[QUOTE=Silver Star;426003]I have heard of fakes from cambios too, but usually they have a shoddy watermark, and the silver strip is pretty good.[/QUOTE]These that I saw had none. The paper felt normal but when held up to the light there was none.
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[QUOTE=Silver Star;426003]I have heard of fakes from cambios too, but usually they have a shoddy watermark, and the silver strip is pretty good.[/QUOTE]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.
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.
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?
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.
[QUOTE=Chicago Guy; 426388]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?[/QUOTE]
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
[QUOTE=BlueFalcon; 426409]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[/QUOTE]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.
[QUOTE=DavieW; 426411]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.[/QUOTE]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!
[QUOTE=Amantelondres;426413]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![/QUOTE]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.
[QUOTE=Amantelondres;426413]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![/QUOTE]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.
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!
[QUOTE=DavieW; 426421]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![/QUOTE]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.
Are the cuevas on Calle Florida open in weekends and on public holidays?
[QUOTE=Chicago Guy;426510]Are the cuevas on Calle Florida open in weekends and on public holidays?[/QUOTE]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.
[QUOTE=DavieW;426511]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.[/QUOTE]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.
[QUOTE=DavieW;426511]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.[/QUOTE]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?).
[QUOTE=DavieW; 426571]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?).[/QUOTE]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.
[QUOTE=Daddy Rulz;426579]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.[/QUOTE]7 pesos?
Damn it. That really was a missed opportunity!
[QUOTE=DavieW; 426581]7 pesos?
Damn it. That really was a missed opportunity![/QUOTE]It should be closer to 9. 3 to 1.
You did not miss much.
TL
I get 9 pesos per pound here. Delivered to my door on receipt in overseas bank account.
[QUOTE=TejanoLibre; 426582]It should be closer to 9. 3 to 1.
You did not miss much.
TL[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=TejanoLibre; 426582]It should be closer to 9. 3 to 1.
You did not miss much.
TL[/QUOTE]I'm buying, you muppet.
So I missed a helluva deal.
*shakes head*
[QUOTE=DavieW; 426581]7 pesos?
Damn it. That really was a missed opportunity![/QUOTE]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.
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
[QUOTE=Member #2041; 426646]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[/QUOTE]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. Toymann
[QUOTE=Toymann; 426647]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. Toymann[/QUOTE]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.
[QUOTE=Member #2041; 426648]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.[/QUOTE]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 [url]http://dolarblue.net.[/url] 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
[QUOTE=Toymann; 426647]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. Toymann[/QUOTE]Toymann 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.
[QUOTE=Toymann; 426649]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.
[url]http://dolarblue.net.[/url]
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[/QUOTE]I'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)
[QUOTE=Member #2041; 426646]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[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Member #2041;426648]Very simple: I am flying AA DFW to Santiago, Chile, and then from Santiago, Chile to Mendoza on LAN. No problem.[/QUOTE]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 [B]in the appropriate section[/B] 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.
[QUOTE=Dickhead;426657]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.[/QUOTE]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
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.
[QUOTE=Dickhead;426657]I was in Mendoza in May or maybe June and posted the location of a cueva [B]in the appropriate section[/B] 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.[/QUOTE]
If so I'll sign-up with your link, that way we both can earn $25 in cash.
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.
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.
[QUOTE=Daddy Rulz; 426843]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.[/QUOTE]