Most digital electronic devices which have an external AC to DC transformer so will work here. Even if the transformer say 120v AC it will work (though might die early), and are easy to replace here. The two things you mention probably have a motor or pump, so if they are from USA or any 120v country they will burn up immediately here. You say coming from China, so perhaps you should investigate more for all applliances and electronics. The Hz and other specs I do not have experience or knowledge to answer. Same answer about your drill and lamps, though probably can find here at only slightly more expensive price.
Bring a Wi-Fi router, or mesh Wi-Fi router system.
Most of the kitchen and house items can eventually be found. I used to think not, but there are kitchen supply places that do have higher quality things. A “Bazar” is kitchen supply store, and some are sufficient and very common, though take time to find the ones that will have the thing you like. Look for bazar items on mercadoLibre to get an idea. Still I am very glad I brought the cast iron and all-clad stainless pans that I use everyday.
China and Argentina use the same voltage, so we'll be safe when it comes to plugging things in. They also share 2 of 3 outlet types, and we're bring a dozen little converters to take care of any that don't match just to be safe. Will be bring my router for sure. Unfortunately I don't thin we can fit a large and heavy set of cast iron and stainless steal pans, so I'll be definitely be taking your advice on looking for bazars. Thanks for the tip.
You are totally right. No ATM fees is the main advantage and currently that isn’t useful in Argentina, But once you run out of the dollars you bring, you have the possibility to go to Uruguay to get several thousand dollars from ATMs (you have to call them on the day you want to make the withdrawal). Also you can use it to withdraw Euros if you travel to Europe (which beats buying them at a cueva here). Buy international airline tickets without paying a credit card foreign transaction fees and the MEP conversion rate. It gives you options for saving money if you travel to other countries. The card has no annual fee, but you do have to open a brokerage account.
We'll be in Cordoba so I don't think it'll be easy for us to pop over to Uruguay when we need some dollars. Nevertheless, it still sounds like a good idea, just to know that if there ever does come a time I need to withdraw, I don't have to worry about transaction and ATM fees. Have you used it to purchase things directly? Does it use the official or the MEP? I've been reading a lot on the forums and it seems "some" cards are starting to use MEP, which is closer to blue (correct me if I'm wrong), albeit sometimes in rebates/credit back later. Either way I'll check it out, thanks!
I don't think you need to worry about generic vitamins and supplements, or sunscreen, creams, deodorants, etc. unless you need something very specific. There's a good selection, often locally produced, in Farmacity and Farmaplus, both in Cordoba (you can browse their websites). I was going to say the something similar about Afro hair products, there are lots of people from the Caribbean, as well as some from Africa in Buenos Aires, so the products used by black Colombians, Venezuelans, Cubans, Haitians, Dominicans, etc can be found, but I don't know how it would be in Cordoba.
OK thanks. So far I haven't found anything related to black hair products on ML (then again, I don't really know what to search for, the names of common brands for black hair care products didn't come up with anything nor did translations that I tried), so I might have to bring a couple months supply and hope I can find a local source once I arrived. I'll ask around in a Cordoba forum I found though.
Stainless steel cookware - the pots in Argentina are very low quality and pricey at that. If you do cook at home the heavy bottom ones are a must - especially if you already have them. You can's stock up on Saran and aluminum wraps forever, nor are those as indispensable as good pots, and the pots will last decades. Linens and towels are not only expensive, but are very hard and rough comparing to what we are used to. High quality down pillows / duvets and silk filled blankets for the warmer months - can't find them here. Common sense would dictate a preference for long lasting items as opposed to consumable ones...
Already decided we'll have to forego the cookware unfortunately, just too bulky and heavy. We already decided to take beddings, sheets, etc, (although still thinking if it's worth bringing pillows, they might be too big) which can also double as padding and protection for more valuable things during transit, so win-win there. Here's hoping carride's suggestions about finding a good set in a bazar pans out.
If in doubt, search MercadoLibre (our version of Amazon) and see what kinds of local products and prices exist in the market down here. Then if you can't find it or feel the prices don't represent value you will know what you need to bring.
(PS Tupperware and just about anything kitchen related are heinously expensive and bad quality here, bring your kitchen with you).
Perfect, great tip, definitely adding Tupperware to the bring list. I've been doing the ML search tip for weeks now - ironically I've found very few of the things I've searched for on it, or if I have they've been for ridiculously expensive amounts, but I'm relying on a English-Spanish dictionary for the search terms so I don't put much faith in the results either. But that's why I'm here, kinda confirming these suspicions about what's worth bringing or not.
Added more to list of what to bring, took notes on some location/places to go to to look for things, and now more aware how to prepare. If anyone thinks of any other random/various things they wish they would have brought (or wants to bring in the future) because it's hard to find or too expensive there, please feel free to post, as every little bit helps. In the meantime, thanks again everyone, you've been of massive help. If you're in Cordoba come July, beers/wine on me.
