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[QUOTE=Member #1164;424898]If you need to buy pesos let me know I will take your dollars and give you my pesos 6 pesos per 1 of your dollars pm me.[/QUOTE]I will be in BA in about a month and will need to change some USD for pesos (1000-2000 USD) what do you recommend?
They are open 9-6 Monday through Friday.
[QUOTE=Daddy Rulz;424967]No but I'm only 2 blocks away, I'll check and post their hours.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Doggboy;424970]Got 6 today at the Cervino / Scalabrini cueva.[/QUOTE]I'd have given you 6. 10 yesterday!
[url]http://www.cronista.com/finanzasmercados/Los-bancos-preven-que-la-emision-del-Central-acercara-al-dolar-blue-a-los--7-20120810-0051.html[/url]
After creating new account on Xoom, sent myself a transfer from my US bank to be picked up at cash location in Argentina. Sent before leaving from states. Did this because thought may take longer for first transfer so might as well send before I leave and make use of travel time.
But good news so far is placed order last night and barely 15 min later got confirmed process email with transaction code to allow cash pickup
Hope transfers initiated from Argentina go just as fast.
[QUOTE=Daddy Rulz;425003]They are open 9-6 Monday through Friday.[/QUOTE]Thanks DR.
Too bad not open on sat, arriving in morning this sat and my Xoom transfer is already available for pickup.
[QUOTE=Mpexy; 425063]Thanks DR.
Too bad not open on sat, arriving in morning this sat and my Xoom transfer is already available for pickup.[/QUOTE]Man I couldn't even begin to tell you where to get pesos on Saturday. PM gato hunter, I think his place is open Saturdays. Have you ever been to the Colmegna Spa? Best place EVER to get in shape after that long flight. Don't pay the extra for VIP if you go, the only advantage to that is an expensive hand job from a middle aged woman in a short neglige. Though the locker room is quite nice.
[QUOTE=Daddy Rulz;425066]Man I couldn't even begin to tell you where to get pesos on Saturday. PM gato hunter, I think his place is open Saturdays. Have you ever been to the Colmegna Spa? Best place EVER to get in shape after that long flight. Don't pay the extra for VIP if you go, the only advantage to that is an expensive hand job from a middle aged woman in a short neglige. Though the locker room is quite nice.[/QUOTE]Worst case I can use an ATM. But are there not regular currency exchange places open on Saturdays?
[QUOTE=Mpexy;425072]Worst case I can use an ATM. But are there not regular currency exchange places open on Saturdays?[/QUOTE]Honestly hoss it's been so long since I went to one I couldn't say for sure
[QUOTE=Mpexy;425072]Worst case I can use an ATM. But are there not regular currency exchange places open on Saturdays?[/QUOTE]The cueva at the intersection of Cervino and Scalabrini Ortiz is open on Saturdays. I don't remember the hours, but noon, or a bit earlier, ought to put you close to the middle of when they're open.
Check Dickhead's post earlier in this thread for directions.
Suerte!
Did a xoom transfer for the first time ever.
Works superbly.
Good a good exchange of 5. 90 all inclusive (xoom charges etc).
I think its the best bet for expats from US. Even better than cuevas etc.
Especially if you arrive with 10k $. This is a good way to top up every now and then.
Once every few months, get another 10k$ from abroad.
[QUOTE=Tres3; 422874]I completed a test transfer of USD $200 using the XOOM service. I was sufficiently satisfied that I transferred another USD $500. Here is the 411 on my transfer-by the numbers.
I got 5. 6238 pesos to 1 USD. After you apply the xoom service charge, that works out to about 5. 46 pesos to 1 USD.
1. The web address is.
[url]www.xoom.com.[/url]
2. You must have a USA bank account or credit / debit card. (I used a debit card for the test transfer and a bank account for the second transfer) If you do not have a USA bank account or credit card, you need a TRUSTED friend with one.
3. You can pick up the cash at any MORE Money Transfers or Banco Frances location. The MORE locations are akin to Western Union, and I prefer them. You are in and out very quickly. I am told that some Banco Frances locations require an account. You can also have the money transferred to a bank account.
4. The xoom service charge is variable. It goes up with the amount transferred, so there is only the convenience advantage of transferring a large amount.
5. I had no trouble with the authorities. I do not know whether they make random investigations or if their investigations are based on the size of the transfer.
