boys were getting in Buenos Aires (at that time 4. 8:1 in BA. 5.2:1 in Paso la Patria, a small town just east of corrienties). Just go from business to business in Mendoza asking about "cambio". You'll do just fine. The whole Xzoom thing only seems to be of value if you are timid about bringing dollars with you. Monger On Dude. Toymann.
Ps. How are you entering Argentina in Mendoza. Not long ago I was not allowed to deplane in mendoza because they didn't have immigration services when my BA flight was redirected due to the volcano, had to go to Santiago. Would have loved to deplane in mendoza and taken the bus to BA, spent 3 damn days in shitty Santiago! Did something change as my info is relative to June 2011?
Ps. Make sure you bring "clean 100 dollar bills" with you, No rips, tears or teller stamps. Good Luck. ToymannVery simple: I am flying AA DFW to Santiago, Chile, and then from Santiago, Chile to Mendoza on LAN. No problem. I certainly will be bringing dollars with me. The question I have is whether or not to bring as much as I will need for my entire trip (around $2500).
And yes, I already know to bring clean, recent series bills with me. Many of the wineries I am going to have quoted me prices in Pesos, and I was assuming that I would be paying chicas in Pesos.
Very simple: I am flying AA DFW to Santiago, Chile, and then from Santiago, Chile to Mendoza on LAN. No problem. I certainly will be bringing dollars with me. The question I have is whether or not to bring as much as I will need for my entire trip (around $2500).
And yes, I already know to bring clean, recent series bills with me. Many of the wineries I am going to have quoted me prices in Pesos, and I was assuming that I would be paying chicas in Pesos.Cool. Just bring the cash and shop for the best rate you can get. Just got an email today from my blue rate buddy in corrienties. Happy to give me 6. 2:1. Use the blue rate site refrenced on this site as a high end. I think it is http://dolarblue.net. Just go from business to business. The black market exchange places are all over the place. Good Luck. Toymann
ps. good luck with the chicas. Have always heard Mendoza is a wasteland for P4P. Let us know
SnakeOilSales
09-23-12, 03:25
Bring your dollars to mendoza dude, forget the credit card. Cash talks and credit walks. You will have little trouble exchanging dollars at just below the blue rate in medoza dude. The demand is not specific to buenos aires in the slightest. Argentines sense a devaluation and WANT to convert whatever they have away from pesos. Last April when I was in corrienties the stores had signs asking for dollars at better rates than the boys were getting in Buenos Aires (at that time 4. 8:1 in BA. 5.2:1 in Paso la Patria, a small town just east of corrienties). Just go from business to business in Mendoza asking about "cambio". You'll do just fine. The whole Xzoom thing only seems to be of value if you are timid about bringing dollars with you. Monger On Dude. Toymann.
Ps. How are you entering Argentina in Mendoza. Not long ago I was not allowed to deplane in mendoza because they didn't have immigration services when my BA flight was redirected due to the volcano, had to go to Santiago. Would have loved to deplane in mendoza and taken the bus to BA, spent 3 damn days in shitty Santiago! Did something change as my info is relative to June 2011?
Ps. Make sure you bring "clean 100 dollar bills" with you, No rips, tears or teller stamps. Good Luck. ToymannToymann is correct in that the black market rates paid for USD in the interior of Argentina can actually be significantly higher than those paid on any given day in Buenos Aires because there is so little liquidity in the black USD market outside of Buenos Aires. A few associates of mine are running a black USD operation in Cordoba city and they usual operate about ten basis points higher than the rates in a cueva in CABA.
Member #2041
09-23-12, 03:44
Cool. Just bring the cash and shop for the best rate you can get. Just got an email today from my blue rate buddy in corrienties. Happy to give me 6. 2:1. Use the blue rate site refrenced on this site as a high end. I think it is.
http://dolarblue.net.
Just go from business to business. The black market exchange places are all over the place. Good Luck. Toymann.
Ps. Good luck with the chicas. Have always heard Mendoza is a wasteland for P4P. Let us knowI've been to Mendoza before - in 2008, and I found one Privado. 551 Montevideo, that had some passable action. In any case, I'm going to Mendoza for wine touring, and then spending 8 days in Buenos Aires. So I'll be able to relieve any blue ball condition then.
If you read lower down in this thread, I've posted in detail my ongoing saga with zoom. Pros and cons (starting with first txn around early aug)
I will be traveling to Argentina the end of next week, and I just signed up for an account with Xoom, and I was wondering if I can send myself Argentine Pesos at the Xoom rate (approx 5. 97 pesos presently) using my USA Credit card, transacting in dollars (If I read Xoom correctly, their transaction fee for this type of transaction would be 4% plus about $4. 50 USA.
I am wondering, does Xoom allow a USA citizen to pick up the funds at an Argentine pickup using a USA I'd such as a passport, and to charge the transaction to their own USA credit card? In particular, this is of interest to me since my point of arrival in Argentina is Mendoza, not Buenos Aires, and Xoom's solitary pick up location in Mendoza is near the Sheraton where I am staying.
Even with the transaction fees, I'd be getting an effective exchange rate of around $5. 70 using Xoom if this works, and I doubt I could easily find that sort of rate anywhere in Mendoza
Very simple: I am flying AA DFW to Santiago, Chile, and then from Santiago, Chile to Mendoza on LAN. No problem.There is Global Exchange just outside customs at Mendoza airport.
Their rate is about 3. 7 or 3. 8 pesos to a dollar, so do NOT change your hard earned money there.
There are lots of casas de cambio in downtown on or near Avenida General San Martin.
I haven't used their service for years so I don't know whether they now change at the official rate or "Blue".
Perhaps your hotel reception or concierge might have an idea of where to change your money.
You might need pesos to pay your taxi from the airport to central Mendoza.
The standard fare is a fixed 45 pesos, but may cost a bit more depending on where your hotel is.
Tariff is displayed at the taxi counter which is located at the extreme end of the hall if you are arriving from Santiago.
As you walk out from customs, turn left and go all the way till the end of the hall and you'll find the taxi counger on your right.
Tell the lady at the counter exacly where you're headed for and she will confirm the fare.
They'll probalby accept payment in dollars, but the rate will be close to official.
Probably US$10 for the ride.
No tips required for the driver.
If you're staying at the Park Hyatt or Sheraton, the hotel might offer you their pick up serivice for about a 100 pesos.
That, to my opinion is a waste of money, but can be considered if you wish to have everything charged to your hotel.
If you're staying at Cavas Wine Lodge, then transportation and meals are included in your room charge of US$1, 200 per night so you don't have to worry anything.
Have fun.
I was in Mendoza in May or maybe June and posted the location of a cueva in the appropriate section on Mendoza. But Toymann hasn't been to Mendoza in a while and is full of shit in general so let me just say that if you think you are going to waltz around Mendoza spending dollars, or that merchants will change your dollars at the blue rate, you can think again. Most stores and hotels will only give you Cristina's rate. Cristina hires Chilean tourists to go under cover and try to buy stuff with dollars and then AFIP springs into action. They were very paranoid up there. So concentrate on getting a good rate for pesos, not on using dollars. Mendoza ain't Corrientes.
if you think you are going to waltz around Mendoza spending dollars, or that merchants will change your dollars at the blue rate, you can think again.My suggestion was to find 1 business that wants to convert your dollars at the near blue rate in volume. Not do it one transaction at a time. Thats makes no sense at all. Hope this clears up any confusion or at least Dickheads confusion. LOL. Happy Mongering All. Toymann
Member #2041
09-23-12, 12:48
FYI, I had read Dickhead's posts about changing money in Mendoza, and that is what prompted this thread. Because the particular casa de cambio he mentioned: at Galleria Tonsa at 1173 General San Martin, happens to be the ONLY cash pickup location for Xoom transactions in Mendoza, and this is also quite near the Sheraton where I will be staying. I would much rather get close to 5.7 pesos to a dollar (The Xoom rate is 5.97 less transaction fee. Which comes out to 5.7) than something like 5.2, or even worse - the official 4.6 and I did anticipate having to spend pesos for many transactions in Mendoza. The reason I posted my question HERE, is that this thread is very active, and has Xoom-related comments on it, while just about nobody other than myself has made a post in the Mendoza thread since Dickhead's posts that were made at the end of May. In any case, thank you Dickhead for wading in with a sanity check from actual reasonably recent Mendoza experience.
I was in Mendoza in May or maybe June and posted the location of a cueva in the appropriate section on Mendoza. But Toymann hasn't been to Mendoza in a while and is full of shit in general so let me just say that if you think you are going to waltz around Mendoza spending dollars, or that merchants will change your dollars at the blue rate, you can think again. Most stores and hotels will only give you Cristina's rate. Cristina hires Chilean tourists to go under cover and try to buy stuff with dollars and then AFIP springs into action. They were very paranoid up there. So concentrate on getting a good rate for pesos, not on using dollars. Mendoza ain't Corrientes.
California Jay
09-26-12, 12:06
If so I'll sign-up with your link, that way we both can earn $25 in cash.
Daddy Rulz
09-27-12, 20:14
I had to change some Yankee dollars today and looked all through Galaria del Sol for my old Russian guy and can report that he is gone. Walked up Florida just asking all, prevailing rate was 6. 10 though one idiot offered 6. One guy was offering 6. 25 but was doing the exchange right there on the street. Ever since I bought a bag or parsly thinking it was weed when I was 17 I no longer do illegal business in a place that requires me to hide what I'm doing and not be able to inspect my product. For all you kids out there I would suggest running not walking from a situation like this unless you know where the guys mom lives.
At Galaria de la Flor on Florida between Viamonte and Tucuman I was offered 6. 15. I walked with the tout to the back and went into a small clothing store. When I handed over my 500 the guy actually appologized for checking my bills (that was a first, he was very polite, must be from Paraguay) and when I started checking his bills he offered me his lamp. All bills were good and the exchange was quick. I would repeat if they stay a few points above the norm.
Chicago Guy
09-28-12, 03:13
Hi. Did you give him five 100-dollar bills? Is it a problem if the bills are not crisp / new? I don't know why, but some people like to to write and put stamps on USD bills.
I had to change some Yankee dollars today and looked all through Galaria del Sol for my old Russian guy and can report that he is gone. Walked up Florida just asking all, prevailing rate was 6. 10 though one idiot offered 6. One guy was offering 6. 25 but was doing the exchange right there on the street. Ever since I bought a bag or parsly thinking it was weed when I was 17 I no longer do illegal business in a place that requires me to hide what I'm doing and not be able to inspect my product. For all you kids out there I would suggest running not walking from a situation like this unless you know where the guys mom lives.
At Galaria de la Flor on Florida between Viamonte and Tucuman I was offered 6. 15. I walked with the tout to the back and went into a small clothing store. When I handed over my 500 the guy actually appologized for checking my bills (that was a first, he was very polite, must be from Paraguay) and when I started checking his bills he offered me his lamp. All bills were good and the exchange was quick. I would repeat if they stay a few points above the norm.
Chicago Guy
09-28-12, 03:36
Do you know if hotels etc are legally obligated to accept payment in pesos at the official rate?
For instance, the Hyatt charges 500 USD per night. At the time of check-out, could you insist on paying the bill in cash at 2250 (500 * 4. 50) pesos per night?
Ciao
SnakeOilSales
09-28-12, 05:37
Do you know if hotels etc are legally obligated to accept payment in pesos at the official rate?
For instance, the Hyatt charges 500 USD per night. At the time of check-out, could you insist on paying the bill in cash at 2250 (500 * 4. 50) pesos per night?
CiaoYes, hotels and every other business in Argentina (airlines, travel companies, hint hint) are required to accept pesos at or near the official rate (within 1-2%). Buying / selling / accepting USD or any other foreign currency at anything other than the official rate (or within the range I mentioned) is illegal.
Member #2041
09-28-12, 10:17
Do you know if hotels etc are legally obligated to accept payment in pesos at the official rate?
For instance, the Hyatt charges 500 USD per night. At the time of check-out, could you insist on paying the bill in cash at 2250 (500 * 4. 50) pesos per night?
CiaoIf you pay by credit card, don't they actually HAVE to charge you that rate in Pesos converted at the official rate? The reason that they charge the exhorbitant $500 rate is that they realize that, once it's converted to pesos as via the credit card, they are only actually getting the REAL dollar equivalent of around $375 in pesos. The problem is, your CC company will do the exchange at the official rate as well, and you will end up paying $500 USD, the Hyatt will get peso equivalent of $375 at the blue rate, and your CC company either gets a large arbitrage opportunity if they illegally trade on the real currency market, or they effectively burn that significant value if they act fully legally.
So in fact, the best thing is for you to pay in cash, in Pesos, that you got at the blue rate. It makes no difference to the Hyatt, but your CC company loses a huge arbitrage opportunity.
Daddy Rulz
09-28-12, 12:50
Hi. Did you give him five 100-dollar bills? Is it a problem if the bills are not crisp / new? I don't know why, but some people like to to write and put stamps on USD bills.None of them were crisp. One of them was old style which I expected to be a problem but wasn't. Your question is a good one though because I have run into that issue in the past. I've had people not accept anything except 100's, or reject them for being old. When I got my visa for Paraguay they (Paraguayan consulate in Posadas) would only accept certain series of 100's. I forget which ones but it was about half.
Got 6. 1 to 1 at the cervino cueva an hour ago. 10x$50=$500 USD
Got 6. 1 to 1 at the cervino cueva an hour ago. 10x$50=$500 USDThanks WhiteCat. Got a great tip from blanco gatita. I am staying on junin kitty corner to the cemetery in recoleta. As you head down junin after vincente Lopez and before las heras there is a coin store across from the newly renovated recoleta mall. Walked in and asked for cambio. Nice young fella walking me into the back room that is setup like a bank tellers window. No hassles and very professional. Was offered 6:1 for 1000 countered with 6. 2 for 2000 used. Agreed after a short discussion with the boss. Good bills, checked them all out, looked just fine. Very convenient as this store is 10 meters away from my apartment. Highly recommended. Thanks Kitty. Mongering on all. Toymann
All my prior posts outlines each specific hassle / verification step imposed by either Xoom or by More Casa the pickup vendor.
This time it was More Casa (again). No matter being cleared by Xoom for higher send limits and being under cap just fine right now, More Casa told me today couldn't pickup my 1k send txn because I now have to prove that I own the sending bank account.
They told me this triggers when anyone hits 50k pesos total sent through More Casa. Didn't say time period mattered, just overall total.
So the demand now is I bring actual paper print out. Said would not accept email or PDF or digital copy- of my bank statement showing official bank statement form and at least one month worth of transactions showing the Xoom debits going from my account.
Have the prints now after hassle finding locutorio to make prints and waiting till mon when More Casa opens again. Knowing Argie logic they will say my bank txn amt doesn't match the More txn amount (because my bank will show $1030 deducted inc Xoom fee while More shows only $1000.
Will see how it goes mon but heads up if you will, be using Xoom mid to long term, new hassle trigger for this step hits at 50k pesos total via More Casa
Looks like the xoom rate is lower than the local cuevas. Even before their fees.
Member #2041
09-29-12, 11:03
Looks like the xoom rate is lower than the local cuevas. Even before their fees.From what I hear, Xoom rates are better than a person can get in Mendoza, but lower than what one can get on Florida street. After fees, the Xoom rate right now is an effective 5.795 pesos per dollar, based upon a rate of 5.983 and a fee structure of just over 3% on top of that. I used them for a transfer to myself for when I arrive in Mendoza in a couple of days via Santiago Chile, but I have no intention of using them in Buenos Aires, where something around 6.1 seems to be the prevailing rate.
Member #2041
10-01-12, 17:02
From what I hear, Xoom rates are better than a person can get in Mendoza, but lower than what one can get on Florida street. After fees, the Xoom rate right now is an effective 5.795 pesos per dollar, based upon a rate of 5.983 and a fee structure of just over 3% on top of that. I used them for a transfer to myself for when I arrive in Mendoza in a couple of days via Santiago Chile, but I have no intention of using them in Buenos Aires, where something around 6.1 seems to be the prevailing rate.FYI, my Xoom pickup in Mendoza went without a hitch. But the very same place that I picked up my cash was also making available exchange of dollars at a Blue rate of 6. 0 Pesos to the dollar. For a single $100 USA bill, with no negotiation involved. So, net-net, I should not have bothered with Xoom and their effective 5. 8 rate, when I could have had a rate of 6 or better from the exact same Cambio. I will post more details about this in the Mendoza thread.
Update. Got past this latest hurdle step today and More Casa cleared me for continued txns and released the txn I was blocked from picking up last Friday. Until whatever next tier I hit I imagine. Argh!
'Soporte el fondos' requirement after hitting 50k pesos grand total was thankfully passed with just a copy of my current bank statement. PDF download from my online account. They took, scanned and made copy to send into their home office then some upper level guy aside from the normal clerks reviewed my statement and passed me. Took an extra 20 min from usual process.
All my prior posts outlines each specific hassle / verification step imposed by either Xoom or by More Casa the pickup vendor.
This time it was More Casa (again). No matter being cleared by Xoom for higher send limits and being under cap just fine right now, More Casa told me today couldn't pickup my 1k send txn because I now have to prove that I own the sending bank account.
They told me this triggers when anyone hits 50k pesos total sent through More Casa. Didn't say time period mattered, just overall total.
So the demand now is I bring actual paper print out. Said would not accept email or PDF or digital copy- of my bank statement showing official bank statement form and at least one month worth of transactions showing the Xoom debits going from my account.
Have the prints now after hassle finding locutorio to make prints and waiting till mon when More Casa opens again. Knowing Argie logic they will say my bank txn amt doesn't match the More txn amount (because my bank will show $1030 deducted inc Xoom fee while More shows only $1000.
