I just looked online.
Official 13.75.
Blue 14. 05.
That's it?
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I just looked online.
Official 13.75.
Blue 14. 05.
That's it?
[QUOTE=BigHands;446803]I just looked online.
Official 13.75.
Blue 14. 05.
That's it?[/QUOTE]Thanks. So, it hardly seems worth the effort and risk to deal with the arbolitos for a 2% spread, however, do ATMs really disburse at the 13.75 rate and are there any substantial service fees or exchange rate adjustments when using an ATM? Thanks again.
[QUOTE=DeChicagoSoy;446804]Thanks. So, it hardly seems worth the effort and risk to deal with the arbolitos for a 2% spread, however, do ATMs really disburse at the 13.75 rate and are there any substantial service fees or exchange rate adjustments when using an ATM? Thanks again.[/QUOTE]Everybody I have talked to has said that when they use their ATM they are getting less than the published official rate plus are having to pay fees. Some were as low as 2 pesos per dollar lower but most in the high 12's to low 13's plus fees. They have also reported only being able to withdraw a certain amount (usually around 2,000 pesos) per transaction. Given that the highest denomination bill in the country is worth around 8 bucks there have also been a fair amount of problems with machines being empty, especially on weekends.
If you're here for a week or two I'd say use the ATM, accept the lower rate for the security of not having to travel with as much cash just make sure to top off a lot. If you live here then you have to decide if bringing the money in is worth the higher rate you would get from a cueva once you add in the bank fees if you have them.
If you have dollars on hand and have an exchange house with good rates near by, I would take advantage of those 30 centavos while you can. They won't last. But if you have to use an ATM, there really isn't much of a difference. And that difference keeps getting smaller every day. Not the opposite. Your only real benefit now is saving on bank ATM and FX fees. Just like in any other country. Cash is still king, but the Dollar just isn't what it used to be with no real blue rate.
Macri has staked his entire presidency on reining in inflation and Sturzenegger is already looking past the unification and adopting a free float foreign exchange policy and an inflation targeting monetary policy. Interesting to say the least.
After reading Sturzenegger' proposed changes to Argentinas fx and monetary policy. I know a " blue" rate would never work. It's a non starter. They're mutually exclusive. Not to say a completely black market dollar won't exist. " Criminals " always need to " evade taxes ". We will see. Time will tell.
http://www.bcra.gov.ar/Pdfs/Politicas/ObjetivosBCRA_2016.pdf
[QUOTE=DeChicagoSoy;446804]Thanks. So, it hardly seems worth the effort and risk to deal with the arbolitos for a 2% spread, however, do ATMs really disburse at the 13.75 rate and are there any substantial service fees or exchange rate adjustments when using an ATM? Thanks again.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=DaddyRulz;446807]If you're here for a week or two I'd say use the ATM, accept the lower rate for the security of not having to travel with as much cash just make sure to top off a lot. If you live here then you have to decide if bringing the money in is worth the higher rate you would get from a cueva once you add in the bank fees if you have them.[/QUOTE]If the credit card rate is now within a couple percent of the blue rate, why do you need all that cash in the first place? Other than a few things like taxis and some mongering I assume just about everything else can go on a credit card.
[QUOTE=Moore;446816]If the credit card rate is now within a couple percent of the blue rate, why do you need all that cash in the first place? Other than a few things like taxis and some mongering I assume just about everything else can go on a credit card.[/QUOTE]A lot of places dont accept credit cards, or they are always " sin sistema" . Which is another way of saying they dont accept cards. That and credit card cloning is fairly common, etc, etc. . Take the word of people that live here. Bring cash. The lines at the ATM,s will astound you at times and most machines are empty most of the time. Besides, the girls want CASH!
How about this touchy issue of paying chicas pesos, this still apply?
[QUOTE=Riina;446824]How about this touchy issue of paying chicas pesos, this still apply?[/QUOTE]It is not a touchy issue, rule of thumb you work in the currency of the country you are in. I can't tell you how many times a chica would ask for some outrageous number in dollars then when you asked for the price in pesos the number was much less than that quoted in dollars at the prevailing exchange rate. It's the KISS principle - use pesos.