6. Some credit cards have their own fees which can be quite onerous. For example, I carry one card that has no annual fee, but has a currency conversion fee, a cash advance fee, a "foreign" transaction fee, and starts charging interest as soon as a cash transfer is made. I used a debit / ATM card issued by my bank, that is also a Mastercard. For the second transfer I went directly to my bank account because the xoom service charge is lower for a bank account transfer vice a credit / debit card.
7. You have to have TWO different email addresses in order to send money to yourself. Xoom asks for two email addresses (one for the sender and a different one for the receiver) , and they cannot be the same. I use AOL, so this was not a problem. I am pretty sure that hotmail, yahoo, and gmail all accommodate multiple email addresses.
8. You must have an Argentina address and telephone number. I used the apartment I am renting, and it worked just fine. I am sure that you can use a hotel with no problem.
9. I gave the person behind the CAJA window at MORE a slip of paper with the transaction number, the amount of pesos I was expecting and my USA passport. He counted the money and I was out of there. I used the MORE on Libertad in Retiro.
10. The xoom online form has a space for a coupon code, but they also say that they do not accept coupons. I could not find a code that worked and paid the service charge.
Tres3[/QUOTE]The above step by step instructions for Argentine Pesos via XOOM was posted in June. Enjoy!
Tres3
To recap. Before I left the states, sent myself a $300 test transfer, signed up zoom account and sent first transaction on thur evening. Rate at that time was about 6. 1 pesos to dollar. To my pleasant surprise, transfer complete and transaction confirmation email sent to me (as sender and receiver) in just 2-3 minutes.
Arrived sat evening so today was first chance to pickup at More location on Libertador.
Couple observations, one contradicting what someone posted here about sending to yourself:
1. I did NOT have to provide two different email addresses to send cash to myself. My account setup as well as receiving party email was same and had no problems.
2. When entering the More location, take a number. I saw 5-6 pp, sitting down and wondered what that was about. Guy entered and took a number before I realized had to queue up.
3. Took longer sitting around waiting for my turn than the actual pickup. I could hear couple of the people being asked bank name and other questions. Seems like took 5-10 min per person and only had 2 cashiers working.
4. I handed my passport and slip of paper with my name, Xoom transaction number and amount I transferred in dollars. Clerk handed me form with two identical receipt to sign and enter passport number, then did some busy work for 2-3 min and started counting cash. Handed me another form to sign, then returned my passport, receipt and handed over the pesos.
Pretty efficient and painless. The waiting to get your turn is pretty much the biggest hassle.
I'll update again once I've gone over the initial $3k per 30 day limit to see how hassle free or not that is
Thanks goes out to Doggboy and all the other members who pointed me to and posted location help re this place.
Went today and got 6:1 which is better than current Xoom. Even with longer taxi ride out to this vs Xoom location. I'll use both going forward.
Location help:
1. Only thing I'd add is describe the location bit more exactly. Original location description was spot on and no complaints but figure for the next new guy would make it bit easier:
-this cueva is on the street of Scalabrini Ortiz, right near the corner of Cervino (about a 23 peso cab ride from Recoletta tourist area)
-Scalabrini Ortiz is the larger street, Cervino is narrow side street.
-depending which way your cab drove, get out at this corner and look for the Freddo ice cream store. Don't really need the store to orient if you can find the small Scalabrini Ortiz sign on one of the corners but when I was first dropped off I didn't know which street was Scalabrini, which was Cervino.
-if you are looking at the Freddo from across the street, which is Scalabrini Ortiz, cross the narrow side street Cervino and pass the Freddo ice cream store on your right.
-first glass door on your right, literally 5-6 feet past the Freddo place, is the frosted white with green stripe door letting you enter this cueva.
-green awning as posted by other member, but didn't see a dollar / euro sign anywhere. Plastered all over one section of the glass window though was pictures of a ton of world currency bills.
- I buzzed to be let in and 6-7 sec later the door buzzed open.
Observations:
-not a dank, dark cave at all. Basically like a shop store but with just a few plastic chairs and water cooler as you enter. There's no mysterious long corridors and back room feel, you enter, you see the cashier window soon as you walk in, and chairs to sit are on your right.
-came around noon, an elderly lady was already at the cashier window and while I waited another person got buzzed in. Walking a beat right outside across the street was a police officer in orange vest.
-asked the cashier how many pesos for dollar today and he said 6, so said ok I have $X dollars to exchange. Took just a couple min to count out and exchange.
