Giving Money

[HonkyTonk]

I have some long term amigas I try to help out now and them with some $ when I see them. Is it better to give them cash or pesos/soles?

In other words, can they find a better rate than we can get using our ATM cards in LAm? Example: Let's say I give $100USD to an amiga and she has to convert it to pesos/soles. I get the best rate using my ATM card. Can she get a better rate than I can get? I found better rates in a small tienda in Leticia than the ATM rate. I wonder if my amigas know of the "better places".

To those who live in LAm, where/how do you convert $'s to pesos?

I have way too much experience to hear from the naysayers not to give them $. I've known these women for years.

(If they know better places, then ?TF havn't they told Tonk )

[Micky10]

Tonk -

Give money to Micky. I would assume that the women know the best place to get the best rate. Once I asked Dora and she said that (at that time) Western Union gave a better exchange than any of the banks. I use just my ATM here and my bank does not stiff me on the rate. Sorry Tonkster, that´s all I know. And let me add this; very GOOD on you Tonk, giving to help without the fear that some have. Philosopher Micky says that there are just TWO basic reasons for all that we do - FEAR and LOVE. The motivation from love is the only route that is truly GOOD. Many good years to you Tonk!!!!!!!!!

Love - Micky

Yes, You can convert U.S. dollars to pesos or soles but, forget about converting soles to pesos.

[Tinto]

Tonk,

If you found a better rate for converting your dollars into pesos than what an ATH would give you are a pretty good sleuth! If it were me giving money to a happy lady, I'd give it to her in pesos gotten from a machine and not give her US dollars. I'm charged 1% when I take out money using my debit card which I think would be difficult to beat and probably safer too.

[El Capitan]

In my experience, the girl's usually have a pretty good bead on where the best exchange rate is, or know someone that does.

Let her do the conversion...

[LastLion]

You can transfer money to a bank account, it is abou 1% , but takes days or maybe longer in Colombia > I checked into it! I asked but they could not say how long the money would take to clear! Up to 2 weeks!

Western union is the best for fast cash! Although you will probably pay about $60 to send $1000.00
http://www.westernunion.com

Remember use your debit card, I used my credit card once on accident and I got charged for a cash withdrawal, thaton top of the western union charge sucked! If you go with cash to a western union that is also a good method!

[Micky10]

EM -

Put the crack pipe down!

Love - Micky

LOL Let me explain. I was in Peru and when I got back to the U.S. I had a lot of left over soles. The Peruvians have their aviation hero on one of their bills, Jorge Chávez. I thought he looked like a young Marlon Brando.
Anyway, I took a trip to Medillin and tried to exchange soles for pesos. Fugitaboutit !. The Colombians (or Colombian money exchange outfits)want no part of Peruvian money. I gave them to the cleaning lady.
The pipe reference reminded me of my burning man experience summer 2007. This guy supposedly was some Microsoft big shot. I asked him to take a look at my labtop. He seemed to know what he was doing but, he could NOT put the pipe down. He was explaining to me what he was doing while juggling the keyboard and the pipe. Burning Man is a place where 47,000 people camp out in the desert for a 1 1/2weeks. No buying or selling allowed (give it away). No food stands (bring your food and water), No electricity or running water, No telephones (cell phones don't work), No internet, a lot of parties at night and chillin in the shade during the day.

[Charlie640]

Western Union Fees to send $$ SUCK !!!
Check out Moneygram.. its alot less and they have offices
all over the world.

[Flaco]

Back in 91, the black market was always the best. Usually in a park, in the back of a store or on a designated street corner. because of inflation alot of the locals converted their pesos to dollars. Often on the corner of a market place there would be a guy shouting "cambio" or "dolares." This is still very common in alot of 3rd world nations. Maybe with the advent of ATM, this has gone away in Colombia ?