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(16-09-2012, 11:48 AM)tanjm Wrote: [ -> ]I'm puzzled about the complaint on queue length. You can do this online.

Have u tried using DBS or POSB ATM? If not, my guess is you belong to the high earner income group who need not use cash to buy things. All things are paid using credit cards. And only eat at restaurants. No offense but this is what one of the HSBC insurance adviser told me. I told her i dont like open an acct with HSBC due to limited number of ATMs. She reply me all her clients never use ATM, they do online.

(16-09-2012, 11:50 PM)Bibi Wrote: [ -> ]

(16-09-2012, 11:48 AM)tanjm Wrote: [ -> ]I'm puzzled about the complaint on queue length. You can do this online.

Have u tried using DBS or POSB ATM? If not, my guess is you belong to the high earner income group who need not use cash to buy things. All things are paid using credit cards. And only eat at restaurants. No offense but this is what one of the HSBC insurance adviser told me. I told her i dont like open an acct with HSBC due to limited number of ATMs. She reply me all her clients never use ATM, they do online.

I always withdraw 2 weeks worth of cash from ATM precisely to save on queuing. Everything else is online (sorry i was referring to Fixed Deposits, which is the subject of this thread).

Have you ever tried to **find** an ATM in Japan (which is still very cash based even for fairly large transactions).

(17-09-2012, 07:52 AM)tanjm Wrote: [ -> ]Have you ever tried to **find** an ATM in Japan (which is still very cash based even for fairly large transactions).

Yes, I do agree that the nos. of ATMs in Japan is not as plentiful as in Singapore. In fact, they do have a lot more Vending machines...

As for their being very cash based, it's usually most of the smaller biz (family run ones) that tend not to accept Credit Card payments (check for the Credit Card stickers before entering). But, most likely, some will politely decline to accept Credit Card payment if your are using an unfamiliar card (to them, non-Japanese issued ones may mean risk) and more so, if you don't speak their language.

There are only two kind of transactions that I need the ATMs.
1) Draw cash.
2) Top up cash card.

Yes Japanese carry a lot of cash every day but there is very low crime related to robbery, but I don't is a good idea in Singapore to carry a lot of cash, at most I only have up to $100 in my wallet at any 1 time. We are quite lucky to have many atm around but it also shows that we are not very organized.

Apart from ATM's Japan don't have a lot of dustbins along the road either but you won't find anybody puffing while walking or littering or spitting the place is really spotlessly clean.

In contrast if you look at orchard road strip you will find 1 dustbin every 5-8 meters and yet we still manage to dirty the place.

In tokyo subway I've even seen people eating and drinking beer on trains but nobody litters everybody keeps their trash in their pocket or bag, nobody talks loudly, if the phone rings people will get up from the seat move the the rear of the train before answering the phone and even then they keep it short. Everybody is considerate and very organized. That's class

sorry moving off topic

(17-09-2012, 07:52 AM)tanjm Wrote: [ -> ]

(16-09-2012, 11:50 PM)Bibi Wrote: [ -> ]

(16-09-2012, 11:48 AM)tanjm Wrote: [ -> ]I'm puzzled about the complaint on queue length. You can do this online.

Have u tried using DBS or POSB ATM? If not, my guess is you belong to the high earner income group who need not use cash to buy things. All things are paid using credit cards. And only eat at restaurants. No offense but this is what one of the HSBC insurance adviser told me. I told her i dont like open an acct with HSBC due to limited number of ATMs. She reply me all her clients never use ATM, they do online.

I always withdraw 2 weeks worth of cash from ATM precisely to save on queuing. Everything else is online (sorry i was referring to Fixed Deposits, which is the subject of this thread).

Have you ever tried to **find** an ATM in Japan (which is still very cash based even for fairly large transactions).

I belong to the middle income and i never been to Japan as my work does not need me to go there. And i believe i will not go there even in my this life for personal leisure as i find that place expensive.

(17-09-2012, 09:59 AM)Bibi Wrote: [ -> ]

(17-09-2012, 07:52 AM)tanjm Wrote: [ -> ]

(16-09-2012, 11:50 PM)Bibi Wrote: [ -> ]

(16-09-2012, 11:48 AM)tanjm Wrote: [ -> ]I'm puzzled about the complaint on queue length. You can do this online.

Have u tried using DBS or POSB ATM? If not, my guess is you belong to the high earner income group who need not use cash to buy things. All things are paid using credit cards. And only eat at restaurants. No offense but this is what one of the HSBC insurance adviser told me. I told her i dont like open an acct with HSBC due to limited number of ATMs. She reply me all her clients never use ATM, they do online.

I always withdraw 2 weeks worth of cash from ATM precisely to save on queuing. Everything else is online (sorry i was referring to Fixed Deposits, which is the subject of this thread).

Have you ever tried to **find** an ATM in Japan (which is still very cash based even for fairly large transactions).

I belong to the middle income and i never been to Japan as my work does not need me to go there. And i believe i will not go there even in my this life for personal leisure as i find that place expensive.