Will see how it goes mon but heads up if you will, be using Xoom mid to long term, new hassle trigger for this step hits at 50k pesos total via More Casa
Member #3320
10-02-12, 18:30
Mongers,
I changed money at xoom for the 2nd time today. First time was just a "test" run. Today was changing for real need.
The xoom transaction online went fairly well and was approved within 4-5 hours with no paper work submission.
However, at "Money & More" counter at Libertad, it was quite a odyssey.
When I reached the Money / more counter at libertad, their were only 3 people ahead of me. But when I was done, their were at least 15 people awaiting behind me!
The guy took almost 45 minutes with me. Asked me so many questions. Believe me, I never had to answer so many questions even at US immigration or for a job interview in my life! It was like I was standing in the court for a criminal case and undergoing severe interrogation by the public prosecutor!
Questions were like " which company you work for ","what is the company's address and phone no"," what is the company's website","what are you doing in ARgentina"," Till how long you would be here"," why are you on such a long trip in Argentina"," are you single or married"."How many times a year you come to Argentina" " How many transfers you plan to make further via xoom"," why don't you use your debit card, why use money / more" " do you have another means of I'd other than your passport" etc etc etc.
It was not very pleasant. Everybody knows they are giving a blue rate (though not necessarily the best rate). I got a difference of 450 pesos, had I us$ and changed us$ directly in a cueva as compared to them!
And worse thing was to see so many people awaiting behind me! I wonder if all will go through the similar ordeal.
My first xoom transaction was on 10th Aug for 500 us$ and had gone super smooth. I was in and out of the place in like 3 minutes. But today was really horrible. What are they trying to achieve? Not sure!
Read my Xoom saga going back to aug in this thread if you got time to kill waiting for some chica to travel to your place.
You are just starting the first of many walls Xoom and More Casa puts up. All can be overcome but it's a hassle for sure
Daddy Rulz
10-02-12, 19:51
I'm not a banker nor do I play one on TV but this is what it smells like to me. Obviously somebody in government is getting wind of this. They can't really stop it because the real transfer of money is happening outside of Argentina and Xoom is only the people furnishing the cash for a service fee but CFK and Co. Know we are beating the official rate and I think they are putting pressure on Casa More to make it harder. Whatever coyma they are paying is enough to keep them in biz but not trouble free.
I could be wide of the mark here but this is my best guess.
I'm not a banker nor do I play one on TV but this is what it smells like to me. Obviously somebody in government is getting wind of this. They can't really stop it because the real transfer of money is happening outside of Argentina and Xoom is only the people furnishing the cash for a service fee but CFK and Co. Know we are beating the official rate and I think they are putting pressure on Casa More to make it harder. Whatever coyma they are paying is enough to keep them in biz but not trouble free.
I could be wide of the mark here but this is my best guess.I think the increasing hoops and paperwork are designed to protect Xoom from allegations that it is aiding and abetting money laundering. That's why periodic, relatively minor transfers are pretty straightforward, whereas continuous, semi heavy loads like those by Mpexy, draw more scrutiny and more and more paperwork.
I could be wide of the mark as well, but I'm betting Xoom is super sensitive about laundering issues, particularly here in the cradle.
Chicago Guy
10-08-12, 15:02
What is the maximum amount of USD to exchange in one go? Would it be risky to carry 2000 USD on Calle Florida? I mean, is there a risk that the people in the cuevas will tip off some of their friends, and then you get robbed on the way back to your apartment? Should I wear a money belt etc, or am I just being overly paranoid?
Everyone has their own comfort level but mine was $1000. I felt like beyond that point, any potential improvement in the exchange rate was more than offset by the additional risk. You might want to take a wingman with you. You might want to splurge on a taxi although I sure as fuck never did. It depends on if you are 5'2" and 50kg or 6'7" and 150kg, and whether you are willing to resist. You can argue all day about whether resisting is a good idea or not but I am sure as fuck going to. So that might make the risk of robbery less and the risk of getting shanked or greased somewhat greater.
Thieves are wise to money belts so my money is taped inside of my sock. Even if they get the shoe off, they'll have a hard time with the tape and meanwhile I will hit them upside the fucking head with a brick.
The most I've changed on Florida is around $1000 USD as well. It does seem to kind of be a comfort number for me as well. However, it's so easy to do (I live close by) that I don't feel the need to change great amounts at one time anyway. Mostly I use a cueva where I wire money to an account in the States or Uruguay and go pick up the cash here locally.
I've heard stories about people getting ripped off after leaving cuevas or arbolitos, about people getting handed a wad of counterfeits, etc, etc. Seems most of these stories are not very substantiated. They come under the heading of "everyone knows." or "you always hear about." Me, I've never had a single issue or felt even a little worried and I've changed on Florida at times over 6 years living here full time.
Having said all of that, I do know personally one story of a gentleman (related to me and others who know him, in person) who lived here for decades and about a year ago moved back to his home country, who was robbed after having wired money to a change house / cueva when he went to pick up the cash. He was robbed of a serious sum of money after he left the cueva. He was in his own car, and the suspicion was that a secretary in the office alerted someone to follow him on leaving (there is some very strong circumstantial evidence to support the notion, which I will not go into here). The sum of money was somewhere in the neighborhood of $25K pesos.
This is the only nearly-confirmed story of someone being robbed by an employee alerting a thief that I know of.
I mention that only because the possibility does exist. However, I have to say. You probably have as much or more potential to be robbed leaving an ATM in broad daylight as you do being robbed leaving an arbolito on Florida. Or leaving More Money Transfers on having used Xoom to send your money.
TejanoLibre
10-08-12, 19:05
What is the maximum amount of USD to exchange in one go? Would it be risky to carry 2000 USD on Calle Florida? I mean, is there a risk that the people in the cuevas will tip off some of their friends, and then you get robbed on the way back to your apartment? Should I wear a money belt etc, or am I just being overly paranoid?I exchange 10k to 20k a week when someone asks me to help them out and we always go to the same guy in the Travel Agency underground.
Broad daylight, thousands of people walking around so not likely to be robbed there.
A lucky pick-pocket might grab it if your stupid.
More likely to get robbed leaving a Bank.
Count it at the counter, stick it in your pocket or spread it around into various pockets and leave the office.
Walk a block and grab the first cab you see.
The owner / exchange person wants you to come back so he's not going to mark you himself.
And yes, you can always bring a friend with you.
I'm usually available after 1pm.
TL
Member #3320
10-08-12, 20:30
Walk a block and grab the first cab you see.The most important advise after changing money. Grab a cab as fast as you can and go straight home. Do not try to walk home, take a bus or subte.
Or go mongering with cash tucked in pocket.
Go straight home in the first cab you see after exchanging money!
The most important advise after changing money. Grab a cab as fast as you can and go straight home. Do not try to walk home, take a bus or subte.
Or go mongering with cash tucked in pocket.
Go straight home in the first cab you see after exchanging money!Just returned from two wonderful weeks in BsAs. On two occasions I paid a taxi driver with 100 pesos notes which turned out to be fake. I obtained pesos from four different sources. Two banks (one at the airport) , an ATM and from a reliable private dealer. It also crossed my mind that the taxi drivers could have exchanged the notes without me noticing.
Are fake banknotes a big problem in BsAs?
Just returned from two wonderful weeks in BsAs. On two occasions I paid a taxi driver with 100 pesos notes which turned out to be fake. I obtained pesos from four different sources. Two banks (one at the airport) , an ATM and from a reliable private dealer. It also crossed my mind that the taxi drivers could have exchanged the notes without me noticing.
Are fake banknotes a big problem in BsAs?BA taxi drivers are known for giving phony 100 Peso notes, especially at night when it is hard to see. I learned a long time ago from an experienced world traveler, that wherever you take a taxi, be sure to carry enough small bills so that you can give the taxi driver exact change, or very close to exact change. Modern color printers give a remarkable, especially if it is dark and you are in a hurray, phony note.
Tres3
Almost 100% certain it was the cab drivers who swapped the notes for the false ones. False notes are a problem in Bs As and the government bank note issuing policy has made this even easier. They have printed notes with differences at different times and then those printed in Brazil when the local printers couldn't keep up with the amount needed are different again.
Jot down the serial number of any big bill you hand a cab driver or take a picture with your cell phone.
When leaving a 'cueva' or bank never jump into the first cab you see. Walk quickly in the opposite direction to the traffic up to the nearest corner and take a cab going along the cross road to the one you were on. It might mean a few pesos more in fare but it'll be much safer. Very often crook cab drivers hover around these entrances waiting for a likely victim. You get in and tell him where your going the cabby has his phone open so his partners near by know which way he'll be travelling. When he slows down at a corner or a traffic light they jump in the cab one each side of you and pull out guns releaving you of your belongings.
In any cab beware of tell-tail signs such as driving too slow or slowing down to allow time for a traffic light turn to red. Locking both back doors may help but in many cars the driver can unlock then from his door. If you notice anything like this get out of the cab immediately and pay the driver once you are on the street. Always move quickly and do unexpected things. Crooks like to have everything under control and unexpected moves throw them off. Of course, this is for daylight and crowded streets. At night in lonely spots the chance of getting shot are quite high. In that case gritting your teeth and counting your loss is probably the best advice.
Silver Star
10-17-12, 00:18
Just returned from two wonderful weeks in BsAs. On two occasions I paid a taxi driver with 100 pesos notes which turned out to be fake. I obtained pesos from four different sources. Two banks (one at the airport) , an ATM and from a reliable private dealer. It also crossed my mind that the taxi drivers could have exchanged the notes without me noticing.
Are fake banknotes a big problem in BsAs?It is a well known fact that unscrupulous cab drivers take your real 100 peso notes and switch them for a fake one when you are not looking. Many drivers downtown will switch 4 to 5 a day. They are also known to plant fake notes in your change. Counterfeit currency is a major problem here. Some places downtown where the printing goes on, they print $100, 000 in fake pesos a day.
They also sell thier bills to change houses too (be careful if you are new here and don't speak spanish) , they also sell to bank employees etc. It is a jungle.
Fred.
www.silverstarcar.com
Safe and Secure Limo Services in Buenos Aires.
Since 2009
Daddy Rulz
10-17-12, 04:54
The most important advise after changing money. Grab a cab as fast as you can and go straight home. Do not try to walk home, take a bus or subte.
Or go mongering with cash tucked in pocket.
Go straight home in the first cab you see after exchanging money!With respect I wouldn't do this. If you're being set up by the cuerva then the first cab you see is going to be their partner. I have many different things I do to lower my profile. The first and obvious thing I do is dress like a thug. There is the old joke about the two hunters that miss shooting at a bear and it charges. The one hunter yells RUN. The other guy says "We can't outrun a bear." And the first guy yells over his shoulder,"I don't have to outrun the bear, I just got to outrun you." Don't look like low hanging fruit.
Next I always wear a sweatshirt or sweater I can take off. If it's too hot wear two t-shirts. The cambio will be in a galaria usually in the back. Before you hit the street, change your apperance in another shop. Take off the sweater or sweatshirt. While you stroll through the galeria pay attention to who is paying attention to you. Spend 2-3 minutes walking in a circle, start walking one way and double back, look for anybody looking at you. If you don't see anybody watching you then leave, walk a block, and get in a random cab. It sounds odd but it doesn't take long, just a minute or two.
I wouldn't ever change more than 500 or 1000 at a time. Your rate won't be any better and by the time you spend the 500 the peso will have fallen more. If you have to have that much money split it up in trips and cambios.
All standard advice applies as well, check their money before parting with yours. Don't be shy or afraid of offending with this. If somebody gives you a hard time about it, pick up your dollars, throw their pesos back, call them a pelotudo and leave.
Never, ever change money on the street or at night.
Next I always wear a sweatshirt or sweater I can take off. If it's too hot wear two t-shirts. The cambio will be in a galaria usually in the back. Before you hit the street, change your apperance in another shop. Take off the sweater or sweatshirt. While you stroll through the galeria pay attention to who is paying attention to you. Spend 2-3 minutes walking in a circle, start walking one way and double back, look for anybody looking at you. If you don't see anybody watching you then leave, walk a block, and get in a random cab. It sounds odd but it doesn't take long, just a minute or two.The key is to keep alert and constantly do the unexpected.
Member #2041
10-17-12, 12:11
As I was awaiting my flight out of Aeroparque to Santiago, Chile, I was of course unable to find any authorized manner of losing the excess 350-400 pesos that I had in my possession. I was, however, able to find someone who was just entering Argentina from the USA whom I was able to get to give me $50 US for 350 pesos, and I bought lunch with the remaining 57 pesos I had in my possession prior to my flight out.
FYI, one should budget around 45 pesos for the taxi fare to Aeroparque from the AP house if done during a period of busy traffic as mine was.
Thanks WhiteCat. Got a great tip from blanco gatita. I am staying on junin kitty corner to the cemetery in recoleta. As you head down junin after vincente Lopez and before las heras there is a coin store across from the newly renovated recoleta mall. Walked in and asked for cambio. Nice young fella walking me into the back room that is setup like a bank tellers window. No hassles and very professional. Was offered 6:1 for 1000 countered with 6. 2 for 2000 used. Agreed after a short discussion with the boss. Good bills, checked them all out, looked just fine. Very convenient as this store is 10 meters away from my apartment. Highly recommended. Thanks Kitty. Mongering on all. ToymannWent to this coin store today, very close to my hotel, got 6:1, seems like they will do it for just about any amount.
California Jay
10-17-12, 21:48
Something on the horizon?
Something on the horizon?Xoom has fluctuated, sometimes daily swing in one go, from 6.1x to 5.7x, the entire time I've been using it 5-6x per month since early August
I wouldn't read anything into this normal swing unless it hits 6.2 and higher for consistent week+
In Spanish:
http://www.cronista.com/finanzasmercados/El-dolar-blue-sigue-en-torno-a-los--630-tras-el-fuerte-salto-de-ayer-20121018-0082.html
I will be visiting BA in Jan and was wondering how the Blue Dollar exchange rate is effecting the rates of the girls. I am sure they will be wanting to be paid in dollars, but when they convert their price to Pesos are they doing it at the official exchange rate or the blue dollar exchange rate? With a spread of around 30-35% are you able to really cash in on the benefit or are the girls wise to it?
I will be visiting BA in Jan and was wondering how the Blue Dollar exchange rate is effecting the rates of the girls. I am sure they will be wanting to be paid in dollars, but when they convert their price to Pesos are they doing it at the official exchange rate or the blue dollar exchange rate? With a spread of around 30-35% are you able to really cash in on the benefit or are the girls wise to it?The majority of chicas will ask for pesos. Never pay in dollars! Argentina is a peso country, and you should stick to pesos. Most of the chicas are not "wise" to the spread, and it is good to keep it that way. Even if a chica asks for a "spread adjusted" payment amount, please take my word for it and pay with pesos.
Tres3
TejanoLibre
10-18-12, 17:28
The majority of chicas will ask for pesos. Never pay in dollars! Argentina is a peso country, and you should stick to pesos. Most of the chicas are not "wise" to the spread, and it is good to keep it that way. Even if a chica asks for a "spread adjusted" payment amount, please take my word for it and pay with pesos.
Tres3The educated girls know and follow the blue dollar without a doubt.
Any girl at Madahos, Black, Hippo, Newport, etc will probably hit you at $200. 00 dollars these days and a decent counter offer is $800. 00 pesos MAX!
That's for a very hot Boliche Chica.
Otherwise you can count on about $400. 00 to $600 pesos an hour for an Indy.
$600. 00 pesos or a flat $100. 00 bucks is close enough for horse shoes and hand granades so you don't want to piss the girl off over $5. 00 dollars because she will take it out on you in the bedroom.
TL.
P. S. Guerrero, how did you come up with that screen name?
I've never seen you before.
Just curious.
Also, nobody knows what the Dollar will be worth in January; it may actually become outlawed.
I will be visiting BA in Jan and was wondering how the Blue Dollar exchange rate is effecting the rates of the girls. I am sure they will be wanting to be paid in dollars, but when they convert their price to Pesos are they doing it at the official exchange rate or the blue dollar exchange rate? With a spread of around 30-35% are you able to really cash in on the benefit or are the girls wise to it?Do not pay the chicas in USD. Avoid the chicas who a few months ago were happy with 100usd at 4. 45, but now want 600p, did their services get better or do they just want more because you get more for your dollar? The only chicas I see wanting blue rate are here on AP and whose clients are mostly gringos. There is so much out there in the 300p-400p that give great service.
The educated girls know and follow the blue dollar without a doubt.
Any girl at Madahos, Black, Hippo, Newport, etc will probably hit you at $200. 00 dollars these days and a decent counter offer is $800. 00 pesos MAX!
That's for a very hot Boliche Chica.
Otherwise you can count on about $400. 00 to $600 pesos an hour for an Indy.
$600. 00 pesos or a flat $100. 00 bucks is close enough for horse shoes and hand granades so you don't want to piss the girl off over $5. 00 dollars because she will take it out on you in the bedroom.
TL.
P. S. Guerrero, how did you come up with that screen name?
I've never seen you before.
Just curious.
Also, nobody knows what the Dollar will be worth in January; it may actually become outlawed.BULL FUCKING SHIT. 400-600 PESOS is not the norm. IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE PAYING? I doubt it. Check again most FL's are around 400p for FULL SERVICE, with higher end chicas 500p. Quit trying to get people to think 600p is the going rate.
Madahos and boliches are a different matter all together.
Of course your chicas know 600p because that's what you tell them gringos will pay,
TejanoLibre
10-18-12, 20:16
BULL FUCKING SHIT. 400-600 PESOS is not the norm. IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE PAYING? I doubt it. Check again most FL's are around 400p for FULL SERVICE, with higher end chicas 500p. Quit trying to get people to think 600p is the going rate.
