I'd strongly recommend going the apartment route. Even before the peso went into freefall, rental prices were pretty much absurdly cheap, at least if you used a local, "non-gringo" agency and paid in cash. Last time I did that, I rented a pad in Recoleta for US$350. Per week. For a penthouse with a jaw-dropping view!

Also, I'd say most of the hotels you listed are also "gringo-priced." My first and second visits to BsAs about a decade ago were quite enlightening there. The first was at the Alvear Palace for $450/night. The second was at one of the then-new boutique hotels in Palermo that have since sprouted like leaves. I paid $70/night and vastly *preferred* it over the Palace! It certainly had vastly more dining and entertainment options within walking distance.

These days I stay at a friend's place; he bought a pad in Palermo Hollywood and nicely lets friends use it whether he's there or not. :cool:

Maybe you could try MercadoLibre? It's basically the eBay of South America. Looks like the going rate for an iPhone 6 Plus (64GB) is 17,000 ARS. That's about US$1900 at the official exchange rate, but before you get any big ideas I'd STRONGLY suggest doing two things:

1. Find out how sellers on MercadoLibre are paid, and much more importantly, how the proceeds can be converted into USD. (Actually, you should probably start with finding out *if* they can be converted. They might require you to have an account at a local bank.) If you have to use their own means of "currency exchange," your net income might be reduced considerably.

2. Make sure you're not going to get into trouble bringing in a bunch of iPhones to sell. I can speak from personal experience that the entire area of Argentinean import/export is rife with land mines; I was almost arrested once because I was missing the correct paperwork for some modern art I was departing the country with.

Also, IIRC eBay *itself* has launched operations in Central and South America, so you could try them as well. (I don't think their regional sites are accessible except from a local IP address, however.)

I am hoping someone here has some first hand knowledge of where I can go and sell the phone in person. would like to sell a 6+ 128GB, 6 64GB, and a 6 128GB while we are there and just buy new phones when we get back.

I don't think entering with the phones will be an issue because we each will be using them part of the time we are there. I just would like to take them to a place and get $1000, $800, and $900 respectively.


I am not sure the best place to go and try to get $ for the phones.

I think I can list on MercadoLibre and try to get cash in person, just not that secure with it.

Any more help is appreciated.

Coming down with Iphones and selling them here is possible, but please note its not a walk in the park. There are a very good number of businesses that do this already so you will face stiff competition... plus if you list the phones on Mercado Libre the fact that you don't have a track record and proper reputation will also affect your chances of making quick sales.... also, to sell them as new/unused, you MUST have all original packaging and this means the transparent plastic foil/film needs to be unopened, else the market price for the phones goes down. You may also need to deal with logistics and delivery as buyers may want you to send things by mail and this adds more work, etc.

While you can sell for cash, you will have to do this with folks that you don't know and there are risks/pitfalls you need to factor in. You also must offer the Mercado Pago payment option that Mercado Libre works with so this may mean that you do need some form of local banking (not 100% sure on this, you must read the fine print when you sign up for an account). I don't mean to burst any bubbles but there are issues you have to deal with... also, you will need to be quite proficient in Spanish (read/write).

I agree with Gaucho's good advice. While it's feasible it will be quite time consuming and requires a local connection because, even if at the end you settle in cash, Mercado Libre forces you to offer the Mercado Pago option, their own version of Pay Pal, which must be linked with an Argentine bank account.

Also ML is very popular with people in the provinces, which means you should offer some sort of shipment to your client's address, either Correo Argentino, OCA or Andreani, all of which you should settle on your own.

Custom made Fileteado Porteño
 

Where can I buy custom made Fileteado Porteño in BA?

My budget is around $20 a piece for simple ones.

I'm no expert, by any means. However, I have seen them in the San Telmo Sunday Market. In any event, a fun spot to wander around for a little while on a Sunday. Thanks and Safe Travels..

Bingo! Flying Machine. In San Telmo this evening I found a shop which takes custom made orders. The price fits my budget. Perfect.

The name of the shop is Galeria Mundo Antiguo at Defensa 566. Shop owner said it shares slots with other shops. So at the same address sometimes other shops may be in operation.

Good news!

According to this website, starting next October Aerolíneas' Arbus coach service will run from EZE to AEP, with a stop in downtown Buenos Aires, and will be available to passengers traveling on any airline.

The ticket price still has not been made public, but it will probably be cheaper than the Tienda León coach which costs around 150 ARS.

Thanks

MTL is a very organized company. Perhaps you can take them to their Hub (Terminal Madero) in BsAs ( Hang a bit in BsAs, walk around or have a quick meal, then ether taxi or MTL to AEP). I beleive that they have lugguage storage at Terminal Madero (but not sure).. I really dont know of any other company that can do what they do for the price and consistency of MTL.(Hint: If you have an address in BsAs, let them know at EZE and once you arrive at Terminal Madero they will shuttle you to your final destination via their in house remis for just a few dollars more, albeit its a shared ride with other travelers). Have fun and Safe Travels

Thanks

EZE Domestic to International Connection Time
 

I am looking at arriving into EZE on AR1873 at 20:21 and departing EZE on DL110 at 21:15. Does anyone think this would be doable? Both are in Terminal C. I'm not sure just what security/passport controls I would have to navigate while attempting this connection. I know that it would be an extremely tight connection.

This is absolutely not doable. You have to go through full exit formalities (security then passport control) which could take anywhere between 15 minutes and an hour. DL probably starts boarding at 20:30 and will be giving your seat away by 21:00 if you aren't there.

This is not even to mention the odds of an ontime AR arrival (i.e., it would be odd if you had an AR ontime arrival).

Fully agree with the above, not sure how you could get such a connection ticketed, unless you have to separate reservations