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Rp 2,000 bills most popular banknotes this season
The petty cash sellers, who make a decent income around the holiday season selling cash to people who want to give away small amounts of money to younger relatives, found a favorite this year: the newly issued Rp 2,000 banknote (19 US cents)
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he petty cash sellers, who make a decent income around the holiday season selling cash to people who want to give away small amounts of money to younger relatives, found a favorite this year: the newly issued Rp 2,000 banknote (19 US cents).
"Many people have been asking for the Rp 2,000 note," Beni, a petty cash seller in Kota, West Jakarta, told The Jakarta Post on Monday.
Petty cash sellers usually set up business around Idul Fitri and the Chinese New Year, when people traditionally hand out wads of cash to relatives, especially to their children.
The sellers gather at intercity terminals and train stations, targeting those who travel back to their hometowns to celebrate the holidays.
Beni said people were curious about the new bill, which had been issued around two months ago.
The grayish Rp 2,000 bill features the picture of national hero Prince Antasari from South Kalimantan on one side, and an illustration of a traditional Kalimantan dance on the other.
Some people were not even aware the bill already existed, Beni said.
"A few people came up to me asking me if the bill was a fake. They said it look like counterfeit or toy money," he said, laughing.
The bill's novelty has prompted petty cash sellers to jack up its price, Beni said.
"We are charging at least an extra Rp 30,000 for a Rp 200,000 bundle of Rp 2,000 bills," he explained.
Thus, the Rp 200,000 bundle of Rp 2,000 bills costs between Rp 230,000 to Rp 240,000.
However, owning piles of the new bills does not necessarily mean good business.
"There's too many people doing this business this year," Beni's friend who was also selling petty cash, said.
Ika, a petty cash seller in Lebak Bulus bus terminal, also said the demand had been slow this year.
"It's hard to sell them because people are already intimidated by the price," she said.
Each seller can sell around Rp 5 million of cash a day, Beni said.
"But last year was better, we sold around Rp 7 million each day," his friend said. (dis)