The address is Scalabrini Ortiz 3205.
Things are easier for everyone if you use the street address.
In Nicaragua they use landmarks instead of physical street names, possibly in part because of illiteracy.
¨its 90 meters from the cinema 6 ¨
Unfortunately the cine 6 got flattened in the earthquake of 1979, but everyone in downtown Managua knows where it was.
[QUOTE=Mpexy;425181]-asked the cashier how many pesos for dollar today and he said 6, so said ok I have $X dollars to exchange.[/QUOTE]You should do this the other way around: "What rate can you give me if I exchange X dollars?" Often, although not always, the more you are exchanging the better the rate will be. I know this to be true in the case of this particular cueva.
Sure beats waiting in line at Paris Cambio and having to show your passport every fucking time.
As soon as I read your last report. 1 hour ago. I dashed to the cueva (Scalarabini Ortiz why Cervino) to change the money.
Though they gave me a rate of only 6. 0 and NOT 6. 1.
Did I miss out a trick or two.
Thanks
[QUOTE=Dickhead; 425184]You should do this the other way around: "What rate can you give me if I exchange X dollars?" Often, although not always, the more you are exchanging the better the rate will be. I know this to be true in the case of this particular cueva.
Sure beats waiting in line at Paris Cambio and having to show your passport every fucking time.[/QUOTE]Thanks for the tip. I'll try this next time.
[QUOTE=Member #3320; 425187]As soon as I read your last report. 1 hour ago. I dashed to the cueva (Scalarabini Ortiz why Cervino) to change the money.
Though they gave me a rate of only 6. 0 and NOT 6. 1.
Did I miss out a trick or two.
Thanks[/QUOTE]I got 6:1 too. You might have confused my other post right below the Scalabrini cueva one which was my Xoom transfer.
Picked up my Xoom transfer which when I sent it last thur night was 6. 1 to 1
At Scalabrini cueva I got 6. 0 to 1, which based on current Xoom of like 5. 9x is better since effective Xoom rate after transfer fees is like 5. 7x
Anyone know an exchangerate for euros at a cuevo?
So my glow around ease of using Xoom to transfer dollars to pesos at reasonable rates hit a snag today.
First xfer went through in minutes. Sent another today. Far under any limit rules. And got an email saying they needed additional verification info. Government photo I'd and bank or utility statement with current address displayed
Somewhat of a hassle if I was at home in my home office to easily scan copy and fax these in. Lot more of a hassle once you're abroad and don't easily have access to send these in.
I ended up using my iPhone to take a pic of my identity docs, and a PDF download from my bank of recent statement and sent that in via email (verification email had option to reply via email with docs attached or fax to their number)
Think these is maybe where the week+ delay people talked about may come in. Sent in early morning today and will update after however long it takes to complete
[QUOTE=Mpexy; 425270]So my glow around ease of using Xoom to transfer dollars to pesos at reasonable rates hit a snag today.
First xfer went through in minutes. Sent another today. Far under any limit rules. And got an email saying they needed additional verification info. Government photo I'd and bank or utility statement with current address displayed
Somewhat of a hassle if I was at home in my home office to easily scan copy and fax these in. Lot more of a hassle once you're abroad and don't easily have access to send these in.
I ended up using my iPhone to take a pic of my identity docs, and a PDF download from my bank of recent statement and sent that in via email (verification email had option to reply via email with docs attached or fax to their number)
Think these is maybe where the week+ delay people talked about may come in. Sent in early morning today and will update after however long it takes to complete[/QUOTE]Mpexy-thanks for the Xoom update. Your experience seems to be pretty much par for the course, at least from what I've read on local expat forums. I've not used Xoom, but its only a matter of time.
I just used it. After I did the transfer I got an e-mail that originated from Xoom's Argentina partner wanting a local phone number. I replied to that saying I didn't have a local number yet, only the US one. Must have satisfied them, because all went well after that.
[QUOTE=Doggboy;425271]Mpexy-thanks for the Xoom update. Your experience seems to be pretty much par for the course, at least from what I've read on local expat forums. I've not used Xoom, but its only a matter of time.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Mpexy; 425270]So my glow around ease of using Xoom to transfer dollars to pesos at reasonable rates hit a snag today.
First xfer went through in minutes. Sent another today. Far under any limit rules. And got an email saying they needed additional verification info. Government photo I'd and bank or utility statement with current address displayed
Somewhat of a hassle if I was at home in my home office to easily scan copy and fax these in. Lot more of a hassle once you're abroad and don't easily have access to send these in.
