How do you guys find things here?

[Stafford]

Are you guys shopping on Mercadolibre without a DNI? Tell me how? Or is it really because I don't have an argentinan phone # yet?

You need a DNI. That's why someone suggested finding a local friend to help you with those purchases. Finding the item on Mercadolibre and then locating its local brick and mortar works too. Good luck!

Out of curiosity, what brought you to Argentina and how is it meeting your expectations so far?

 

[carride]

Are you guys shopping on Mercadolibre without a DNI? Tell me how? Or is it really because I don't have an argentinan phone # yet?

I do not know if it is possible without DNI, though people here do report that it can be done.

Getting an Argentine phone number is very simple and free to start receiving calls and SMS on a prepaid account. You will need to own or buy a phone. Are you having some difficulty setting that up?

 

[Johngwyn]

Are you guys shopping on Mercadolibre without a DNI? Tell me how? Or is it really because I don't have an argentinan phone # yet?

Just put a random number like 000000000, it worked for me. As for the phone number, yes you need it.
Sometimes Rappi will also ask you for DNI when you order McDonald, random number is how I deal with it lol

 

[corsicawoods]

I do not know if it is possible without DNI, though people here do report that it can be done.

Getting an Argentine phone number is very simple and free to start receiving calls and SMS on a prepaid account. You will need to own or buy a phone. Are you having some difficulty setting that up?

Right I need a phone.

 

[corsicawoods]

You need a DNI. That's why someone suggested finding a local friend to help you with those purchases. Finding the item on Mercadolibre and then locating its local brick and mortar works too. Good luck!

Out of curiosity, what brought you to Argentina and how is it meeting your expectations so far?

I picked Argentina. What lead me to Argentina? You might find silly but if you're truly curious I'll be happy to share that story.
As far as meeting my expectations, yes. I did a lot of research before coming. Even with Mercadolibre - you don't need a dni use your passport/drivers license #/ random number. You do need a DNI find a friend to help. So, I have not ran into too many surprises. If there were surprises it was minor.
There is a rhetoric that this country is racist. Personally, that has not been my experience. I have felt extremely welcomed in every space I have been in. Everyone has been helpful and patient with me.

If anyone was racist towards me and I missed it because I am still learning the language and social cues, they were very polite about it in comparison to the screaming, foaming at the mouth, red faced man from South Carolina.

 

[Johngwyn]

I picked Argentina. What lead me to Argentina? You might find silly but if you're truly curious I'll be happy to share that story.
As far as meeting my expectations, yes. I did a lot of research before coming. Even with Mercadolibre - you don't need a dni use your passport/drivers license #/ random number. You do need a DNI find a friend to help. So, I have not ran into too many surprises. If there were surprises it was minor.
There is a rhetoric that this country is racist. Personally, that has not been my experience. I have felt extremely welcomed in every space I have been in. Everyone has been helpful and patient with me.

If anyone was racist towards me and I missed it because I am still learning the language and social cues, they were very polite about it in comparison to the screaming, foaming at the mouth, red faced man from South Carolina.

Well, one lawyer in this forum always says the judicial branch is racist fascist when it comes to naturalization.
I think Argentina just like anyother close ended countries like where I used to live, China, Barbados, Japan....
They don't really classified people like North America only by race, but whether you are an outsider or not.
And one of their standard is where you born, as if this is medieval, you born to a lordship or peasant house.

For example, personally I came to Argentina on my US passport, but I was born in Canada,
so on my US passport place of birth says Canada.
In many occasions, Argentine who processed my passport would be mistaken my nationality as Canadian, even it is crystal clear a US passport.
And I had to explain the difference between nationality and place of birth.

In addition to be considered as a full Argentine or an 'insider', you have to be white...speaking perfect spanish....born in Argentina so on.
For example a Chinese who is Argentine citizen, speaks good spanish would be still called Chino...
No Argentine will consider him truly an Argentine fully... even they may aware he is an Argentine indeed.

It doesn't mean people are rude or racist, but this is a close ended society, anyone wasn't born to be isn't a part to be.
Just like in China or Japan, you can make friends, but you will never be apart of them, also Caribeans.

 

[corsicawoods]

I knew before I came here that stores wouldn't be like Walmart, target, Costco etc. I knew I wouldn't find many different things in one place and the closest I'd come to that is a Bazaar or a mall.
I do like this setup.
How we have it in the states it's super convenient but it enables laziness.
I do find fun in the scavenger hunt.
At the same time it's frustrating.
Example I am on the hunt for oil of oregano.
Locations are suggested but how can i know for sure they have what i need?
I am working on the spanish but know practically nothing at the moment.
Alot of these places do not have websites, the reviews make no mention.
I can make an educated guess but I'm trying to avoid spending all day (or 2) catching ubers here and there in hopes I find what i need.
I had to do this the first day i got here. Left a cord back in the states that I needed for my work computer.
Did a Google search made an educated guess based on the options given and had an Uber take me to the store.
They didn't have what I was looking for. Luckily that block was full of tech stores (a trend here, I know, and thank god) but after going to like 10 different stores and close to panic, one of the employees at one of the stores was able to send me to a store that MIGHT carry what i was looking for.
He didn't speak English I didn't speak spanish. God bless the Argentinas.
I literally teared up when at last I found what I needed in the store he suggested.
What would be a good, non creepy thank you gift? He basically saved my life.
Anyways, suggestions on how to make this process more efficient would be awesome.

I just wanted to add even when I ask locals where I can find something they either ask someone else if they know or offer to give me if they have extra . Definitely forces you to get out of the house and explore this city and I love that for me. Helping me break some bad habits.