Whats up with Argentines not wanting business?

[El_fuego]

You know how trying to buy a product or service from an Argentine can be like pulling teeth, it’s like they don’t want business?
Had a good example recently.
I’m in the market for a new truck. Not sure if. I want a legacy brand or a new Chinese make. Legacy more expensive but they’re everywhere, good resale potential, every workshop can work on them, parts already in stock.
Chinese make, same quality for 30% cheaper. Better interior quality. Better tech and comforts.
The only Chinese make option on mercadolibre that I’m interested in (there’s few) is of course in Buenos Aires, listed for 7 months . I can find tons of Fords 15 mins away here in Cordoba. To get the Chinese make, and I’d need to go to BA twice, first to pay and sign paperwork and again in a week or so to pick it up. Es un montón. And encima i hate Buenos Aires.
But i reallyyy lile this truck. I’m not sure what to do.
Okay, let’s send a WhatsApp to the seller with the link. See if the flow can make up for what is indecisive.
“link+ hi I’m interested in this truck”
Wait 5 min,

“tenemos stock”

… tenemos stock huh.

“okay.. do you have this particular trick available. I didn’t ask if you have stock”

I mean really? Maybe “Hello! Yes, do you have any questions about it?” Or “when do you want to come see it?” Or maybe “ahh the JMC, is a quality Chinese truck, that few people know about. You must be special”
Something, but not “tenemos stock”
I was a lead, in the market for a 0km asking do you to sell me, and you could have made the decision for me to buy your truck. But you made the exact opposite.
Seriously. If you just ignored me maybe I would have been motivated to come in person. Now I won’t buy it from you out of spite. I can stand that lazy shit. A large percentage of these people are shockingly ignorant, lazy, pessimistic and retarded. Disrespectful almost.

 

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

You know how trying to buy a product or service from an Argentine can be like pulling teeth, it’s like they don’t want business?
Had a good example recently.
I’m in the market for a new truck. Not sure if. I want a legacy brand or a new Chinese make. Legacy more expensive but they’re everywhere, good resale potential, every workshop can work on them, parts already in stock.
Chinese make, same quality for 30% cheaper. Better interior quality. Better tech and comforts.
The only Chinese make option on mercadolibre that I’m interested in (there’s few) is of course in Buenos Aires, listed for 7 months . I can find tons of Fords 15 mins away here in Cordoba. To get the Chinese make, and I’d need to go to BA twice, first to pay and sign paperwork and again in a week or so to pick it up. Es un montón. And encima i hate Buenos Aires.
But i reallyyy lile this truck. I’m not sure what to do.
Okay, let’s send a WhatsApp to the seller with the link. See if the flow can make up for what is indecisive.
“link+ hi I’m interested in this truck”
Wait 5 min,

“tenemos stock”

… tenemos stock huh.

“okay.. do you have this particular trick available. I didn’t ask if you have stock”

I mean really? Maybe “Hello! Yes, do you have any questions about it?” Or “when do you want to come see it?” Or maybe “ahh the JMC, is a quality Chinese truck, that few people know about. You must be special”
Something, but not “tenemos stock”
I was a lead, in the market for a 0km asking do you to sell me, and you could have made the decision for me to buy your truck. But you made the exact opposite.
Seriously. If you just ignored me maybe I would have been motivated to come in person. Now I won’t buy it from you out of spite. I can stand that lazy shit. A large percentage of these people are shockingly ignorant, lazy, pessimistic and retarded. Disrespectful almost.

They don’t care, you won’t get any discount either.

 

[devilclam]

It drives me nuts. It’s crazy to me that when I am paying someone for a service I have to micromanage them like they’re a 10 year old that needs to finish their homework before it’s time for supper.

It’s cultural, but I don’t understand WHYYYY.

Turns out you just have to loudly complain and then people finally do the things they’re supposed to, but if you don’t you’ll be waiting forever. Like, we could both avoid this song and dance if you just did the thing I’m paying you to do in the first place.

