PBH / colombia (travelguide, pictures) / post

Getting pesos OUT of Colombia

I ended up with over a million pesos on me on my last day. I divided it in half and took half in my money belt and gave the other half to my gf to try to send to me.

I so far have had no luck even finding a place that will change them here in NYC. Chase bank won't even accept Colombian currency AFAIK. I have tried a million places. Today I actually talked to the owner of a business in Jackson Heights that is about to go down to Cali soon but he had no money on him. I left the money with my friend tomorrow with instructions on what my bottom line was. Thank God for trusted friends.

My gf has fared even worse trying to get me my money. We tried using ikobo.com but they put the wrong amount through. So now I am 5000 pesos richer up here, but they took out over 40k in assorted charges so far, they being the bastards at her bank. She is going to try WU or MoneyGram tomorrow. I believe they give you a shit exchange rate and in addition there is a 13% surcharge.

Anybody have any better ideas for either of us?

By Rubiazo on Sep 29, 2005, 21:30 in Friendly Talkzone.

calipro says on Sep 29, 2005, 21:46:

Rubiazo You could have just exchanged the COPs for dollars at anyone of the currency exchange places at the airport when you went back to the states.

The exchange rate that they would give you is a rip off but what are you going to do.

If I were you I would just hold on to them untill my next trip.

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Rubiazo says on Sep 29, 2005, 22:07:

Ikobo looked good I asked them 'what about Colombian capital controls' they told me 'you don't have to worry about that', YEAH RIGHT, the Colombian banks will automatically tear you a new asshole when you try to send money!!!!!

As for here, I thought that in NYC surely I would be able to get a good rate. But all these places SELL pesos, not BUY them!

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cam0940 says on Sep 29, 2005, 22:15:

If she sends you your pesos, WU will convert them to dollars in transit at a fair enough rate (e.g. you receive dollars), but you have that service charge to deal with. Factoring that in, I don't know if you come out better or not.

For the pesos in your pocket, your problem is you have to find a vendor that demands pesos. You are probably not likely to find one in your local neighborhood, but you would at the airport. THEY have a demand for pesos, to satisfy people that are changing currency before getting on a plane to Colombia. You see, there aren't enough Joe Bloes just walking around the street who want to carry COL pesos around, so there's no need for a local outfit to want to have your pesos in their drawer/safe. You would just be passing your problem on to them.

Of course, if NYC is anything like LA, by the time you fuck around and get to the airport, with transportation costs, parking, and everything, you fuck yourself out of another 45K pesos just trying to get to the airport's exchance windows.

It's a bad situation Rub, I'm sorry to hear about it.

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Rubiazo says on Sep 29, 2005, 22:46:

no biggie I'll get it changed eventually, I'm just trying to get the best rate I can! :P

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aztec says on Sep 30, 2005, 03:16:

The COP... ...is increasing in value against the dollar. Why not hold them for your next trip? Once in Colombia most people have to return.

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viewpoint says on Sep 30, 2005, 05:26:

One million pesos sounds like a lot of money but it's only about US$430. The pesos in Colombia could be taken to any substantial sized travel agency and sound for a reasonable exchange rate. The larger travel agencies make active two-way currency markets. You could deposit the pesos into a Colombian bank account (a buyer of the pesos) you could pay you in US dollars in the USA.

If the amount was more substanial I would buy pesos in size for 2300 (currently) per US dollar receiving them in my bank account in Colombia and paying with US dollars in the USA.

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mrgizmo says on Sep 30, 2005, 08:20:

Use ATM I know it's a too late but one solution is what I did, open a savings account at Davivienda or anyother bank where they'll give you an ATM and use your ATM here the same way you'd use an ATM when you go to Colombia, just remember to use it frequently otherwise it'll freeze up and you'll be blocked from using it.

Behind every successful man, there's a nagging woman

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Mr. Hollywood says on Sep 30, 2005, 08:37:

Oops You miscalculated by thinking that you could get a better rate in the US, if you can even exchange them at all. With minor currencies it's ALWAYS better to exchange them in the country where they're used.

I'm glad it's not a large amount of money. Just hold onto it until your next trip, assuming you've got one planned.

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Neonovo says on Sep 30, 2005, 09:38:

Ft Laud airport was offering 1900 per dollar... El Dorado was paying 2300...(in mid-june)

Paz
Neonovo

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kernow62 says on Sep 30, 2005, 15:28:

Just exchange them with one of the PBH forum members who is heading to Colombia. Of course I am sure they would want a good rate of exchange.

If it was me I would have just left it with my GF.

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Hunter says on Oct 1, 2005, 13:45:

Rubiazo Abit late now, but I would adviced just putting them aside for your next trip to Colombia, if you take into consideration, changing Pesos to Dollars then back to Pesos, you are probably talking 10 plus percent in charges, a lot more than you would gain in a interest bearing account.

Hunter

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ronald1168 says on Oct 1, 2005, 13:50:

COP to USD Try Travelex

R. Donders
London
ronald at donders.co.uk

ronald@donders.co.uk

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Rubiazo says on Oct 1, 2005, 18:15:

HAHAHAH I see the exterminator has been here taking care of a little rat problem :))))))

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