Madahos and boliches are a different matter all together.
Of course your chicas know 600p because that's what you tell them gringos will pay,
It's a tough number to pin down .
If EVERYONE posted what they are paying then we can come up with an average but they have to be apples and apples .
It's true, I'm shocked but these days the numbers I hear outside of the clubs are 400 to 600 pesos and nothing less.
Sure there are 200p girls out there too but you get what you pay for in looks .
The escorts are all at 350p minimum plus taxi so your back to 400p.
Street walkers asking and getting 300p downtown.
It's insane.
Of course the Privado Chicas have all sorts of price ranges.
Maybe from 40p to 400p?
I have never used an Escort so I don't know what they will ask for if you work them.
They may come over for less.
I just don't want to try someone that I don't know anything about or that is a Super Pro but I also don't want to hurt the girl's feelings and tell her to leave because she does not look like her picture.
$600p may not be the norm for an Indy but I don't try out very many new ones, at least not every day.
I'm usually happy with the 10 or so that I rotate and as they retire temporarily, hook a Keeper or just disappear that's when it's time to find some new ones.
Shit, you tell me where the girls are a lot less than the 400 to 600p range and I will be thankful.
We all will be Happy.
I just hate to argue with a poor girl over $16. 00 dollars and ask her to perform Circus Tricks.
Thanks,
TL
PS - We ALL get GRINGOED ! Even I do , there's nothing we can do about it .
I guess you can have a card printed in Perfect Spanish saying that you are a deaf - mute Argentine and would like to fuck .
Pull out a calculator and press 300 p .
Daddy Rulz
10-18-12, 21:47
I will be visiting BA in Jan and was wondering how the Blue Dollar exchange rate is effecting the rates of the girls. I am sure they will be wanting to be paid in dollars, but when they convert their price to Pesos are they doing it at the official exchange rate or the blue dollar exchange rate? With a spread of around 30-35% are you able to really cash in on the benefit or are the girls wise to it?I would just have typed RTFF and left it at that. But anymore there is soooooooooooo much info here that it's hard to absorb it. I will say though that this subject and the subject of January have been discussed ad nauseam here. Pay in pesos and pesos only, January is a down month expect the supply to be tight. Privado girls are going for between 150 at the low end to 500 (CP) at the high, with good quality around the 3-350 number. (Daddy's law of privados is coming more into play; hotter chicas at upper end providing fewer services whill at lower end not so visually appealing but they will let you stick a cactus up their ass if you want to) Club girls are going to be around 6 and up, with premium clubs being more. Without trying to start a ruckus it does seem that for whatever reason TL's girls, while slutty as hell, do seem to want a little extra.
Decide what experience you want; delivery, go to a privado and check out the line up, or hit the clubs for the full on fantasy of picking up the hot chick and budget accordingly.
Pretty outdated / inflated local rates coming from a local source. You either know it firsthand or you don't. You admit in most recent reply you don't have firsthand xp and get girls other ways, yet quote here inflated numbers as if you did have firsthand xp. That's pretty odd.
Newports. Relatively very few chicas will quote in dollars and when they do, yes it's $200 USD and once in blue moon if they smell no Spanish speaking sucker tourist, $300 USD. But they all quickly back pedal off this the minute you laugh, tell them you just want to rent their pussy for awhile not buy for life, etc. Most chicas quote still in pesos. Keep it that way.
Cost. The chica network tells new girls coming in the "standard" short time 1-2 pop price is 500-600 pesos. Doesn't mean you won't get plus / minus 100 pesos of this but a trusted chica who was training a brand new girl starting first day at NP that I and other AP monger met told us this was what she knew as "standard" rate and encouragd new chicas to know as "standard" rate.
Doesn't mean you won't have the hottest or mercs try to charge more, but if you have to baseline from somewhere, I'd use this.
What you GET for that price totally depends on you though. One hour, all night, whatever. Want more, pay more is usual rule though. At the higher end, such as the handful of blacks girls that rotate on off nights in np, getting to be lot more rare now, they take minimum 800 and sometimes 1k. But these chicas also are more amenable in my xp for that price to deliver half night or toda la noche. Their ego just wants that price, what they deliver is up to negotiation and you not being a jerk.
Madahos, Blacks. Have already posted my price xp from this aug to now; in short, my xp is nothing short of 800p for the avg range girls will get them out of club, with more luck towards 3am and later because even these avg chicks want bit more earlier in night; 1000p for the hotter / they think they are in hotter range chicks there. 1200p+ for the 4-5 hottest on any given night and they know it. These ego chicks would rather make zero than go for you for one peso less than their absolute min 1200. However unlike indies that charge 350 / hr generally, this takeout "session" from club girls can last much longer. Depends on you, what and how you negotiate into their takeout price, etc.
I'd say Internet indie chick is better value if you want an hour or long hour 90min. Club gals cost more for sure but session length more controllable based on your negotiation and willingness to tell that chick no and go onto another fish in the club pond to try.
Not been into hippo this trip so can't say. Highly suspect given chica network that it is much different than Madahos or blacks.
Indy. The vast range of indies including highly rated, reviewed and know exactly what you get is right at 350 per hour, with a smaller base at 400, and a very few handful at 500. There is a couple I've seen at 600-650 now but those are the outlier exception. Even a casual glance at either of the two major local forums will show you vast range of good looking, well reviewed chicas are at the 350p baseline.
Some of these chicas will give decent price break for a 2hr or 3hr session. Some won't, but some will. YMMV based on who you are, act like, repeats, etc.
350 vs 600 is pretty far off even for horseshoes and hand grenades and I'm pretty well up on the scale the price police would say is high. You should pay whatever the heck you want to pay, but pretending 600 is close enough to stamdard hour is pretty dumb unless you want to be peddling the idea that the "standard" is 600 / hr from indies.
The educated girls know and follow the blue dollar without a doubt.
Any girl at Madahos, Black, Hippo, Newport, etc will probably hit you at $200. 00 dollars these days and a decent counter offer is $800. 00 pesos MAX!
That's for a very hot Boliche Chica.
Otherwise you can count on about $400. 00 to $600 pesos an hour for an Indy.
$600. 00 pesos or a flat $100. 00 bucks is close enough for horse shoes and hand granades so you don't want to piss the girl off over $5. 00 dollars because she will take it out on you in the bedroom.
TL.
P. S. Guerrero, how did you come up with that screen name?
I've never seen you before.
Just curious.
Also, nobody knows what the Dollar will be worth in January; it may actually become outlawed.
Occasionally, advocating higher prices is a harbinger of some type of commission-based compensation structure.
TejanoLibre
10-18-12, 23:38
Pretty outdated / inflated local rates coming from a local source. You either know it firsthand or you don't. You admit in most recent reply you don't have firsthand xp and get girls other ways, yet quote here inflated numbers as if you did have firsthand xp. That's pretty odd.
Newports. Relatively very few chicas will quote in dollars and when they do, yes it's $200 USD and once in blue moon if they smell no Spanish speaking sucker tourist, $300 USD. But they all quickly back pedal off this the minute you laugh, tell them you just want to rent their pussy for awhile not buy for life, etc. Most chicas quote still in pesos. Keep it that way.
Cost. The chica network tells new girls coming in the "standard" short time 1-2 pop price is 500-600 pesos. Doesn't mean you won't get plus / minus 100 pesos of this but a trusted chica who was training a brand new girl starting first day at NP that I and other AP monger met told us this was what she knew as "standard" rate and encouragd new chicas to know as "standard" rate.
Doesn't mean you won't have the hottest or mercs try to charge more, but if you have to baseline from somewhere, I'd use this.
What you GET for that price totally depends on you though. One hour, all night, whatever. Want more, pay more is usual rule though. At the higher end, such as the handful of blacks girls that rotate on off nights in np, getting to be lot more rare now, they take minimum 800 and sometimes 1k. But these chicas also are more amenable in my xp for that price to deliver half night or toda la noche. Their ego just wants that price, what they deliver is up to negotiation and you not being a jerk.
Madahos, Blacks. Have already posted my price xp from this aug to now; in short, my xp is nothing short of 800p for the avg range girls will get them out of club, with more luck towards 3am and later because even these avg chicks want bit more earlier in night; 1000p for the hotter / they think they are in hotter range chicks there. 1200p+ for the 4-5 hottest on any given night and they know it. These ego chicks would rather make zero than go for you for one peso less than their absolute min 1200. However unlike indies that charge 350 / hr generally, this takeout "session" from club girls can last much longer. Depends on you, what and how you negotiate into their takeout price, etc.
I'd say Internet indie chick is better value if you want an hour or long hour 90min. Club gals cost more for sure but session length more controllable based on your negotiation and willingness to tell that chick no and go onto another fish in the club pond to try.
Not been into hippo this trip so can't say. Highly suspect given chica network that it is much different than Madahos or blacks.
Indy. The vast range of indies including highly rated, reviewed and know exactly what you get is right at 350 per hour, with a smaller base at 400, and a very few handful at 500. There is a couple I've seen at 600-650 now but those are the outlier exception. Even a casual glance at either of the two major local forums will show you vast range of good looking, well reviewed chicas are at the 350p baseline.
Some of these chicas will give decent price break for a 2hr or 3hr session. Some won't, but some will. YMMV based on who you are, act like, repeats, etc.
350 vs 600 is pretty far off even for horseshoes and hand grenades and I'm pretty well up on the scale the price police would say is high. You should pay whatever the heck you want to pay, but pretending 600 is close enough to stamdard hour is pretty dumb unless you want to be peddling the idea that the "standard" is 600 / hr from indies.Thanks, that was an excellent and educated response.
I guess I should have clarified that 400p is for a decent or long hour and 600p can become a solid 2 hour ride; it just depends on the girl.
That's the way I negotiate it.
If the girl wants 4oop for 1 hour I will counter with 600p for 2 hours and maybe 800p for 3 hours, always negotiating the time instead of the price.
Remember that I get paid to take the Boys to the clubs so I have heard every quote from every girl in every bar worth going to.
Not every girl but you know what I mean.
Also, they see me having to translate every word so they think they have a winner!
I am the first person to tell the girl that she's fucking crazy and this country uses Pesos not Dollars.
Shit, the owner of Hook hates me for telling the boys that 1 drink is good enough, he tells me that I should not help the Boys save money.
Hippo's pricing is the same as Madahos and it's a much nicer bar, atmosphere and general layout with up to 120 girls on a good night.
So what was the question?
Do I think 600p for a true hour from an Indy is normal?
I hope not but that's what I mean about a lack of experiance with Indies.
I'm more familiar with the Club pricing and I have NEVER used an Escort site in my life.
I have always relied on girls that I meet while working or girls that I know from my restaurant and on girls that I have known for years and on the girls that the Boys recommend on this board.
The best ones are the ones the Chica God drops in your lap when you least expect it.
Thanks,
TL.
Although I get out a lot I must not be getting out as much as you.
Hey Mpexy, you have provided a lot of good info lately, thanks.
I'm with you on the multi-hour or TLN deals. Not only possible with the club girls and escort independents, but also the chicas in the privados and massage places (after work) and massage independents. They are all options.
Of course some of the massage chicas won't do full service, but some guys (myself included) don't always look for that, there are many other ways to have fun. There are plenty of very good looking massage chicas. Since their rates tend to be lower, they should also be a less expensive option for multi-hour / TLN deals. Of course you got to find the ones willing to do it and work around their schedule.
Last trip I went to Brisa Spa and had a very good selection. I picked a "9" and knew one hour with this hottie would not be enough. In the room I offered her 600 pesos for 3-4 hours at my place after her shift (a few hours later) and she jumped at the opportunity. It worked out quite well. I will definitely pursue this type of arrangement again on my next trip.
Mountaineer
10-20-12, 23:15
Hey Mpexy, you have provided a lot of good info lately, thanks.
I'm with you on the multi-hour or TLN deals. Not only possible with the club girls and escort independents, but also the chicas in the privados and massage places (after work) and massage independents. They are all options.
Of course some of the massage chicas won't do full service, but some guys (myself included) don't always look for that, there are many other ways to have fun. There are plenty of very good looking massage chicas. Since their rates tend to be lower, they should also be a less expensive option for multi-hour / TLN deals. Of course you got to find the ones willing to do it and work around their schedule.
Last trip I went to Brisa Spa and had a very good selection. I picked a "9" and knew one hour with this hottie would not be enough. In the room I offered her 600 pesos for 3-4 hours at my place after her shift (a few hours later) and she jumped at the opportunity. It worked out quite well. I will definitely pursue this type of arrangement again on my next trip.Hi Esten.
Location? Address? Phone #?
Thanks, Mountaineer
I was able to get 6. 2 at the "Western Union"@$500 USD without even trying. He offered 6. 1 and I pushed a little and he said, OK. 6.2.
AllIWantIsLove
10-21-12, 02:10
http://www.brisamasaje.com.ar/
Hi Esten.
Location? Address? Phone #
Thanks, Mountaineer
Mountaineer
10-21-12, 02:53
http://www.brisamasaje.com.ar/
Website does not list their address but I found it AP massage list. Esmeralda 847, piso 12 H, at Paraguay, (Brisa Massage).
PS- Also this post should be listed under a different thread than Exchanging Currency. There is already a thread started.
See below:
AP THREAD- Esmeralda 847, piso 12 H, at Paraguay (Brisa Masajes)
Posted by Smokey on 10/10/12 Terrible experience. 200P, nice looking girls but really bad service. A little back rub, roll over and in less than 10 mins started to rub the shit out of my pole like she was trying to get fire. 25 year old but the experience of. Well, much much less. Not going back, that shinny button is going to get tarnished if they keep that up. I speak Spanish, offered extra pay, not a bad looking guy and I showered. They just were not into the work.
Red Raider
10-21-12, 11:09
I was able to get 6. 2 at the "Western Union"@$500 USD without even trying. He offered 6. 1 and I pushed a little and he said, OK. 6.2.Is the Western Union open on SUNDAYS?
Daddy Rulz
10-21-12, 13:12
Is the Western Union open on SUNDAYS?Just do the Florida stroll and people will be exchanging. Rates are generally a little lower on Sunday because less people are doing it.
The educated girls know and follow the blue dollar without a doubt.
Any girl at Madahos, Black, Hippo, Newport, etc will probably hit you at $200. 00 dollars these days and a decent counter offer is $800. 00 pesos MAX!
That's for a very hot Boliche Chica.
Otherwise you can count on about $400. 00 to $600 pesos an hour for an Indy.
$600. 00 pesos or a flat $100. 00 bucks is close enough for horse shoes and hand granades so you don't want to piss the girl off over $5. 00 dollars because she will take it out on you in the bedroom.
TL.
P. S. Guerrero, how did you come up with that screen name?
I've never seen you before.
Just curious.
Also, nobody knows what the Dollar will be worth in January; it may actually become outlawed.TRES3, TejonLibre, Mpexy, Daddy Rulz and Sunseeker, many thanks for your comments, very much appreciated.
TejonLibre, I used to live in Buenos Aires in during 2004 and 2005 (probably one of the best times in my life) and since then apart form a few posts on some mongering in Spain I have not really contributed to the site. Regarding my screen name (Guerrero) my friends used to call me a warrior to descibe my partying, however as the years have passed this has considerably quietened down
Daddy Rulz
10-23-12, 14:06
I decided to do one last xfer through Xoom. Send another $500 bucks. Last night I got a call from More Casa and the guy asked me what I planned to do with the money. I asked him why he had to know and he mumbled something about the law. So I told him I intend to spend every peso on hookers, whisky and beer. He said "como?" To which I repeated, whisky, cervesa, why gatos. He said "bueno, listo" and hung up. Today I picked up my money and the guy behind the counter barely looked at my passport. He entered the transaction number and immediatly counted my funds. I was in and out in less than 5 minutes.
Maybe I'm on to something here.
I decided to do one last xfer through Xoom. Send another $500 bucks. Last night I got a call from More Casa and the guy asked me what I planned to do with the money. I asked him why he had to know and he mumbled something about the law. So I told him I intend to spend every peso on hookers, whisky and beer. He said "como?" To which I repeated, whisky, cervesa, why gatos. He said "bueno, listo" and hung up. Today I picked up my money and the guy behind the counter barely looked at my passport. He entered the transaction number and immediatly counted my funds. I was in and out in less than 5 minutes.
Maybe I'm on to something here.They've called me twice but I never called back. When I went to More I got the usual hassle.
We need to test this via empirical reduction of variables. I'm going to call the More hq guy back next time I get contact and just say "hookers!"
I'm betting the whiskey and cerveza are just bookends to what he really wants to hear how all that stash is being spent. Chicas why chicas why chicas.
I'll take one for the team and send an extra large xfer this week to test this theory
They've called me twice but I never called back. When I went to More I got the usual hassle.
We need to test this via empirical reduction of variables. I'm going to call the More hq guy back next time I get contact and just say "hookers!"
I'm betting the whiskey and cerveza are just bookends to what he really wants to hear how all that stash is being spent. Chicas why chicas why chicas.
I'll take one for the team and send an extra large xfer this week to test this theoryNever got to say why. Did large xfer yesterday and picked up today. Got call from More and woman said she was from More and my xfer rdy for pickup at location on Libertad.
No question re why, just said listo after I said I knew where the Libertad location was and she hung up.
Went I went to pickup, got a no hassles no phone call fast pickup.
Maybe long as you take that call, the pickup clerk only has to do quick web check of txn number instead of full deal plus long phone call to back office to approve
Was looking forward to shouting chicas y chicas y chicas!
Member #3320
10-24-12, 22:07
Never got to say why. Did large xfer yesterday and picked up today.!What is the largest transfer you have done so far?
