Sick And Tired Of Someone Using Their Parking Space, This Guy Locks The Stranger’s Bike And Notes Start Arriving
Unless you’re cast away to live on an island where your only friend is a volleyball named Wilson, you constantly need to deal with other people. Human interaction is one of society’s key features. Maybe even its engine. But as this story will show, not everyone gets it.
Reddit user SaitamaJET recently submitted a story to the popular ‘Pro Revenge’ community about a very intrusive and annoying stranger. He hadn’t even met the person, yet they managed to take a toll on the Redditor’s everyday life.
You see, the obnoxious intruder started using SaitamaJET’s bike parking space. Not only was he paying for it, but this also meant he had to use another unit further away from home, making him walk an additional 20 minutes’ worth of distance.
It didn’t take long before SaitamaJET had enough of this nonsense and devised a simple but effective plan to teach them a lesson.
Image credits: Hao Pan (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Baptista Ime James (not the actual photo)
As the story went viral, its author made an update
We contacted SaitamaJET to learn more about the conflict they just had and he agreed to give us more context.
“I live in a building complex with many apartments,” the Redditor told Bored Panda. “It’s quite safe and I like it a lot.”
At first, SaitamaJET had no intentions of taking everything as far as he said in the update. “I didn’t think about asking for money or damaging [their bike] but so many people here on Reddit suggested both things that they got me thinking.”
It has been a few days since SaitamaJET made his now-viral post, and since then the stranger has once more tried to initiate a conversation. “They left a new note, apologizing again and saying they don’t have that much money. They are begging me to free their bike for $30,” the Redditor said. “I left another note (OMG, this is ridiculous), saying $40 is okay, but no less because of the money they had made me spend thus far. So I will free [their bike] as soon as they leave the money.”
A handful of people in the comments said these claims aren’t fair since the direct financial loss is smaller than what SaitamaJET is asking for but the Redditor highlighted that it’s not only what comes out of his wallet, but also his time that matters. “$40 seems fair (even 100 seems fair to me) because I have already spent more than $15 and they have made me wake up earlier and walk.”
Image credits: saitamajet
Here’s what people said about the whole ordeal
Ruining his bike or extorting him is a crime. Rent another space and walk away.
The OP isn't extorting him. He's simply charging the rent that is owed for the spot.
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This is pretty inaccurate. People can and do leave their bikes just about anywhere here in Japan. Locks are usually built into the rear brake mechanism, so you don't have to attach it to anything. Even if you abandon your bike in a random place for months on end or permanently, it'll probably stay there forever, due to very draconian laws about taking even things that have been abandoned, particularly bikes. Police also don't ever tend to touch them. I like this person's story, but really, you can basically put your bicycle anywhere you want (not that you SHOULD).
Also, while I can get behind locking it up for a few days to make a point, I don't condone stealing parts off of the bike. This person was in the right to begin with, but overall sounds like a tool. Furthermore, they'll almost definitely get in trouble with the cops, which can easily lead to deportation for a foreigner.
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I've recently encountered this problem. My solution is heavy duty zip ties.
Pro tip: you can also buy metal zip ties. Not insurmountable, but much more of a hassle than plastic ;)
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A buddy and I rented an apartment. She got to park in the handicapped spot right by the door, because she was permanently on crutches. Somebody objected to her having that space because we came down one morning to find her passenger window broken and whoever it was open up a whole canister of fire retardant into the car. They had to know she was handicapped because of the special hand controls that were very obvious. Some people are just absolute jerks. I am so weary of humanity.
Could have just reported to the rental agency for the space that you are not using it. They can probably impound the bike then.
More thought needs to go into the bike parking situation. Bikes are expensive and you are at the mercy of strangers. Could the building offer indoor parking in a cellar space??
I've gotten quite a few cars clamped for taking my parking spot. I'm surprised Japan isn't more efficient at it.
Ruining his bike or extorting him is a crime. Rent another space and walk away.
The OP isn't extorting him. He's simply charging the rent that is owed for the spot.
Load More Replies... This is pretty inaccurate. People can and do leave their bikes just about anywhere here in Japan. Locks are usually built into the rear brake mechanism, so you don't have to attach it to anything. Even if you abandon your bike in a random place for months on end or permanently, it'll probably stay there forever, due to very draconian laws about taking even things that have been abandoned, particularly bikes. Police also don't ever tend to touch them. I like this person's story, but really, you can basically put your bicycle anywhere you want (not that you SHOULD).
Also, while I can get behind locking it up for a few days to make a point, I don't condone stealing parts off of the bike. This person was in the right to begin with, but overall sounds like a tool. Furthermore, they'll almost definitely get in trouble with the cops, which can easily lead to deportation for a foreigner.
Load More Replies... I've recently encountered this problem. My solution is heavy duty zip ties.
Pro tip: you can also buy metal zip ties. Not insurmountable, but much more of a hassle than plastic ;)
Load More Replies... A buddy and I rented an apartment. She got to park in the handicapped spot right by the door, because she was permanently on crutches. Somebody objected to her having that space because we came down one morning to find her passenger window broken and whoever it was open up a whole canister of fire retardant into the car. They had to know she was handicapped because of the special hand controls that were very obvious. Some people are just absolute jerks. I am so weary of humanity.
Could have just reported to the rental agency for the space that you are not using it. They can probably impound the bike then.
More thought needs to go into the bike parking situation. Bikes are expensive and you are at the mercy of strangers. Could the building offer indoor parking in a cellar space??
I've gotten quite a few cars clamped for taking my parking spot. I'm surprised Japan isn't more efficient at it.
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