Soon to be expat has questions

[carride]

I would be living there during the winters. Also another question: I researched out about Google voice as opposed to Yolla. Yolla sounds better although not free (it's low cost) because it would show my actual business number to callers instead of the google number. Any of you have experience with using Yolla? Ohilly

Yolla (like Rebtel and others) only works as a cell phone app, so would show your cell phones number. Not your phone that is sitting in your US office as described in your original post. Yolla sounds useful for when around town and away from your computer, though not something I would trust to make daily scheduled work related calls.

 

[carride]

Yolla (like Rebtel and others) only works as a cell phone app, so would show your cell phones number. Not your phone that is sitting in your US office as described in your original post. Yolla sounds useful for when around town and away from your computer, though not something I would trust to make daily scheduled work related calls.

Ok, yes I see references in old FB posts while searching. Archived results show you can actually have your Yolla display any of 5 different caller ids that you register. Yolla does not have any current information in their help or FAQ about this feature. This would allow you to show your office caller id.

 

[Cordoba]

I use Ooma Office. I have an actual phone with SpeakerPhone and a headset that plugs into my router. I can forward it to my mobile phone or use the Ooma app on my phone or PC to answer or make phone calls out, showing that number. It's around $25 a month, but it includes a virtual receptionist and also transcribes voicemails and emails them to me.

 

[LindenReed]

Thanks for replying, Shanmerc. So I am a therapist and can run my practice online from anywhere. I have a business landline, and I want to be able to call it and access my voicemail while in Argentina, and I also will need to be able to call clients from Argentina. Online I found an app called Yolla. Is this what people use for this purpose? Regarding mail, I want to be able to get and review the mail that comes to my office. I also saw online that some people use a service called Traveling Mailbox. Do you know about this service or others? Also, what if paper checks come to my office? Is there any way to get and cash them in Argentina (I would only be gone for 2 months maximum in the winter, so I suppose I could get and cash them when I get back?). Last question: I speak fluent Spanish, but my husband does not. I am looking for activities for him to do with other English speakers (he's retired). He does a lot of walking groups in the U.S. Are there walking groups in Buenos Aires? Thanks in advance for your help. Sincerely, Ohilly

Hi, we've used Traveling Mailbox and it worked well for us. Your physical mail is forwarded to them, and they scan and post the image for you to review. You can choose to have them hold it, ship it to you (or another address), or shred it. I believe you can also have them deposit checks for you for an extra fee. The only thing to consider is that there will be delays when you set up mail forwarding and when you switch back to your regular address. Given that you are only planning to stay for two months, it may be easier to just ask a friend to hold your mail for you.

 

[Ohilly]

Is google voice easy to use. I asked ChatGBT and they said it was the best option. So I have a landline business phone in the U.S. Basically I need to be able to retrieve messages from my voicemail on this line and be able to call people in the U.S., possibly including some 800 numbers, from my cell phone in Argentina. And then how would I use my cell phone in Argentina - I heard you have to get a SIM card (have no idea what that is or how it works) or do you just buy a cheap cell phone in Argentina? The phone seems like the most difficult thing to figure out. Ohilly

 

[lunar]

Is google voice easy to use. I asked ChatGBT and they said it was the best option.

If even ChatGPT says it, it must be the best possible option.

On the other hand, if you plan to use a phone for business and will be spending several hours a day on calls,
I wouldn’t rely on a free service that’s clearly labeled for personal/consumer use.

 

[carride]

On the other hand, if you plan to use a phone for business and will be spending several hours a day on calls,
I wouldn’t rely on a free service that’s clearly labeled for personal/consumer use.

I doubt anyone who suggest a plan to use a cell phone in a foreign country as the only contact with business clients is really spending hours per day. Most people who plan to work remote here first address the needs of setting up a computer with reliable remote access back to home networks. This is the first step to setup robust voice/video communication to clients and coworkers. If @Ohilly could explain more about who provides the service of their landline business phone we could possible give solutions they have yet to anticipate to ask us. Typically a landline business phone service already has features to solve the needs of time away, including call forwarding and/or full remote solution for calling and answering from a computer or cell phone.

Google Voice has a paid version for businesses who want to pay money. Though that business offering, with more features, has been built from the experience of providing many years of free service. https://workspace.google.com/products/voice/

 

[shanmerc]

I would be living there during the winters. Also another question: I researched out about Google voice as opposed to Yolla. Yolla sounds better although not free (it's low cost) because it would show my actual business number to callers instead of the google number. Any of you have experience with using Yolla? Ohilly

Hi Ohilly, about the mail - I was going to suggest a virtual PO box. It could be that it's the same thing that you are calling travelling mailbox. What I am calling a virtual PO box functions the same as a regular PO box, in that they receive your mail, but rather than just holding it for you, they open it and scan it to a portal where you can access it. I don't recall what they do with the mail after they scan it (such as: do they forward it to another address, or do they destroy it...?? You should ask.)

Regarding the paper checks mailed to your office, I would guess the virtual PO box would not be any help there. (Again, ask them what they do with the physical mail items they receive for you...). For the checks, you may need another solution. Those that come to my mind would be asking your clients to pay you electronically, such as via Zelle, PayPal, Venmo, or any such similar that you are familiar with. Or asking your bank if they have a deposit address.

 

[shanmerc]

I would be living there during the winters. Also another question: I researched out about Google voice as opposed to Yolla. Yolla sounds better although not free (it's low cost) because it would show my actual business number to callers instead of the google number. Any of you have experience with using Yolla? Ohilly

EDIT - sorry for the double post. i don't see how to delete. i got an error and reposted. oh well.

Hi Ohilly, about the mail - I was going to suggest a virtual PO box. It could be that it's the same thing that you are calling travelling mailbox. What I am calling a virtual PO box functions the same as a regular PO box, in that they receive your mail, but rather than just holding it for you, they open it and scan it to a portal where you can access it. I don't recall what they do with the mail after they scan it (such as: do they forward it to another address, or do they destroy it...?? You should ask.)

Regarding the paper checks mailed to your office, I would guess the virtual PO box would not be any help there. (Again, ask them what they do with the physical mail items they receive for you...). For the checks, you may need another solution. Those that come to my mind would be asking your clients to pay you electronically, such as via Zelle, PayPal, Venmo, or any such similar that you are familiar with. Or asking your bank if they have a deposit address.

 

[shanmerc]

Is google voice easy to use. I asked ChatGBT and they said it was the best option. So I have a landline business phone in the U.S. Basically I need to be able to retrieve messages from my voicemail on this line and be able to call people in the U.S., possibly including some 800 numbers, from my cell phone in Argentina. And then how would I use my cell phone in Argentina - I heard you have to get a SIM card (have no idea what that is or how it works) or do you just buy a cheap cell phone in Argentina? The phone seems like the most difficult thing to figure out. Ohilly

if you don't need to receive calls from the usa to your cell phone and you just need to make outgoing calls to the usa from your cell phone, and you want free or low cost, you can use Whatsapp to seamlessly make outgoing calls from your american cell phone while you are in argetnina. an argentine SIM card will cost my guess maybe $10 USD (i have not purchased one in a few years... someone pls share the current price). You put the argentine SIM into the phone and bingo you can call using whatsapp on wifi. LMK if this appeals to you