| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
abusalam4
Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 143
|
 Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 9:51 am Post subject: |
 |
|
| cj750 wrote: |
| Quote: |
| why should FTs be treated better than local teachers |
because the market insist on it....
and the use of the utilities has often been used to cheat the FT....and even presenting them with a bill right before departure is a normal occurrence...get the utilities figured out from the beginning..allowances and normal usage..another reason to negotiate money and nothing else...another reason to insure off campus housing...
private housing often uses a smart card of sorts...load in money..in my two floor apartment, air conditioned and heated by electricity, two hot water units have yielded a cost of (winter 3 months at 500 RMB, summer 2.5 months at the same RMB amount) but I think Beijing is higher than other areas...a few years ago...in Changchun ....200RMB per 1.5 months) and I am an electric (a well as petrol) hogg..computer on 24 hours..two TVs...music set on a year long library...and any and all tools used in house... |
Well, there is some truth in what you say:
- it is annoying if they come up with a large amount at the end of your contract period, and especially, when they cannot prove that you actually used what you have been charged for. But this is a matter of procedure, so work it out with them and tell them you will not pay unless they can really prove it. Should be fair, I guess.
- Insist on paying your utilities each month to avoid large amounts coming up. If it is 200 Kuai a month...Ok - if it is 1000 Kuai or more it can hurt you and is not acceptable.
- In those parts of China south of the Yangzi river, they normally have no heating in their houses. But in winter, it can be quite cold there as well, and you may depend on heating up your rooms with electricity. This can easily increase the utility bill to amounts that would be unfair to cover by you alone. Here, I think the school should be pay as they have to provide adequate housing, and it is not adequate for a foreigner to live in cold rooms. So, for that period I guess the school needs to cover most of the expenses (not necessarily including those for other things like computer or light - that is your private business). But again, you need to work it out with them, insist on it before the problems turn up . |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
7969
Joined: 26 Mar 2003
Posts: 5782
Location: Coastal Guangdong
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 10:03 am Post subject: |
|
|
one way to solve heating problems in winter is to just go out and buy 2-4 small space heaters. not all of every room needs to be heated in winter. just where you happen to be watching tv or doing some work on the computer. i have two space heaters that cost me less than RMB200 and they were all i needed here in guangdong. last year in henan, i had the same thing. the central heating provided in the apartment was next to useless, and the space heaters were the only thing that kept me warm. i even had the school pay for that one, since the heat didnt come on till end of november and it was cold at the end of october. at first the school complained, saying i should be ok if i wore more clothes (jacket and mitts i guess). i insisted on a space heater. they bought it.
these heaters vary in price from RMB40-200. i usually buy one small one and one larger one. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Double Clutcher
Joined: 26 Aug 2005
Posts: 72
Location: the Republic of Taiwan
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 10:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
Alright, thanks everyone for the info it will definitely help with the decision making here.
And yes abusalam4 the "Xit" in Xitville is based on a vulgar word that starts with "sh". Some of the FTs here over the years have come to lovingly refer to our town in this way. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
abusalam4
Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 143
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 7:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Double Clutcher wrote: |
Alright, thanks everyone for the info it will definitely help with the decision making here.
And yes abusalam4 the "Xit" in Xitville is based on a vulgar word that starts with "sh". Some of the FTs here over the years have come to lovingly refer to our town in this way. |
Judging by the name your place was given by these FTs, it must be a lovely place indeed! Truly FTs' sarcasm...I understand...Anyway, good luck, and I hope for all of you down there that you get the matter sorted out with your school well! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
abusalam4
Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 143
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 7:03 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| 7969 wrote: |
one way to solve heating problems in winter is to just go out and buy 2-4 small space heaters. not all of every room needs to be heated in winter. just where you happen to be watching tv or doing some work on the computer. i have two space heaters that cost me less than RMB200 and they were all i needed here in guangdong. last year in henan, i had the same thing. the central heating provided in the apartment was next to useless, and the space heaters were the only thing that kept me warm. i even had the school pay for that one, since the heat didnt come on till end of november and it was cold at the end of october. at first the school complained, saying i should be ok if i wore more clothes (jacket and mitts i guess). i insisted on a space heater. they bought it.