 

[FrankPintor]

Something lost in translation, maybe? @El_fuego says he's interested in some particular model of pickup, the salesperson confirms they have that model in stock. You can go from there. Or did I miss something?

 

[LuckyLuke]

I think every expat goes through this particular cultural shock.

My theory is that prices vary widely between not only between Provincias, or cities but also between competing stores on the same block. In addition, because of the constantly fluctuating state of inflation, prices are very rarely published or easily accessible online.

Unfortunately, this means that salesman are constantly being asked about availability/prices by shoppers doing their "due diligence" price comparisons with no real intentions of buying. The actual close rate on these type of shoppers must be pretty low. These customers are only out for the cheapest price...and some of them jump through absurd semi-fraudulent hoops to get it. "I'm going to drive it to a cheaper provincia, transfer it to a family member there, who will sell it back to me". You get the idea...

Unless you state that you are strongly interested in buying X model directly from their store because they have a great reputation, and your grandma knows the owner, bla bla bla, they will probably not give you the time of the day. You basically have to sell them on selling you. It's a subtle art down here called "chamuyo".

I've seen the same tug of war with apartment rentals. You ask to see an apartment and the real estate agent says show me your qualifications first. You don't want to waste your time doing paperwork for nothing and the agent doesn't want to show you the apartment only to then hear you work en negro and "trust me, I'm good for it".

 

[Ries]

Its an unfortunate fact that many many things are only available in Buenos Aires. Its a small country, and the money is highly concentrated.
You can buy a new ferrari in Pilar, but a new Ford pickup, in stock in Catamarca, might cost you a third more than one in CABA.
There is a reason why every day, you see old buses parked in Once, with little old ladies from tiny towns 800 km away filling them with wholesale purchases of toys, cosmetics, clothing and shoes.
Many things require in person meetings.
Many purchases and, particularly prices, are only discussed in person because of tax evasion and cash payments.
I have long term personal relationships with some vendors, with no haggling discounts and great service, but they took personal interaction.
Thats just the way things work here.
Some things have become vastly easier in the last ten years, online, with transferencias and same day delivery, but other things are no different than under menem.

 

[SlowWalker]

From my experience I haven't typically had issues with getting responses.
When looking at motorcycles, appliances for home or a business, either in person or through Instagram or Whatsapp.
The only thing I have noticed that there can be an amazing range of prices. Sometimes its due to cuotas and financing options, ie, why the same thing is listed on Mercado Libre by the same vendor for different prices, but more typically it depends on the business owner. Some are interested in moving volume while others are still holding on to the idea of selling a single item for an incredibly high and unreasonable price. I really don't understand this philosophy as you cannot eat or pay rent with inventory.
Also I think it depends on the quality of my spanish. Some people may be willing to tolerate it over the phone, other maybe not. I am definitely better by email/whatsapp. In person, I haven't had an issue.

In terms of automobiles specifically, when I was looking for a motorcycle, there would be some differences, and also stock level that can impact pricing in location. I think this is the same in every country. It was the same company between two cities, and when they knew I was willing to go to the other city, they offered me the same deal I believe, which overall made life much easier as they were able to handle registering the moto for me in the correct province.

 

[Ale65]

Maybe it was just a case of older generation meets Gen Z? I am hearing from sources in retail worldwide that it is difficult to get younger employees to engage with the customer.

 

[El_fuego]

Maybe it was just a case of older generation meets Gen Z? I am hearing from sources in retail worldwide that it is difficult to get younger employees to engage with the customer.

Doubt it. This is a typical older Argentine thing. They literally can’t comprehend or communicate effectively via text. If they don’t send a ridiculous voice message, it’s going to be a very shitty text like this. I already know it’s some 50+ woman who responded.

 

[wineguy999]

Maybe it was just a case of older generation meets Gen Z? I am hearing from sources in retail worldwide that it is difficult to get younger employees to engage with the customer.

Their phones are far more interesting than any customer could possibly be.