End of the Dollar Clamp - Tourist Experience discussion
#121
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I'm down in BA for the first time in a couple years. Still brought US$ cash with me out of reflex, but it's so nice to be able to use my credit cards again! As mentioned earlier, inflation has hit hard. Over the last 12 years of coming here, food prices and hard goods seem more expensive in dollar terms than I've ever seen them before.
And... Uber is here! time rolls on..
And... Uber is here! time rolls on..
#122
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I agree with the below if you are talking hard goods, but some items such as higher-end restaurants, premium wines and other tourist related services are still conveniently priced when compared to most US and European cities.
#123
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My F&B and entertainment costs, however, are indeed still conveniently priced and provide stellar value compared to what I get at major cities in the US and Europe. It's just not as great a bargain for us US cash players as it was in the months and years before the dollar clamp ended.
#124
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Now we agree 110% !!! ^
My lodging costs for the hotels I've been using in BsAs for decades cost me a higher multiple of median US hourly wages than they did even in 1999-2001. But that price increase is a sign that BsAs' popularity as a tourism destination has been much higher now than it was in 1999-2001. Fortunately, there are lots of decent options for lodging in BsAs that cater to various price points in the market, so there is no reason that someone would be facing the real lodging cost price increases I've faced if willing to adjust stay patterns. [But I just tend to be a creature of habit except when I deliberately am not. ]
My F&B and entertainment costs, however, are indeed still conveniently priced and provide stellar value compared to what I get at major cities in the US and Europe. It's just not as great a bargain for us US cash players as it was in the months and years before the dollar clamp ended.
My F&B and entertainment costs, however, are indeed still conveniently priced and provide stellar value compared to what I get at major cities in the US and Europe. It's just not as great a bargain for us US cash players as it was in the months and years before the dollar clamp ended.
#125
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My F&B and entertainment costs, however, are indeed still conveniently priced and provide stellar value compared to what I get at major cities in the US and Europe. It's just not as great a bargain for us US cash players as it was in the months and years before the dollar clamp ended.
When it comes to living here compared to Europe....well, it's a ruddy mess to be honest. I'm afraid to say despite having a comfortable life my patience has been severely tested over the last few years.
#126
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Yes and no I would say. As Gaucho100K says at the top end of the market decent value can still be had when compared to a similar capital city in Europe. However further down the quality chain the value has decreased for tourists quite a lot over the years even in comparison to cities like London.
More seriously, I agree with you about the above.
But I was talking about my F&B and entertainment cost history, which is obviously not representative of everyone (nor even of the majority of visitors).
A few years of expenses up here and you may end up missing the value for money to still be had down your way post-dollar-clamp. That said, I wouldn't be keeping my cash in AR$ even now.
#127
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I know some Scots married to Argentines. They seem to mainly live in England, but not Scotland. When are you moving up to my hemisphere?
A few years of expenses up here and you may end up missing the value for money to still be had down your way post-dollar-clamp. That said, I wouldn't be keeping my cash in AR$ even now.
#128
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The 500-peso banknote will be arriving next month:
http://www.cronista.com/finanzasmerc...0518-0099.html
http://www.cronista.com/finanzasmerc...0518-0099.html
#129
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The $500 note (yaguareté) should be in circulation in about three weeks. It will take some time for the banks to modify their bill counting machines to accomodate the new note. The $200 note (ballena austral) will be released in October.
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1907673-c...s-de-500-y-200
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1907673-c...s-de-500-y-200
#131
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The spread isn't much, and some days the Blue is actually lower than the Official. Unless you get hit with all sorts of bank and exchange fees, it isn't worth the bother. Caveats - there are a lot of fussy ATMs, so it is a good idea to have some US$ cash on hand in case of emergency exchange, and some businesses don't take CCs or give cash discounts.
#132
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Interesting comparison of our thoughts since inception..
I saw this and the Blue is approaching 18 ARS/USD. What are your thoughts of the current rates?
http://www.ambito.com/890860-se-reca...e-rozo-los--18
http://www.ambito.com/890860-se-reca...e-rozo-los--18
#133
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I saw this and the Blue is approaching 18 ARS/USD. What are your thoughts of the current rates?
http://www.ambito.com/890860-se-reca...e-rozo-los--18
http://www.ambito.com/890860-se-reca...e-rozo-los--18
#134
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Yes, the 5hit has to hit the fan soon. There's no way things can carry on the way they are. We all know Macri had an impossible job clearing up the mess left by you know who. I've always tried to remain positive but you know something is far wrong when your weekly shopping costs 100% more than the likes of the UK.
#135
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If the current rate of devaluation continues at this pace, we could see the Dollar hitting AR$20 by the time we get around to Xmas. We have 2 rounds of elections coming up very soon, the 1st in about 3 weeks and then in October. The results in October will have an important 'say' in what happens to the exchange rate.....
A good set of Macro-Economic numbers are (slowly) showing signs of improvement, but the pace of the real economy is many times not the pace of the Political and Electoral-Climate. Inflation is still a huge issue and there is no magical fix that doesnt have a costly political bill, so the current Administration is stuck between a rock and a hard place..... this all goes to prove that long term economic development and the Western Democracy Model can many times be on different sides of the fence....
We will see (soon enough) how all this plays out. Stay tuned.
A good set of Macro-Economic numbers are (slowly) showing signs of improvement, but the pace of the real economy is many times not the pace of the Political and Electoral-Climate. Inflation is still a huge issue and there is no magical fix that doesnt have a costly political bill, so the current Administration is stuck between a rock and a hard place..... this all goes to prove that long term economic development and the Western Democracy Model can many times be on different sides of the fence....
We will see (soon enough) how all this plays out. Stay tuned.