Saturday, May 5, 2012

The Kings and the Beggars....

This is bad. Just now after posting a random blog, I realized that that was my 1st blogpost of the year 2012!!!

What has happened?
1. I have been too busy with lot of things at office and at home...
2. Whenever I am getting time, I just look forward to sleeeep...

We had been looking for another house for rent and I must say that there have been moments when I just couldn't stop laughing, when I wanted to hit the landlords/brokers right on their faces, when I was disgusted...

I mean, such small house, with a pipe running through the master bedroom, a bathroom which was not meant to be and the landlord asking for 16-18K rent and 2.5Lakhs deposit!!!!!!!!!!! Even if we could say that we heard it wrong, he was probably asking for 1.5Lakh deposit and not 2.5, still I wanted to hit him and wake him up from his dream....

While roaming on one of the streets, I spotted a To-Let board hanging on one of the houses. N (Mr. Hubby) called up the Contact person and enquires if it is still up for renting out. (U: Uncle, N: N)

U: Where are you working?
N: (tells his company. I won't reveal the name, but it's one of India's top IT companies)
N: How much is the rent that you are expecting?
U: How much can you pay??
(What ???)
N: No, you tell how much?
U: 23 K (23 or 25K, I don't remember it now)
N: Oh, sorry. That's out of our budget...
U: Haan, thats why I asked you na. How much can you pay...

I mean, hello, are you trying to make fun of us? "Since you work in XYZ company, I know you cannot afford my house"

We have seen and met and talked to so many people in past few months and seen such locations and flats that I am amazed. I feel that landlords think that they are the kings and we are beggars. Can ask any damn rent and 10 months deposit...
Don't they realize what 1.5 L or 2 L means to a service class couple??!!

And BROKERS....Wow...

B: Madam, we have a beautiful flat right on the main road
I: Is it? Which apartment (since I knew almost all the good apartments on the "main" road)
B: Madam, its actually just 500m inside from the main road. You come and see madam
I: Sure, 500m? I don't want to walk too much inside...
B: Yes madam. You come and see tomorrow at 10 am

10 am and we are there and we keep on calling Mr. B and as usual he won't pick up our call initially. Then, after 6-7 attempts Mr. B picks up our call and finally arrives at the "main" road after making us wait for on-an-average 20-30 minutes and tells us to follow him

100m -> 200m -> 400m -> 800m -> 1km -> 1.5-2km and after taking 20 turns, Mr. B stops at a lonely small apartment...

I: You said 500m from main road...
B: Madam, this is close only madam. I took you from another route. Anyways, your cab will come here madam (I mean, how can he guarantee that my cab will come there? And I am not looking for main road flat only for my cab... I just don't want to live in lonely area)
And no points for guessing... the flat never turned to be worth waiting for and coming for...

I know I might be sounding too rude and frustrated, but YES, I am frustrated... There was a time when I actually told this to N: "I wish these landlords do get into a position that they come to us for our house for rent and then I will ask unbelievable rent and deposit...Just to make fun of them"

At your own Risk...

Chatrapati Shivaji Airport, Mumbai, Check in Counter:

Me (all scared, clearing my throat): ummm.... I have some mangoes with me. Can I take them with me in cabin??

Aunty (scary aunty, without looking up at me): No, only 2 dozens allowed. You have to put them for check in...

Me (I can almost hear my heartbeat now): umm... but I have only 2 kgs of mangoes. I think I can take 8 kgs in cabin... (this dialogue could have costed me my life)

Aunty (scary aunty): No, put them for check in

Me (last try, I show the 2 kg pack to aunty): See, this is a small pack

Aunty (scary aunty): Ok. Take it with you in cabin...

Moral: Never ever take panga with Air India aunties. If you still want to take, do it at your own risk...