At Florida the best deal I got today was 65 AR Pesos to the US$ The forum front page lists today's blue rate at 76.25, I didn't find anything near that. Most where offering between 59 and 65.
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At Florida the best deal I got today was 65 AR Pesos to the US$ The forum front page lists today's blue rate at 76.25, I didn't find anything near that. Most where offering between 59 and 65.
[QUOTE=Questner;450672]Paid in every place I could with a credit card. Take an ID with you, input your PIN, and sign a receipt. Saves a lot over ATM withdrawals with their limits and fees. Cash exchange rates are very poor. They prohibit you from taking pictures of the exchange rates. So, I tell them, here I am writing them over a piece of paper, take a picture and send. Prices at stores sometimes are different depending on how you pay, in cash or by a card.[/QUOTE]Are you crazy, or do you just like to give money away?
Tres3.
[QUOTE=Tres3;456586]Are you crazy, or do you just like to give money away?
Tres3.[/QUOTE]I beg your pardon? Things change, however for me this was the cheapest way to transact from foreign currency account outside of the country into ARS. I don't have local bank account, nor do I use local debit card or carry a lot of cash. You may help the discourse by providing full detailed explanation to your post, supported by numbers.
A lot of places charge extra for using your credit card.
Cash is the best.
I guess you have not traveled much?
[QUOTE=Questner;456587]I beg your pardon? Things change, however for me this was the cheapest way to transact from foreign currency account outside of the country into ARS. I don't have local bank account, nor do I use local debit card or carry a lot of cash. You may help the discourse by providing full detailed explanation to your post, supported by numbers.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Questner;456587]I beg your pardon? Things change, however for me this was the cheapest way to transact from foreign currency account outside of the country into ARS. I don't have local bank account, nor do I use local debit card or carry a lot of cash. You may help the discourse by providing full detailed explanation to your post, supported by numbers.[/QUOTE]To begin whith a lot of places give 10 to 20 % discount for cash. Plus changing dollars for pesos has a better exchange rate then the banks give you on your card. With the return of a corrupt goverment in a month this will become even more in favor of cash is king.
Let me give some numbers:
In Florida cash exchange I got $1US = 65 AR Pesos today.
Using my credit card (I do not get charged any foreign exchange fees or so): $1US = 59.53 AR Pesos.
Using my ATM (my bank refunds ATM Fees): $1US = 59.47 AR Pesos.
Be carefull with ATM fees, they charged me 625 AR pesos (US$ 10.51) which my bank refunded. So if you use ATM it can get pricey, also I do not know what the withdrawal limit is?
As far as I can conclude, cash will give you about 10% or so more value, not so much of a big deal. I thought the blue rate was around AR75+ which would make it really beneficial. However, at 10% I do use my credit card when convenient. Also as far as a cash discount, sure any country, even in the US, when you pay cash vs. Credit card you can get a discount, for example no sales tax, etc.
One more note on credit cards: Foreigners as of now do not pay Hotel Taxes when they pay with a foreign credit card and have a non Argentinean passport. So in that case it is actually beneficial to pay with credit card, because the Hotel tourist tax is around 21% or so added to the room fee.
Good Luck.
FP.
[QUOTE=WorldTravel69;456590]A lot of places charge extra for using your credit card.
Cash is the best.
I guess you have not traveled much?[/QUOTE]Multiple transactions and no extra fees for using cc. Sometimes, the vendor offers a discount if paid in cash, meaning no debit card or credit card transaction. It should be illegal, but who am I to teach Argentinians of how to manage their economy.
