Zunbara Zuihitsu Chapter 6 "Fear of Points"

 A few years ago, I felt enthusiastic on grabbing points from a camera in Yodobashi. Cassette tapes, video tapes, fine items, expensive ones, Yodobashi has it. On the other hand, the employees at Yodobashi don't have a good altitude, their customer service is so rude. Moreover, a random employee in the audio section in the 5th floor of a general building told nonsense to the customers.

"You can't connect a DAT to an MD", he said. I replied, "I'd like to take this Marantz [audiovisual company] amp off because it wouldn't fit the side rack". He told me, "Don't worry, you can easily remove it by uninstalling 4 small screws". I nearly bought it, but then thought, "Uhm, wait, let's go to the other store". When I went to Sakuraya and got a glimpse closely, the screws were removed from the side racks but they were perfectly secured. Even then, I still go to Yodobashi for the points, but with how much of a benefit? Buy for 10,000 yen, pay only 700 yen. Nevertheless, instead of pulling on the spot, pull it on your next purchase. In short, you're chained up if "you have to come back".

Finally on that day, with those points I desperately saved up, I received a DAT tape worth 15,000 yen and I threw away the card into the trash in the alleys of Yodobashi. I felt very ecstatified at that point; I was freed from the curse.

A few days ago, I felt crazy about the ANA Mileage Card. Phone call 500 miles to 40,000, "Oh~ Kawase-kun, I'm at the Hakata signing; fly with ANA!" Fukuoka Airport is only 566 miles away. It's perfect!

Now it's upgraded for New York! (upgrade = free change of ticket from economy class to business class or business class to first class)

That night after a bath, I sipped a Sapporo Lager [beer] as I smiled at my ANA mileage chart when I saw, "Huh?! 45,000?!" I'm 5000 [miles] short, damn it. I misunderstood, even after I checked everything. Geez! Hang on, to ride another 5000 miles, I have to....uuhh...shit!! I gotta go to Bangkok??!

And so, I gave up on the upgrade. I told the COM about it, and Mr. Abe from the COM said "Yes, New York is UP for 40,000 miles". This can't be right! Then the next day, ANA delivered a new mileage chart and announced, "We have a new revision of the chart. New York is confirmed for 40,000 miles".

Oh man, this is too bothersome already!!

But wait, I just joined the other day. I had to take my ANA Mileage Wide card and VISA to the ANA counter on the 2nd floor of the Shinjuku L Tower. If I buy a ticket directly, it counts as one mile per 100 yen in addition to each mile flown. Huh....oooohh!! That's just great! Uhm, but to do that, I'll have to cancel my order to the COM. Sorry about that. In that case, should I buy something different with that card, like a video disc, a FRANCEBED, a plasma TV, a [Mercedes] Bentz?! No no no! [snaps cheeks]

This is how people fall in the quagmire of luxury. We're addicted to meaningless expenditures. It's trying to mix the purple color over and over by mixing red and blue, and eventually black. It goes beyond the extra to try dressing up dolls with more extra clothes.

Ah! I'm such a fool!

And then, I remembered the Yodobashi Points card. It was just like that.

The more you buy, the more miles you earn; on the contrary, all purchases must be done with the ANA card. Hotels are also biased towards ANA affiliates, also charged with an annual fee. Hmmm, will I be restrained with ANA for the rest of my life!?

But then, I remembered last summer. It was a live concert in Hokkaido. One of the guests flew to Sapporo first, then took a train to Obihiro. How? ANA doesn't fly to Obihiro Airport, so I would assume that perhaps he desired to just earn mileage miles. Thanks for your hard work.

There was another person who, after the live show, split money for drinks amongst fans in attendance (different from our launch party), stating "Let me pay for this at once" much to everyone's amazement. He paid instantly with his card, then he let everyone accommodate him, returned in cash. The card was also an ANA card (witness present). Why would he do such an embarrassing thing??

Sincerely yours, there's nothing more frightening in the world than points.

For once, you'd be deceived by irresponsible employees

For once, you might purchase inappropriate and expensive items

For once, you'd be planning on unnecessary itinerary

Other times, you'd destroy the confidence in your peers

However, in real life, he is the disciple of solicitation and restriction, "Sanmai Kaado"

[parody of 'Bannai Tarao', disciple of justice and truth]

Then, noticing it with a flash, I cheerfully and delightfully bought a flight ticket to New York.

P.S.: ANA is an excellent and safe airline; with the parser even in superior quality service that sets apart from its competitors.

Sincerely, wonderfully yours.

Original Japanese: https://bellabeaux.co.jp/yamamoto/zunbara/zun006.html