Okay here it goes....
Enter the Counter Scene. This is not a pretty part of the tale. After picking up said books and heading to the counter. 3000 yen worth of books had been obtained. All is right in the world. I walk up to the counter and place my purchases to be scanned.
(Portions roughly tranlated into Engrish)
Clerk 1- (counting books and dividing them by price) "Thank-You"
Clerk 2 - (using hand gesturesin the shape of a card) "Pointo card?"
Rob - Yep, here ya go...
Clerk 2 - "Total is 3100 Yen" (Her best effort to speak engrish, with a uncertain smile)
Rob - (proceeds to pull out credit card and hand it to the clerk )
Clerk 1 & 2 - ?????? (Fumbled words, uncertain actions, ect)
Clerk 2 - "Sorry, must have 5000 yen." total (hand gestures symbolizing all?)
Rob - "What?"
Clerk 2 - Repeats frist statement.
Rob - "What?"
Clerk 2 - Repeats first statment with different hand gestures. Third Clerk joins in.
At this point Clerks 2 & 3 are trying to explain the 5000 yen rule, while Clerk 1 hovers quietly with her hands folded in front of her.
Rob - " No, no (Smile on face). Last time I came here I was told it was a 3000 yen limit to use a credit card. Now it is 5000 yen?!?!?"
Clerk 3 - "Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, yes?"
(Start of a panic attack)
At this point I try to explain that I come here almost every week. And every week I use my credit card to pay. This vallant effort falls on deaf ears....I am speaking English.
Also normally at this point my angry American side would have showed it's ugly head...however I maintained control.
Enter Howard and Renato.
Renato listens to what I have to say and very politely speaks with the clerk in Japanese. She basically says the same thing again. He tries again...... The clerk gives the same response.
Enter Howard
Now I will let the thrid party add a bit to the tale......