Batam Info Thread

[flyingarrow]

Originally Posted by LittleDidIKnow

My question is... With the exchange rate now, 5k rp is less than $1. Is it worth the effort to save that and then risk getting dump by the roadside if the driver happen to receive a better offer while you're on board the taxi.

5k 10k is not much for us. Just let them earn it won't hurt us right?

Your money is your to spend but if there are too many ppl paying high then other bro will be getting harder to keep the prices low, 40k per ride may never happen again.
Also, if the rupiah even rebound back then it is unlikely the price will drop, they will continue to charge at 50k. less rupiah per sing and yet u cannot bargain down the price.
Same principle for tipping cewek, from less than 50k to 50k and now 50k cannot satify them any more.

[wala]

Originally Posted by LittleDidIKnow

My question is... With the exchange rate now, 5k rp is less than $1. Is it worth the effort to save that and then risk getting dump by the roadside if the driver happen to receive a better offer while you're on board the taxi.

5k 10k is not much for us. Just let them earn it won't hurt us right?

10K to you maybe nothing, but 10K difference every ride, 4-5 rides a day, daily, will you see the difference? Alot of taxi drivers know Singaporean are carrot heads, coz they act like carrot heads, thinking nevermind, just for this trip. From Batam centre ferry terminal to Nagoya, I never paid more than 25K. For short trips within Nagoya, max 10K day time, night time maybe 15K. There are alot more locals using taxi, and the taxi drivers know they can only chop "tourist", esp those looking for a good time for 2-3 days and can't be bothered with taxi fares. Well, if that's what one is thinking, then don't bother about prices and just enjoy your trip. But if want to enjoy the trip, please try not to feed those blood suckers too much till it all went into their heads. What makes the cewek think they MUST get tips, and MUST get the amount they want? It is all because many of the customers just let them have their way, and MADE it that way. If I book a cewek, and she is just not up to par for me to book her again, would I be bothered to satisfy her BIG tips? She can tell me how much her other abangs gave her. For all I care is how she performed, I will tip her according to that. If she really sucks, and give me that kind of attitude at the end of the day, I will just tell her get lost.

[hendri2]

haha!!! batam centre terminal to nagoya 25k....around nagoya 10k day time 10k...and night time 15k....may be bro here is a ketua mafia...haha!!! oh! harbourbay to nagoya 15k or 20k???

[yaz86]

Originally Posted by wala

10K to you maybe nothing, but 10K difference every ride, 4-5 rides a day, daily, will you see the difference? Alot of taxi drivers know Singaporean are carrot heads, coz they act like carrot heads, thinking nevermind, just for this trip. From Batam centre ferry terminal to Nagoya, I never paid more than 25K. For short trips within Nagoya, max 10K day time, night time maybe 15K. There are alot more locals using taxi, and the taxi drivers know they can only chop "tourist", esp those looking for a good time for 2-3 days and can't be bothered with taxi fares. Well, if that's what one is thinking, then don't bother about prices and just enjoy your trip. But if want to enjoy the trip, please try not to feed those blood suckers too much till it all went into their heads. What makes the cewek think they MUST get tips, and MUST get the amount they want? It is all because many of the customers just let them have their way, and MADE it that way. If I book a cewek, and she is just not up to par for me to book her again, would I be bothered to satisfy her BIG tips? She can tell me how much her other abangs gave her. For all I care is how she performed, I will tip her according to that. If she really sucks, and give me that kind of attitude at the end of the day, I will just tell her get lost.

Nicely said... must be firm with them... if give in often... a lot of brurs going to get chopped to little pieces... hard to bargain... prices all up... shorten trip due to low rupiah... haha...

[LittleDidIKnow]

LOL... Seems like I've ruffled a few feathers with my "lets pay them what they demand" post.

Look, I don't propose we Singaporeans go there and get chop left, right, centre. But, as someone who has worked through the lowly paid jobs, I'm someone who appreciate those who put in a decent effort for the extra dollar.

Notice I'm posting with regards to traveling from Batam Centre to Nagoya. Why? Cause the distance is really not too short and it is a real possibility that the driver can throw you in the middle of the journey, citing flat tyre as an excuse when the real reason is his regular customer just arrived in Batam and wants to use his service.

The average cheongster is only there for 2D/1N. How many taxi trip you can take in this period? 4? 6? So, going by my logic, how much is the difference you're paying? Max $8 over the 2 days. You're there for a good time and to relax. Why risk a negative experience trying to save this $8? You're already paying 6 times for your ferry trip. And probably 3-4 times this for your accommodation. Why cringe on this $8?

As for 25k from Batam Centre to Nagoya, it's doable. But, I guess you're already a long time visitor to Batam and able to speak Bshasa with superb fluency. Don't compare yourself with the average cheongster or the newbie cheongster. They can't even get past the normal basic conversation.

I guess if you're really concerned with getting chopped carrot head, then go with metered taxi. No need negotiation. Just hop on, tell destination and pay when you reach. K.I.S.S.

[hendri2]

silvercab (meter taxi) from harbourbay(inside) to nagoya (e.g. formosa) is 25k+2k parking fee (fixed basic fare, 2 months ago)....any bros here pay less than this...hehe!!!

[LittleDidIKnow]

Originally Posted by hendri2

silvercab (meter taxi) from harbourbay(inside) to nagoya (e.g. formosa) is 25k+2k parking fee (fixed basic fare, 2 months ago)....any bros here pay less than this...hehe!!!

Precisely. Just give them an opportunity to earn a decent living. I don't condone paying extra in commission for girls booking, seafood meals, massages etc. But as for basic taxi ride, I don't mind paying "market rate" just so these drivers can bring home a bit more. After all, aren't we partly responsible for the increase in the living cost in Batam?

