You want to charge me for what???
Ok, I was going to write about something else tonight, but just before I sat down to type this out something of epic insaneness occurred. Seriously, my mind is going crazy trying to comprehend how this system works.
Our rent is supposed to be autodrafted from our account (good), but for some reason the apartment company hasnt set it up yet. No problem, on Tuesday during lunch I went to our bank and withdrew money from the atm. No biggie, simple and fast, money in hand and a few days to spare before it is due.
Today Ayako went to pay our apartment rent and did so by taking our cash and depositing it into the apartment owner’s account at their bank. Rent complete. Tonight Ayako handed me the receipt so I could take a look - rent paid…. “wait, what is this 525 Yen at the bottom?” to which Ayako replied “oh that is what their bank charged us for depositiing the money”….
WHAT? Ok, why would a bank charge a person that wants to give them money? We all know that banks live on deposits (or at least in the US) so they want to get as much money in their reserves as possible… so why on earth would you want to charge someone that desires to hand you a bundle of cash?
It is so mind numbing that I must stop this post immediately and move on to something else. So, let me say that I will post a video explaining what that mystery device is on Friday. Put your guesses down and the ones that get it right will get a special treat from Japan.
Oh, and in the spirit of the Japanese banking system, before you give me something that I want (a guess in the comments) you have to give me something else that I want (a 5.00$ tip). If you cant pay me the tip, then you cant give me the comment either (even though I really want them).
oyasuminasai
May 27th, 2009 at 7:51 am
OMG i just cant stop thinking about it… just think if the tables were turned and that the bank charged the Apt company 5$ each time they received money… unless the bank made things insanely convenient, wouldnt that apt company be interested in going elsewhere?
May 27th, 2009 at 11:00 am
You have my guesses man! Although, it is gonna annoy the heck out of me trying to guess what the crap that thing is. Hope we’re right!
May 27th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
5 bucks for giving them money. Maybe japan is more interested in charging for banking as a service as opposed to a private venture. “Be privelaged we let you deposit your money at all, otherwise you wouldn’t get to pay for anything unless you use cash.”
I’m going to guess that thing is something in a video. ( you kind of gave it away, so I’ll opt out of this one, in the hope that you’ll see my good deed and send me something anyways).
May 27th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Amanda, all your guesses in Gmail are saved in my chat history, will let you know soon
Jim, yeah you’re probably right. im sure the banking paradigm here has to be different considering loans are probably not as popular here as they are in the States…. i still hate it nonetheless
May 27th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Haha ah, sorry to hear about the bank, that sucks!! I think that only happens in Japan though. Is there some way that you can get the money back though?! How much money (in $US) would be 525 Yen??
So, I saw the video, very cool!! I bet you feel sooo much comfortable now! Ok my guess would be…that thing calculates how much time it will take for something to get cooked AND also set up the right temperature for anything. Like if you set it up to “scrambled eggs” it will know that it takes a certain amount of time AND temperature. (…) ok I have no idea, what is it for?!?!
Glad to see you and Ayako are doing well though, despite the money issue! Talk to you later
May 28th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
thanks for the guess Cami! 525 Yen is about $5.50… that’s my lunch money!