[QUOTE=Gandolf50;456591]To begin whith a lot of places give 10 to 20 % discount for cash. Plus changing dollars for pesos has a better exchange rate then the banks give you on your card. With the return of a corrupt goverment in a month this will become even more in favor of cash is king.[/QUOTE]As I am posting now, 1 USD on my cc will cost me 61.25 ARS including 2.5% charged by VISA. Dolar blue rate 'compra' is 63.75 unless I find a kiosk which is going to offer a better rate. This is 4% advantageous to me if I had cash and not use my cc. However, I am a tourist and don't travel with piles of cash for security reasons. It costs me much more to withdraw pesos than 4% because of the 'smart' government who limits dispensing cash out of ATM. Where can I withdraw 30K in pesos in one transaction, for example at ATM on VISA System? Nowhere, plus the fees they charge, 420 Pesos on 4K to 5K withdrawal, which is robbery. Cash is always king, but that is what many Argentinians do, they suck cash, exchange it and deposit in Urugauay. The government will not achieve anything unless they make sure there is trust and economic benefits are shared.
At FunPete: I agree, however my institution covers withdrawal fees only, but not the ATM fees itself - you are blessed with a better choice as a consumer. If your institution gives you exact XE market rate, then you're blessed twice, I have no access it this service, even through exchange houses. My Mastercard or VISA charge 2.5% over XE rate. As for hotels, I don't pay ahead and pay at the hotel only and it helps with tax issue in Argentina or Colombia. I wish Brazil does the same.
Isn't it possible to get foreign money from ATM's?
[QUOTE=Mendez;456625]Isn't it possible to get foreign money from ATM's?[/QUOTE]I don't think you can get USD out of an Argie ATM.
Getting ARS before traveling is a pain in my ass. I'll pay the ATM fee at the airport for my first fistful of pesos for walking around money.
Grab one of these travel wallet things.
[URL]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/22/d8/ac/22d8acd845671c5fe9d790f0c896d99b.jpg[/URL]
Stick a grand or two in it (before you leave the US) and tuck it in your pants (don't put your passport in it, its a PIA). This thing doesn't come out until you're in your hotel room. Take what you want to exchange and put the rest in the safe along with a credit card and your driver's license (won't do you any good unless trying to establish your identity at the US embassy) and a photocopy of your passport. That way, if you end up having 'problems' you'll still have the resources necessary to get home.
The ATM fees, over the course of a week of mongering, will add up to at least an hour or two with a lovely lass.
Just a note, there are several exchange rates you can take a look; one is at at [URL]xe.com[/URL], then dolar blue rate, then a rate at a particular exchange place, and then an official rate. Tourist dollar rate has been implemented, it relates to dollars purchased by Argentinians for purchases and travel abroad.
Argentinians now have to pay 30% more over official rate on card purchases in dollars. It pushes dolar blue rate up. Now USD cash is a way to go, as interbank xe rate does not reflect real demand, and for now we are going back in time.
All of South America is flooded with the older bills. As a local expat I am looking for new - blue stripe - bills here in BA.
I will make it worth your while. Check my reliability & legitimacy with Admin. Plus you must be a veteran on this board.
For example, are you ready to leave BA and have dollars left over; do you have room for bills under the 10g limit as you fly to BA.
PM me for details.
[QUOTE=Thomaso276;456870]All of South America is flooded with the older bills. As a local expat I am looking for new - blue stripe - bills here in BA.
I will make it worth your while. Check my reliability & legitimacy with Admin. Plus you must be a veteran on this board.
For example, are you ready to leave BA and have dollars left over; do you have room for bills under the 10g limit as you fly to BA.
PM me for details.[/QUOTE]Instant transfer to your account using Zelle+ 3% .
1000 bucks gets usa $33 or peso rate today = about 2400 pesos = 1 chica session.
PM to discuss.
Anyone like the idea of 77 to 1?
USD $100.00's to Pesos. Completely Safe and SECURE .
From a very GOOD friend and occasional PARTNER who lived in New York and obviously can Speak English and I can VOUCH for him 100% !
My words are GOLDEN like always !
Tejano Libre is ALIVE and WELL !
Later Gators !
Or Gatos ?
[QUOTE=TejanoLibre;456898]Anyone like the idea of 77 to 1?
USD $100.00's to Pesos. Completely Safe and SECURE .
F[/QUOTE]Too low. Western union is 1 usd = 81.