[wala]

Originally Posted by hendri2

haha!!! batam centre terminal to nagoya 25k....around nagoya 10k day time 10k...and night time 15k....may be bro here is a ketua mafia...haha!!! oh! harbourbay to nagoya 15k or 20k???

My concept on "how cheap" is kinda different. When in Malaysia with friends they always comment on a plate of plain fried noodle at RM3 is freaking cheap compared to Singapore, it is true if you look at just the exchange rate. But if you consider the local pay check paying for such food, then it will not be cheap. Same thing applys to Batam.

You must know there are different kinds of taxi drivers all over the place. IF you are taking from the terminal taxi stand, you dun even have to bargain. The drivers can't give you any discount coz they not getting the full amount. So you can choose to save time and use the counter taxi. If you are taking those drivers waiting outside the terminal or Mega, most rather wait for liulian to drop then rather then take less. Their mentality is such, good mannered ones will ask you top up more, and some not well mannered ones will tell you take ojek or walk. And most of the drivers waiting outside Mega their target customers are those staying around batam centre, the will get back ASAP and wait for the next liulian. But if you check with those empty drivers that pass by, most will quote you 40K min, or if hiong ones will say 60K. For me they 坐地开价，then I 着地还价. If by the 3rd taxi, you can't get any willing to take you to Nagoya, they all rather go back nagoya with an empty car, most likely the problem lies with you.

Originally Posted by LittleDidIKnow

Don't compare yourself with the average cheongster or the newbie cheongster. They can't even get past the normal basic conversation.

I guess if you're really concerned with getting chopped carrot head, then go with metered taxi. No need negotiation. Just hop on, tell destination and pay when you reach. K.I.S.S.

Well I must agree to that, for places like ferry terminals, or for newbies, it is always good to play safe, and get to save time and all the trouble. The main purpose is to enjoy the trip.
But let the situation go overboard, one day you see Indo reaction like Malaysia garment, all the high cost put blame on Singaporean.

[sohbuckkong]

Originally Posted by LittleDidIKnow

.

I share d same thoughts as you. I wont haggle over 7500 rup. I always try my best to tip whoever that serve me when in poorer countries. This makes them happy and i will see more smiling faces.

In a very rare case, just about a mth ago, I book a cewek fm batam nagoya district, and when i wanted to pass her 50k rup for her makan she reject my offer. In the rm i wanted to tip her 100k rup for her gd service ,she also reject my tips. I kept trying to pass her sm money d next day n she simply reject all my tries. Without going into my analysis, i know shes not pretending. And i got her only 400k rup fm her joint.

[psykhy]

Originally Posted by Jswt

Hoho good question.

U go compare price between agoda.com or booking.com.
Now i use booking.com. As its offer price for formosa is cheaper than agoda this time.

Hey bro, just to check with u. When u do booking of hotel & ferry to batam, isn't it much cheaper if u book through Groupons or Deals.com.sg instead?
It only cost around SGD$80 if i book at Deals.com.sg, inclusive of ferry (to-n-fro) + Pacific Palace Hotel with breakfast included for 2D1N. However, if i were to book the hotel and ferry individually, ferry ($48) + Pacific Palace Hotel ($94 - booking.com) for 2D1N as well, wouldn't the cost of $142 be much more higher than $80 offered by Deals.com.sg...??? Please give me some advices and correct me if i am wrong. Thanks!

[S.B.Y.1]

Many2 pages back was a dicussion on taxi supirs

Bottom line it isnt the RPs that we give but the disgusted feeling
of being "taken for a ride'' by this tyrant taxi supirs

So follow Paks transportation way = TakE OJEK

[Cerberus]

Originally Posted by LittleDidIKnow

My question is... With the exchange rate now, 5k rp is less than $1. Is it worth the effort to save that and then risk getting dump by the roadside if the driver happen to receive a better offer while you're on board the taxi.

5k 10k is not much for us. Just let them earn it won't hurt us right?

i used to think this way too until......
one time kenna up price by one taxi driver upon reaching destination.....
ccb.....price suddenly increase.

so now bargain real hard.
dun pamper them lah.....sinkies always kenna taken as robert heads.

[hendri2]

walau!!!! deals.com.sg offers $49 ,2d1n at KTM resort at sekupang is a steal..only $1 for the room???..... according to bro psykhy, $80 for pacific palace, 2d1n....$32 for the room and entrance to disco free...any catches here, bros???? read all the fine prints before clicking the mouse... hehe!!!

[LittleDidIKnow]

Originally Posted by psykhy

Hey bro, just to check with u. When u do booking of hotel & ferry to batam, isn't it much cheaper if u book through Groupons or Deals.com.sg instead?
It only cost around SGD$80 if i book at Deals.com.sg, inclusive of ferry (to-n-fro) + Pacific Palace Hotel with breakfast included for 2D1N. However, if i were to book the hotel and ferry individually, ferry ($48) + Pacific Palace Hotel ($94 - booking.com) for 2D1N as well, wouldn't the cost of $142 be much more higher than $80 offered by Deals.com.sg...??? Please give me some advices and correct me if i am wrong. Thanks!

Groupon and Deals.sg deals normally requires 2 paxes to go and will be sharing 1 room. More suitable for couples or families, not cheongsters. And usually, taxes are not included in the price. Read the fine print.

[hendri2]

haha!!!! sorry for what i post before...ignore the deals.com..they are for 2 persons..and ++++taxes....K.I.S.S....just buy the $48 ferry ticket..haha!!!