Can I do 5000 us$ in single transfer? Please advise?
What is the largest transfer you have done so far?
Can I do 5000 us$ in single transfer? Please advise?Single largest xfer done so far is $1500 USD. No idea if mythical"10k"+ pesos in one xfer will trigger additional More Casa scrutiny but decided might as well not chance it and with swinging exchange rates, no point doing more than 9k pesos at a time. Other than first test with $350 USD, vast majority of my 1-2x / week xfers are $1000 or $1500, depending on exchange rate. Xoom for USA to Argentina xfers has increasing fees as you send more money but interestingly they cap total fee at max $30 USD regardless of send amount above $1000.
So, if you send less than $1000, you pay sliding scale up to point where you reach $1000 sent = max $30 fee, but anything above that remains at capped fee. E. G. Send $1500 and you still pay max $30 fee, which helps your actual equivalent exchange rate once you factor Xoom and any pickup costs like taxi. Sending to other countries like Uruguay for example doesn't seem to have this capped max fee for amounts even up to $2500 that I tried on their calculator.
You can, and can't, do $5000 USD in a single transfer. Read below for complete details. Depends what permission level you have achieved / proven with Xoom AND with More Casa. They both have separate walls you need to climb to attain certain levels.
Xoom walls:
Level 1. Newbie account, created today from scratch will have send limits of $2999 max single transaction, $2999 max total sent per 30-day revolving period, and grand total $9999 max total sent in 180 days revolving period. Revolving period is my term. It's unclear on Xoom FAQ but what happens is your limits are reduced on a daily basis as prior transactions are 'erased', it does not reset your entire 30-day period on day 31. For example, if you sent $750 per week for 4 weeks every Monday and hit your $2999 limit on day 28. On the 31st day from your first recorded sent transaction date, your 30-day window limit will have that first $750 transaction erased. Your account will show that you are now able to send $750 more dollars, not $3k.
Therefore, it is best that whether you need the money or not, if you plan on consistently using Xoom or have as backup, that you send in roughly equal spaced periods so that you never need to wait an extra long period of time to be able to send. Example, if you send $749 on first Monday of week 1, then waited till day 29 to send another $2250, you would need to wait another 31 days before that $2250 cleared.
Level 2. At any time, earlier the better I recommend if you know you will need or have backup need for Xoom on consistent basis, you may apply for Level 2 status. I wrote a lengthy post about it here on this thread. I had to send into Xoom a copy of any government doc proving my I'd. Suggested by Xoom was driver license or passport. They only required one but I sent in photo pics of both my driver license and passport. Also required for this stage was example of any standard utility or bank statement showing your home address of record. I could have just downloaded an electricity bill statement but I sent in one of my lesser used bank statement PDFs downloaded from my bank.
This Level 2 will increase your Xoom side limits (again please note we still haven't even gotten to the More Casa crap). Limit per single transaction stays same at $2999, but increases 24 hour limit to $6000, 30-day period limit to $6000, and grand total 180-day limit to $19, 500.
Level 3. There may be some custom level above this but unaware. Level 3 is technically a "custom" level because unlike above Level 2 where you are automatically directed online to provide the additional info soon as you go above the Level 1 limits, this Level 3 can only be granted by your own self initiative to call into Xoom customer service where a verification team will ask for additional docs (some might have already sent in as part of Level 2). I had to send in a current or most recent bank full month bank statement. Used PDF of bank statement I had to use for support of funds for More Casa, read below. I emailed the PDF BTW, no snail mail here. Also was asked for photo I'd, again, and just pointed out had already sent in passport and DL for level 2 and they were ok with that, but new one was asked for support of income like pay statement or in my case because private business my income disbursement check statement.
This last pre-set "custom" level raises limits to. Single transaction still $2999, 24 hour limit to $9999, 30 day limit to $20000, and grand total 180 day limit to $60000.
All of the above, once passed, clears you fully on Xoom side and never once get hassled from Xoom.
However, since we're talking about Argentina and there is no other choice here (versus Uruguay) , our only cash pickup provider and location in Capital is More Casa on Libertad 1057. And they have a completely separate set of walls.
Wall 1. Believe never hit it on first transaction ever, least my case didn't and hand't heard anyone getting it first go. But on my 2nd xfer, was asked by More Casa to fill out short form noting my personal details again, name, phone, US and local Argentina address, US and local phone numbers, occupation, and business website. At that time, while I was hassled for this info, I was not pressed on it, More did not check any info, and only had to fill it out to get my 2nd xfer cashed.
Wall 2. In my case, stupid More Casa apparently lost or did not file to the back office that verifies stuff for the pickup location my above occupation, business website, info, etc. They yet again asked me to fill it out. So I did, then no problems.
Wall 3. After a number of xfers but before the 50k peso limit discussed below, clerk at More Casa pickup location had to call into back office because something was flagged on my account. The back office wanted exact clarification now of the details I had filled in for the Wall#1 item above.
The big sticking item which should shock no one who has xp with Argentina more than few weeks was while my occupation, personal info and US / local addresses and phone numbers was easily re-asked, and me verbally restated, they got really hung up on my having more than 1 business website URL. For some Argie reason, the concept of a private business owner having more than 1 URL for his business somehow triggered some suspicious red flag. So they went around and around about what my "true business" really was, which one did I really make money from, if more than one how is that possible, etc. Seriously this like a 30 min Abbott and Costello routine. Finally they decided either this highly suspicious inconsistency was ok, or just got tired of me saying 'no entiendo' in spanish a lot to their stupid insistence that ONE of the website URLs must be the correct, true one. I guess my tip here to private business owners or if your public company you work for has multiple sites, just write down one damn URL and not go through this idiocy.
Wall 4. For some insane reason, maybe this is more a insane clerk thing at this one location, and not overall More Casa, but the clerk noticed after all of the above already checked that on one of my next xfers my local argie phone number did NOT match the recipient info I had filled out. I sent money. To myself. Using my sent from US addresses and phone, and to myself here in Argentina, using my local Argie apt address which they never once checked and I've kept same addy despite moving to another local apt address, and my US cell phone. I figured that sending from me to me was good enough. But the clerk got caught on the personal info form I had filled out in Wall #1.
She noted that my Argie info was local apt address X, and local argie phone number 15-xxxx-xxxx. She insisted I could not receive the funds because my local recipient info did not match what my xfer said was my local info (because of the US phone number). I insisted my US phone worked just fine here, but did not use much because of roaming charges so my info was accurate and correct. She said I had to change my local recipient info on my next transaction of they would not accept them. So she let me slide on this xfer and released the money but wrote down somewhere I had to match next time. So I changed in Xoom my recipient info to use Argie phone number and More Casa nazi backed off.
Wall 5. More Casa told me that I now had to provide "saporte el fondos" or something like that. Basically, they told me that I had hit a 50k peso limit. Was not absolutely clear whether this is within a certain time limit, or grand total ever, but as I hit this pretty fast I don't really know but assume from what they told me and I could understand, that it was no time limit.
Anyway, More Casa, despite my assurances from Xoom I was well under any limits they set, said no more funds released including current xfer unless I could prove the support of my own funds, being sent to myself. I'm sending from me to me, and they want to have proof that I own the funds I am sending. To me. Welcome to Argentina. I told the clerk why don't I just send whatever small amount she names, like say $5. 17 cents. That would prove I own and control the bank account sending to my recipient, in this case me. She said no, and gave me item I had to send in. She said I could fax or email to back office but if I brought in personally to Libertad pickup location it would be lot faster to verify.
So, accessed a bank account online, downloaded and printed my full recent month close statement showing account name, details, funds in account, and as demanded. At least one full month of Xoom transactions being shown deducted from that account. Basically, they wanted the macro list detail shown in standard month end bank statement. So downloaded, printed at an internet cafe using what an AP board member recommended was safer way via a burner email address created just for that purpose then deleted with document afterwards. Went back to More Casa on Libertad following business day, handed the statement over and some back office guy at the location I'd never seen before verified it or at least glanced at it, whatever they do. The clerk scanned each page and sent that to the back office then returned originals to me. Complete gory details of this also posted in my prior xp on this thread.
Thus far, after above wall, I have not been hassled by More Casa further. At least not yet. I assume there will be a 100k peso wall or something else. Right now, only thing bit different that I never got before until I passed above wall, is after each xfer I send, I get a all about next day from More. I ignored first couple thinking it was trouble, but turns out like DaddyRulz posted and I discovered in this recent XP it's just a call saying your xfer is ready to be picked up.
In DR's case he was asked why he needed this cash. In my case it was just simple it's ready.
So far I have Level 3 access but just barely passed Level 2 limits so not sure whether More Casa will ban me before Xoom limits hit. My paranoia assumes that they will. They also asked what day I was leaving and gave them that. I plan on telling them I will stay another 3 months as allowed by standard argie 6 month rule but will see how that plays when I come up to it early Dec.
Single largest xfer done so far is $1500 USD. No idea if mythical"10k"+ pesos in one xfer will trigger additional More Casa scrutiny but decided might as well not chance it and with swinging exchange rates, no point doing more than 9k pesos at a time. Other than first test with $350 USD, vast majority of my 1-2x / week xfers are $1000 or $1500, depending on exchange rate. Xoom for USA to Argentina xfers has increasing fees as you send more money but interestingly they cap total fee at max $30 USD regardless of send amount above $1000.
So, if you send less than $1000, you pay sliding scale up to point where you reach $1000 sent = max $30 fee, but anything above that remains at capped fee. E. G. Send $1500 and you still pay max $30 fee, which helps your actual equivalent exchange rate once you factor Xoom and any pickup costs like taxi. Sending to other countries like Uruguay for example doesn't seem to have this capped max fee for amounts even up to $2500 that I tried on their calculator.
You can, and can't, do $5000 USD in a single transfer. Read below for complete details. Depends what permission level you have achieved / proven with Xoom AND with More Casa. They both have separate walls you need to climb to attain certain levels.
Xoom walls:
Level 1. Newbie account, created today from scratch will have send limits of $2999 max single transaction, $2999 max total sent per 30-day revolving period, and grand total $9999 max total sent in 180 days revolving period. Revolving period is my term. It's unclear on Xoom FAQ but what happens is your limits are reduced on a daily basis as prior transactions are 'erased', it does not reset your entire 30-day period on day 31. For example, if you sent $750 per week for 4 weeks every Monday and hit your $2999 limit on day 28. On the 31st day from your first recorded sent transaction date, your 30-day window limit will have that first $750 transaction erased. Your account will show that you are now able to send $750 more dollars, not $3k.
Therefore, it is best that whether you need the money or not, if you plan on consistently using Xoom or have as backup, that you send in roughly equal spaced periods so that you never need to wait an extra long period of time to be able to send. Example, if you send $749 on first Monday of week 1, then waited till day 29 to send another $2250, you would need to wait another 31 days before that $2250 cleared.
Level 2. At any time, earlier the better I recommend if you know you will need or have backup need for Xoom on consistent basis, you may apply for Level 2 status. I wrote a lengthy post about it here on this thread. I had to send into Xoom a copy of any government doc proving my I'd. Suggested by Xoom was driver license or passport. They only required one but I sent in photo pics of both my driver license and passport. Also required for this stage was example of any standard utility or bank statement showing your home address of record. I could have just downloaded an electricity bill statement but I sent in one of my lesser used bank statement PDFs downloaded from my bank.
This Level 2 will increase your Xoom side limits (again please note we still haven't even gotten to the More Casa crap). Limit per single transaction stays same at $2999, but increases 24 hour limit to $6000, 30-day period limit to $6000, and grand total 180-day limit to $19, 500.
Level 3. There may be some custom level above this but unaware. Level 3 is technically a "custom" level because unlike above Level 2 where you are automatically directed online to provide the additional info soon as you go above the Level 1 limits, this Level 3 can only be granted by your own self initiative to call into Xoom customer service where a verification team will ask for additional docs (some might have already sent in as part of Level 2). I had to send in a current or most recent bank full month bank statement. Used PDF of bank statement I had to use for support of funds for More Casa, read below. I emailed the PDF BTW, no snail mail here. Also was asked for photo I'd, again, and just pointed out had already sent in passport and DL for level 2 and they were ok with that, but new one was asked for support of income like pay statement or in my case because private business my income disbursement check statement.
This last pre-set "custom" level raises limits to. Single transaction still $2999, 24 hour limit to $9999, 30 day limit to $20000, and grand total 180 day limit to $60000.
All of the above, once passed, clears you fully on Xoom side and never once get hassled from Xoom.
However, since we're talking about Argentina and there is no other choice here (versus Uruguay) , our only cash pickup provider and location in Capital is More Casa on Libertad 1057. And they have a completely separate set of walls.
Wall 1. Believe never hit it on first transaction ever, least my case didn't and hand't heard anyone getting it first go. But on my 2nd xfer, was asked by More Casa to fill out short form noting my personal details again, name, phone, US and local Argentina address, US and local phone numbers, occupation, and business website. At that time, while I was hassled for this info, I was not pressed on it, More did not check any info, and only had to fill it out to get my 2nd xfer cashed.
Wall 2. In my case, stupid More Casa apparently lost or did not file to the back office that verifies stuff for the pickup location my above occupation, business website, info, etc. They yet again asked me to fill it out. So I did, then no problems.
Wall 3. After a number of xfers but before the 50k peso limit discussed below, clerk at More Casa pickup location had to call into back office because something was flagged on my account. The back office wanted exact clarification now of the details I had filled in for the Wall#1 item above.
The big sticking item which should shock no one who has xp with Argentina more than few weeks was while my occupation, personal info and US / local addresses and phone numbers was easily re-asked, and me verbally restated, they got really hung up on my having more than 1 business website URL. For some Argie reason, the concept of a private business owner having more than 1 URL for his business somehow triggered some suspicious red flag. So they went around and around about what my "true business" really was, which one did I really make money from, if more than one how is that possible, etc. Seriously this like a 30 min Abbott and Costello routine. Finally they decided either this highly suspicious inconsistency was ok, or just got tired of me saying 'no entiendo' in spanish a lot to their stupid insistence that ONE of the website URLs must be the correct, true one. I guess my tip here to private business owners or if your public company you work for has multiple sites, just write down one damn URL and not go through this idiocy.
Wall 4. For some insane reason, maybe this is more a insane clerk thing at this one location, and not overall More Casa, but the clerk noticed after all of the above already checked that on one of my next xfers my local argie phone number did NOT match the recipient info I had filled out. I sent money. To myself. Using my sent from US addresses and phone, and to myself here in Argentina, using my local Argie apt address which they never once checked and I've kept same addy despite moving to another local apt address, and my US cell phone. I figured that sending from me to me was good enough. But the clerk got caught on the personal info form I had filled out in Wall #1.
She noted that my Argie info was local apt address X, and local argie phone number 15-xxxx-xxxx. She insisted I could not receive the funds because my local recipient info did not match what my xfer said was my local info (because of the US phone number). I insisted my US phone worked just fine here, but did not use much because of roaming charges so my info was accurate and correct. She said I had to change my local recipient info on my next transaction of they would not accept them. So she let me slide on this xfer and released the money but wrote down somewhere I had to match next time. So I changed in Xoom my recipient info to use Argie phone number and More Casa nazi backed off.
Wall 5. More Casa told me that I now had to provide "saporte el fondos" or something like that. Basically, they told me that I had hit a 50k peso limit. Was not absolutely clear whether this is within a certain time limit, or grand total ever, but as I hit this pretty fast I don't really know but assume from what they told me and I could understand, that it was no time limit.
Anyway, More Casa, despite my assurances from Xoom I was well under any limits they set, said no more funds released including current xfer unless I could prove the support of my own funds, being sent to myself. I'm sending from me to me, and they want to have proof that I own the funds I am sending. To me. Welcome to Argentina. I told the clerk why don't I just send whatever small amount she names, like say $5. 17 cents. That would prove I own and control the bank account sending to my recipient, in this case me. She said no, and gave me item I had to send in. She said I could fax or email to back office but if I brought in personally to Libertad pickup location it would be lot faster to verify.
So, accessed a bank account online, downloaded and printed my full recent month close statement showing account name, details, funds in account, and as demanded. At least one full month of Xoom transactions being shown deducted from that account. Basically, they wanted the macro list detail shown in standard month end bank statement. So downloaded, printed at an internet cafe using what an AP board member recommended was safer way via a burner email address created just for that purpose then deleted with document afterwards. Went back to More Casa on Libertad following business day, handed the statement over and some back office guy at the location I'd never seen before verified it or at least glanced at it, whatever they do. The clerk scanned each page and sent that to the back office then returned originals to me. Complete gory details of this also posted in my prior xp on this thread.
Thus far, after above wall, I have not been hassled by More Casa further. At least not yet. I assume there will be a 100k peso wall or something else. Right now, only thing bit different that I never got before until I passed above wall, is after each xfer I send, I get a all about next day from More. I ignored first couple thinking it was trouble, but turns out like DaddyRulz posted and I discovered in this recent XP it's just a call saying your xfer is ready to be picked up.
In DR's case he was asked why he needed this cash. In my case it was just simple it's ready.
So far I have Level 3 access but just barely passed Level 2 limits so not sure whether More Casa will ban me before Xoom limits hit. My paranoia assumes that they will. They also asked what day I was leaving and gave them that. I plan on telling them I will stay another 3 months as allowed by standard argie 6 month rule but will see how that plays when I come up to it early Dec.Wow! That's a lot of detail.
Here's the detail of how I get my cash into Argentina:
Level 1. I have my USD transferred into the agency's foreign account. The next day I go and pick up the USD in their office in Microcentro, minus their commission.
Level 2. Erm. See Level 1.
Member #3320
10-25-12, 15:10
Wow! That's a lot of detail.