Going to BsAs in 3 weeks as a first timer, so figuring out the best option to get the most out of my USD. Doesn’t WU charge fees? I know cash is king there so I assumed Calle Florida would be the route to go, but since I don’t know any reputable places, I don’t want any chances to be scammed. I’m using Tejano’s services, so I hope he can hook it up!
[QUOTE=Member#3320;456913]Too low. Western union is 1 usd = 81.[/QUOTE]
I stand corrected. I checked on my WU app today and it does show 1 to 81 with various fees. Fees depend on payment options, if you pay in person at an approved WU USA location, you get the lowest fee (usually one time fee). Rate would be 1 to 78/79 after paying the one time fee. If you pay online through a debit card, credit card or bank account, the fees would become a percentage of the transfer amount, around 10%, which is still decent so you still get 1 to 73. I plan to WU myself before I leave the great ol US of A and pick up the money when I get there.
Has anyone done this before? Transferring money to oneself? Wonder why WU is offering such a favorable rate, better than xoom or any service for that matter. I will still have cash on hand as well. Don’t plan on using debit or credit card, but will have them as emergency options .
[QUOTE=Ricerocket99;456915]Going to BsAs in 3 weeks as a first timer, so figuring out the best option to get the most out of my USD. Doesnt WU charge fees? I know cash is king there so I assumed Calle Florida would be the route to go, but since I dont know any reputable places, I dont want any chances to be scammed. Im using Tejanos services, so I hope he can hook it up![/QUOTE]
Ricerocket99 is right. Western Union shows a rate of 81 pesos to the dollar this morning and Xoom shows a rate of 68/$1. That doesn't make sense - they should be about the same.
Ricerocket99, most of the exchange shops on Calle Florida these days are reputable and professional. See my earlier posts on the subject or ask other members where they go. Just ignore the touts in the street and go directly into the shop.
Does anyone know what the exchange shops on Florida are paying for US $s this week?
GV.
As a suggestion, please always provide a web link, photo or address when you post about exchanges. Otherwise, it's unclear if it buy or sell rate, cash or cheques etc. Exchange booths in BA hate when you make a photo of their rates, but fuck them!
[QUOTE=Member#3320;456913]Too low. Western union is 1 usd = 81.[/QUOTE]Check the date on his post, it was ten days before yours, when he posted it it was probably good.
[QUOTE=Ricerocket99;456915]Going to BsAs in 3 weeks as a first timer, so figuring out the best option to get the most out of my USD. Doesnt WU charge fees? I know cash is king there so I assumed Calle Florida would be the route to go, but since I dont know any reputable places, I dont want any chances to be scammed. Im using Tejanos services, so I hope he can hook it up![/QUOTE]I have no doubt he knows many places. Rule of thumb, if you're walking down Florida or Lavalle and they try and make change on the street walk away, if you go into a physical location you're usually good. I use one inside of a gallaria on the 700 block of Lavalle across from the now closed Acapulco Restaurant. Go in and line up on the left and when it's your turn get buzzed in and lay your money on the counter.
Best rate I have found is Western Union at 80.79 which is higher then the Blue Rate. If you bring cash to a store there is a flat fee of 10 dollars. I don't think you can find a better rate or a safer way to get money in Ba.
Got 75 on Florida on 2/21.
Went to another shop on 2/22 and got 76.
Hey guys, I'll be in town next weekend and I would like to exchange some money.
I have never exchanged money there before so I don't know where the best places are. I will be staying in the cordoba and 25 de Mayo area.
Does the exchange places require ID? Do I need to take photocopies of my ID?
Does though exchange places give the blue dollar price or official?
Any help you guys can give will be much appreciated!
[QUOTE=Spanky28;456970]Got 75 on Florida on 2/21.
Went to another shop on 2/22 and got 76.[/QUOTE]Where on Florida? A hawke or regular place?
Thanks.
5 pesos banknotes will not be in use after March 1, 2020.
