These USA tourists were charged $30,000 for lunch in BsAs

[sergio]

Couple was scammed into paying nearly $30,000 for lunch in Buenos Aires

A lunchtime visit to a restaurant in Buenos Aires, Argentina, kicked off a six-month financial nightmare for a Seattle-based husband and wife. The couple, Alan and Terry Axelrod, say the eatery charged their credit card an astounding $29,695 for their vegetarian meal.

$30,000 USD!!

 

[Alby]

I guess this finally settles the debate held over numerous threads and many years. Perry wins: Buenos Aires really is the most expensive city in the world to eat out.

Thank god we can finally put the matter to bed once and for all.

 

[carride]

Amazing. Even though it eventually took The Points Guy to use his influence to resolve the case, he also writes the importance of never using Debit card because the consumer has much less protection. There is no down side for using a credit card, since no interest is accumulated if you pay the bill at the next statement, at least for most US cards.

Here in Argentina they often say they will add a surcharge for using credit card. I have since learned to say I am using a debit card even with credit card is in my hand. With new rules that restrict the salesperson or waitstaff from handling the card, no one looks. I assume the international cards are processed different with many of those handheld payment processing companies.

One of those is to use a credit card that provides purchase and fraud protection rather than a product, such as a debit card, which might not offer the same security. The Axelrods' case was long and circuitous, but at least it had a positive ending in part because their Chase card had zero liability protection, so they would not be held accountable for unauthorized charges.

 

[perry]

I guess this finally settles the debate held over numerous threads and many years. Perry wins: Buenos Aires really is the most expensive city in the world to eat out.

Thank god we can finally put the matter to bed once and for all.

yes these scams are common and even a normal meal now feels like a scam with no extras ever given and Being charged for rice or Bread Apparently they charged them for a months supply of meat even though they are vegetarianos .This restaurant has closed now and gained this Money by fraud even though they credit card company now has reversed the charge. the restaurant I'm sure has not refunded this charge and Made a killing that day .

 

[Alby]

Yes, but you've finally won the argument. And all credit to you. So, time to stop now. OK?

 

[mageesa]

I mean, it seems more likely the waiter entered 30000 (pesos) and somehow the credit card company didn't do the conversion? Is the CC company looking for that "." Argentines often put instead of a comma?

If anything, I suspect the CC company (and the lawyer) are the actual 'scammers', not the restaurant.

 

[perry]

I mean, it seems more likely the waiter entered 30000 (pesos) and somehow the credit card company didn't do the conversion? Is the CC company looking for that "." Argentines often put instead of a comma?

If anything, I suspect the CC company (and the lawyer) are the actual 'scammers', not the restaurant.

I seriously doubt this as the credit charge was Made for a one months supply of all meat productos . This shows the intent of the owners to defraud the clientes

 

[mageesa]

I seriously doubt this as the credit charge was Made for a one months supply of all meat productos . This shows the intent of the owners to defraud the clientes

"Ironically, Juan Bautista Parrilla Gaucha had billed the vegetarian couple for all the meat delivered to the restaurant that week. A Chase representative told Terry that the notation on the transaction showed it was for "freezer and locker meat provisions."
Ah, I see, missed that the first time glancing at it. So Chase thought that was likely? The whole story is weird; and weird that I don't see it reported anywhere but this influencer/blogger's site.

I'm getting cynical, I know.

 

[perry]

"Ironically, Juan Bautista Parrilla Gaucha had billed the vegetarian couple for all the meat delivered to the restaurant that week. A Chase representative told Terry that the notation on the transaction showed it was for "freezer and locker meat provisions."
Ah, I see, missed that the first time glancing at it. So Chase thought that was likely? The whole story is weird; and weird that I don't see it reported anywhere but this influencer/blogger's site.

I'm getting cynical, I know.

I agree it does seem strange but I did notice the ñparilla is now closed.

 

[twoofeverything]

I hope the tourists drop Chase. It sounds like no one at Chase wanted to take ownership because of the dollar amount involved punted. Huge fraud detection problem IMO. Almost no one spends $30,000 on a dinner out. That should have raised immediate red flags.