Here's the detail of how I get my cash into Argentina:
Level 1. I have my USD transferred into the agency's foreign account.Where to find this agency?
I did a transfer of close to $3, 000 USD a few months ago.
I had to submit some paperwork to Xoom, but in the end it all went through, and I assume I won't have to jump through those hoops next time around.
Wow! That's a lot of detail.
Here's the detail of how I get my cash into Argentina:
Level 1. I have my USD transferred into the agency's foreign account. The next day I go and pick up the USD in their office in Microcentro, minus their commission.
Level 2. Erm. See Level 1.Almost certainly the better route. For sure more efficient. But no matter how small the chance, bit more risky.
Long as you have even reasonable bank and / or status with bank, Xoom is a zero risk option.
Xfer to cueva account to be paid out in pesos here is if through trusted referral and source very low risk from what I hear. But very low vs zero are the choices every individual will make. I will eventually do a cueva xfer. For now though I use Xoom. If anyone else makes that same choice I assume their reply would be different than yours
I posted the depth of detail because that is what this board is for. Info, and sharing of. Some other poor bastard is going to go through what I did first time and if even knowing step about having some of the verification docs pre printed before leaving the states helps him, will be worth it because I found that to be an extra hassle step once you are actually in country
I did a transfer of close to $3, 000 USD a few months ago.
I had to submit some paperwork to Xoom, but in the end it all went through, and I assume I won't have to jump through those hoops next time around.You won't with Xoom if you already did level 2 doc which sounds like you did since any txn 3k will put you at first level limit
You definitely will have hoops with More Casa as I described if you continue to do Xoom pickups
Hello, Guys,
Thanks for all the info.
I will be in BA in few weeks, Hotel in Microcentro next to Florida.
What is the best way to change a thousand buck to pesos? Is it with the street guys on Florida street?
And what are the exchange rate I should expect?
I guess bank and the rest of formal exchange don't give that that great rate?
Thanks in advance.
Went to this coin store today, very close to my hotel, got 6:1, seems like they will do it for just about any amount.Originally Posted by Toymann [View Original Post]
Thanks WhiteCat. Got a great tip from blanco gatita. I am staying on junin kitty corner to the cemetery in recoleta. As you head down junin after vincente Lopez and before las heras there is a coin store across from the newly renovated recoleta mall. Walked in and asked for cambio. Nice young fella walking me into the back room that is setup like a bank tellers window. No hassles and very professional. Was offered 6:1 for 1000 countered with 6. 2 for 2000 used. Agreed after a short discussion with the boss. Good bills, checked them all out, looked just fine. Very convenient as this store is 10 meters away from my apartment. Highly recommended. Thanks Kitty. Mongering on all. Toymann
6. 1-1 for 500 USD today at the cervino location.
How do we a determine what is a fair rate of exchange? The current buy and sell rates are 5. 78 and 6. 37, respectively. See.
http://dolarblue.net/. Since dollars are in demand, and bases on the forgoing, I would think that a fair rate would be 6. 32.
Unfortunately, I never received close to the foregoing rate.
Thanks
You won't with Xoom if you already did level 2 doc which sounds like you did since any txn 3k will put you at first level limit
You definitely will have hoops with More Casa as I described if you continue to do Xoom pickupsYou can save some hassles with a XOOM transfer to MORE if you are not completely truthful, and tell them that you are retired, have no job or other employment, and are just a tourist. Also give them the Argentina phone number of your hotel or apartment. I did not go beyond "level 1", so I do not know what pitfalls await.
Tres3
How do we a determine what is a fair rate of exchange? The current buy and sell rates are 5. 78 and 6. 37, respectively. See.
http://dolarblue.net/.
Since dollars are in demand, and bases on the forgoing, I would think that a fair rate would be 6. 32.
Unfortunately, I never received close to the foregoing rate.
ThanksA 'fair' rate of exchange is pretty easy to get here on the streets of BsAs.
The first thing to do is ignore that web-site.
Then go to one of the trusted cuevas mentioned a hundred times on THIS web-site, or take a walk down Florida / Lavalle and compare a few offers.
It IS possible to get 0. 1 or maybe even 0. 2 higher if you've been here long enough and have the right contacts, but for the amounts generally being exchanged it really isn't worth jumping through the hoops and worrying about the extra 50 pesos you might be able to generate!
If you need to change several thousand dollars on a regular (monthly) basis, PM me and I'll put you in touch with the best reliable rate available in BsAs.
With latest Xoom xfer and pickup yesterday, got my courtesy call from More again.
Was ready to yell chicas, chicas why chicas again if asked why I needed the money like Daddyrulz was asked.
Last time got asked nothing. Just told my xfer rdy for pickup. This time woman asked me what I'm pretty positive was a simple verification question to be sure I was the person she was calling. Asked what job profession I was. Again, pretty sure this is a double check against whatever you put down on their form.
After reply, she said ready for pickup. I can now positively conclude that if you wait for the More call, when you get to then pickup office it goes faster because they no longer do the back office verification call. Just lookup online and process. Basically my conclusion is that Xoom clears your xfer much quicker than More does, so when you get that Xoom side email saying ready for pickup it doesn't necessarily mean More Casa is. I'm now waiting to get both Xoom email and More call to make pickups less time and hassle.
However one security procedure or lack of it bothered me. Pretty bad slip really. Cashier didn't take my slip of paper with my Xoom xfer number written on it. She waived it off and just looked me up in their More system via my passport name / number.
I really don't like this because this removes the extra layer of protection that regardless of what Identification doc a person has, the release of your funds needs the actual unique per xfer transaction number. Similar to a protected Swiss bank xfer and pickup
On one hand they clearly know who I am by now, but on Xoom side it clearly states without the receiver presenting that xfer number and ID, funds can't be released. I prefer the double protection of ID and must present xfer number. Odd given how ultra paranoid and useless bureaucratic More Casa is that they chose to skip this procedure
My guess it is nothing more sinister than trying to give you the latino personal touch, since, as you say, they know you now.
My guess it is nothing more sinister than trying to give you the latino personal touch, since, as you say, they know you now.That's what I figured. Kinda like the ritual hazing and reward. I'd prefer they make me cough up the code though. Unlikely as it is that someone would create a nice fake I'd to scam 1 xoom transaction I send, still adds extra step to also need to hijack and know my code as well.
AdventureSeeke
10-30-12, 22:08
Where is the western union please?
Did you just walk in and ask to exchange or did you have to send it in from outside? Is there a specific denomination that is preferable (say $100 bills)?
I was able to get 6. 2 at the "Western Union"@$500 USD without even trying. He offered 6. 1 and I pushed a little and he said, OK. 6.2.
Where is the western union please?
Did you just walk in and ask to exchange or did you have to send it in from outside? Is there a specific denomination that is preferable (say $100 bills)?Whatever you do, don't go to a Western Union and try and change your USD!
The "Western Union" referred to (note the inverted commas) is a cueva at the junction of Florida and Lavalle. It's a mobile phone accessory shop which has a small "Western Union" sign outside it. You go into the back of the shop, tell them you want 'cambio' and go in and change your USD, no questions asked. USD100 bills are always preferable.
AdventureSeeke
10-30-12, 22:24
Ouch. Thanks a bunch.
Will do.
Whatever you do, don't go to a Western Union and try and change your USD!
The "Western Union" referred to (note the inverted commas) is a cueva at the junction of Florida and Lavalle. It's a mobile phone accessory shop which has a small "Western Union" sign outside it. You go into the back of the shop, tell them you want 'cambio' and go in and change your USD, no questions asked. USD100 bills are always preferable.
Big Boss Man
11-02-12, 13:53
Is "Cervino" or the "coin store" open for exchange on Saturday. I am personally not a fan of exchanging money on Florida Street. I am trying to avoid the ATM due to a weekend arrival time. Thanks.
Is "Cervino" or the "coin store" open for exchange on Saturday. I am personally not a fan of exchanging money on Florida Street. I am trying to avoid the ATM due to a weekend arrival time. Thanks.Yes, they are open on Saturdays.
Hello, Guys,
Thanks for all the info.
I will be in BA in few weeks, Hotel in Microcentro next to Florida.
What is the best way to change a thousand buck to pesos? Is it with the street guys on Florida street?
And what are the exchange rate I should expect?
I guess bank and the rest of formal exchange don't give that that great rate?
Thanks in advance.Argentinians are desperate for dollars.
I was today in Buenos Aires on my way to Uruguay and walking by Florida Street at Microcentro I was offered dozens of times pesos for american dollars. They were interested in euros too.
I've got to go back to Argentina next week, so I talked with this guy standing in the corner of Florida and Tucuman. He offered me directly 6, 20 pesos for each dollar. He took me to a store at the end of a gallery at Florida 681 and there I made the change.
No hassles. No passport needed. No questions asked.
Usual change at casas de cambio today was 4, 47.
Morgando69
11-06-12, 01:42
You need to monitor this site. It gives you the official (unofficial!) exchange rate for dollars euros etc.
http://dolarblue.net/
Argentinians are desperate for dollars.
I was today in Buenos Aires on my way to Uruguay and walking by Florida Street at Microcentro I was offered dozens of times pesos for american dollars. They were interested in euros too.
I've got to go back to Argentina next week, so I talked with this guy standing in the corner of Florida and Tucuman. He offered me directly 6, 20 pesos for each dollar. He took me to a store at the end of a gallery at Florida 681 and there I made the change.
No hassles. No passport needed. No questions asked.
Usual change at casas de cambio today was 4, 47.
One Euro change for 7. 5 until 7. 65 Peso.
Gauntlet77
11-06-12, 21:26
Yes, they are open on Saturdays.Like many BsAs businesses, they close early on Saturday, in this case, at 13:30.
Going to say this twice so the wolves don't derail my post with the 'it's cheaper to get dollars using method XYZ" replies.
I did not go to Colonia to get dollars.
I did NOT go to Colonia to get dollars.
I went to Colonia to do a visa run, in a place I genuinely like to visit, and via a means. Buquebus. That I enjoy. Something about being on the water every now and then is nice. While I was there waiting for my return boat, figured I might as well trying drawing dollars out.
Boat trip. Unless on a tight budget, paying for the primera especial is well worth it imo. Upper deck seating in quad-arranged full leather reclining chairs arranged around a private table for that quad. Given how few people upgrade, basically you have the entire quad to yourself. Not an exact count but there's something like 120-132 seating around these quad-chair-tables and on outbound trip there was exactly me + 4 other people. On return, about 20. Oddly, going into Buquebus store on Posadas got a promo 709p rate vs the promo online rate of about 920p. Go figure. In Argentina the human labor staffed promo is cheaper than eccomerce sale.
Timed my run to take the 12:30pm boat out. 1hr 15min trip, arrive 2:45pm Uruguay time which is 1hr ahead of bsas at the moment. Bit under 2 hours to kill in Colonia since you want to be back at the port going through reverse immigration 45-60min before boat leaves at 5:30pm.
Taking taxi is useless. Walked out of new / rebuilt port (last I did this in 2008 it was a temp floating dock that was hot as hell in warm weather) , up first street out of port gates. Rivadiva. 3 blocks or so to the main street running down old town Colonia, Gral Flores.
Turn left onto Gral Flores, not much going to the right, and walk 4-5 blocks, maybe 6. Near corner of Gral Flores and Suarez on the left side is a Banco Colonia. Two atms inside that dispenses USD in $300 increments max, but allows multiple withdrawals. Not sure if there is a max cap to number of withdrawals or if it will let you keep doing until you hit your own bank's daily atm withdrawal cap. Mine is pretty high so I didn't test that and this wasn't a dollar run per se, so just did 3x withdrawals of $300 on one account, another 3 on other account and took out $1800 in 2-3 min. Pretty easy. Nice crisp USD $100 bills, almost all of them in exact sequential series numbers.
Across the street about near this corner is a bank called Discount Bank, green vertical sign in front. I mention these landmarks because besides these two banks, couple others were hard as hell to spot, and the one really easy one, Santander Rio bank didn't withdraw in USD, only in Uruguayan pesos. So it seems only Uruguayan based banks do dollars. I can confirm that both the Banco Colonia (pretty sure that was name but it's the one right before the corner of Gral Flores and Suarez, and it's right before the locally famous ice cream store on that corner) and Discount Bank withdraws in USD. Both were pegged to $300 max per transaction.
It was about 4pm local time when I did these so apparently they hadn't run out of USD like some posts talk about. I decided to also post exact street corner address because on the baexpat board, every post I read was sadly vague about where a USD equipped atm was. Just guys saying 'oh yea, I took out $2400 in 8 operations. Woot. ' But no info.
The exchange rate for dollars to uruguayan pesos was 1 to 19. The exchange rate for arg pesos to uruguayan pesos was horrible. I worked out that the equivalent 1 USD getting you 19 uruguayan pesos, was that if you took that same 1 USD, converted at blue dollar exchange rate of about 6 pesos to a dollar, and then used those 6 pesos to exchange for Uruguayan pesos, you got about 15. So even if you brought arg pesos at blue dollar rates, you're only getting about 15 Uruguyan pesos for "$1 USD worth of blue dollar arg pesos" vs. Actual real $1 USD = 19 Uru pesos.
Since I was there so short a time I just used some small change US currency, like $5 to buy an ice cream.
Weather. Hotter and more humid than buenos aires. I was dripping all over walking around colonia.
Cell phone. Don't remember doing this last time, but my phone got some sort of push signal I figure since it didn't do that returning on the argie side, but entering Colonia airwaves, I got a message on my phone telling me new local roaming rates and that since it detected me in Uruguay would I like my time changed to be 1 hour ahead. Coming back to Puerto Madero, no message and no auto ask to reset time back. Was able to send / receive texts on boat up to about 10min offshore point, and then in Colonia via roaming which for prepagos is apparently about 3x the cost.
Member #3320
11-09-12, 17:00
Thanks@Mpexy. Excellent Report.
I am glad you did the visa run rather than overstaying yr visa.
Meanwhile, intrigued, what was your exact time frame. Leaving your house and getting back to yr house? 6 hrs? 8 hrs?
Thanks
Thanks@Mpexy. Excellent Report.
I am glad you did the visa run rather than overstaying yr visa.
Meanwhile, intrigued, what was your exact time frame. Leaving your house and getting back to yr house? 6 hrs? 8 hrs?
ThanksComplete door to door I'd have to estimate because after I came back I went to visit an AP friend, not return to my place. And I had the incredibly bad luck of returning just when power outages were sweeping all over bsas, including centro where subways were out, huge lines for cabs and buses.
Left my apartment via cab 11:00am. You can squeeze it tighter but recommended arrival is 1hr before boat leaves to go through immigration. In my case arrived at Puerto Madero just before 11:30am and had plenty of time after immigration to wait for my 12:30pm boat. Returned on first available boat after I arrived to Colonia, which is the 5:30pm that lands in Puerto Madero 6:45pm.
If power outages had not been a factor and I directly return to my apartment, would likely have arrived back about 7:20pm.
So call it end-to-end, door-to-door about 8 to 8. 5 hours.
If you take the morning boat, you end up needing to kill 6+ hours in Colonia so I always take the afternoon one.
Thanks to whoever originally shared the info for the place at Scalabrini Ortiz and Cervino. Just to the left of Freddo´s at the corner. This place is a gem.
Rate today was 6.15. Very smooth, I just walked in (no other customers) and went to the window and was done in 5 minutes.
Thanks to whoever originally shared the info for the place at Scalabrini Ortiz and Cervino. Just to the left of Freddo's at the corner. This place is a gem.
Rate today was 6. 15. Very smooth, I just walked in (no other customers) and went to the window and was done in 5 minutes.Hi Amigos,
Arrived into town on Monday. Already have had two experiences, more to follow. Does the place at Scalabrini Ortiz and Cervino accept $20s? I hear alot of money changers prefer to deal only with $100s.
Best,
Cheerfull
Gauntlet77
11-21-12, 21:40
Hi Amigos,
Arrived into town on Monday. Already have had two experiences, more to follow. Does the place at Scalabrini Ortiz and Cervino accept $20s? I hear alot of money changers prefer to deal only with $100s.
Best,
Cheerfull$20's are no problem. But if there is another "huelga general" (general strike) like this week, it will be closed. So check the news in the morning before you go.
FYI: just exchanged yesterday 1000$ on florida. First they wanted 6. 1 and after 4 guys got it at 6. 3 rate.
Chose a guy on florida and Cordoba ave.
US tourist shot in Florida street.
A US tourist was shot as he was robbed by two men in Florida street in downtown Buenos Aires, according to police sources.
The incident took place in a shopping mall located at Florida 500, where the tourist, along with another person, was purchasing dollars to an informal street vendor and two men tried to rob him.
The US citizen began fighting with the thieves and was shot in in his gluteus. He was immediately taken to the Argerich hospital in La Boca, while police officers detaineds the robbers on Maipú street.
Florida is a pedestrian walkway and one of the most popular touristic spots in downtown Buenos Aires.
Does the place at Scalabrini Ortiz and Cervino accept $20s?Yes they do
Silver Star
11-23-12, 21:50
Anyone know an exchangerate for euros at a cuevo?Probably about 8. 24 or so.
Hi Amigos,
Arrived into town on Monday. Already have had two experiences, more to follow. Does the place at Scalabrini Ortiz and Cervino accept $20s? I hear alot of money changers prefer to deal only with $100s.
Best,
CheerfullYes, they have no issue with that. In general there is not an issue changing 20s in Argentina.
Silver Star
11-24-12, 00:56
Yes, they have no issue with that. In general there is not an issue changing 20s in Argentina.Some places will not accept 20s, and / or will offer a lower exchange.