Ignore those Arbolitos; best rate and comfortable exchange inside travel/tourist agency on Lavelle, off Florida. This agency is inside a tiny mall, that you will recognize by the miniature BMW sitting in the lobby. The agency is in the back and facing the street. I prefer this because there is a separate room for exchanging money, without rush and they use a counting machine that would kick-out any fakes. Been getting between 74 and 76 for the last 2 months! Others must wait in outer room until you have comfortably counted and put away your stash-of-cash.
Just wondering what exchange rate people are getting for the dollar for the Blue Rate against the Peso now a days at the exchange houses. Can you get 120 pesos to the dollar?
[QUOTE=BayBoy;459765]Just wondering what exchange rate people are getting for the dollar for the Blue Rate against the Peso now a days at the exchange houses. Can you get 120 pesos to the dollar?[/QUOTE]I got 110 on monday on santa fe.
[QUOTE=Carlotx;459769]I got 110 on monday on santa fe.[/QUOTE]Thanks for the info. I was wondering if anyone has gotten as much as 120 say on Florida?
Seriously considering moving to BA in early 2021. I just want to make sure about some stupid questions I have. What would be the problem with taking a monthly ferry to Montevideo and taking out $1500-$2000 out of the bank in USD. Then taking it back to BA and exchanging it at a Cambio for pesos.Then deposit the pesos in an Argentine bank account. With the present rate being 72 official/132 blue, the 70+% spread makes the monthly trip worth it.
But it sounds too good to be true. Why doesnt everyone do it? Hell, why dont the Cambios do it? Please burst my bubble and tell me the reality of my plan before I get my hopes up too high. Or hell....maybe one of you guys can try it, in which case, youre welcome. :).
I was there in 2001 when the banks closed.
Luckily I Dollars on me to get home.
Good Luck with that thought.
[QUOTE=Tyrell;460056]Seriously considering moving to BA in early 2021. I just want to make sure about some stupid questions I have. What would be the problem with taking a monthly ferry to Montevideo and taking out $1500-$2000 out of the bank in USD. Then taking it back to BA and exchanging it at a Cambio for pesos.Then deposit the pesos in an Argentine bank account. With the present rate being 72 official/132 blue, the 70+% spread makes the monthly trip worth it.
But it sounds too good to be true. Why doesnt everyone do it? Hell, why dont the Cambios do it? Please burst my bubble and tell me the reality of my plan before I get my hopes up too high. Or hell....maybe one of you guys can try it, in which case, youre welcome. :).[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Tyrell;460056]Seriously considering moving to BA in early 2021. I just want to make sure about some stupid questions I have. What would be the problem with taking a monthly ferry to Montevideo and taking out $1500-$2000 out of the bank in USD. Then taking it back to BA and exchanging it at a Cambio for pesos.Then deposit the pesos in an Argentine bank account. With the present rate being 72 official/132 blue, the 70+% spread makes the monthly trip worth it.
But it sounds too good to be true. Why doesnt everyone do it? Hell, why dont the Cambios do it? Please burst my bubble and tell me the reality of my plan before I get my hopes up too high. Or hell....maybe one of you guys can try it, in which case, youre welcome. :).[/QUOTE]This is exactly what expats were doing for years before the official rate and blue rate came together in December 2015 under Macri. The lines at the ATM's in Colonia del Sacramento would be long and would sometimes run out of dollars. Why isn't everyone doing it? You have to have a bank account in USD and I do not think this is possible for Argentines. I think a roundtrip ferry to Montevideo is something like 150-200 dollars, which isn't exactly cheap, for an Argentine at least. Also, the number of expats living in Argentina is down. Buenos Aires was alot more fun in 2013-2014 than today. Every time I go back it is more headaches.
Maybe Argentinians have half of a trillion in USD under mattresses and more in Montevideo.
These rates are relevant for today August 4, 2020 and the mechanism will likely change in the future.
The official dollar (dólar official) is trading this Tuesday, August 4, at $ 71.86 for purchase and $ 76.84 for sale in banks.
As for the blue dollar (your black market or street dollar) (dólar blue), this day is trading at $ 131.00 for the purchase and $ 136.00 for the sale. Thus, it marks a gap (la brecha) of 82% with respect to the official dollar. The value of the blue dollar has a substantial difference with the official dollar, which is purchased from banks and has an established price.
