How do you guys find things here?

[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.

 

[on the brink]

Have a Spanish speaking friend show you how to access MercadoLibre, and just type what you need in English. I find everything there.

Best of luck with learning Spanish - even at the most basic level, it will make your life a hundred times easier.

 

[AdrianB]

What would be a good, non creepy thank you gift?

It's argentina so a bottle of wine probably works.

 

[LuckyLuke]

Welcome to the culture shock, my friend. It will be a slog as you come to realize that nothing is convenient in Argentina. However, time will teach you patience. Gastronomically, Argentines are a simple creature. If you want oil of oregano, simply buy some fresh oregano, heat it gently in some olive oil and store it for a couple weeks, voila. Best of luck and don't hesitate to post here.

 

[corsicawoods]

Welcome to the culture shock, my friend. It will be a slog as you come to realize that nothing is convenient in Argentina. However, time will teach you patience. Gastronomically, Argentines are a simple creature. If you want oil of oregano, simply buy some fresh oregano, heat it gently in some olive oil and store it for a couple weeks, voila. Best of luck and don't hesitate to post here.

I had come to this conclusion around 5a . Did a DIY search.

 

[nikad]

Aceite De Oregano | MercadoLibre 📦

Envíos Gratis en el día ✓ Comprá Aceite De Oregano en cuotas sin interés! Conocé nuestras increíbles ofertas y promociones en millones de productos.

listado.mercadolibre.com.ar

 

[nikad]

Aceite Esencial de Oregano 30 ml Natier

Aceite esencial de Orégano. Planta medicinal con propiedades antibacteriales, antisépticas y antifúngicas. Apto veganos y Sin T.A.C.C.

newgarden.com.ar

 

[Che1990]

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.

This unfortunately is a reality of living in Argentina.

I’ve been here for 10 years and still don’t know where to buy socks or underwear …

…I’m not prepared to loose half a day going to buy them as I’d rather use that time to be productive but oh well that’s me.

MercadoLibre has been my saviour, or buying directly and then using Rappi/Uber etc to deliver it to my place.

 

[on the brink]

True, life here can be inconvenient and difficult.

But, on the other hand.......

Living in Argentina keeps one fit and young, as only those with good reflexes make it.

 

[Quilombo]

My process is generally translating in my head whatever I need/want, looking on Mercadolibre, if I can't find it, checking in Google Translate if it might have a different or localized name, and then double checking again.

Once I find something on ML, I then find the vendor's store on Google to see if the price is cheaper buying from them directly since ML doesn't take a cut, and if not, I just buy it from ML.

For anything I can't find, or is too expensive, I just buy via Amazon, ship to Aerobox in Miami, and then pick up at their office here in CABA.

It's a PIA but this is what I've found to be the solution that even Argentine friends and family ask me where to find stuff.