ATM's

It IS interesting! I called my local W-F rep and she told me that if I didn't have a "free checking account" I could have the fee waived also. No thanks. I like the E-Trade suggestion. I still think cash works best everywhere, but it is a concern given the Homeland Security dudes in ATL or MIA or the Homeboys Security dudes in EZE.

Unfortunately they are only in Northern California. Maybe you can open an account online.

[url]http://www.mechbank.com/mechbank/TMBwebsite.nsf/personal/index[/url]

[QUOTE=HeadGames]This is my 7th visit. I use Wells Fargo. On previous visits I didn't see any transaction fee (at least, I don't remember seeing any) This time I'm getting hit with a 5.00 'non-network ATM fee' every time. Anybody know why?

I'm going to try and call them and see what the deal is.[/QUOTE]Just call Wells Fargo when you get back and tell them to waive the fees and reverse the charges. I had about 45 dollars worth of fees waived last time. I had a premium acct with them so that may be why. I have downgraded since so we will find out if they will rebate this time. The number is like 1800TOWELLS. Or something like that.

This is my first attempt to post, so apologies if it doesn't work well.

We were in BsAs last May and I used my debit card from our Credit Union to get much better rates than the bank cards. Using the ATM at Banco Ciudad de BsAs on Callao near Juncal, I was getting 600 A$R for U$S 194.48 net, = to an exchange rate of 3.085 Pesos / dollar. I find the Credit Union debit card is best in Canada and Europe also.

Thanks to all Forum participants for lots of good info.

Last October I was getting from HSBC's ATM's with the Bradesco sign only 500 pesos per transaction.

Considering that I have to pay about 20 pesos (4,40 euros) each time I do it I have to try something diferent this time.

Does anyone know of any other bank with a much higher limit? A year ago I was getting 1.500 p on the same machines.

Thanks.

El Greco

[QUOTE=El Greco]Last October I was getting from HSBC's ATM's with the Bradesco sign only 500 pesos per transaction.

Considering that I have to pay about 20 pesos (4,40 euros) each time I do it I have to try something diferent this time.

Does anyone know of any other bank with a much higher limit? A year ago I was getting 1.500 p on the same machines.

Thanks.

El Greco[/QUOTE]I'm not sure if the problem is with HSBC or the other bank. I suspect it is a problem in the authorzation process. I've never had the problem using Citibank ATMs.

Key bank offers prepaid credit card you can put up to 2000usd on them and any banelco ATM will allow withdrawal cost is about 2.00 usd per withdrawal and purchase of the card 3.50 I think it is so small an amout that.

I do not pay notice. I do two withdrawal of 3000 pesos at a banelco near the Amerian in the Microcentro near Corriente Ave but I have pulled 3000 pesos from ATM Bank of Boston on Santa Fe street in Recoleta never.

Had any problems and the can be blocked if you loose them you need a pin to acces it for cash withdrawal and you can use it as a credit card but I do not advise doing that if there is any fraud I think you might have a problem getting your money back so I only used them at ATM in banks that are opened and once I start withdrawal I will empty the card.

Here's a message I got from Citibank about their ATM fees in BA:

Thank you for your recent message. As a courtesy we have credited your account $12.19 for the three foreign transaction fees assessed to your account. Please note that prior to December 1st withdrawals made from any ATM, including Citibank, resulted in this charge. As of December 1, 2006 this has changed. Withdrawals made from a Citibank location will not be assessed the foreign transaction fee.

I went to my usual Banelco today to withdraw funds from my US account and could only withdrawal $100. An inquiry to my bank revealed nothing wrong with my account and I encountered other frustrated foreigners with the same problem. So I called the Banelco number and the representative told me beginning last Friday there is a new limit on withdrawals using VISA or any card from the Plus Network. There is a maximum $100AR withdrawal per operation and a maximum of $300AR per day. This sucks! I do not have a bank account here and do not want to have one. Are MasterCard debit users having the same problem? I have been here for over 2 years and have always been able to withdraw funds from my checking account in the States. Can anybody offer some help with this?

The government found out that the only way to save Argentina from becoming a massive sex tourist destination was to block money withdrawals. The good news for expats with an argentine account is that it will contribute to pussy burgers deflation.

Do you have any other joke in stock Trader?

That sounds fucked, I haven't had a problem with my Mastercards yet and I hope I don't, I have a 500 limits on both but I believe it is the same in any country. It sounds like the banks are trying to get a bigger share of fees, which is bullshit and rediculous. They recieve your money in dollars and dispence you Pesos at a fucked exchange rate minus their fee, and now it sounds like they want more fees. Try Moneygram, if you need to bring money into BA. The Argentine government has also put a limit on that as well, but it's 3000 US a month, but you can get it all in one day from one Bank and the transaction takes no more than 20-25 minutes and the cost is like $30-50 US.

I will go out today and see if this new law affected my card, but I tried it a few days ago and had no problems.

Bad

No need to panic, this kind of important news would be published in Clarinx. If Trader is sincere, then it s only a limited problem with the Argentine bank or his bank. I can withdraw 1050 pesos per day and I already find the 15 pesos fix charge + 2.5% (4% in total) prohibitive. This kind of measure would simply kill tourism, an important source of income for Argentina since the devaluation.

Being frustrated because of a specific problem is one thing, spreading rumors on a new general bank failure is something different which can only embarass the poster.

[QUOTE=Courcheval]No need to panic, this kind of important news would be published in Clarinx. If Trader is sincere, then it s only a limited problem with the argentine bank or his bank. I can withdraw 1050 pesos per day and I already find the 15 pesos fix charge + 2.5% (4% in total) prohibitive. This kind of measure would simply kill tourism, an important source of income for Argentina since the devaluation.

Being frustrated because of a specific problem is one thing, spreading rumors on a new general bank failure is something different which can only embarass the poster.[/QUOTE]Dude. This is what the Banelco rep told me. I understand it is only for VISA / Plus Network cards. Call the Banelco rep yourself then. 4334-5466. If I misunderstood with my Spanish I will write a public apology. I am NOT trying to spread a goddamn rumor!

A few friends had problems this weekend getting peso's. It kept on saying please choose a smaller amount. We thought it was that the ATM's were out of money over the weekend.

I went to the ATM by McDonalds in Recoleta on Saturday and took out 990 peso's no problem. Four hours later my friend got hit with the please choose smaller amount at the same ATM.

Today I went there and I got hit with please choose a smaller amount. I walked down to the HSBC on Callao and it did the same thing. I called HSBC and asked them, they knew nothing about a limit and told me I could take out almost 3000 peso's per day.

Went over by Exedra and hit an ATM and it let me take 990 with no problem a few hours ago.

I am betting the ATM was low on cash over the weekend.

The ATMs are still showing amounts as high as 700 pesos as a standard amount to withdraw. If 100 pesos was the limit I doubt it would be displaying that.

Also if you use HSBC you can just walk in during business hours and get money from the teller.

My apologises Trader. I just got a portenio friend to call for me to be sure there wouldnt be any problem of misunderstanding. It sounded so gross that I couldnt believe it.

So I confirm your words. People withdrawing money from a foreign bank using the VISA Banelco system can't withdraw more than 100 pesos a pop and 300 pesos a day. This basicly means that I would have to pay 15%+2.5%=17.5% each time I withdraw money from an ATM here.

No reason given and no Estimated Stupidity Fixing Time either.

Since VISA is the most extended global card system, this means the end of the tourist industry. They will certainly find out the problem sooner or later, but meanwhile, lots of damage will have been done on a clerky quick decision.

Don't cry for me Argentina. Vaya con dios =)