On the other hand, the tourist dollar (also known as the solidarity dollar)( dólar turista /dólar solidario) is trading at $ 99.45. This value is the one used when buying dollars for savings or for making transactions abroad (using credit or debit cards) and it’s higher by 30% of the value of the official dollar of the day.
Another exchange rate is the wholesale dollar (dólar mayorista), which starts the day at $ 67.80 for purchase and $ 67.80 for sale.
In relation to the Cash with Liqui (CCL)( Contado con liqui CCL), the reference price is $ 116.01. The CCL is the operation that allows companies to buy Argentine issued financial instruments in the local market and sell them abroad in order to use foreign currency for "hoarding".
How many types of dollar are there in Argentina?
Today in Argentina there are at least six different types of quotes for the US currency, some more used than others.
1) Savings dollar / card or tourist / solidarity dollar (Dólar ahorro/tarjeta o dólar turista/solidario): it has a surcharge of 30% imposed by the Government on purchases made with a card in foreign currency and on the acquisition of foreign currency for savings ("atesoramiento") within the official circuit.
2) Blue dollar (dólar blue): these are banknotes sold in the informal market, through what Argentinians call “caves” or “little trees” (cuevas o “arbolitos”) on the street.
3) Counted with Liqui: (Contado con Liqui): it is a legal operation to get dollars abroad. It has became the preferred path for companies. Argentine stocks or shares are bought in pesos and then sold abroad in dollars.
4) Official or retail dollar (Dólar oficial o minorista): it is the price that individuals can access but always within the US $ 200 monthly limit (cepo).
5) Wholesale dollar (Dólar mayorista): it is the one used for foreign trade, the payment of debts denominated in USD and dividends. Theoretically, it is the one that influences the pricing of imported products.
6) Dollar for industry and services (Dólar para industria y servicios): due to the effect of withholdings, exporters of manufactures and services actually receive a dollar at a lower value than the official one, and much lower than the blue one. Within this category, there are different values for those who export meat and dairy products, for wheat, corn and sunflower and for soybeans.
[QUOTE=Tyrell;460056]Seriously considering moving to BA in early 2021. I just want to make sure about some stupid questions I have. What would be the problem with taking a monthly ferry to Montevideo and taking out $1500-$2000 out of the bank in USD. Then taking it back to BA and exchanging it at a Cambio for pesos.Then deposit the pesos in an Argentine bank account. With the present rate being 72 official/132 blue, the 70+% spread makes the monthly trip worth it.
But it sounds too good to be true. Why doesnt everyone do it? Hell, why dont the Cambios do it? Please burst my bubble and tell me the reality of my plan before I get my hopes up too high. Or hell....maybe one of you guys can try it, in which case, youre welcome. :).[/QUOTE]Keep all of your money in dollars until the moment before you plan to spend it.
[QUOTE=WildWalleye;460205]Keep all of your money in dollars until the moment before you plan to spend it.[/QUOTE]I have a question: if you bring more than $10,000 into Argentina and declare it what are the issues. Will Argentina tax the money? Will they track the money so it will be difficult to exchange at the blue rate on Florida Ave? Any other issues I am not thinking of.
[QUOTE=Omegaman;460254]I have a question: if you bring more than $10,000 into Argentina and declare it what are the issues. Will Argentina tax the money? Will they track the money so it will be difficult to exchange at the blue rate on Florida Ave? Any other issues I am not thinking of.[/QUOTE]Keep that cash in a US bank and draw it as needed via an ATM card.
[QUOTE=WildWalleye;460256]Keep that cash in a US bank and draw it as needed via an ATM card.[/QUOTE]Any idea when travel to Argentina will be opened?
Having withdrawl symptoms :):):).
[QUOTE=WildWalleye;460256]Keep that cash in a US bank and draw it as needed via an ATM card.[/QUOTE]The only issue with that is I get the official rate. By bringing cash I get the blue rate, which is at least a third more.