Yes, they have no issue with that. In general there is not an issue changing 20s in Argentina.Things have change very much here. A year or so ago changing smaller bills was no issue, today it is.
I had a discussion with the owner at one of the cuevas I go to (not the one a Florida, a more serious one, or maybe the correct term is not an arbolito?) about this. I had brought him a stack of 20s and 100s to buy some pesos, knowing the 20s might be a problem. He told me that since I was a long-time client he'd try to deal with them, but the problem is that many people in South America are fixated by a desire for perfect bills, and in denominations of 100. Most people he does business with will not accept 20s although they will accept some older bills. Often when they do accept them, as Silver Star mentioned, they offer a poorer rate on whatever currency is being bought. He told me that if he could move them without problem he'd let it stand, but if I came back next month and he hadn't been able to move them, I'd have to cough up some $100s to replace them or take a hit on my next conversion rate.
I wouldn't say there's no problem with 20s, but somewhere someone will take them, just maybe not at the price you'd like.
Silver Star
11-24-12, 01:28
I had a discussion with the owner at one of the cuevas I go to (not the one a Florida, a more serious one, or maybe the correct term is not an arbolito?) about this. I had brought him a stack of 20s and 100s to buy some pesos, knowing the 20s might be a problem. He told me that since I was a long-time client he'd try to deal with them, but the problem is that many people in South America are fixated by a desire for perfect bills, and in denominations of 100. Most people he does business with will not accept 20s although they will accept some older bills. Often when they do accept them, as Silver Star mentioned, they offer a poorer rate on whatever currency is being bought. He told me that if he could move them without problem he'd let it stand, but if I came back next month and he hadn't been able to move them, I'd have to cough up some $100s to replace them or take a hit on my next conversion rate.
I wouldn't say there's no problem with 20s, but somewhere someone will take them, just maybe not at the price you'd like.So moral of the story is to come here with 50's (no problem) or 100's in good condition (not written, stamped, torn, etc) , the problem is the American ATMs spew out 20's many of which are in ratty condition. Argentines are very fussy about the quality of their USD, and other so called hard currencies.
I had a discussion with the owner at one of the cuevas I go to (not the one a Florida, a more serious one, or maybe the correct term is not an arbolito?) about this. I had brought him a stack of 20s and 100s to buy some pesos, knowing the 20s might be a problem. He told me that since I was a long-time client he'd try to deal with them, but the problem is that many people in South America are fixated by a desire for perfect bills, and in denominations of 100. Most people he does business with will not accept 20s although they will accept some older bills. Often when they do accept them, as Silver Star mentioned, they offer a poorer rate on whatever currency is being bought. He told me that if he could move them without problem he'd let it stand, but if I came back next month and he hadn't been able to move them, I'd have to cough up some $100s to replace them or take a hit on my next conversion rate.
I wouldn't say there's no problem with 20s, but somewhere someone will take them, just maybe not at the price you'd like.The problem is that they need to move / smuggle huge amounts of money around and out of the country. A million $ in 20's take a lot more space than a package of 100's.
What you need to do before you leave is go to your bank and ask for clean bills. If they give you any flak, just explain you are leaving the country and most will understand why you want them. If not just explain why to them. I am always amazed at the high quality of US currency here. When a client pays me here it is often in new crisp new bills all in numerical order! If I was in the states I would be thinking forgery! Here its normal.
6. 2-1 at cervino Friday. 600 in 20's got from an atm in LAX
Chicago Guy
11-24-12, 17:36
Is the coin store on Vincente Lopez the only reliable cueva in Recoleta? Thanks, Alex
The money exchange guy I use has said he would only accept up to $200 in twenties (the rest have to be $100 bills) but yesterday he had no problem exchanging $400 in twenties (which is mainly what I have) (6. 25:1 although I hear others get 6. 3:1). For those of you who are not following the business news, December 15 is judgement day for Argentina, financially and economically, due to a bond dispute in New York. People say what happens on Dec 15 could have serious reprecussions for the country. My question is what impact do you think this bond dispute is having on the peso and exchange rate? Is it better to buy pesos now or wait to see what happens?
The money exchange guy I use has said he would only accept up to $200 in twenties (the rest have to be $100 bills) but yesterday he had no problem exchanging $400 in twenties (which is mainly what I have) (6. 25:1 although I hear others get 6. 3:1). For those of you who are not following the business news, December 15 is judgement day for Argentina, financially and economically, due to a bond dispute in New York. People say what happens on Dec 15 could have serious reprecussions for the country. My question is what impact do you think this bond dispute is having on the peso and exchange rate? Is it better to buy pesos now or wait to see what happens?The peso has gone down (or up depending on your point of view) around 12 cents in the past week. I would say wait if you can. Then there is always a possibility that the peso of today will be replaced with something new next year. Typical of this gov't to print new bills and say they are worth 1 to 1 or something equally crazy
Do you guys know if there are preferences regarding 50 or 100 EUR bills?
I have the option to bring EUR (at no cost to me) or to change to USD here and then exchange USD for ARS. My guess is that USD may have a slightly better exchange rate in Buenos Aires, but this advantage would be eaten up by the fees I pay here for changing EUR to USD.
Things have change very much here. A year or so ago changing smaller bills was no issue, today it is.I guess that doesn't surprise me. I sure don't miss bullshit like that.
Silver Star
11-26-12, 22:37
Do you guys know if there are preferences regarding 50 or 100 EUR bills?
I have the option to bring EUR (at no cost to me) or to change to USD here and then exchange USD for ARS. My guess is that USD may have a slightly better exchange rate in Buenos Aires, but this advantage would be eaten up by the fees I pay here for changing EUR to USD.How much juice will you have to pay to change Euro for USD? Once we know that, we can calculate whether it is worth it or not.
I have a contact in the tire shop business here, he needs Euros to buy high end German Suspension Equipment
How much juice will you have to pay to change Euro for USD? Once we know that, we can calculate whether it is worth it or not.
I have a contact in the tire shop business here, he needs Euros to buy high end German Suspension EquipmentIt seems like the final exchange rate for EUR to USD will be between 1. 21 and 1. 24 as of today, including fees. I saw 6. 30 ARS / USD listed here, leading to 1. 21*6. 30 = 7. 65 EUR / ARS or 1. 24 * 6. 30 = 7. 81 if exchanged beforehand. I also saw a guesstimate of 8. 25 for ARS / EUR, which would obviously be a bit better, however it was not confirmed.
The "risk" in bringing USD would be that if I don't use all of it, I will be stuck with dollars afterwards.
Daddy Rulz
11-27-12, 10:29
The money exchange guy I use has said he would only accept up to $200 in twentiesI was going to change money the other day and asked the guys in the house if they needed any change. Two guys gave me $200 bucks to change, on gave me 100's and the other 20's. My cambio guy gave me 6. 2 for the 100's but only offered 6 for the 20's. I asked him why and he said because they are a pain in the ass to carry around. So because it's a little more work they charge a premium. Argies never fail to entertain.
I asked him why and he said because they are a pain in the ass to carry around. So because it's a little more work they charge a premium. Argies never fail to entertain.It would be funny if it wasn't so sad, and typical of their entire philosophy on life!
I was going to change money the other day and asked the guys in the house if they needed any change. Two guys gave me $200 bucks to change, on gave me 100's and the other 20's. My cambio guy gave me 6. 2 for the 100's but only offered 6 for the 20's. I asked him why and he said because they are a pain in the ass to carry around. So because it's a little more work they charge a premium. Argies never fail to entertain.Daddy, I have explained it before and again today. They are smuggling the money out of the country. Bundles of 20s are five times harder to smuggle. It makes perfect sense from their point of view.
Silver Star
11-28-12, 02:21
It seems like the final exchange rate for EUR to USD will be between 1. 21 and 1. 24 as of today, including fees. I saw 6. 30 ARS / USD listed here, leading to 1. 21*6. 30 = 7. 65 EUR / ARS or 1. 24 * 6. 30 = 7. 81 if exchanged beforehand. I also saw a guesstimate of 8. 25 for ARS / EUR, which would obviously be a bit better, however it was not confirmed.
The "risk" in bringing USD would be that if I don't use all of it, I will be stuck with dollars afterwards.Seems clear cut, best to bring the Euros down, there is a market here for Euro, probably can get about 8. 24 or so based on todays exchange. Just may be a bit harder to find a buyer. Plus you can leave with your excess Euro, amd not have to convert baxk lime you said.
If what Aqualung says is true, and I have no doubt that it is, you would think they would LOVE the 500 Euro note. Might be worth bringing a few of those. I think the 500 Euro note is far and away the most valuable in the world by space and weight.
SnakeOilSales
11-28-12, 05:28
If what Aqualung says is true, and I have no doubt that it is, you would think they would LOVE the 500 Euro note. Might be worth bringing a few of those. I think the 500 Euro note is far and away the most valuable in the world by space and weight.50, 100, 200 and 500 Euro notes all are considered "big" bills by the cuevas here and are all given the same exchange rate. Although the 500 Euro note is an efficient store of value and is the second most liquid currency worldwide after USD, it is not the most valuable major currency banknote. There is a 1000 CHF note, for example (worth $1080 USD) and a $10, 000 SGD banknote which is in fact the most valuable in circulation. If I had to convert all my assets into cash and bury them for 20 years I would be using the 1000 CHF notes.
In certain parts of the world, such as Thailand and Hong Kong, large USD bills always have higher exchang rate in all the exchange places, including exchanging in the banks. In BsAs, I have experienced only one cueva with this practice.
In certain parts of the world, such as Thailand and Hong Kong, large USD bills always have higher exchang rate in all the exchange places, including exchanging in the banks. In BsAs, I have experienced only one cueva with this practice.Last nite I was given a fake $50 bill by a taxista. Didn't realize it til this morning when the chicas in a privado told me it was falso. It was hard to tell the difference between a good and bad 50. The fake bill is really good quality, not even the guys at the local padrilla could tell without real close examination. I was also told at the privado that 10 peso bills are also being counterfited.
Or you were given a fake fifty at the privado, which is equally possible.
Daddy Rulz
11-28-12, 15:10
Or you were given a fake fifty at the privado, which is equally possible.Equal chances that you got it from the tachero or the receptionist. Did she leave and came back and tell you it was fake?
Last nite I was given a fake $50 bill by a taxista. Didn't realize it til this morning when the chicas in a privado told me it was falso. It was hard to tell the difference between a good and bad 50. The fake bill is really good quality, not even the guys at the local padrilla could tell without real close examination. I was also told at the privado that 10 peso bills are also being counterfited.In over 7 years and over 15 trip to Argentina I have been lucky and never been passed a Falso yet. Probably just lucky but I was alerted on this board long ago about the taxi driver switch-a-roo scam. Because of this good advice I always have cambio and have never used a 100 peso note, except when I come from or go to EZE. In these cases I always pay the cabbie outside the taxi when I am getting my bag out of the trunk. Always figured this made it tough for the dude to switch the bills. Monger on Cheerful. Toymann
In over 7 years and over 15 trip to Argentina I have been lucky and never been passed a Falso yet. Probably just lucky but I was alerted on this board long ago about the taxi driver switch-a-roo scam. Because of this good advice I always have cambio and have never used a 100 peso note, except when I come from or go to EZE. In these cases I always pay the cabbie outside the taxi when I am getting my bag out of the trunk. Always figured this made it tough for the dude to switch the bills. Monger on Cheerful. ToymannWhat happened is that this morning, around 4am on my way back from a milonga, a taxista gave me a ride, no problem, but at the end of the ride when I gave him $30 for a $22 fare, he mumbled something to me I could not understand. I opened my wallet and he looked back and at my open wallet and told me to give him the $50; so like a fool I did. Then he handed the $50 back to me. I thought the whole thing was odd, but I have never heard that $50 bills are being conterfeited. Well, I think that he switched $50's on me real discretely. I went to the privado on Esmeralda this morning and the gals there caught the fake and the sweetheart (Alyin") I did pointed out what was wrong with the bill. Alyin, a 8+ or 9 blonde, gave me a full gf experience for $250. Last week this privado was charging $300 a half-hour. Do prices vary from day to day / week to week?
Wild Walleye
11-28-12, 17:24
What happened is that this morning, around 4am on my way back from a milonga, a taxista gave me a ride, no problem, but at the end of the ride when I gave him $30 for a $22 fare, he mumbled something to me I could not understand. I opened my wallet and he looked back and at my open wallet and told me to give him the $50; so like a fool I did. Then he handed the $50 back to me. I thought the whole thing was odd, but I have never heard that $50 bills are being conterfeited. Well, I think that he switched $50's on me real discretely. I went to the privado on Esmeralda this morning and the gals there caught the fake and the sweetheart (Alyin") I did pointed out what was wrong with the bill. Alyin, a 8+ or 9 blonde, gave me a full gf experience for $250. Last week this privado was charging $300 a half-hour. Do prices vary from day to day / week to week?That happened to me, once, years ago with a remis going to EZE. I had just woken up from a post-coital nap and was not savvy to the wisdom of senor Toymann (don't pay the remis (Fred not included in this analysis) until you're both out of the car and you can see both of his hands and he has less opportunity to do the old switcheroo. It was a realatively inexpensive lesson to learn (about US$30, back then). I still have the fake AR$100 bill, right here in my office. Now, it's worth almost as much as a real one.
A friend of mine drew about 2, 000 pesos out of an ATM at Citibank on Callao and found 3 fake 50 peso bills, all of them easy to recognize color copies. He told the bank immediately but of course they wouldn't accept the claim, in fact he was treated as if he had switched the real bills to fake ones after pulling the money out from the ATM. Argentina is one the very few countries if not the only one where you can get fake bills from banks.
Daddy Rulz
11-28-12, 20:08
Fucking Banco Francias in Colegiales, to quote the sage,"Kocksukers"
If I had to convert all my assets into cash and bury them for 20 years I would be using the 1000 CHF notes.If I had to convert all my assets into cash and bury them for 20 years I'd need change from a 1000 CHF note!
Yep, I need to update. Did not know the CHF was worth more than the dollar. Looks like it's been almost two years that's been the case.
If you travel and unfamiliar with the local currency, you might eventually find yourself in possession of counterfeit currency. Here's an interesting article from the New York Times, but re-posted and linked to the Seattle Times (unlike the NYT, no pay-per-view registration needed). The article reminded me of my first trip to Argentina about 15 years ago when I was given counterfeit pesos by a cab driver. I complained to everyone about being given the counterfeit money, but all I got was the 'you're a dumb-ass' look.
http://seattletimes.com/html/travel/2019793428_fakemoney30xml.html
According to the article, the London-based global foreign exchange company Travelex says that the counterfeit currencies it sees most often are the euro, British pound, Mexican peso, Argentine peso, Peruvian sol and Chinese yuan. Since everything else in China is counterfeited, I shouldn't have been surprised about the Chinese yuan being widely counterfeited but I was. I was also surprised that the US dollar wasn't high on the list.
Silver Star
12-01-12, 21:48
If you travel and unfamiliar with the local currency, you might eventually find yourself in possession of counterfeit currency. Here's an interesting article from the New York Times, but re-posted and linked to the Seattle Times (unlike the NYT, no pay-per-view registration needed). The article reminded me of my first trip to Argentina about 15 years ago when I was given counterfeit pesos by a cab driver. I complained to everyone about being given the counterfeit money, but all I got was the 'you're a dumb-ass' look.
http://seattletimes.com/html/travel/2019793428_fakemoney30xml.html
According to the article, the London-based global foreign exchange company Travelex says that the counterfeit currencies it sees most often are the euro, British pound, Mexican peso, Argentine peso, Peruvian sol and Chinese yuan. Since everything else in China is counterfeited, I shouldn't have been surprised about the Chinese yuan being widely counterfeited but I was. I was also surprised that the US dollar wasn't high on the list.Hopefully the new 100 Peso Evita note should help, if has better security features. The hardest to counterfiet is the Australian Dollar ans now CAD, with the plastic polymer see thru notes, very cool stuff.
That's a good point and the USD used to be a lot easier to counterfeit and would have been higher up on the list say 10 years ago. Because 60% of USD circulates outside the country, we only sort of 40% gave a shit so the counterfeiting problem got pretty bad before we decided to deal with it. That was kind of selfish but of course the new paper and so forth is costly. We did have an opportunity at the same time to go to a longer lived and cheaper paper but we decided controlling the manufacturers more closely was more important, which is probably true. By the way, historically, when counterfeiting goes up revolutions can follow. Whether you are a Dem or a Rep or a Lib or a Com you want trustworthy money that everyone will accept or it will get real ugly. Don't forget that in 2001/2002 individual Argie provinces issued their own bullshit currencies such as the "Patacón" to feign solvency as far as payroll and so forth was concerned. If I went down there to monger right now I would bring $9999 US, fill out no forms, and party til the money ran out. I would not be relying on ATMs at this point, as a visitor.
Silver Star
12-01-12, 23:51
That's a good point and the USD used to be a lot easier to counterfeit and would have been higher up on the list say 10 years ago. Because 60% of USD circulates outside the country, we only sort of 40% gave a shit so the counterfeiting problem got pretty bad before we decided to deal with it. That was kind of selfish but of course the new paper and so forth is costly. We did have an opportunity at the same time to go to a longer lived and cheaper paper but we decided controlling the manufacturers more closely was more important, which is probably true. By the way, historically, when counterfeiting goes up revolutions can follow. Whether you are a Dem or a Rep or a Lib or a Com you want trustworthy money that everyone will accept or it will get real ugly. Don't forget that in 2001/2002 individual Argie provinces issued their own bullshit currencies such as the "Patacón" to feign solvency as far as payroll and so forth was concerned. If I went down there to monger right now I would bring $9999 US, fill out no forms, and party til the money ran out. I would not be relying on ATMs at this point, as a visitor.I think the new USD 100 is getting ready to come out next year, more security features, but plastic polymer seems like the way to go, money lasts 2x longer too.
