ATM's

So I went to the Citibank and my debit card would not open the door (early evening) as it had a number of times before. I seriously needed money so went down the street to another bank where my Citibank card worked fine to get me in and the system gave me 700 pesos, all in hundreds. One of the popular features of the Citibank locations is that they give you a mix of change with each transaction, but so be it.

Then I went to a Farmacity nearby and picked up a box of condoms for 13 pesos and gave the clerk one of my hundreds. (I had almost no other money. He said he couldn't change a hundred, that he had no change. I pointed out that the man ahead of me in line had just given him 72 pesos in cash. He politely pointed out that 72 + 13 was 85 so he couldn't make the change. Did I have a credit card? No. So it was impossible.

I passed another Farmacity. I like these big chains because they always have plenty of change and really good service.

(And I know where they hide the condoms. This one was really busy and I had to wait in line. The clerk here was horrified at the 100, but this time I pretended I couldn't understand him and the security guard came over and told him that I was a gringo baludo (clueless) and he opened up his change drawer which was full of change and did it and was nice about it.

Apparently they have little change because they regularly stuff money into little safes so that in case of a hold up, the effects are minimal. In the meantime, the customers can go fuck themselves.

[QUOTE=Stormy] In the meantime, the customers can go fuck themselves.[/QUOTE]Stormy,

You have just figured out Argentina! The place we love to hate - of course that comment is limited to the financial and business sectors. The wine, woman, and song keep us living here - and smiling! Even overcoming the occasional snow fall!

Come on, it's not always like that. I often pay with hundreds at Farmacity and get change. You just had bad timing with the cash register, I guess.

BTW, the word 'boludo' in that context can be translated into 'dork', 'jerk', 'prick'.;)

Cheers.

I watched a local well-to-do mother get turned down trying to by diapers and formula with a crying baby with a 50p note that had a small tear in it at a farmacity.

She argued for 30 seconds and used an amex blue card in disgust.

I ran into the same problem with having to figure out ways to make my 100s into something more acceptable. Fortunately I found out that you can pretty much stroll into a McDonalds, Burger King and buy a little snack and end up with any combination of change your heart would desire.

I guess being McDonalds they're expected to do things that make the customer happy without the bs. I don't think I've ever had a problem with them.

LM

[QUOTE=Stormy]I seriously needed money so went down the street to another bank where my Citibank card worked fine to get me in and the system gave me 700 pesos, all in hundreds. [/QUOTE]A trick I learned from a porteño friend is to request $10 pesos less than an even $100 amount. For example, if I wanted $700 pesos, I'd actually ask for $690 pesos. The machine usually gives a $50 and then some combination of twenties and tens. But the key point is, if you're flat broke, you're guaranteed enough small bills to at least take a taxi somewhere.

Yes, get 490 or 590 pesos at the ATM machine.

And then use 100s when you're eating at decent places, where they'll be accepted and generate even more small bills in change.

If I ever ran out of small bills my local kiosko would take a few seconds to change a 100 for me since I went there every day.

Just heard on the news that the Brink's truck drivers might go on strike tomorrow and consequently leave the ATM's bone dry. If you are living off of ATM withdrawls you might want to consider making additional withdrawls between now and early tomorrow.

I was able to pull $900ar from the (Banelco) ATM at Av. Santa Fe 2699 without any problems. I used a MasterCard Debit card. Have the local withdrawal limits be lifted or can you only do this with MasterCard?

[QUOTE=Sidney]Master Card --Debit used at HSBC branches (Banelco) = 3000 pesos and NO FEES![/QUOTE]Yes but that is with a HSBC account right? Thanks for the reply Sid but I'm interested in none HSBC cards. I guess I should have just ask about Visa cards? Did they take the $300 or $350ar limit off?