Jonas and I went to meet the landlord again for the 3rd meeting this morning and realised that the whole thing was a scam! After asking him about his background and what he does for a living, we realised that he runs a series of sleazy bars around the area, and he even suggested that he can refer his customers to me! Why will I want sleazy people to come to my hostel? It is a backpackers hostel, and not a brothels!
He seemed proud that the Vietnamese girls will always go to his bars whenever they are in Singapore before heading somewhere. After I started asking all the questions about whether it will be sleazy and I am not interested in running a sleazy joint, he tried to redeem himself by saying that he was only talking about his other businesses and this place will be a mere 'meeting place' for the Vietnamese girls. I was like 'whatever'. It is definitely going to be a brothel.
Luckily I have not signed anything or sent any email correspondences, otherwise I am more than screwed! How am I going to answer to my investors? That I did not do my due diligence in checking more about the place that I am renting? It is definitely going to be bad and I can almost forget about setting up a backpacking hostel again!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Setting up of a hostel
Just viewed a place in Jalan Besar 1 week ago.
Things seemed perfect initially:
1. Area is able to partitioned into the ideal number of dormitory beds and private rooms
2. Landlord will take up the cafe and we will have a partnership but at least I do not have to take care of the details
3. Landlord has a few bars around the area and it will be easy to organise pub crawls
4. Landlord will take care of all the licensing required so it will be even more hassle-free
5. Air-con, electricity and sewage are in place and only require servicing
I have been asking around for about 1 month and it is really difficult to find a suitable location. Property market is striving in Singapore now, and prices are getting higher. Sometimes I really wonder when I will actually find a suitable place?
It is especially difficult when you are working alone. You basically have to solve all the problems yourself and there will not be anyone to share your workload. Especially when I am working as an auditor currently and it is not exactly the slackest job around! Luckily I found a friend who does not mind listening to all my problems and giving me his opinions even though he has a full time job and a part time job at this moment!
Things seemed perfect initially:
1. Area is able to partitioned into the ideal number of dormitory beds and private rooms
2. Landlord will take up the cafe and we will have a partnership but at least I do not have to take care of the details
3. Landlord has a few bars around the area and it will be easy to organise pub crawls
4. Landlord will take care of all the licensing required so it will be even more hassle-free
5. Air-con, electricity and sewage are in place and only require servicing
I have been asking around for about 1 month and it is really difficult to find a suitable location. Property market is striving in Singapore now, and prices are getting higher. Sometimes I really wonder when I will actually find a suitable place?
It is especially difficult when you are working alone. You basically have to solve all the problems yourself and there will not be anyone to share your workload. Especially when I am working as an auditor currently and it is not exactly the slackest job around! Luckily I found a friend who does not mind listening to all my problems and giving me his opinions even though he has a full time job and a part time job at this moment!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Singapore's newest Backpackers Hostel is coming...
Stay tuned in late 2009 when Singapore's newest and most vibrant Backpackers Hostel opens.... The Drop Inn...
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