Vehicle license fee 2012

Last week I received new vehicle license. New cars don't need to do test on second year, so it's just a fee.

Skoda Fabia vehicle license fee 2012

This year it's 1 420 NIS, last year it was 1 389 NIS that you pay to dealer with car price.

Skoda Fabia vehicle license fee 2011

Also, I should mention, in new document there is no pledge record to bank. (^_^)

For those, who do reserve duty in army and for the last 3 years served for more than 20 days, you should get discount from army. With mine 10 days no discount... More information here:
http://he.mot.gov.il/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=313:rishayon-rehev-hidush&catid=64:rishayon-rechev-c&Itemid=91
http://www.aka.idf.il/Miluim/templates/inner.asp?catId=58820

Bank account looks closed in Mizrahi-Tefahot

Got this letter a few days ago. It says that my account that was created for a car credit is closed now. But I have a strange feelings... What a fuck it should be so comlicated? Why I should call for your action? Why this paper not looks real to me and again looks like print-screen from some internal banking program.

Cancellation of pledge

Today, finally, I received official paper about cancellation of pledge on my Fabia from a bank. It took Mizrahi Tefahot almost 2 months. When I paid last shekel of loan to a bank at 20th of July 2011, Moran Hornstein, my account handler, promised me that all papers will come to my post box in a week or two.

Nothing such happened after a month. So I went again to the bank asked about papers for cancellation of pledge. It's not like I'm going to sell my car now, but documents should be given to a client after closing a loan. Moran printed me some computer screen-shot from their bank program and said that is your documents, nothing more. And it looks like this (without parking ticket of course):

I went away. As we see this is fucking ridiculous. As I no more have to pay to the bank, they can sent you to hell.

A week ago I thought about calling my insurance agent and ask about this situation and insurance policy that I have and it has section about pledge on car to the bank. Agent said I need to get from bank "Cancellation of pledge" official document, because we need to change policy.

This time I sent a big complain about this situation to customer support via site and an e-mail pzibur@umtb.co.il. In a few minutes a got a call from their representatives telling me that they are checking that. And it turns out that account was not closed and I got one shekel debt on it already despite the fact I paid all loan.

The end of the story - I got a call today from Adi Yakov, asking me what I want, this one from my branch already. And after a lunch I was there personally and took this document. I waited in a bank until they send it to my insurance agent by fax and when I got confirmation from him, this issue was closed.

Never want to see Mizrahi Tefahot again...

Dollar rate is low

Image source: Bank of Israel

Small tip about loans. As I got two for this car, I decrease every month balance to lower interest payments.
These days dollar to shekel rate is very low and depending on loan it can be better to wait for higher rate and keep paying same interest to bank for a while, in case you have extra US money. Every cent in dollar rate in $1000 equals 10 shekels.

Also, do not bring dollars to bank. Their rate is usually lower that in exchanges or post and they charging a commission. For example, converting from $1000 you'll pay extra $6. Go to Israel Post, exchange and bring to bank.

P.S. Saw pneumatic tube in the bank. So sad they do not use it anymore :-(

Image source: Wikipedia - Pneumatic tube