I ended up using my iPhone to take a pic of my identity docs, and a PDF download from my bank of recent statement and sent that in via email (verification email had option to reply via email with docs attached or fax to their number)
Think these is maybe where the week+ delay people talked about may come in. Sent in early morning today and will update after however long it takes to complete[/QUOTE]So good news, at least this time, is after I sent in my verification docs described above, I got an email back around end of day saying that step was done and the hold on my transaction removed. Few min after that, got the standard email saying my transaction ready for cash pickup.
Call it about 1 day delay to submit, process, and have this step completed. Hoping that is it and now all other transactions go smooth. Although the interesting next milestone will be when I test the going over $2999 over 30-day period
Interesting. This time, my third transaction and after doing all the verification docs I wrote about earlier, had the More Casa guy ask me different questions and he filled out a long one sheet paperwork for me by asking questions while he wrote, then had me sign in.
Either is because 3 transaction in just over week, or because of amount. Previously did $300 and $700 xfers, this time tried $1k. Or whatever random reason, the guy asked me beyond the usual are you tourist or live here, to which always said tourist.
Today he asked me how long I was staying as tourist and I told him 90 days, then had me answer questions for his form:
-am I single or married.
-occupation.
-local Argentina phone number.
Didn't take too long. Maybe an extra 8-9 min as he filled that out and made a call. After that was the normal process and count of pesos.
Wonder if they get more strict if you say you live here vs tourist, or whether More has different limits than Xoom. Either way so far so good but kind of curious what More Casa will do as I try larger xfers
I am curious as to whether anyone has tried to or knows the market for selling gold coins in BA? Xoom seems to be a great method and friends in AU vouch for it. But for someone like me who believes the USD is headed downward, gold is a preferred place to keep my money.
[QUOTE=Dccpa;425384]I am curious as to whether anyone has tried to or knows the market for selling gold coins in BA? Xoom seems to be a great method and friends in AU vouch for it. But for someone like me who believes the USD is headed downward, gold is a preferred place to keep my money.[/QUOTE]You can get gold coins, etc down here but the spread is pretty wide. Have you checked out [url]www.goldmoney.com[/url]?
[QUOTE=Silver Star; 425386]You can get gold coins, etc down here but the spread is pretty wide. Have you checked out.
[url]www.goldmoney.com[/url]
?[/QUOTE]I was referring to selling gold coins in BS as a way of avoiding money transfers or dealing in USD currency. But if the spread is wide in BA, then my idea probably wouldn't work. For buying 1oz gold eagles in the US, Goldmart. Com is the best place that I have found. Unless you are fairly wealthy, goldmoney has too many fees.
Since it was closed for Sunday and yesterdays Feria, today it was somewhat crowded but Scalabrini exchange was 6.1.
M
After a session, we got on the subject of exchanging currency, I was complaining about the three day weekend: I was looking forward to a cashless Monday night unless I was willing to submit to an ATM ass-f. She says "I'll buy your dollars." I explained about Xoom and the cuevas (I got the impression she was new to everything, I had to explain what a cuevo is). I quoted the current rates and said I couldn't take anything less than 6. 0. She said "ok."
[QUOTE=Gbartoli;425397]After a session, we got on the subject of exchanging currency, I was complaining about the three day weekend: I was looking forward to a cashless Monday night unless I was willing to submit to an ATM ass-f. She says "I'll buy your dollars." I explained about Xoom and the cuevas (I got the impression she was new to everything, I had to explain what a cuevo is). I quoted the current rates and said I couldn't take anything less than 6. 0. She said "ok."[/QUOTE]A lot of chicas who send money home are paying as much as 7. 50 pesos for each dollar at the destination point. I sell to two chicas I know for 6. 50 and a discount on their services.
[QUOTE=Mpexy; 425192]I got 6:1 too. You might have confused my other post right below the Scalabrini cueva one which was my Xoom transfer.
Picked up my Xoom transfer which when I sent it last thur night was 6. 1 to 1
At Scalabrini cueva I got 6. 0 to 1, which based on current Xoom of like 5. 9x is better since effective Xoom rate after transfer fees is like 5. 7x[/QUOTE]So let me get this straight. If I go through Xoom I will get a rate of 6. 1:1. If I just go to Scalabrini cueva with USD in hand they will exchange at a rate of 6. 0:1 and I don't have to pay the Xoom fees?