these heaters vary in price from RMB40-200. i usually buy one small one and one larger one. |
Indeed, that�s pretty good advice - thank you! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gregmcd101
Joined: 06 Jun 2006
Posts: 144
Location: Ireland (for now)
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 11:44 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Hmmm - I did a search for this cos my new school has a 500 monthly RMB limit. From what I read it seems more than adequate, even if I am an AC maniac. 500 is just for water and electricity, everything else is free. I was a little pissed as all bills were paid in my last place, but, I thought I'd better check, as winter heating is now an issue, but apparently I am well covered. A guy in my last school used to leave AC/Heating on if he was away for the weekend, just to have it comfy when he returned. Avoid that sort of behaviour and one has no worries. And I guess thats the point - use what you like, but don't act like a total tool... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kev7161
Joined: 06 Feb 2004
Posts: 5880
Location: Suzhou, China
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I love reading some of these old threads - - what's old is new again! And seeing names that I'd forgotten used to be regulars here. Roger/Steppenwolf - - you still around under another guise?
My school gives me a thousand rmb allowance - - in other words, they pay my bills up to 1000 rmb and I should cover the rest. They tried to change it to 500 this year, but I asked politely but firmly to change it back. I have everything covered: rent, electric, propane, water, drinking water, internet, local phone. . . what else? I consider my apartment and utilities costs as part of my overall salary. I'm doing MUCH better here financially than if I were back home shelling out my paycheck for these expenses!
Edit: Forgot to say I've yet to pay a single jiao for a utility or anything else. If I go over my allotment, I've yet to hear about it.
Last edited by kev7161 on Wed Nov 26, 2008 3:05 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
North China Laowei
Joined: 08 Apr 2008
Posts: 419
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 1:43 pm Post subject: See Below |
|
|
| gregmcd101 wrote: |
| Hmmm - I did a search for this cos my new school has a 500 monthly RMB limit. From what I read it seems more than adequate, even if I am an AC maniac. 500 is just for water and electricity, everything else is free. I was a little pissed as all bills were paid in my last place, but, I thought I'd better check, as winter heating is now an issue, but apparently I am well covered. A guy in my last school used to leave AC/Heating on if he was away for the weekend, just to have it comfy when he returned. Avoid that sort of behaviour and one has no worries. And I guess thats the point - use what you like, but don't act like a total tool... |
RMB 500 will simply not cut it in most parts of China for electricity. No problem for the bottled drinking water -- that will be dirt cheap. Usually one doesn't pay for running water. RMB 500 a month will NOT cover your bills in the winter if you are north of Fujian and it will not cover your air conditioning bills if you are in Guangdong or down south. You will end paying out-of-your pocket.
I just refused a job in Guangdong a nice school in a very balmy place because of these issues. The salary was not high to start with and the electricity and gas charges would have reduced me to poverty.
Do some shopping around before you accept this job and also you should let us know the geographical location of the school (not the name please as someone might poach your job -- just the province).
All the best
NCL |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gregmcd101
Joined: 06 Jun 2006
Posts: 144
Location: Ireland (for now)
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 2:43 pm Post subject: Re: See Below |
|
|
RMB 500 will simply not cut it in most parts of China for electricity. No problem for the bottled drinking water -- that will be dirt cheap. Usually one doesn't pay for running water. RMB 500 a month will NOT cover your bills in the winter if you are north of Fujian and it will not cover your air conditioning bills if you are in Guangdong or down south. You will end paying out-of-your pocket.
Its in Zhejiang. This is always a problem when looking for this kind of info. You say 500 will not cut it per month, yet others on this thread differ. Guess Ill find out in time. The salary is a significant improvement, so I wouldn't be too worried. But obviously better to have the lot covered. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ralph wiggim
Joined: 12 Nov 2008
Posts: 95
Location: Somewhere between Itchy and Scratchy...
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 3:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
It's starting to get real cold here and I sleep with a heater on now - as opposed to the a/c in the summer.
