No more cheques but IBG come 2014

It's time to make a SWITCH from issuing to cheques to IBG (Inter Bank Giro) because effective 1 April 2014, a cheque processing fee of RM0.50 will be imposed in addition to the RM0.15 stamp duty per cheque leaf.

So that means that when you issue a cheque, you are losing another RM0.65 which you can save if you use IBG which is only RM0.10 per transaction.

In addition, not only is IBG cheaper, it's also faster than cheque, which is:-

Days	Cut-off Time	Funds Availability
Monday to Friday	Before 12:00 noon    After 12:00 noon	Same day Next working day
Sat, Sun n Federal Territory P.Holiday	Not applicable	Next working day

Bear in mind there is another option of INSTANT IBG but it cost RM2.00 per transactions.

IBG transactions are pretty simple but first and foremost you must have online access to your bank account (savings / current).

HOW TO DO IT:-
Once you have signed up for online banking, then you'll just need to add the recipients under your favourite IBG. Select the name of bank, types of transfer ie.

Fund transfer - means transfer to another savings / current account
Credit card payment
Loan payment
Hire purchase

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Note:- FYI my house repayment is consider a fund transfer because it's flexi loan where I was given a current account number complete with cheque book.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Then you key in the recipient account number and name. There is another layer of security (eg. NRIC number etc) but you can opt out of it.

Everything is pretty straightforward and if do do encounter any problem, just give the bank's customer service a call. I'm sure they can assist you in using IBG.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

BUT have you pause to wonder why the sudden increase in cheque processing fee to encourage customers to use IBG or internet. Why?

Well one rationale is so that it will be easier for Bank Negara to monitor money flow and curb money laundering because with cheques, you can issue cash cheques to people who do not own any bank accounts.

But with IBG, it will be transactions between bank account holders and thus easier for Bank Negara to trace the money ie. where your money comes from and where it goes to.

Not to say that you cannot issue cheques anymore but in the event that you do, our government still stand to benefit because 50sen does work out to quite a "handsome" extra income at the end of the day.

AmBank Group Countdown to 2014

Since I am an regular AmBank online user, couldn't help but noticed that AmBank Group will be organizing a special countdown to 2014 in Putrajaya Precinct 3.

The main attractions of the event are special guest appearances by top notch local singers as well as fireworks display at the stroke of midnight.

But what is striking is that, at the cost of sounding a bit racist, the only chinese performer is Soo Wincci but the other guests are really really good and accomplished malay singers like Dato' M Nasir, Dato' Jamal Abdillah and the ever popular Amy Search and Ella to name a few..

Not that Soo Wincci is not good but I can't help but feel that I would like to see more accomplished chinese singers like Penny Tai, Fish Leong, Michael Wong or Victor Wong or even Ah Niu who are somewhat of same calibre with these awesome malay singers.

Dont tell me AmBank can invite Dato' M Nasir etc but cant afford to invite Michael Wong??

But then again this could be wishful thinking since many of them decide to grow their talent outside of Malaysia, but I do know that many of them are really proud of their malaysian heritage.

But alas, when chinese complained that they are overlooked, the indian also have cause for concern since Malaysia is represented by 3 major races (not including the huge number of migrant workers who showed up our neighbourhood) but I think Mista G will be there to reach out to the indians that night.

So if you have the time and want to celebrate the countdown in a big way, why not head down to Precinct 3 for some fireworks and local stars studded event!

Buffet Dinner @ Vasco's Hilton Kuala Lumpur

If you're thinking of stuffing yourself silly this Christmas, there are many options to choose from.

But a current trendy restaurant is Vasco's @ Hilton KL Sentral (previously known as Sudu).

The name of the restaurant was derived from the great Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama. Still can remember his name but not his face from history class ages ago.

Since I was too busy enjoying the food and did not bring a good camera, click spicysharon.blogspot.com/2013/07/vascos-kl-hilton for great photos of the venue and food.

Below are photos from Hilton's official website.

 My personal favourites were:-
1) beef - cooked to perfection (btw you can request for rare, medium to well done)
2) steam fish. Nice and fresh
3) FRIED ice cream

The utensils provided. I specially love the salt
which adds a nice flavour to all the dishes!

Reservations during weekends are a MUST as somehow the place is packed. Call 603-2264 2264.

Price is at RM128++ per person, pretty steep unless you have the Hilton Premium Club (HPC) where you enjoy discounts up to 50% when dining for two.

Parking charges is also high, so remember to request for a concession card from the cashier on your way out, even with the concession I had to pay RM18 for the parking.

If you are looking for better price buffet, you can consider the new Majestic Hotel, KL at RM88++ per person for dinner buffet.

Yokohama car battery warranty procedure

I drive a MYVI and being a local car, one is not surprised if the car battery die on you shortly after the 1st year.

Since it happened after dinner at my parents house, I called a mechanic friend, Mr Koh Chon Wai ("Mr Koh") and went to his workshop (STM Motor) nearby to buy a Yokohama battery for RM220. Mr Koh mentioned that the price was higher because the battery was a dry type battery which is better and will last longer.

Since it was late, I just paid and he did not give me any bill (which on hindsight was a very grave mistake on my part). 

On 3/9/2013 the Yokohama battery which is supposed to last longer died.. But since I do not have any bill, I cannot remember the exact date of purchase but my husband feel that it is definitely less than a year.

So I contacted Mr Koh through WhatsApp and ask for his help.

To cut the story short, what I learnt from this are:-
1) always ask for bill
2) for Yokohama car battery, you can go directly to Yokohama to claim a new unit if it is less than a year
3) Yokohama CANNOT trace the warranty date through the serial number on the warranty card.
4) the date is written on the car battery itself.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

The ending of my story? It was quite sad actually.

I bought a new dry type Yokohama battery for RM200 elsewhere.

And I had stupidly given back the old battery together with warranty card to Mr Koh thinking he can help me to check.

But instead he just told me that warranty was over and proceeded to offer me another battery at cheaper price of RM170.

Below are the excepts of my WhatsApp conversation with Mr Koh:-

See.. he's a friend because he asked
about a mutual friend's wedding..

Finally on 2/10/2013 I found the entry in my 2012 diary which recorded me buying the battery on 4/12/2012.

But when I called him on 2/10/2013 to ask, he first said he sold the unit and then changed it to he threw it away. Tsk.. What kind of answers are those??

But since he would know how to check the warranty date, he either:-
a) sold me an old unit hence the warranty was really over OR
b) the warranty was still there and he claimed a new unit from Yokohama.

Then he proceeded to offer me a new unit for RM150 but when I protested he offer to share half half and offered me a battery for RM100 whenever I need one since he reasoned that we cannot keep a car battery for too long.

VERDICT:-
I will NOT recommend Mr Koh's workshop to anybody because he charges higher than others and has questionable honesty and integrity. Besides, it does not make sense to send your car to a motorcycle workshop for repair / service. Lesson learnt!

Photos courtesy of withelwyn.com

Photos courtesy of withelwyn.com