You never been there how you find out it is expensive? Hearsay?
Actually not that expensive lar...compared to sg now
Love the weather, food , onsen, toys, people there.

(17-09-2012, 10:25 AM)WolfT Wrote: [ -> ]

(17-09-2012, 09:59 AM)Bibi Wrote: [ -> ]

(17-09-2012, 07:52 AM)tanjm Wrote: [ -> ]

(16-09-2012, 11:50 PM)Bibi Wrote: [ -> ]

(16-09-2012, 11:48 AM)tanjm Wrote: [ -> ]I'm puzzled about the complaint on queue length. You can do this online.

Have u tried using DBS or POSB ATM? If not, my guess is you belong to the high earner income group who need not use cash to buy things. All things are paid using credit cards. And only eat at restaurants. No offense but this is what one of the HSBC insurance adviser told me. I told her i dont like open an acct with HSBC due to limited number of ATMs. She reply me all her clients never use ATM, they do online.

I always withdraw 2 weeks worth of cash from ATM precisely to save on queuing. Everything else is online (sorry i was referring to Fixed Deposits, which is the subject of this thread).

Have you ever tried to **find** an ATM in Japan (which is still very cash based even for fairly large transactions).

I belong to the middle income and i never been to Japan as my work does not need me to go there. And i believe i will not go there even in my this life for personal leisure as i find that place expensive.

You never been there how you find out it is expensive? Hearsay?
Actually not that expensive lar...compared to sg now
Love the weather, food , onsen, toys, people there.

Can't agree more.. After 20 years of deflation vs Singapore 20 years of inflation, it's not that expensive anymore...
Further, if you're budget conscious, there're lots of options. For accomodation, the further away from the City Centres of Tokyo / Osaka, the more choices you have of cheaper places. For eg. in Tokyo, there're many budget / backpacker type hotels at Ueno. In fact, Hotel rates are mostly cheaper if you compare to HK / Australia. If you're adventurous enough, they also have Youth Hostels, but communal bathrooms plus bedrooms.

As for food, so many choices... For super low budget, go to the 24-hrs convenience stores to grab quick bites like Cup Noodles or Sushi / Maki rolls or even Bento (box meals). At train stations, there're also Noodle shops where you buy a ticket from vending machines, give it to them and eat your noodles while standing. If you wish to pamper yourself a little bit more, even at major shopping streets like Shinsaibashi (Osaka), you can shop aro' for all-you-can-eat joints for $30-$40/pax. Add $10-$15 for free flow of beer.

Transportation can be expensive. But, you can also plan ahead and get a JR Rail pass for unlimited travel, for eg. 5/7 Days Pass. In that case, as long as you travel on JR, it's free (except for certain higher class cabins). More economical only if you plan to travel inter-city by Shinkansen (Bullet Train). Everything runs on schedule, so, very easy to plan ahead.

So, what else is expensive? Air ticket? After their nuclear accident, it's a lot cheaper nowadays...

The main challenge for most is the language. But, Japanese people actually study English as their 2nd language for 10 years in their education system.... Still, most has a fear, just like many Singaporeans who're fearful of speaking in Mandarin. All you need to do is to use very simple English (like talking to a pre-school kid here) and speak very very slowly...

(17-09-2012, 11:09 AM)KopiKat Wrote: [ -> ]Transportation can be expensive. But, you can also plan ahead and get a JR Rail pass for unlimited travel, for eg. 5/7 Days Pass. In that case, as long as you travel on JR, it's free (except for certain higher class cabins). More economical only if you plan to travel inter-city by Shinkansen (Bullet Train). Everything runs on schedule, so, very easy to plan ahead.

So, what else is expensive? Air ticket? After their nuclear accident, it's a lot cheaper nowadays...

The main challenge for most is the language. But, Japanese people actually study English as their 2nd language for 10 years in their education system.... Still, most has a fear, just like many Singaporeans who're fearful of speaking in Mandarin. All you need to do is to use very simple English (like talking to a pre-school kid here) and speak very very slowly...

I been using OCBC since the POSB-DBS merger. Never found a shortage of ATM, can also use UOB ATMs because of Shared ATM scheme. Much shorter queues, fewer scandals (ATM network breakdown, Malaysian ATM card skimming, etc). DBS also had their safe deposit box scandal in Hongkong some time back.

OT abit. Heard this from a friend, but use your own judgement to believe or not - Singapore couple went to Mount Fuji recently, came back and went to see doctor. Found that their bodies had "a lot of radiation" Was advised by doctor not to have children for 5 years.

Yup.

If you can afford to eat in Singapore the $12 to $15 Japanese noodles, you can afford the same in Tokyo.

Japan, Western Europe, US - all sama sama prices.

Singapore is not "cheap". If cheap, why so many FTs want to work here? SGD power!

Now that SGD is strong, better travel while we can (within our means ofcus).

Nothing beats first hand experience as foundation of an opinion