Ask TheMetetron about living in or visiting Buenos Aires, Argentina

[Zarathustra]

WARNING: avoid WaytoBAway.com at all costs. Aside from poor response to calls and e-mails they thieved our entire security deposit (a whole month of rent) with no reasonable justification. From day one the stubborn old lady who owns the apartment refused to give us the remote for the A/C, which rendered it useless and caused multiple sleepless nights. After a few weeks she finally agreed to let us use it once a second A/C was installed.

The night the owner came to sign the contract extension (including the more specific clause about the A/C) with the two Waytobaway scrubs she noticed that we had figured out how to turn the A/C on the low/fan setting without the remote (note: we were never told anything about not being allowed to turn it on, she just claimed it would break if we put it on high). Basically she had an aneurysm and demanded that we pack up and leave the apartment immediately. In a state of stunned disbelief at her absurd overreaction, my friend and I packed up our stuff and were fortunately able to get a hold of a friend who let us stay at her place. Let it be known that the two waytobaway guys made no effort to persuade her otherwise and acted like any effort would be futile. While we were packing up our bags the owner and Waytobaway guys were back to talking to eachother in Spanish like family again.

There is no doubt that there are legal avenues we could pursue but it would likely be a headache and certainly less profitable than just spending the time working. Maybe I should just hire a team of Indian virtual assistants to spread the word about their thievery? Let it be known if you have any advice regarding good methods for doing so via the internet etc.

[TheMetetron]

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There is no doubt that there are legal avenues we could pursue

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You haven't been in Argentina long, have you?

[Zarathustra]

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There is no doubt that there are legal avenues we could pursue



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You haven't been in Argentina long, have you?

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I said that they exist and that we could pursue them, but I guess I should have been clearer that such an attempt could be pretty futile. Other than knowing that a small claims court exists, I know very little about it, which is why I mentioned that it would likely be unprofitable and the reason I am instead looking for other means of at least tarnishing WaytoBAway's reputation.

Maybe you would like to share some experiences or specific knowledge about the shortcomings of the Argentine small claims court or legal system in general?

[imakefrush]

I got screwed by a landlord keeping my entire deposit. There was a little damage, but when I got the receipt back for what he used the money for, it said he painted the entire apartment. There is a process, I believe they call it 'drawing up papers'. I was on the fence about whether to do it to this guy or not. The deposit was only 600US and I was owed about 400 if I could guess, so the lawyer money + time was certainly -EV. Yet, being a poker player with about 10 hours of waking free time a day, I was really close to doing it, just to screw with this guy's life. Lucky for him, I moved to Brasil for a little bit.

I can't help you on explaining what exactly the process entails. But instead of making some snide remark about how big of an Argentine ex-pat noob you are, I suggest you try and make this landlord's life a little bit more complicated. That is if you have the money/time/spiteful revenge in you.

GL

[Chairman Wood]

I have a few lawyer friends that probably wouldn't be able to help you themselves as none of them work in this area but they might at least be able to point you in the right direction. Let me know if you are interested.

[MissT74]

Like others, I just spent 2+ hours reading this entire thread and am now ready/wanting to move to BA. I've known that I've wanted to move around/travel for 6 months - 1 year at a time once the daughter is in college. That's 3 years away, but in the meantime, there is always summer time and I can take her with!

What are your thoughts about a single woman moving out there? Different from a 21 year old guy, ldo, but am older and very independent, street smart, etc. I would imagine that I would get along great with other 2 + 2'rs and I have always made friends easily.

Going to bytargentina.com now!!

T

[MissT74]

Well, I did it. Thanks to all who put effort into this thread. I will be in BsAs 7/2-8/4, went through bytargentina.com and have requested a room with a Host Family. I noticed that almost all Host Families are actually women renting rooms to other women, so I feel safe and confident that I'll have a great month!

Airfare is only about 1K right now, seems a deal compared to the prices others have mentioned (leaving from Vegas). This is the time when my daughter goes to summer camp and visits aunts in Phoenix, so I'll have the month to myself.

Very excited about this, looking forward to it and will post/PM other 2 + 2'rs as the time draws nearer!

T