Our school says they pay only 250 a month for electric but older teachers here say that has always been in the contract but never enforced.
250 a month won't go far when these solid drafty concrete buildings start to get really cold. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gregmcd101
Joined: 06 Jun 2006
Posts: 144
Location: Ireland (for now)
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 3:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| ralph wiggim wrote: |
It's starting to get real cold here and I sleep with a heater on now - as opposed to the a/c in the summer.
Our school says they pay only 250 a month for electric but older teachers here say that has always been in the contract but never enforced.
250 a month won't go far when these solid drafty concrete buildings start to get really cold. |
Im kinda the opposite. I heat the bedroom for an hour or so but turn it off at sleep time (now at least. mebbe not in Jan/Feb), whereas I keep AC cooling on at night. I don't mind greatly if it's over 500. Over 1000 I would have a problem. If it is a lot over what they stump up I wont re-sign when they ask. My gut feeling is that it should be all free. Wheras I empathize with students who probably have 300 uncomfortable nights per year in parts of China, I wanna be warm or cool as conditions dictate and not worry about it. I DONT worry about the money, but meh - kinda a principle thing. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
North China Laowei
Joined: 08 Apr 2008
Posts: 419
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:48 pm Post subject: See Below |
|
|
| gregmcd101 wrote: |
| ralph wiggim wrote: |
It's starting to get real cold here and I sleep with a heater on now - as opposed to the a/c in the summer.
Our school says they pay only 250 a month for electric but older teachers here say that has always been in the contract but never enforced.
250 a month won't go far when these solid drafty concrete buildings start to get really cold. |
Im kinda the opposite. I heat the bedroom for an hour or so but turn it off at sleep time (now at least. mebbe not in Jan/Feb), whereas I keep AC cooling on at night. I don't mind greatly if it's over 500. Over 1000 I would have a problem. If it is a lot over what they stump up I wont re-sign when they ask. My gut feeling is that it should be all free. Wheras I empathize with students who probably have 300 uncomfortable nights per year in parts of China, I wanna be warm or cool as conditions dictate and not worry about it. I DONT worry about the money, but meh - kinda a principle thing. |
Having worked one long miserable winter in Zhejiang near Hangzhou once upon a time, and having had an RMB 350 electricity allowance, and not being a fanatic for overly hot (nor overly cold), I would like to assure you, as others have mentioned in preceding posts, that you will be hard pressed to cover your electricity bill on this kind of money, coupled with your gas and water bill.
Currently bottled gas in Zhejiang is proabably in the vicinity of RMB 95 - 100 a bottle (current residents please confirm). Bottled water is cheap and almost unnoticeable in terms of what it will cost you. You may be surprised to see what the electricity charges are like -- and I am just wondering if you are going to a certain school that I am thinking of -- because the salary and deductions sound very much like it. If so, you will not be paying electricity at the prevailing China Power Corporation grid rate -- not at all. The school in questions DOUBLES or TRIPLES the charges from China Power -- meaning if China Power charges 1 RMB per whatever, then you are billed by the school 3 RMB per whatever. You will be surprised how quickly your RMB 500 will evaporate and as Ralph or someone wrote your concrete, non-insulated apartment will be dank, dark, cold and drafty. And remember the apartment comes with a refrigerator and a hot water heater for the shower (unless it runs on gas, in which case you have inherited danger). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bradley
Joined: 28 Mar 2005
Posts: 235
Location: China
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 3:57 am Post subject: |
|
|
| I pay utilities here in Shenzhen but my internet is free....... I usually pay about 500 a month total for everything.... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gregmcd101
Joined: 06 Jun 2006
Posts: 144
Location: Ireland (for now)
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 4:25 am Post subject: Re: See Below |
|
|
Hmm - interesting advice, thanks
Last edited by gregmcd101 on Thu Nov 27, 2008 7:57 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bradley
Joined: 28 Mar 2005
Posts: 235
Location: China
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 4:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Last month my bill was over 900 RMB and it's never been over 600 before in three years. I went to the office to complain and the manager checked and admitted there was a mistake and paid the usual 450 RMB. They always seem to make mistakes that favor them....... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