[QUOTE=TheRaven;425419]So let me get this straight. If I go through Xoom I will get a rate of 6. 1:1. If I just go to Scalabrini cueva with USD in hand they will exchange at a rate of 6. 0:1 and I don't have to pay the Xoom fees?[/QUOTE]Yes on the concept, no to the specific number because those change all the time. You have to compare what rates each are giving at the time and adjust each based on whatever expenses you incur to use each.
Example. Right now this moment, today, Xoom would be just over 6. 1 to 1 pesos, but as noted you pay a small xfer fee. You get slightly better deal the more you xfer but say you did $500 USD today. Bank xfer fee which is lowest would be $15. 75. That means the actual EFFECTIVE rate after fees is more like 5. 93 to 1.
Now compare that to the queue on Scalabrini. Didn't go today but last I went was 6:1, and recent poster below says 6. 1 to 1.
With round trip taxi bit more to the cueva than Xoom pickup store, the effective cueva rate if it was 6:1 comes out for me to 5. 95 to 1.
Basically for me the cueva can offer about 0. 1 less exchange and its about same deal as Xoom. If cueva offers bit more, than its always better deal because of Xoom xfer fee.
Bottom line, both are, pretty much equal in my eyes. I'd bring a ton of cash and use Xoom at same time because as posted there's some delays, hassles, and possible limit cut offs with Xoom. Best to have both good supply of USD while using Xoom in between
[QUOTE=Mpexy; 425426]Yes on the concept, no to the specific number because those change all the time. You have to compare what rates each are giving at the time and adjust each based on whatever expenses you incur to use each.
Example. Right now this moment, today, Xoom would be just over 6. 1 to 1 pesos, but as noted you pay a small xfer fee. You get slightly better deal the more you xfer but say you did $500 USD today. Bank xfer fee which is lowest would be $15. 75. That means the actual EFFECTIVE rate after fees is more like 5. 93 to 1.
Now compare that to the queue on Scalabrini. Didn't go today but last I went was 6:1, and recent poster below says 6. 1 to 1.
With round trip taxi bit more to the cueva than Xoom pickup store, the effective cueva rate if it was 6:1 comes out for me to 5. 95 to 1.
Basically for me the cueva can offer about 0. 1 less exchange and its about same deal as Xoom. If cueva offers bit more, than its always better deal because of Xoom xfer fee.
Bottom line, both are, pretty much equal in my eyes. I'd bring a ton of cash and use Xoom at same time because as posted there's some delays, hassles, and possible limit cut offs with Xoom. Best to have both good supply of USD while using Xoom in between[/QUOTE]Thanks for the good advice.
Do board members have experience offering US cash in restaurants in BA? If you are out for dinner and the bill arrives in pesos, can you offer to pay in US$ cash and get a good rate, close to a cueva rate?
[QUOTE=Jim Mac;425431]Do board members have experience offering US cash in restaurants in BA? If you are out for dinner and the bill arrives in pesos, can you offer to pay in US$ cash and get a good rate, close to a cueva rate?[/QUOTE]A lot of places have a small sign or card, sometimes in the menu or next to the cash register with what they will exchange dollars for. Most times it is not what you can get on the street.
Never use dollars for anything, get pesos at blue rate and that's it. Businesses can get shut down if they take dollars not on the normal rate is what I have been. Told AFIP is a bad word in BA, worse than IRS
A more important question: What about the girls? Will they take US dollars at a favorable rate?
[QUOTE=Gato Hunter;425450]Never use dollars for anything, get pesos at blue rate and that's it. Businesses can get shut down if they take dollars not on the normal rate is what I have been. Told AFIP is a bad word in BA, worse than IRS[/QUOTE]
Most girls do NOT know about blue dollars and don't fucking tell them either or we will have pussy inflation!
Never, EVER deal in dollars with the chicas. Ever, ever, ever, ever. Unless you're selling them a computer or something. Their conchitas are in Argentina not La tierra de las Gordas. Pay what you pay but pay it in pesos. Another note, a girl that talks in dollars will probably be dead pussy. Didn't mean to go off like that but Gato Hunter is right, this will lead to serious inflation and we will loose the advantage of the blue market rate.
[QUOTE=AllIWantIsLove;425457]A more important question: What about the girls? Will they take US dollars at a favorable rate?[/QUOTE]