Silver Star
12-02-12, 01:41
If you travel and unfamiliar with the local currency, you might eventually find yourself in possession of counterfeit currency. Here's an interesting article from the New York Times, but re-posted and linked to the Seattle Times (unlike the NYT, no pay-per-view registration needed). The article reminded me of my first trip to Argentina about 15 years ago when I was given counterfeit pesos by a cab driver. I complained to everyone about being given the counterfeit money, but all I got was the 'you're a dumb-ass' look.
http://seattletimes.com/html/travel/2019793428_fakemoney30xml.html
According to the article, the London-based global foreign exchange company Travelex says that the counterfeit currencies it sees most often are the euro, British pound, Mexican peso, Argentine peso, Peruvian sol and Chinese yuan. Since everything else in China is counterfeited, I shouldn't have been surprised about the Chinese yuan being widely counterfeited but I was. I was also surprised that the US dollar wasn't high on the list.After hearing so many reports of sleazebag black and yellow cab drivers passing fakes, running double speed meters, driving beat up cabs with bald tires, shot suspensions, and worst of all, driving like morons, often with their headlights off during nighttime. Beware, many black and yellow cabs do not have headrests, putting you at risk for whiplash. Granted, there are many good drivers and cabs out there too, yes, but the above problems inspired me to provide something better, a private, premium car service, here in Buenos Aires. At SilverStar, we do the opposite when it comes to fake money, we actually show you specimen fakes, so you know what you are up against in the real world and hopefully avoid getting scammed down the road. We speak English, drive safe, have awesome, well maintained cars, with airbags and A / C, plus we are very serious about punctuality. If you are a premium traveler who wants the best value in a fully licnesed and insured premium car service, please consider us, we can help you avoid getting scammed with fake bills, etc.
www.silverstarcar.com
Fully Licensed and Insured (Unlike many other low end car services here)
Serving Buenos Aires Premium Travelers Since 2009
Silver Star
12-02-12, 02:33
[QUOTE=Dickhead; 429968]That's a good point and the USD used to be a lot easier to counterfeit and would have been higher up on the list say 10 years ago.
Because 60% of USD circulates outside the country,
So, the USA does have an export economy then, exports of pretty cool looking green pieces of paper with value more than the paper itself, that's a pretty cool gig.
Pretty cool stuff.
After hearing so many reports of sleazebag black and yellow cab drivers passing fakes, running double speed meters, driving beat up cabs with bald tires, shot suspensions, and worst of all, driving like morons, often with their headlights off during nighttime. Beware, many black and yellow cabs do not have headrests, putting you at risk for whiplash. Granted, there are many good drivers and cabs out there too, yes, but the above problems inspired me to provide something better, a private, premium car service, here in Buenos Aires. At SilverStar, we do the opposite when it comes to fake money, we actually show you specimen fakes, so you know what you are up against in the real world and hopefully avoid getting scammed down the road. We speak English, drive safe, have awesome, well maintained cars, with airbags and A / C, plus we are very serious about punctuality. If you are a premium traveler who wants the best value in a fully licnesed and insured premium car service, please consider us, we can help you avoid getting scammed with fake bills, etc.
www.silverstarcar.com
What
Fully Licensed and Insured (Unlike many other low end car services here)
Serving Buenos Aires Premium Travelers Since 2009What does this post have to do with exchanging currency? Are you now spamming the board Fred? Please stop! Stay on your thread unless you want to address the subject being discussed. You wonder why most don't use your overpriced services. Back to your thread taxi chulo! Toymann
Daddy Rulz
12-02-12, 14:06
What does this post have to do with exchanging currency? Are you now spamming the board Fred? Please stop! Stay on your thread unless you want to address the subject being discussed. You wonder why most don't use your overpriced services. Back to your thread taxi chulo! ToymannHe was responding to people that have been passed fake bills from tacheros. It's a reach but daddy thinks he made it.
He was responding to people that have been passed fake bills from tacheros. It's a reach but daddy thinks he made it.Just sounds like the same old pitch to me daddy. Airbags, bad divers, yada, yada. With taxi rip off info that ha been mentioned over and over on the forum for years now. Nothing new but the airbags! LOL. Toymann
Member #3320
12-02-12, 16:05
What does this post have to do with exchanging currency? Are you now spamming the board Fred? Please stop! Stay on your thread unless you want to address the subject being discussed. You wonder why most don't use your overpriced services. Back to your thread taxi chulo! ToymannCouldn't agree more, Toymann. You wrote exactly what I thought.
I want to add that I have used taxis for 5 yrs in BA and in fact I mostly use taxis for my transportation. And no radio taxi. I just hail them on the road. I have absolutely no incident to report. I find the drivers extremely polite and helpful. After having used taxis over a 100 world cities, I find BA taxis amongst the better ones I have used.
I have noticed over the years that Fred has always tried to create fear mongering amongst readers here and at BA expats about using local taxis in order to jack up his market. I absolutely dislike this kind of "pimping".
I don't really blame guys like Fred and Ramiro who have to find and live off pesos. When I was down there I had dollars flowing in magically. Sometimes I attempted to earn some pesos to augment the dollars, so I can see how hard it is to make a living down there. Fred has it even tougher because he has a high-end product and those don't do well in collapsing economies. So he has to annoy a hundred posters to maybe successfully capture one newbie.
I have read in some of the posts in this forum that the exc0hange rate for dollar is around 6 pesos. But when I chrck the yahoo currency exchange, it is only around 4. 80 pesos. I'm confused. Is it the street rate which is that different than official bank rate?
Silver Star
12-07-12, 18:27
I have read in some of the posts in this forum that the exc0hange rate for dollar is around 6 pesos. But when I chrck the yahoo currency exchange, it is only around 4. 80 pesos. I'm confused. Is it the street rate which is that different than official bank rate?Yes, there is a parallel market going on here, make sure to bring cash, USD in big bills to take full advantage of this big premium you will get. Try to minimize using ATM's and Credit Cards as you will only get the official rate, less fees.
Besides the place in Scalabrini Ortiz and Cervino that has been reported in this site, can anybody recommend other places where I can exchange USD at the 'parallel market' rate? I will be passing BA Wednesday just for one day and I would like to have more than one option. Thanks in advance!
TejanoLibre
12-08-12, 02:13
Besides the place in Scalabrini Ortiz and Cervino that has been reported in this site, can anybody recommend other places where I can exchange USD at the 'parallel market' rate? I will be passing BA Wednesday just for one day and I would like to have more than one option. Thanks in advance!Call me if you'd like.
Got $6. 30 to $1. 0 yesterday, about 10 min. From the AP House, walking.
Thanks,
TL.
4 381 2145.
156 116 4254
Call me if you'd like.
Got $6. 30 to $1. 0 yesterday, about 10 min. From the AP House, walking.
Thanks,
TL.
4 381 2145.
156 116 4254*shakes head*
What a chancer. Why am I not surprised!
I was offered 6. 36 on the street and got 6. 44 at my usual place yesterday.
Daddy Rulz
12-08-12, 11:32
*shakes head*
What a chancer. Why am I not surprised!
I was offered 6. 36 on the street and got 6. 44 at my usual place yesterday.I suspect this is a moderate insult, but I'm not exactly sure what a "chancer" is. I suspect it's somewhere between a Whanker and a Crusty Dragon but I would like to know.
TejanoLibre
12-08-12, 12:18
*shakes head*
What a chancer. Why am I not surprised!
I was offered 6. 36 on the street and got 6. 44 at my usual place yesterday.I guess you should tell us where it is so we can RUN over there and save. 14 cents!
TL.
P. S. It changes EVERY fucking day, minute by minute.
TejanoLibre
12-08-12, 12:27
I don't really blame guys like Fred and Ramiro who have to find and live off pesos. When I was down there I had dollars flowing in magically. Sometimes I attempted to earn some pesos to augment the dollars, so I can see how hard it is to make a living down there. Fred has it even tougher because he has a high-end product and those don't do well in collapsing economies. So he has to annoy a hundred posters to maybe successfully capture one newbie.
12345678910
TejanoLibre
12-08-12, 16:17
[QUOTE=
You are the two faced idiot that had to leave this country, not me. Show me how I can make money from this and I will. I only contact the BOYS that I have met at my resto-bar or the Boys that have asked me for Chicas or Drugs in the past and the "Lost Souls"! Does that ring a bell? You Fucking Dickhead! I am the ONLY one that defends you. Great Screen Name! No worries,"I Pardon You!"
I have a tiny handful of insignificant detractors that have "Thanked You" and my "In-Box" runneth over with praise so I can live with that ratio.
I HELP people and ALL you do is Berate people because you are stuck in a nasty fucking place like Mexico; yes, cheap 5ft. Aztec hookers to grace the mud hutt's floor!
TL.
P. S. Fuck the idiots that "Thanked You Too!"
Especially the ones that have NEVER met me.[/QUOTE] 12345678910
Hunh? What? Are you on the drops again? I have not been in México since 2003. Fuck you too.
TejanoLibre
12-08-12, 19:53
Hunh? What? Are you on the drops again? I have not been in México since 2003. Fuck you too.
I wish! No, not really!
Mexico , Guatemala , etc , ( All American and Central American Countries are the same ) not including North America or South America ! The only thing that Changes are the Pyramids and the Gods !
But if you TRY to fuck me I have to Fuck You back!
Come on Boy, you if anybody should know that I try to help the Boys on the board whenever I can. If someone needs Cambio I take them where I go but if you or Davie Jones knows a better place then you Boys are the ones that are FUCKING the rest of US by NOT sharing the wealth! Why would'nt you? It should NOT be a secret! (Davie Shit) , please share!
You started it and YOU have'nt even had the pleasure to meet me! (Davie Jones)
Thanks Anyway,
"I Pardon You as I Wave the Sign of the Cross!"
TL.
P. S. Did you know that more people on earth recognize the Golden Arches of McDonald's than the Christian Cross?
I think you must be confused.
TejanoLibre
12-08-12, 20:08
I think you must be confused.
About the Geography or where you hang your condoms ? ( Hat )
Not about the unecessary barbs.
TL.
I go where I go, nothing else.
Geography and Ancient Cultures :
Yes, I know that most of those countries did not and could not even stack a pile of bricks much less build a Pyramid!
To quote the great 20th century philosopher Dean Vernon Wormer: "Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, boy."
TejanoLibre
12-08-12, 23:42
To quote the great 20th century philosopher Dean Vernon Wormer: "Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, boy."I quit drinking, I have a decent I. Q and I will be ripped in 4 weeks so your quote does not apply.
You still drunk and stoned every day Buddy?
That's no fun!
TL
You will be ripped in four weeks of steroids and your nutz will be like raisins.
TejanoLibre
12-09-12, 00:18
You will be ripped in four weeks of steroids and your nutz will be like raisins.Don't need nutz if you don't want punks, kids, bastards, Chica's Kids!
Hair loss?
Too late!
Acne?
Too late?
Roid Rage?
Too late!
Bastards? Way too late!
Funny!
Hope your doing ok Buddy!
TL.
Merry Christmas to All the Boys on this Board!
I suspect this is a moderate insult, but I'm not exactly sure what a "chancer" is. I suspect it's somewhere between a Whanker and a Crusty Dragon but I would like to know.From thefreedictionary. Com:
Chancer = "an unscrupulous or dishonest opportunist who is prepared to try any dubious scheme for making money or furthering his own ends."
And dear Mr TejanoLibre. You're right, I've never met you. And do you know what? I never want to. I don't mix with racists and homophobes.
With regards sharing the information about better exchange rates, before finding out what a weasel of a human being you are, when you were once boasting about changing USD20, 000 per week, I PMed you with an offer to take you to the dealer I use (with no profit in it for me) and you dismissed me contemptuously. That 14 cents would add up to 11, 000+ pesos per month if your claims were anything even close to resembling the truth. It was at that point when I discovered that you live in some kind of fairy-tale world. Despite that, I've never said anything against you and have just tried to ignore your rantings, but some vile things you've written recently have made me feel more and more uncomfortable to even share the same on-line space with you.
TejanoLibre
12-10-12, 04:18
From thefreedictionary. Com:
Chancer = "an unscrupulous or dishonest opportunist who is prepared to try any dubious scheme for making money or furthering his own ends."
And dear Mr TejanoLibre. You're right, I've never met you. And do you know what? I never want to. I don't mix with racists and homophobes.
With regards sharing the information about better exchange rates, before finding out what a weasel of a human being you are, when you were once boasting about changing USD20, 000 per week, I PMed you with an offer to take you to the dealer I use (with no profit in it for me) and you dismissed me contemptuously. That 14 cents would add up to 11, 000+ pesos per month if your claims were anything even close to resembling the truth. It was at that point when I discovered that you live in some kind of fairy-tale world. Despite that, I've never said anything against you and have just tried to ignore your rantings, but some vile things you've written recently have made me feel more and more uncomfortable to even share the same on-line space with you.Well Spoken but not quite true so we will talk about this little rant of yours one step at a time :
You started it by calling me a "Chancer" so I laid into you yet you claim that you have never said anything against me. That's pretty strong for someone that you know NOTHING about and that you have NEVER met; although I'm sure we have fucked the same hookers.
Boasting about exchanging 20k a week :
Did it constantly at my Resto-Bar and now I take my FREE TIME and I walk the Boys over to where I exchange every Monday. I have been using the same guy for years and because I exchange a trivial amount every week I have never BOTHERED to look elsewhere. God knows I could use the EXTRA $11, 000. 00 Pesos a month so THANKS for pointing that out to me but I'm not about that; I do it to make new friends, speak a little English every once in a while and maybe have lunch or dinner with someone instead of eating alone. I remember your PM but I don't remember If I responded, sorry if that hurt your feelings, I never meant to dismiss you.
Vile Rantings and Racist Homophobe :
A TRUE Hetero-Monger should always be disgusted by a Transsexual; drug addicted, disease riddled mental defectives that think that they were born into the wrong body! Yes, that's true; I am disgusted by them. They are the ones that have brought A. I. D. S into "OUR" world.
Argentines from BA have ALWAYS jokingly held Mexicans from the D. F in disdain and they do it to us. There are a shitload of anti Argentine jokes that came from Mexico, and they are funny and appropriate. Argies from BA think that the Mexicans are a bunch of Indians so if you are a Mexican I apologize but not much because It was a joke; and like they say, if they can't take a joke then %$# them.
I can't remember everyone of the 2000 posts so AGAIN, sorry Charlie.
Thanks for Reading My Posts!
TL.
P. S. TM, you should really quit Thanking these detractors they are insignificant yet I will continue to wave the sign of the cross and Pardon them!
If you can tell me what MOVIE that comes from I will be amazed and you will know a lot more about me Davie Jones.
Daddy Rulz
12-10-12, 11:37
But sometimes I just can't help myself.
A TRUE Hetero-Monger should always be disgusted by a Transsexual; drug addicted, disease riddled mental defectives that think that they were born into the wrong body! Yes, that's true; I am disgusted by them. They are the ones that have brought A. I. D. S into "OUR" world.Never speak for me on any subject you cretin. I have no sexual interest in Tranies, but my compassion for humans and my belief that people should be free to be who they wish so long as their actions don't DIRECTLY affect others extends to ALL people. I enjoy my hobby and wish to be left in peace to engage in it. How can I ask for this for myself and not be willing to extend that tolerance to others. Regarding your assertion that they are the ones that brought AIDS into our world, I recon it's a nice propaganda piece but as usual it's only true in your little corner of reality.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinshasa_Highway
By far one of the biggest factor in the spread of AIDS into western culture were the hetero truck drivers that used this road. Why did they become such efficient vectors you my ask? Why because they were having uncovered anal sex with the hookers along this road. Now who does that remind us of? First name Tejano, last name Libre.
Argentines from BA have ALWAYS jokingly held Mexicans from the D. F in disdainThis is true, I was talking to a girl not on the program here and she kept telling me how innocent she was. She was 26 years years old and was allways saying, soy incoente, soy inocente. One day I asked her,"are you trying to tell me you're a virgin?" I loved her answer,"if you want a 26 year old virgin you need to go to Mexico not Argentina."
Before you get started, don't. Just do yourself a favor and don't, just don't. There are no facts to support your position.
Coin store cueva on junin offered 6. 15 for small amount. 6.2 for larger exchange.
Mountaineer
12-14-12, 23:03
I have read on this board that the exchange rate in smaller Argentina cities is usually lower than in Buenos Aires. I was in BA for 10 days and Mendoza for 4 days. Just wanted you to know that I was in Mendoza last week. They were giving 6. 2 at the Cambios right on the main street by the McDonalds. You did not have to do large amounts. You did not have to bargain. For 100 dollars you got 6. 2. I went there multiple times and never got a bad bill in exchange. There are always 4 or 5 guys together (from different Cambios) in front of the building whispering "cambio". As you walk inside the building there are different offices for all these guys but the one right down the stairs straight ahead in the Oro (gold) office was the easiest to deal with. Very professional. Clean bills. Very safe. If they are giving that much in Mendoza for small amounts I would suggest that you might see the BA rate climbing even higher very soon.
Mountaineer
Chicago Guy
12-16-12, 15:21
What are the opening hours for cambio in Centro and Recoleta?
TejanoLibre
12-16-12, 17:50
What are the opening hours for cambio in Centro and Recoleta?Omnia Travel.
Florida 520 (lower level of mall) corner of Lavalle.
Shop number 19.
Open from 11am till 7pm M-F.
4 393-2021.
4 4 328-4615.
Up to $6. 4 to $1. 0.
Always changes though.
Safe enough.
