Power Converters & Transformers In Argentina
All of a sudden it stopped working. The green light faded to black and my fancy new cordless phone went silent. In a moment of stupidity, I had plugged the phone’s 110v base into a 220v outlet without a transformer. It was the umpteenth time this kind of thing has happened over the years. But I knew it wouldn’t be a big problem. I knew my friends at Alamtec would come to the rescue. If you’re an expat or a visitor, or if you just happen to own an electronic item bought abroad, Alamtec can help you make it work, or maybe even bring it back to life, here in Argentina.
Alamtec is the place to go if you need a converter or have a question about one. They can also get you a local 220v power supply that will give your foreign device the exact power it needs without having to use a converter. Easy as pie. They sell just about every kind of transformer on the planet and they can tell you exactly what kind of transformer you need. They’re honest and professional. Their prices are competitive. They won’t hassle you or sell you something you don’t need. So if someday you find yourself in a fix, you know where to go. They also sell all kinds of tools and electrical hardware.
Alamtec is located on Paraná 220 (near the corner of Peron y Paraná) in downtown Buenos Aires. Phone: 4371-1023. They’re open Monday-Friday 9am-7pm. Most of the year they’re also open Saturdays from 9am-12:30pm. They are closed on Saturdays during the summer (January-February). And if you’re in the mood to chat, they’re also available on Microsoft Messenger at: alamtecsrl@gmail.com
Ian Mount, a fellow expat and friend who has an excellent blog called Good Airs, wrote a hilarious piece about an experience he had at Alamtec. It’s well worth reading, especially if you’re new to Buenos Aires and are still trying to adjust to its quirks. You can see it here.
If you’re interested in other posts about retail, check out this one on Why Zara Is The Best Store In Argentina.
Link: Alamtec
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I can corroborate that!
It is THE place to go… and they’re really nice people, too.
Once I burned up one of their transformers due to a freak accident (completely my fault.)
I took the thing back and asked for another one just like the other one.
The guy was so surprised that I had been able to destroy it (I guess that doesn’t happen very often) that he just gave me another one free.
On a related note… after more than 4 years here… I don’t use them very much, having pretty much replaced my stuff with 220.
There ought to be a way for us old timers to “help a fellow American whose down on his luck” by pooling these vital “transition items”… once we don’t need them anymore.
Any ideas?
Mike
it makes good business sense to have generous return policies, and good customer service, I couple of posts ago you talked about Argentina’s retail sector having limited and sometimes cumbersome return policies. I know some people here in the States take advantage of the return policies, trying on stuff they don’t need and then returning them for a full refund. I don’t know, it has to do with the culture of the place as well. I don’t know if you can survive as a business in Argentina having the kind of loose return policies they have in the USA.
Didn’t know about that place, thanks!
Also, just to put it out there, in case no one hits this store or asks the right questions at any other store, check the watts and amps too.
I recently blew out an up-to-50 watt converter on a 50 watt appliance within 10 minutes of use. Had a fuse and that didn’t even stop it from burning up-thing was smoking. After that, I went with one that can handle 100 watts. And again, don’t forget the amps either.
Hey fellas,
Thanks for the helpful comments. Mike, good idea about pooling these things to help others. I’m gonna brainstorm about that. Not sure how that would work, but I’ve given way bunches of these things over the years.
Un abrazo,
Taos
Thanks so much for this post! I am coming back for my third trip to BsAs and was wondering where I was going to get converters for my laptop and flat iron. Now I know.