Chile Forum

I managed to open a cuenta corriente with the temp RUT, but only after providing work contract, rental agreement, work VISA and most importantly I had a written recommendation from a Chilean with lots of activities in the bank. If you can get somebody to write a recommendation, that should speed things up.
Alternatively, I would transfer the money with Western Union or similar service. Yes, they might charge a commision, but so will the bank (through crappy exchange rates).

When buying the car, I would let the dealer handle all the paperwork (assuming it is a reasonably trustworthy dealer). It will cost you a bit extra, but you will avoid a lot of standing in line and frustrations. I was allowed to drive away with my car the same day I paid, but the dealer claimed that it was an exception. As soon as I received my physical carnet, I had to stop by the dealer, so they could take a copy of it.

scandinavian wrote:I managed to open a cuenta corriente with the temp RUT, but only after providing work contract, rental agreement, work VISA and most importantly I had a written recommendation from a Chilean with lots of activities in the bank. If you can get somebody to write a recommendation, that should speed things up.

That's why, for the purpose of wiring money to then put in on a vale vista, I'm advising to just open a simple cuenta prima / cuenta vista / cuentaRUT - which are variations of the same type of account, I believe, depending of whether you're talking to BCI, Santander or BancoEstado. That keeps things (relatively) simple. A cuenta corriente is a checking account, they'll want you to deposit payroll on it. It's not necessary for the original purpose this thread is about.

scandinavian wrote:Alternatively, I would transfer the money with Western Union or similar service. Yes, they might charge a commision, but so will the bank (through crappy exchange rates).

Last time I checked, that was way more expensive, plus don't you end up with a suitcase full of banknotes? Vale vista is cheaper and safer.

On large transfers BCI actually got us decent exchange rates (within 10 pesos of what xe.com was showing on that day).

Otravers - My point was that I was able to open a cuenta corriente without cedula, thus it should also be possible to open a cuentaRUT or Prima, because as you mentioned, it is simpler product.

For cuenta RUT (at least in Banco Estado), the maximum you can have in the account is 3 million CLP, so not sure that will be sufficient for trabajo en progreso

scandinavian wrote:For cuenta RUT (at least in Banco Estado), the maximum you can have in the account is 3 million CLP, so not sure that will be sufficient for trabajo en progreso

The wire will be technically held for you by the receiving bank outside of the cuenta prima (which is why you have to issue the vale vista within 30 days of receiving the wire), but you do need a destination account number to execute a SWIFT from abroad, which is where the cuenta prima comes as an enabler.

Please understand that I'm not speculating, I'm talking from first-hand experience having done this with BCI and paid for a house this way, involving more money than needed to buy even a brand new Porsche... This is probably the cheapest and easiest way to make large transactions in Chile with money from abroad.

DYODD YMMV and other usual disclosures, but again, been there, done that, got the T-shirt, posted about it on Allchile.net at the time!

no, the car is 11M+ and for every AUD $99 Western Union wanted $70 in fees They are that shylock!

We have the dealers bank details, now to call the bank tonight to organise the trf (it can be done online, but they sms a code to your phone, I left my phone in the taxi when I arrived ).

Thanks

trabajo en progreso wrote:no, the car is 11M+ and for every AUD $99 Western Union wanted $70 in fees They are that shylock!

We have the dealers bank details, now to call the bank tonight to organise the trf (it can be done online, but they sms a code to your phone, I left my phone in the taxi when I arrived ).

Thanks

i had comm bank send me a token, was free, took 1 month to arrive in chile , that way you dont need the sms

I'll ask the NAB when I call tonight - thanks for the tip

ok so next drama about buying this car...

It has taken a week for the international transfer, apparently it will be in the dealers account today - and the AUD is doing well at the moment

The dealer is all but refusing (strongly advising us not to, very reluctant) to let us take the car as Stuart only has a temporary RUT - temporary but valid for 6 months according to the paperwork. He attended the SII office to collect the card but was told it would be a minimum of 2 more weeks before it is ready. The dealer states that without the card, we cannot insure the car (WTF?) and cannot open an e-tag account unless we pay $80 000CLP, and questions that we were actually told this by SII as they have strict policies about timing Stuart was issued his temporary RUT 20 August.

I am not allowed to reply to the email from the dealer as I am somewhat blunt so Stuart will ring him today but does this sound right, or like b/s?

That is all bs.

When you applied for your temp RUT at SII office, you have a RUT. it is on that little piece of paper they gave you on the spot. The card does not mean anything, and they sometimes can take 6 months to mail (they are often expired by the time you get it). The number and your passport is all you need to buy and own a car in Chile.

Did they or did they not sell you a car?

thanks Charles

well they sold us a car technically - i.e are taking our money for the car but seem reluctant to part with it. will let Stuart know as he will be sorting this today.

Well I am now the owner of a car
It's huuuuuuge, so different to our last car, a lot to get used to.
Stuart is back from Lima late next week so he will be signing the paperwork on Saturday.