Guy wants 5 grand for scratching his Benz

I know nothing about traffic laws in Japan, or in the US for that matter.

But i'd assume if he was really parked illegally, all damages should be his fault if you were legally biking.

Other than that, I don't know, but it really shouldn't 5K for some new paint.

Unfortunately you are probably out of luck now that the insurance agency is involved. They are scamming the foreigner, 100% no doubt. It would have been better to do as the cops said and settle on a price right then and there -- them saying to do that was more or less an indication that the Benz guy was at fault for illegally parking his car. However, now that the agency is involved they will no doubt have generated bogus paperwork indicating why you owe 500,000 yen. Once paperwork is involved you are usually screwed in Japan, especially since you are a foreigner. Not sure what options you have apart from making a counteroffer and hoping for the best or leaving the country.

Sue him for injuries sustained because he was parked illegally.

i smell Yakuza all over this. Be careful!!!!

Do you not have some kind of travel insurance?

You guys need to watch the film "The Edukators" which is a German film from maybe 5 years back.

You need to kidnap the owner. Make him suffer for being a capitalist and having a Merc.

sallyjessyrivera wrote:

i smell Yakuza all over this. Be careful!!!!

No way! If it was the Yakuza they would have "agreed" on a price, and the cops wouldn't be involved. I suppose it's possible, but very unlikely. Many people would naturally go through their insurance company, either because they don't know what a fair price would be or how to handle the situation, or even to keep everything "chanto" and all.

Anyway, the problem with the insurance company being involved is that when the company doing the work knows that an insurer is paying, they "fix" everything wrong with the car, even the things that might go wrong! That's just the way it is in Japan, period. Yeah, apparently the money is really coming out of your pocket, but I'm sure that the shop estimating the work doesn't really know that.

Although, if the Benz dealer is doing the work, I'm in no way surprised it would cost that much in Japan.

Anyway, as for the help part: If the guy doesn't seem like a jerk or anything, or potential Yakuza, just tell him that you cannot possibly pay that much. I would avoid being too apologetic unless you were 100% at fault (in which case be profusely apologetic), but I doubt that can be the case.

If there is no give on the guy's part, you could contact the police again, perhaps, and explain the problem and ask them why you should have to pay so much when it wasn't only your fault. The next step would be a lawyer.

Are you just visiting? Buy a plane ticket and GTFO.

talk to the guy bargain. he could probably get it fixed for fraction of that price. offer cash and settle. he trying to rip you off a gaijin (forigner). probably too late now. but I'd talk to auto dealers ASAP and get a quote.

reread your post. hummmm. reason with him. tell him insurance company very very long hard road to get paid for whatever damage he "suffered", indirectly tell him insurance company probably going to contest too big a damage report. say you know local prices. offer cash plus a bit of gravy on top for the inconvineance and be apologetic and respectful. yes those Japanese buy this saving "face stuff".

How long are you going to be in Japan?

just tell him you'll get it fixed for him, find somewhere that will repaint it for a cheap/reasonable price and pay it directly.

What Else wrote:

Are you just visiting? Buy a plane ticket and GTFO.

My thoughts exactly. Hopefully you didn't give the guy too much personal or contact info. Even if you are there for another couple weeks, lay low, stall, and avoid the area intirely. Then GTFO!!!

I know a great auto-paint guy who would do this kind of job, restoring it to a factory-new look, for about $150. Too bad you're not in Pennsylvania.

first nonstop to wherever wrote:

I know a great auto-paint guy who would do this kind of job, restoring it to a factory-new look, for about $150. Too bad you're not in Pennsylvania.

Not on a Benz, that won't even cover the cost of materials.

Kevin52 wrote:

Not on a Benz, that won't even cover the cost of materials.

Because the paint on a mercedes is so radically different and superior than that of a honda? I don't think so.

I could fix it better than new for $50.

Buy my simonize scratch remover for just $9.99!

freakingout in Japan wrote:

A week ago I was biking, hit a bump, crashed and scratched a Benz that was illegaly parked partially on the sidewalk.

How is your neck?