Una BARBARIDAD!!

[gsi16386]

I just wanted to vent something that I saw in the Airport y'day when coming back into Ezeiza from vacation overseas.

For extranjeros, whenever you come back into the country you obviously need to change money into Pesos. There's a money exchange right as you exit Immigrations where the rate to buy dollars is absolutely OUTRAGEOUS. To the point where it's CRIMINAL. Although I'm sure numerous people have exposed this, I cannot believe this is still allowed to go on and is downright embarrassing for Argentina. I would even go so far as to say it sets the mood for how Argentina views their prospective foreign counterparts.

Today's exchange rate is $1USD = 4.04ARS (by way of XE.COM). They were offering to buy Dollars at 3.43 and Sell Dollars at 4.23. That would give the bank 15% if you wanted to sell your dollars. This is OUTRAGEOUS. Especially considering that Banco Nacion, also, in the airport, has a bid ask spread of 4.01/4.05. However, they're conveniently located outside of Immigrations and very few Extranjeros know this so they tend to jump at the first opportunity they have to change their currency. In addition, people in Argentina that have a significant amount of money save in Dollars or Euros, so these two currencies should be exchanged at or right below market value, not at a 15% discount.

Bottom line is, this is downright thievery, however, it's allowed to go on. I understand banks are here to make money, but there comes a point where it's downright criminal. How is this Casa de Cambio in the airport any different from the local Argentine mafia guys on Florida trying to change your money? Any way you look at it, the country of Argentina doesn't give a shit and is consistent with my theory that this country is full of cons...just pathetic and appalling....

 

[citygirl]

I think you would find that true in pretty much every airport in every country. The rates are always horrible. It's not unique to Argentina.

 

[Hache]

very few Extranjeros know this so they tend to jump at the first opportunity they have to change their currency.

Travelling to a place you don't know well can be stressful and letting anxiety take control is a common mistake I made more than once myself. From my own experience, the best thing to do is to get advice from another traveller as they aren't involved in any airport activity.

Any way you look at it, the country of Argentina doesn't give a shit and is consistent with my theory that this country is full of cons...just pathetic and appalling....

I think you're exaggerating but I don't blame you. Citygirl's right, things like this happen everywhere. I think it's our outright unscrupulousness that gained us notoriety.

 

[marksoc]

The rates are published and there is this thing called the Internet. Asking where to change money in Ezeiza will bring you to the Nacion branch in no time.

 

[ben]

Not sure what the problem is. They show buy and sell rates, so anyone can see it's a high spread. No one's forcing you to jump at the first opportunity to change your cash - mind you, before clearing customs, as you yourself noted. What's the thievery here - who is prohibited from offering a can of Coke for $15, anywhere? If you buy it (and could've bought it anywhere else for 99¢), does that make me a thief, or you a moron?

 

[gsi16386]

Not sure what the problem is. They show buy and sell rates, so anyone can see it's a high spread. No one's forcing you to jump at the first opportunity to change your cash - mind you, before clearing customs, as you yourself noted. What's the thievery here - who is prohibited from offering a can of Coke for $15, anywhere? If you buy it (and could've bought it anywhere else for 99¢), does that make me a thief, or you a moron?

I think where the problem comes into play is the fact that these international travelers are vulnerable when entering a foreign country.

If you travel to India for the first time, don't have Pesos, and need Rupees to catch a cab to your hotel, how do you know that you're going to come across another place to change your money in the Airport? I don't care how well versed you are on the exchange rate...if you need the Rupees, you pay whatever in order to get enough to pay for your ride to the hotel and that's where the exchange sharks come in to play.

Your example of a $15 coke doesn't make sense because Cokes are not a necessity. Having the form of currency in the country your in, however, is. If a foreign traveler comes into the airport sees an opportunity to change some money, he HAS to do it. He doesn't HAVE to buy a $15 coke. And again, if he doesn't know there's another bank in the Airport, he changes the money for what he can.

By the way, has everyone lost sight of what is morally right? I'm no commi, but just damn...$15 for a coke? Sounds like someone needs a LONG 50 peso ride from Plaza Italia to Alto Palermo in order to get a taste of their own medicine (which of course, you could get a ride on the subte for 1.10, but EVERY foreign tourist knows that, right?).

 

[Hache]

The rates are published and there is this thing called the Internet.

VERY good point, thanks. I'd ask you to spare the sarcasm but I deserve it.

 

[elhombresinnombre]

I don't see the problem. Inexperienced travellers/tourists tend to buy foreign currency in their home country. Experienced travellers have developed their own coping strategies. If someone finds it more convenient or practical to change money right there, right that moment, the service is right there, right then - at a price. Personally, I don't understand people who heave all their small change into Coinstar machines and get charged 8.9% in the process but once again, it's their choice.

 

[French jurist]

It's a good way to get prepared for what's coming after

 

[clooz]

I think where the problem comes into play is the fact that these international travelers are vulnerable when entering a foreign country.

If you travel to India for the first time, don't have Pesos, and need Rubis to catch a cab to your hotel, how do you know that you're going to come across another place to change your money in the Airport? I don't care how well versed you are on the exchange rate...if you need the Rubis, you pay whatever in order to get enough to pay for your ride to the hotel and that's where the exchange sharks come in to play.

Your example of a $15 coke doesn't make sense because Cokes are not a necessity. Having the form of currency in the country your in, however, is. If a foreign traveler comes into the airport sees an opportunity to change some money, he HAS to do it. He doesn't HAVE to buy a $15 coke. And again, if he doesn't know there's another bank in the Airport, he changes the money for what he can.

By the way, has everyone lost sight of what is morally right? I'm no commi, but just damn...$15 for a coke? Sounds like someone needs a LONG 50 peso ride from Plaza Italia to Alto Palermo in order to get a taste of their own medicine (which of course, you could get a ride on the subte for 1.10, but EVERY foreign tourist knows that, right?).

Travelers arriving at airports need calm common sense, and patience. They don't need a sharpened sense of moral entitlement, particularly based on unrealistic expectations of fair prices for coffee, bank fees, etc.

Sorry to hear that you experienced outrage and a sense of unfair treatment seeing a 15% charge. Now you have vented, how about something constructive?