It's a travel agency across from a sex shop but there are various travel agencies and sex shops.
TL
I have read on this board that the exchange rate in smaller Argentina cities is usually lower than in Buenos Aires. I was in BA for 10 days and Mendoza for 4 days. Just wanted you to know that I was in Mendoza last week. They were giving 6. 2 at the Cambios right on the main street by the McDonalds. You did not have to do large amounts. You did not have to bargain. For 100 dollars you got 6. 2. I went there multiple times and never got a bad bill in exchange. There are always 4 or 5 guys together (from different Cambios) in front of the building whispering "cambio". As you walk inside the building there are different offices for all these guys but the one right down the stairs straight ahead in the Oro (gold) office was the easiest to deal with. Very professional. Clean bills. Very safe. If they are giving that much in Mendoza for small amounts I would suggest that you might see the BA rate climbing even higher very soon.
MountaineerWhich 'main street' in Mendoza is this? Where is the cambios building in relation to McDonalds? How do you identify it? A few more details would be welcome. Thanks.
I was in Mendoza in June and posted exact directions to this cambio. So look in the (wait for it) MENDOZA section for the information you seek! Y no seas boludo.
Mountaineer
12-18-12, 13:35
Which 'main street' in Mendoza is this? Where is the cambios building in relation to McDonalds? How do you identify it? A few more details would be welcome. Thanks.The McDonalds is on San Martin not too far from the intersection of Sarmiento which is the wide Las Ramblas pedestrian shopping street leading to the park. The Cambios are in the open building about 100 feet to the right of the McDonalds. The are open from 9 AM to 8 or 9 PM (except Sunday when they close earlier). Good luck!
The McDonalds is on San Martin not too far from the intersection of Sarmiento which is the wide Las Ramblas pedestrian shopping street leading to the park. The Cambios are in the open building about 100 feet to the right of the McDonalds. The are open from 9 AM to 8 or 9 PM (except Sunday when they close earlier). Good luck!Thanks. That's very helpful.
Yes, there is a parallel market going on here, make sure to bring cash, USD in big bills to take full advantage of this big premium you will get. Try to minimize using ATM's and Credit Cards as you will only get the official rate, less fees.Anywhere in particular to get the premium rate?
Anywhere in particular to get the premium rate?I've always used the one at Cervino and Scalabrini Ortiz. Safe and not far from where I am.
Breaking the 6. 50 barrier today!
I've always used the one at Cervino and Scalabrini Ortiz. Safe and not far from where I am.Thats in BA right? I'll map it LOL.
Breaking the 6. 50 barrier today!Wow, hundreds ok, or should I bring smaller bills?
Member #3320
12-21-12, 01:23
Thats in BA right? I'll map it LOL.
Wow, hundreds ok, or should I bring smaller bills?If you have issues, do not worry. I will escort you for your first exchange. Bring 100 us$ bills.
Choquito15
12-21-12, 12:37
Omnia Travel.
Florida 520 (lower level of mall) corner of Lavalle.
Shop number 19.
Open from 11am till 7pm M-F.
4 393-2021.
4 4 328-4615.
Up to $6. 4 to $1. 0.
Always changes though.
Safe enough.
It's a travel agency across from a sex shop but there are various travel agencies and sex shops.
TLHi! Am new in this forum, I would like to know where is a good place to buy dollars. I have some pesos left and am leaving this weekend.
TejanoLibre
12-21-12, 14:15
Hi! Am new in this forum, I would like to know where is a good place to buy dollars. I have some pesos left and am leaving this weekend.I don't know but you can try the same place that buys dollars, or just give all your pesos to some young girl!
TL
Hi! Am new in this forum, I would like to know where is a good place to buy dollars. I have some pesos left and am leaving this weekend.I have sold / bought currency at the airport if you don't have too much and are not looking for the best rate. Just approach any one on the line going into the bank. Just try to be discreet.
I didn't know where else to pigeonhole this inquiry so here goes. I am currently in Bolivia where I can get dollars from an ATM machine and legally exchange them at approx. $1 to 6. 8 Argentine pesos. I've been looking at some nice on-line BA rentals; priced in dollars. The company wants 20% of the total 3 month rental amount to be wired into their USA bank to hold the reservation. Fair enough. But for the remaining 80% plus a $700 security deposit, payable in full upon arrival, the company will only accept dollars or euros. Of course I would rather pay these amounts with the 40% cheaper Argentine pesos that I can buy here in Bolivia. My porteño neighbor suggested that it now may be essentially prohibited for (reputable) Argentine companies to demand dollars for purchases or services. I realize that in the real world that dollars will always remain in demand. Perhaps the rental company wants to exchange my dollars at the higher unofficial rate, pay the apartment owner in pesos at the lower official rate and then pocket the approx. 40% difference. I am looking for a valid reason to say that I can only pay with (discounted) Argentine pesos. Is it prohibited to conduct transactions in dollars? Any suggestions on how to work around this? Thanks in advance and Merry Christmas to all.
Daddy Rulz
12-26-12, 01:51
I didn't know where else to pigeonhole this inquiry so here goes. I am currently in Bolivia where I can get dollars from an ATM machine and legally exchange them at approx. $1 to 6. 8 Argentine pesos. I've been looking at some nice on-line BA rentals; priced in dollars. The company wants 20% of the total 3 month rental amount to be wired into their USA bank to hold the reservation. Fair enough. But for the remaining 80% plus a $700 security deposit, payable in full upon arrival, the company will only accept dollars or euros. Of course I would rather pay these amounts with the 40% cheaper Argentine pesos that I can buy here in Bolivia. My porteño neighbor suggested that it now may be essentially prohibited for (reputable) Argentine companies to demand dollars for purchases or services. I realize that in the real world that dollars will always remain in demand. Perhaps the rental company wants to exchange my dollars at the higher unofficial rate, pay the apartment owner in pesos at the lower official rate and then pocket the approx. 40% difference. I am looking for a valid reason to say that I can only pay with (discounted) Argentine pesos. Is it prohibited to conduct transactions in dollars? Any suggestions on how to work around this? Thanks in advance and Merry Christmas to all.Almost all of them are SNAKES. But you won't be able to apply any pressure to force them beyond threatening to rent elsewhere which probably won't work. Before you go to pay them, write down all the serial numbers of the dollars you intend to pay with, photocopying them is a good idea as well. DO NOT let them count them alone! Sit down and have them examine your money and mark the list of recorded serial numbers as they accept them. Also on your reciept have them record the serial numbers of the dollars of the deposit so you get those back when you leave.
SnakeOilSales
12-26-12, 02:14
I didn't know where else to pigeonhole this inquiry so here goes. I am currently in Bolivia where I can get dollars from an ATM machine and legally exchange them at approx. $1 to 6. 8 Argentine pesos. I've been looking at some nice on-line BA rentals; priced in dollars. The company wants 20% of the total 3 month rental amount to be wired into their USA bank to hold the reservation. Fair enough. But for the remaining 80% plus a $700 security deposit, payable in full upon arrival, the company will only accept dollars or euros. Of course I would rather pay these amounts with the 40% cheaper Argentine pesos that I can buy here in Bolivia. My porteño neighbor suggested that it now may be essentially prohibited for (reputable) Argentine companies to demand dollars for purchases or services. I realize that in the real world that dollars will always remain in demand. Perhaps the rental company wants to exchange my dollars at the higher unofficial rate, pay the apartment owner in pesos at the lower official rate and then pocket the approx. 40% difference. I am looking for a valid reason to say that I can only pay with (discounted) Argentine pesos. Is it prohibited to conduct transactions in dollars? Any suggestions on how to work around this? Thanks in advance and Merry Christmas to all.It is illegal to require anything to be paid in Argentina in any currency other than Argentine Pesos. Furthermore, any bills presented in USD legally are required to be closed out in AR Pesos at the OFFICIAL rate. For example, if you buy an imported car quoted by the dealer in USD, you actually are required to be for the car in AR Pesos, converted from the quoted USD price at the official rate. If the apartment rental company gives you any shit tell them you will make a denuncia against them at this site: http://www.consumidor.gov.ar/como-denunciar/ And / or that you will make another denuncia against them to the AFIP and the BCRA http://www.afip.gov.ar/guiaDeServicios/documentos/Denuncias.pdf
Daddy Rulz
12-26-12, 09:42
It is illegal to require anything to be paid in Argentina in any currency other than Argentine Pesos. Furthermore, any bills presented in USD legally are required to be closed out in AR Pesos at the OFFICIAL rate. For example, if you buy an imported car quoted by the dealer in USD, you actually are required to be for the car in AR Pesos, converted from the quoted USD price at the official rate. If the apartment rental company gives you any shit tell them you will make a denuncia against them at this site:
http://www.consumidor.gov.ar/como-denunciar/
And / or that you will make another denuncia against them to the AFIP and the BCRA.
http://www.afip.gov.ar/guiaDeServicios/documentos/Denuncias.pdfJust as in the US with dollars, pesos are the official coin of the relm here. If you choose to do this I will be interested in the outcome. In my experience it's nearly impossible and almost always futile to try and force somebody here to hold to the letter of the law."Hecho la le, hecho la trampa."
Almost all of them are SNAKES. But you won't be able to apply any pressure to force them beyond threatening to rent elsewhere which probably won't work. Before you go to pay them, write down all the serial numbers of the dollars you intend to pay with, photocopying them is a good idea as well. DO NOT let them count them alone! Sit down and have them examine your money and mark the list of recorded serial numbers as they accept them. Also on your reciept have them record the serial numbers of the dollars of the deposit so you get those back when you leave.Thanks for the information and advice. I'll contact the company today to say that I can only pay in pesos. We'll see how bad they want the business.
It is illegal to require anything to be paid in Argentina in any currency other than Argentine Pesos. Furthermore, any bills presented in USD legally are required to be closed out in AR Pesos at the OFFICIAL rate. For example, if you buy an imported car quoted by the dealer in USD, you actually are required to be for the car in AR Pesos, converted from the quoted USD price at the official rate. If the apartment rental company gives you any shit tell them you will make a denuncia against them at this site:
http://www.consumidor.gov.ar/como-denunciar/
And / or that you will make another denuncia against them to the AFIP and the BCRA.
http://www.afip.gov.ar/guiaDeServicios/documentos/Denuncias.pdfI appreciate your response. The corruptions and conniving are probably worse here in Bolivia. And just when you think that you know all the tricks they develop new ones. After a while you have to start thinking like them just to stay on par. I'll subtly mention to the rental company that I am aware (thanks to you guys) what the rules are with respect to transactions being conducted only in pesos. Thanks for your help.
I'll contact the company today to say that I can only pay in pesos. We'll see how bad they want the business.I absolutely GUARANTEE that they'd rather have NO business than business where they feel like you've come out slightly ahead. There's no logic whatsoever in the Argentine psyche.
I once made an offer on an apartment that had been empty and on the market for 8 months. I offered 10% less than they were asking and offered to pay the entire 2 years rent up-front. They turned it down, saying there's no way they'd accept a lower figure, and it's still empty 6 months later.
I absolutely GUARANTEE that they'd rather have NO business than business where they feel like you've come out slightly ahead. There's no logic whatsoever in the Argentine psyche.
I once made an offer on an apartment that had been empty and on the market for 8 months. I offered 10% less than they were asking and offered to pay the entire 2 years rent up-front. They turned it down, saying there's no way they'd accept a lower figure, and it's still empty 6 months later.DavieW, thanks for your message. You're right of course. The concept of the present value of money is alien to them. I've been to all but 3 countries in South America and to 95% of the folks it's a zero sum game. They win. We lose. I just spent the last 30 minutes pulling the details of the pricing out of one of the companies. After them beating around the Bush they finally admitted that I could pay in pesos however at a (to be determined) rate somewhere between the official and the black market rates. Gee, I wonder on what side of the spectrum the rate will fall. I'll ask the owner to reduce the price or accept the official exchange rate. Likely futile but it doesn't hurt to ask. For just three months, I may just bring dollars to avoid the hassle.
It sounds like there is a great American ex-pat community in BA and I'm looking forward to meeting some of you guys. Thanks again!
SnakeOilSales
12-26-12, 15:38
I absolutely GUARANTEE that they'd rather have NO business than business where they feel like you've come out slightly ahead. There's no logic whatsoever in the Argentine psyche.
I once made an offer on an apartment that had been empty and on the market for 8 months. I offered 10% less than they were asking and offered to pay the entire 2 years rent up-front. They turned it down, saying there's no way they'd accept a lower figure, and it's still empty 6 months later.In nearly a decade living in Buenos Aires I find this generally not to be the case. I have negotiated and signed numerous residential and commercial leases and in every instance I was able to beat down the realtor and / or owner to a lower price. YMMV, naturally.
SnakeOilSales
12-26-12, 15:45
DavieW, thanks for your message. You're right of course. The concept of the present value of money is alien to them. I've been to all but 3 countries in South America and to 95% of the folks it's a zero sum game. They win. We lose. I just spent the last 30 minutes pulling the details of the pricing out of one of the companies. After them beating around the Bush they finally admitted that I could pay in pesos however at a (to be determined) rate somewhere between the official and the black market rates. Gee, I wonder on what side of the spectrum the rate will fall. I'll ask the owner to reduce the price or accept the official exchange rate. Likely futile but it doesn't hurt to ask. For just three months, I may just bring dollars to avoid the hassle.
It sounds like there is a great American ex-pat community in BA and I'm looking forward to meeting some of you guys. Thanks again!The rate they will want to convert the USD price to AR pesos is called the "celeste" rate, which is the rate being used for real estate transactions (rentals, and buying / selling). According to dolarblue. Net today's celeste rate is 5, 77.
Got Xoom today for over 6. 3, and at the coin store cueva in recoleta 6. 2.
Odd deviation from other times I've exchanged here though was today the same young guy behind window barked at me loudly to leave when I as usual after changing started to do quick count and spot check of bills. Only 3100p so wasn't going to be huge long count.
He said "gracias, adios" after 5 sec of me counting, then much louder "gracias, adios!" at what I'd call 3/4 of normal room yell decibel. So I gave up at half count and left. For whatever reason, unlike other times when I've been allowed to, today they really got pissed and didn't want any counting done at the window.
Fwiw there was no long line behind me, just one other female tourist in waiting room.
Got Xoom today for over 6. 3, and at the coin store cueva in recoleta 6. 2.
Odd deviation from other times I've exchanged here though was today the same young guy behind window barked at me loudly to leave when I as usual after changing started to do quick count and spot check of bills. Only 3100p so wasn't going to be huge long count.
He said "gracias, adios" after 5 sec of me counting, then much louder "gracias, adios!" at what I'd call 3/4 of normal room yell decibel. So I gave up at half count and left. For whatever reason, unlike other times when I've been allowed to, today they really got pissed and didn't want any counting done at the window.
Fwiw there was no long line behind me, just one other female tourist in waiting room.Set to visit later in the month. Where exactly in Recoleta is this Coin Store / Exchange Shop located. Thanks for your help.
6.40 today at the hole in the wall in Moreno. Up 10 cents from last week.
I got 6.4 today at one of my places in Recoleta.
Set to visit later in the month. Where exactly in Recoleta is this Coin Store / Exchange Shop located. Thanks for your help.On Junin, past Vicente Lopez and before Las Heras.
Walk down Junin on left side of street relative to Recoleta Village mall on right side. Approximately 10 meters before corner of Junin and Las Heras there's a white frosted window door. Right after a small kiosco. If you see a metal shutter where the window door ought to be, you've come when they are closed.
Member #3320
12-27-12, 18:50
I got 6.4 today at one of my places in Recoleta.You guys are so lucky!
On Junin, past Vicente Lopez and before Las Heras.
Walk down Junin on left side of street relative to Recoleta Village mall on right side. Approximately 10 meters before corner of Junin and Las Heras there's a white frosted window door. Right after a small kiosco. If you see a metal shutter where the window door ought to be, you've come when they are closed.Thank you Mpexy.
I got 6.4 today at one of my places in Recoleta.Can you share the location? I'll be in Recoleta next week and want to know where to get the best exchange.
Just to provide a datapoint: 8. 20 for the EUR yesterday at the place on Scalabrini Ortiz / Cervino.
FYI. 6.5 for USD (500) at the cervino cueva a few minutes ago
6. 3 for lower amounts but able to push for 6. 4 with 1k USD, earlier today.
*note: for first time got the new evita 100 notes. So far my luck using them 50-50.
One place took them for payment without comment (TGIF restaurant in recoleta) , another refused and wanted old style bill or smaller change (McCafe. But this particular one has always been pretty bitchy about what money they accept)
6. 3 for lower amounts but able to push for 6. 4 with 1k USD, earlier today.
*note: for first time got the new evita 100 notes. So far my luck using them 50-50.
One place took them for payment without comment (TGIF restaurant in recoleta) , another refused and wanted old style bill or smaller change (McCafe. But this particular one has always been pretty bitchy about what money they accept) Are you referring to the coin store in Recoleta on Arenales? I got 6.50 from them today with 1K USD.
Are you referring to the coin store in Recoleta on Arenales? I got 6.50 from them today with 1K USD.The Dollar reached 6. 89 today. (6. 91 to buy)
The Dollar reached 6. 89 today. (6. 91 to buy)What is your source?
What is your source?Http://www.preciodolarblue.com.ar/
When I checked today and again just now it says 6. 80
When I checked today and again just now it says 6. 80
The Dollar reached 6. 89 today. (6. 91 to buy)Have you guys found a cueva that gives those rates? If not, how are they relevant? Are they futures?
As an aside, I've been here 5 days, and have seen the peso drop 30 centavos in that time. These next few weeks should be interesting. Stranger got 6.45 in the morning and by the afternoon the same cueva dropped to 6.50
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