[nono1973]

Originally Posted by SEAJ

1)
I had to think twice before posting the following reply to you as I’ve had a lot of grief in the past for “exposing” the practices of the scammers and undeclared agents etc. I was also quite reluctant to write this as it IS quite a task to do so…. but, seeing as you have more than done your part in keeping this thread so informative by writing up such detailed reports, I guess you’ve ”guilted” me into doing my part!

Thank you for sharing,bro. I have been reading your no.1 to no.5 again and again and again. I am digesting your words and gonna put them in my next itinerary for my Dec 2014 trip. Batam is a place that anyone and everyone can travelled solo to. Apparently,thats also one main reason why i have the beginner's Guide to Batam on my siggy for my reference as well as for newbies travelling there. There is no need to hold hands to go Batam with people that i dont even know.

Originally Posted by SEAJ

2)
PREAMBLE

** First thing to be wary of are those friends of friends – as too many times we let our guard down when a friend makes the introduction and you find out too late that your friend actually do not know the guy that well himself!

Yep,and that is my main worry when i choose the people to travel with me. Friends of friend are something that are really unpredictable. So now,of a dozen who PMed,i chose who goes,they can fly my aeroplane but end of the day,i am the one who do not need them.

** Conversely, do make it clear to others if the person you introduce is not that close to you/make it quite clear that you will not vouch for him.

No one SHOULD BE vouching for one another. I obviously cant guarantee that bro SEAJ is going to be a nice person. I know him only online,and online he is a nice guy,and i do not know that guy when he's offline. I am also not who i am when offline too.

** Second thing to watch out for are those guys on the internet as well as IRL that just seem to be too eager, too accommodating and too friendly for someone you just met. Don’t let your guard down when someone treats/pays the whole bill, usually for initial smallish amounts for coffee or snacks etc… and invariably then expects you to pick up the subsequent larger bills. Also, do double check each bill as incurred if someone volunteers to be the one who pays – and worse if he suggests he keep a running tab for everybody else; a nasty surprise usually awaits you!

Yea,you will often see someone from somewhere who has never shared a single good information in this thread ,but they will suddenly pop up wanting to bring EVERYONE to Batam becos "he says" he is very good with almost everything regarding Batam. I believe this applies to every threads too.

** Third, if you are planning on hosting others, do keep it to a smallish group – anything over 5 guys is too many as it’s too easy to lose control and/or the group splits up into sub-groups. Also, IMHO it just is not fun to have too large a group.

To each his own,3 is already a crowd to me.

** Black spot for being taken advantage of are KTV’s, Nightclubs, Bangkok Gentlemen Clubs etc. where the total bill can be substantial and comes at the end of the evening, but you can also be scammed in saunas, OKT services, BBS’s, even for hotel rooms!

I have one more to add,Eating Places. In Batam,i believe one can be scammed even at eating places,eg. Wey Wey at Harbour Bay and Golden Prawn which are very famous tourist trap. I have never benchmark my bills with Sillypore,cos if i do,everything else will always be cheaper.

i'll often benchmarking against Malaysia or maybe China major cities. Must compare apple to apple ma...cannot compare 1st world pricing against 3rd world. I bought a plate of fried rice 20 years ago in England during my travel that cost me 8 pounds,more expensive than in Sillypore 20 years ago too. Make sense,right?

Originally Posted by SEAJ

3)
FREE-LOADERS
This is the most common occurrence and quite easy to avoid either by first outlining what all is expected in terms of sharing/cost/none of that I only drink soft drink nonsense OR by just collecting money BEFORE you venture forth.

You reminded me of the same thing happening during my NS time,my buddy (army partner) enlisted into NS with me,never bring toothpaste,never bring tooth brush,never bring soap,shampoo etc ,everything also take from me brand new ones and say will return me,but until ORD time still never return me...lol. Learned those things during those times.

Originally Posted by SEAJ

4)
UNDECLARED AGENTS

No KTVs,Pubs and Discos for me in Batam. I have told frens who came along with me before,i dont need to foot the bills in KTVs Night Clubs,Pubs with GROs in Sillypore...why should i go Batam to do that? Agents are people that i am constantly wary of in this thread. As for the Tai Kor type,i will leave anyone on their own if they behave that way.

Originally Posted by SEAJ

5)
SCAMMERS

They are the most dangerous people during travel. If you visit Taiwan,the 1st thing upon alighting off the tour bus will be tons of "experts" saying that you have the look/signs of a rich man etc etc...and ask you to buy some stuffs that will further enhance me on your wealth etc. My method to avoid these scammers are to avoid the 7 sins as much as i can :

Remember the Vietnam guy at Sim Lim Sq that kneel in front of the shop for a refund? Which of the 7 sins does he falls under for him to get scammed? And then there is one who ask for refund who was then refunded off with all coins? There are always better method to handle such cases.

Even picking up girls at joints,i need to control my "Lust" too,meaning big head must always be over small head in order to have a better bargain. If i were to be "angry",i will try to control it becos i know i am in Foreign land and constantly remind myself,i am only a Newbie in Batam. There is no need to "envy" others who can spend w/o thinking,becos they are rich people and i am a poor man,case closed. I worked hard to get my information too and have physically walk thru the information i found so i am off the "slothy" hook. And lastly,always be humble and courteous,never be predictable as learned in this thread.

Your write out is pretty handy for a newbie like me,may i ask for your permission to have them bookmarked for the reference of other newbies like myself?

My most sincere thanks to you,bro.