Maybe I haven't been reading messages here carefully enough, but when I needed some pesos today I thought I'd go to a bank which is a lot closer to me than any cueva that I am aware of. I went to the Superville on Las Herras and near Pueyrredón. As soon as I got inside I was faced with a kiosk asking me (I think) for an account number and what I wanted to do - deposit, withdrawal, pay a bill, etc.. Having no account number, of course, I went to the desk of the cutest employee I saw and asked her if she spoke English. Her English wasn't great but way better than my Spanish. She asked me if I wanted to change dollars into pesos or the other way around and then asked me to wait while she consulted another employee. When she came back she said that no I could not do a currency exchange. I think she said something like because I did not have a claim. I am guessing she meant because I did not have an account.
So I went to the cueva at Cerviño y Ortiz and got a rate of 13.8 (for $600).
Bob.
So, I will be arriving to Ezeiza at 22:00 and want to check into my hotel and go for a chica. I dont have pesos.
How could I exchange currency at this time?
Where in microcentro would you recommend me to exchange my USD?
Thanks.
After you get through baggage claim, walk through the doors, you will see different stands on both sides, turn right at the end of the wall, sharp. There should be a bank with ATMs.
Unless it has changed in five years.
[QUOTE=Guacamole;446892]So, I will be arriving to Ezeiza at 22:00 and want to check into my hotel and go for a chica. I dont have pesos.
How could I exchange currency at this time?
Where in microcentro would you recommend me to exchange my USD?
Thanks.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=TejanoLibre;446570]Some of you may know or surely have seen or noticed Victor on the corner of Florida and Marcelo T de Alvear.
He has been there for about 10 years and he is wheelchair bound.
Today I just happened to be walking past him and I was looking for a quick and decent exchange rate but it was a national holiday and I only had a few bucks to exchange.
He gave me $14.60 to 1. Good enough. I had just finished a walking tour of BA and we had walked about 8 miles.
I'm sure you could find a better rate but it was a tiny amount and when I talked to him and thought about his situation I could not think of a more deserving individual.
He gave me the pesos and I told him that I didn't even need to count it but he insisted.
He had overpaid me. Of course I gave him the difference and asked him for his Whatsapp info.
Victor the Cambio Guy.
+54911 3604 1677.
Florida and Marcelo T de Alvear .
7 days a week .
In a wheelchair for life.
Thanks ,
TL.[/QUOTE]14 to 1 on Saturday.
TL.
Moving to Palermo on 3900 block of Cervino near Calle Arabia de Syria. Who is the best cambionista in the area? Thanks Bobby Doerr.
Is there any point in exchanging currency before making the trip? I would think there would be competitive rates in NYC but I am still doing research. Never been before. Arriving in a few weeks just for a few days. Then a side trip for a few days. Then BA for one more night. Apologies if this is a dumb question.
[QUOTE=MessiFan;446898]Is there any point in exchanging currency before making the trip? I would think there would be competitive rates in NYC but I am still doing research. Never been before. Arriving in a few weeks just for a few days. Then a side trip for a few days. Then BA for one more night. Apologies if this is a dumb question.[/QUOTE]LOL!!! I really doubt you could find anyone with ARS (pesos argentinos) for sale in N.Y.. The spread is no longer that big. Worst case, change a little at the bank in the airport.
[QUOTE=MessiFan;446898]Apologies if this is a dumb question.[/QUOTE]You're forgiven....but it is a dumb question!
Arg pesos are not an internationally trade-able currency. You'd have trouble finding them even in neighbouring countries.
[QUOTE=DavieW;446900]You're forgiven....but it is a dumb question!
Arg pesos are not an internationally trade-able currency. You'd have trouble finding them even in neighbouring countries.[/QUOTE]Ah. Ok then! Thanks for the info!
This is a First.
Lorena the Brazilian Cambio Girl offers a money-back guarantee if any of her 100 peso bills are ever rejected as fakes.
This is unheard of in the 10 years that I have lived here.
Simple.
Her 100's are "marked' so all you have to do is return it to her and she will exchange it.
Tiny little puppy paw print.
Last Saturday she was giving 14 to 1.
Marcelo T. De Alvear 626 Local #22.
@ Florida St.
L.P Silva's sweater shop.
Above the Direct TV store.
Lorena:
Whatsapp - +54911 6118 7649.
Almost speaks English and has a set of hooters too.
Bonus!
TL.
13.8 for $300 at Cerviño y Ortiz on Monday Feb 1, 2016.
