a view from the trenches
I returned to Hong Kong 10 days ago after a three-month absence (and absence from this community) and have successfully made the rounds and caught up with all of my regulars. All of these providers are what I call “lifers”, meaning:
1. they have lived in Hong Kong a long time as permanent residents, coming from China
2. they are independent operators renting and in some cases living in their office, they have no boss and manage their own business
3. some are on this website, some have enough reputation they don’t advertise
4. they are all on the wrong side of 40 years, if not more
5. it’s extremely unlikely they could go into another line of work, after they “age out” of the industry
The consensus is:
1. Business is terrible
a. younger transient talent from Thailand and Russia now that borders are open
b. People have less money to spend because of the stock market, salaries being cut/not increasing, inflation of other costs
Two were in Hing Loong Building and moved. Closing of this playground has been catastrophic for many:
1. One relocated to Kam Bong for a significant rent increase (HKD 9,500 to 16,500 per month), meaning her breakeven amount each month is higher
2. One relocated to a lesser-known building in Causeway Bay, and given this is a quieter building there is less foot traffic from random “walk-ins” as compared to all the door knockers Hing Loong would attract. Basically to see her you have to have that as an objective to enter the building, and given there is Phoenix not far away where you can still do door bell survey, few people have a reason to go into that building (she told me there was no room in Phoenix anyway, and she thought it was too expensive).
This has been noticed by HK Legend in another email, more at a micro level with certain providers.
Support and patronise the older PRC talent, don't just go for the 2 week "tourist" from Thailand!
Keep on mongering | |
