Job Discussion Forums

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

So, I applied for a job in Xi'an, pay seems good, school seems ok, no nightmares when I search for it.

The school tell me the visa documents had been sent at the start of September and where guaranteed to be here on Weds the 16th of Sep. Knowing that flights get extremely expensive the nearer the time, and also that the embassy is pretty packed, I book an embassy slot for Monday, and then a flight from LHR direct to Beijing, then an internal flight to Xi'an, setting me back a cool �800, about 8,000 RMB, due to travel on the 30th of September. I'd also booked and prepaid for a taxi to the airport, another 70 quid ~ 700 RMb or so.

Anyways, get a bit worried today, and email my school .They reply saying that the documents won't be here now until the 29th, and that they would expect me in China on the 9th of October.

Essentially MOD EDIT because I bought the cheaper non transferable tickets, a non cancellation taxi service, and I need to ring the Chinese embassy to change my slot.

So basically, they've 'casually' informed me that I need to be coming 9 days later, even though I had informed them for pick up that I would be arriving on the 30th and had pre booked flights, but they just casually said 'we have been informed by the courier that they will be arriving on the 29th', 2 weeks later than stated.

I suppose this is normal for Chinese institutions. And the Near 10,000 RMB damage done is a learning curve eh?

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

That is harsh luck ... but possibly something typical.

I had a similar experience when I left China ... although thankfully I didnt have to pick up the tab. I had booked flights home nice and early to help the school out as it got them a cheaper ticket. (They were paying for my return flight). They later decided the dates were wrong, and I had to stay another week ... I told them that it would then cost more, and the ticket must be changed to a more expensive one. It ended up costing them about 3000 extra, just because they couldnt tell me an accurate end of term date.

Is there any way you could still fly on that ticket, and do a visa run when you are there? It might be cheaper than starting again ... I would investigate that if I were you. It might be possible to fly in on a tourist visa, and then fly to Hong Kong / Seoul or somewhere, and get the visa done there?

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

Hey Nick!

I suppose that is an option. I just couldn't, for instance, see a UK company being this incompetent. I used to run a tee shirt company, and when I ordered them, the store would say 'within 72 hours' and within 72 hours they would be at my doorstep.

I gave, fortunately, found that the company I'm travelling with [BA, bit of a patriot lol] allows me to change the time and date for a �90 admin fee, plus the difference. I am now going to wait until the visa docs definitely turn up at my door, and change.

The one within china is non refundable definitely since it was a 'cheaper flight'. Is there any chance I can charge the school the extra 2,200 RMB it is going to cost me since they changed the dates? Incompetence on their behalf, although having read what others have said, it seems this chance is slim to non.

vikuk · Joined: 23 May 2007 Posts: 1842

A'Moo · Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 3:30 pm Post subject:

Agreed. Never really understood those who are shelling out real money and are fastidious about organization to come to a country that pays monopoly money and is completely disorganized....
OP, this is not a knock on you. My first time here, I booked my first week in a dump of a hotel in GZ online, for 450y a night...Havent paid more than 150y for a hotel since, and thats for ones that are pristine (by standards here)...
Unsolicited advice to newcomers...Just come here and get things sorted out upon arrival, otherwise, you are going to spend 10 times more on flights/hotels/visas etc. than you should...
Best of luck...

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

Cleric - I was thinking the cost of a visa run 'might' be less than writing off the cost of an airline ticket from the UK, and taxi etcetc. Im pretty sure 90 day tourists visas are available from the UK ... and so when he is in China, he will have time to arrange the Z visa papers in-country, and the visa trip could possibly be part business / part pleasure? Just my initial thoughts.

Larsson - I would very much doubt the employer will pick up that tab for your extra costs. You could ask, but expect the request to be ignored. I know where you are coming from because I also have tended to book flights early ... part of it is due to excitement!

As others have said, internal flights do tend to be cheap, and it might have worked out better waiting until you arrive to get an internal flight.

This can also be problematic, and isnt a surefire way to save money! I tried this tactic on my first visit and it didnt work out for me. I arrived in Hong Kong disorientated and jet lagged, and then discovered there were no flights to my destination that day!, and flights the next day were about the same as I was being quoted in the UK. To make matters worse, I was too tired to mess about going into HK to find a room, and so I spent one night in the airport hotel, which cost me another �150!

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

MOD EDIT

And yes, I guess it was somewhat stupid, but it will simply be a learning curve. At least I will now head over there with the pre thought not to expect too much when promised :D

In reply to A'Moo, it's not really 'that' organised just to book two connecting flights, it just means you don't faff about once you're inside China...I'd heard about disorganisation and the Chinese being late with everything, but when you're told steadfast by the school that your visa docs will be here by a set date, you normally take it as meaning that.

Oh well, we live to learn from lessons like this!Thanks everyone.

thefuzz · Joined: 10 Aug 2009 Posts: 271

Just goes to show that you shouldn't "book" and "pay" for anything (tickets, taxis, etc.) until all the paperwork gets done. I'm not really sure why you're complaining about the Chinese government...there's red tape everywhere, in every country, so if you plan on living abroad you'd better get used to it or you'll have a hard time getting things done. When people say: I wish things would be like they're back home...that's a clear sign that one should not live abroad. It ain't gonna be the same like home...it's gonna be different.

Anyway, you've learned your lesson.

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

When have I moaned about the Chinese government? Where do you people get this from, and you 'book' a ticket because, believing what you've been told in good faith means that you book a flight because it's 1/4 of the price.

A'Moo · Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 10:10 pm Post subject:

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

No I haven't.

So you lads would wait, and pay �3000 for a business class flight to China as the only available flights left?

Makes sense...

happigur1 · Joined: 25 Jul 2009 Posts: 228 Location: USA

Is the school reimbursing you for the flight? I was told paperwork would take 2-3 weeks. It took a little over a month. I waited to buy the ticket and left about a week after I got the stuff in the mail.

vikuk · Joined: 23 May 2007 Posts: 1842

booking online with KLM - on October 2nd - there is flight ticket from Heathrow to Xian (Xianyang international airport) still with places at 782quid - I think you have to change in Amsterdam.
I'd now be questioning your school why they haven't informed you of direct international flights to the city!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PS - schools never want to pay for internal flights, so always look for those that land closest to your destination.

KLM website is at - www.klm.com/

You can book online here and get an Eticket.

If you have more time to book through KLM - having definite dates - you can get a flight for around 400pounds.

Molson · Joined: 01 May 2009 Posts: 137 Location: China

I wonder if you knew that there is a national holiday here that spans over a week? I wonder if you know that the government moves slow in China, and you probably should have asked what the odds were of getting sorted before the holiday?

Don't blame the school, they are probably trying as hard as they can. However, before that holiday government officials aren't really pressed to do things, and for over a week the government shuts down.

I also agree, your flights seem to be really expensive, and you can't get any money back from the tickets?

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

Viduk that KLM goes LHR->AMS->PEK-XIY. My flight would go LHR->PEK-XIY. It's ok, it should only set me back the 90 admin fee which I'll ask the school for. It's only 'fair and right' they reimburse me, but having read this forum money comes before that regime in China!