Anyone know the exchange given at the ATMs?
[QUOTE=WorldTravel69;446927]Anyone know the exchange given at the ATMs?[/QUOTE]I was getting about 13.6 from the ATMs.
Best cash exchange I found is about 1.5 blocks past Acapulco Restaurant on the same side of the street. Just before you get to the second street after passing Acapulco Rest is a cell phone store with a cashiers cage in the back room. There is always a line of people there waiting to make cambio. They pay 14.2 for $100 bills and 13.9 for $20 bill.
Why would the official be higher than the informal? Is it a "because Argentina" thing?
[URL]http://www.ambito.com/economia/mercados/monedas/dolar/[/URL]
[QUOTE=DaddyRulz;446932]Why would the official be higher than the informal? Is it a "because Argentina" thing?
[URL]http://www.ambito.com/economia/mercados/monedas/dolar/[/URL][/QUOTE]Neoclassical economists following the ideas of Marshall will always want to evaluate supply and demand functions to determine price.
Perhaps the Argentine government has increased its demand for dollars because it is about to settle its on-going bond dispute.
[URL]https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/progress-reported-in-ny-talks-with-argentina-bond-creditors/2016/02/05/1176fc98-cc57-11e5-b9ab-26591104bb19_story.html[/URL]
[QUOTE=DaddyRulz;446932]Why would the official be higher than the informal? Is it a "because Argentina" thing?
[URL]http://www.ambito.com/economia/mercados/monedas/dolar/[/URL][/QUOTE]Answer is simple......
If you want to drive the informal guys out of business ..Then offer a higher rate for say 6 months or so and they will all go broke and find new jobs....
At that stage there will only be one rate "The Official Rate "as there will be no competition...
It called getting control of your currency exchange...
Sly.
Nor have I ever played one on TV. I appreciate the comments and I have some follow ups.
[QUOTE=BigBossMan;446933]Neoclassical economists following the ideas of Marshall will always want to evaluate supply and demand functions to determine price.
Perhaps the Argentine government has increased its demand for dollars because it is about to settle its on-going bond dispute.
[URL]https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/progress-reported-in-ny-talks-with-argentina-bond-creditors/2016/02/05/1176fc98-cc57-11e5-b9ab-26591104bb19_story.html[/URL][/QUOTE]If this was the case, then would we see the cuevas keep place? The last ambito post was the Friday before a four day holiday perhaps it lagged.
[QUOTE=SlyOne;446935]Answer is simple......
If you want to drive the informal guys out of business ..Then offer a higher rate for say 6 months or so and they will all go broke and find new jobs....
At that stage there will only be one rate "The Official Rate "as there will be no competition...
It called getting control of your currency exchange...
Sly.[/QUOTE]If this is the case, and while I don't claim to understand Argentine Economics well beyond hooker pricing I do consider myself to be somewhat of an expert on how Argies themselves work, this will not put the cuevas out of business. They will simply follow right behind the "official" knowing that there are enough lazy tourists and people who want to hide their money that will trade it .05 or .10 behind the "official" in order to keep the transactions off the books and then they will run down and buy Pesos, Reales, Dollars, or Euros at the official rate to realize a profit.
When the bigger bills get released I'll be looking for a whole new wave of counterfeiters because a 500 peso bill is worth counterfeiting when a 100 peso bill isn't. So they will take dollars, buy counterfeit 500's at about 30% of face value, sell those to tourists, then take the tourist dollars, sell those to drug dealers and other people with off the book income and then settle up for real dollars at the higher government rate.
I see what you mean, and can see the government trying it, I don't think it will work though.
This morning I asked my local (argie owned) supermarket their dollar rate = 14.20. My change guy was 14.10 this week. Maybe its time to use dollars for daily untraceable transactions.
Worked the street last Sunday. I was offered 14 by most. I was able to negotiate 14.1 on a thousand dollars. The currency exchange in Pacifico was doing 13.6 and there were about twenty people in line!
Paid my Tourist reciprocity fee today. Government gave me 14.5:1. Considerate of them as they print all this money anyway! A-Peso goes down most every day particularly this week. Had a lot of catching up to do after being closed for Carnival earlier this week.
Quoted 410.
[QUOTE=MileHighDave;446977]Paid my Tourist reciprocity fee today. Government gave me 14.5:1. Considerate of them as they print all this money anyway! A-Peso goes down most every day particularly this week. Had a lot of catching up to do after being closed for Carnival earlier this week.[/QUOTE]
Quote on official exchange this morning per Bloomberg is 14.77:1. Found a quote on the net for blue dolar at 14.83:1. Why bother with unofficial exchange?
[QUOTE=MileHighDave;446985]Quote on official exchange this morning per Bloomberg is 14.77:1. Found a quote on the net for blue dolar at 14.83:1. Why bother with unofficial exchange?[/QUOTE]You might not want to show a passport.
All along Lavalle and Calle Florida.
I am in Bariloche right now, and there are guys all over looking to exchange money on Mitre. They were offering 14.8. Official is about 14.95-15 right now. Two year ago when there was a good spread on the blue dollar, I struggled to find one or two. Now there were a dozen guys in just 2-3 blocks.
I was in Ushuaia, El Calafate, and El Chalten over the last two weeks. Businesses, restaurants, and casinos were exchanging at a rate of 1 USD to 13 ARS....taking advantage of tourists.
I reported on Jan 19th that I hadn't been able to exchange dollars for pesos at the Superville on Las Herras near Pueyrredón. That was because I had been told by an employee that I couldn't. But the employee was wrong. I bumped into someone from the US who had exchanged dollars for pesos at that same Superville branch. He said to ask the guard at the door for help. So I did, but the guard was so fast with the kiosk menus that I am not certain what he did. I think on the first menu, asking for a document number, he just touched "continuar", and then on the next menu I think he touched cambio or something similar. Whatever ... It was simple. On that first attempt I had given up too easy because it looked like you needed a document number of some sort.
NOTE that you do need your passport. And the clerk looked through the pages in my passport very carefully and several times. He may have been looking for that reciprocal thing which is not in my current passport because it's in my previous passport which of course I have with me in Argentina but did not take to the bank.
Bob.
He was probably looking to see if you had resident status in Argentina.
Its documented in my USA passport. Only tourists can change without proof of income.
What did you get?
Some good news... Capital One was giving at least 15 pesos as of Friday and 15.17 today according to a friend of mine... No transaction fees or conversion fees... Time to use the card and save the cash...
[QUOTE=Thomaso276;447075]He was probably looking to see if you had resident status in Argentina.
Its documented in my USA passport. Only tourists can change without proof of income.
What did you get?[/QUOTE]Thanks. I wasn't aware of that. I got 14.7 on Feb. 17th. This was at the Supervielle on Las Heras between Austria and Pueyrredon.
Bob.
The resent stability of the Peso reflected an optimistic outlook for the new regime in Argentina. But this new slipping of the peso shows signs of a bad future for the peso vs dollar. Not confirmed really until it happens but in this world of DRAMATICALLY depreciating currency what was once an uncommon extreme is now common; Col,Mex.
Me? I would convert just what I needed for daily living.
[QUOTE=PirateMorgan;447080]The resent stability of the Peso reflected an optimistic outlook for the new regime in Argentina. But this new slipping of the peso shows signs of a bad future for the peso vs dollar. Not confirmed really until it happens but in this world of DRAMATICALLY depreciating currency what was once an uncommon extreme is now common; Col,Mex.
Me? I would convert just what I needed for daily living.[/QUOTE]Good post. Once again, here is my take. The papers say the inflation rate is 20% but empirical observation says it may be more considering the way prices are rising at the markets and restaurants. As the peso develops less buying power, people will look to the dollar for stability. There will be an increasing demand for dollars and with greater demand, the exchange rate climbs. One feeds on the other. So, where will it end? Strict price controls maybe. My guess is the exchange rates may blow past the teens and move into the 20's for one dollar. Bobby Doerr.
[QUOTE=BobbyDoerr;447085]Good post. Once again, here is my take. The papers say the inflation rate is 20% but empirical observation says it may be more considering the way prices are rising at the markets and restaurants. As the peso develops less buying power, people will look to the dollar for stability. There will be an increasing demand for dollars and with greater demand, the exchange rate climbs. One feeds on the other. So, where will it end? Strict price controls maybe. My guess is the exchange rates may blow past the teens and move into the 20's for one dollar. Bobby Doerr.[/QUOTE]Bobby there isn't a question in my mind that this analysis is spot fucking on correct. This is exactly what should happen.
Who the hell knows what will happen here.