why hawkers tout at newton hc?

[leetahbar]

Hawker centre fails to live up to its name?

The famous Newton hawker centre is being criticised for having too little variety and catering only to tourists.

Some even say the hawker centre fails to live up to its name and is not up to standard.

Patron Lin Jing An (45, technical officer) said, "There are lesser and lesser choices there. It's always the same few items and most of the stalls are seafood barbeque stalls and drink stalls. The food is also expensive. I'd rather go to other hawker centres."

Another patron Wu Chun Fu (45, driver) said, "I usually have my lunch at hawker centres and I'm not looking to have a feast. There are too little choices at this hawker centre. It probably caters more to tourists."

Some patrons also feel that touting is rampant at the hawker centre.

Patron Mdm Chen said, "I was approached by touts the moment I entered the hawker centre. I haven't even had a good look at what food is available there. It's quite a put off."

Yet another patron said, "The design of the hawker centre is confusing and there are so many seafood barbeque stalls. There aren't many other kinds of food here, like Bah Kut Teh for example."

In response to the feedback, stall owners explained that their customers are largely tourists, who enjoy the seafood barbeque


The stall owners also suggest that the public could feedback to the authorities as they are the ones who determine the composition of food stalls at the hawker centre.

There are currently about 25 seafood barbeque stalls and 20 drink stalls among the 83 stalls at the hawker centre.

Source of English version：news.insing.com, 7 November 2011. Click here for the Chinese report.

 

[leetahbar]

the culprit must be NEA which is over-charging the stall rentals.

we must get to the source that causes all the unhappiness to a simple hawker fare food prices - blame it on our greedy gov!

 

[leetahbar]

when the stall rental is exorbitant, thanks to our very business-minded gov, how could we expect to find traditional inexpensive hawker foods selling from such stalls? things like chwee kueh which sells at $1 for 4 pcs or 60c a piece hum chim peng? hence, hawkers would hv to resort to selling high profitable food like bbq seafood. that is what precisely happening in newton. every few steps, u would find a seafood stall. with so many congested there, the hawkers would have to fight or rather tout it out in desperation to get business.

so who's to blame for such unwelcome touting? answer: the bloody avaricious gov. they are the one who started all this greed ecology.

 

[johnny333]

Some people actually still believe in the myth that Spore is a food paradise

 

[Doubblur]

If you're local OK, $4 can still eat a decent meal, no need touting no need bargaining. The touts are paid commission to tout tourists wandering around at night. The commission increase the price. Usually the seafood stalls have most touts. Seafood easier to bluff and markup price for commission.

 

[Cestbon]

Price in Newton are over price. Mark up by 30~50% compare to hawker center/food court in shopping centre.
With this price can eat in air-con restaurant why eat in Newton. Long time never stop there after surprise by the price they charge. I dont think many customer will return .

 

[Ramseth]

Many Newton touts are my friends. They're just struggling to make a living. Give them a break. They're not pointing a revolver on your head.

 

[Cestbon]

Many Newton touts are my friends. They're just struggling to make a living. Give them a break. They're not pointing a revolver on your head.

Making a living !
Selling food price par with restaurant with hawker center service and facility is too much. I not blame them but 80% customer will not return after 1 time dining there.
Blame themself for selling such high price now place is deserted.

 

[Ramseth]

Overpriced? How come I go to Newton can eat a full lunch for S$4 (alone) and BBQ seafood combo supper for S$20 (3 pax)?

 

[Cestbon]

Overpriced? How come I go to Newton can eat a full lunch for S$4 (alone) and BBQ seafood combo supper for S$20 (3 pax)?

Maybe your buddy charge you reasonable price. You may see and compare what price they charge other.
Beer there at least $1~$1.5 more compare to coffeshop. So do the drink cost 20~30% more. So on average about 30% higher. For food if tourist maybe 100%

 

[Ramseth]

Maybe your buddy charge you reasonable price. You may see and compare what price they charge other.
Beer there at least $1~$1.5 more compare to coffeshop. So do the drink cost 20~30% more. So on average about 30% higher. For food if tourist maybe 100%

Beer and food more ex there is understood. The rentals are rated at Orchard rates even non-aircon. You can go to Golden Mile for Thai food and beer. It's also about 100% markup over Bangkok price. Nobody's cheating anybody there. Same as at Newton. The system especially for seafood is ask for the price first and bargain. If the customer acts cool, don't ask and don't bargain, then blame who? Any idiot who doesn't bill the maximum billable should be sacked.

 

[Cestbon]

Beer and food more ex there is understood. The rentals are rated at Orchard rates even non-aircon. You can go to Golden Mile for Thai food and beer. It's also about 100% markup over Bangkok price. Nobody's cheating anybody there. Same as at Newton. The system especially for seafood is ask for the price first and bargain. If the customer acts cool, don't ask and don't bargain, then blame who? Any idiot who doesn't bill the maximum billable should be sacked.

Cannot compare price in Bangkok with SG. Compare somewhere nearby or coffeshop. Since the Newton is more like coffeshop style.

 

[Ramseth]

Cannot compare price in Bangkok with SG. Compare somewhere nearby or coffeshop. Since the Newton is more like coffeshop style.

Newton Circus Hawker Centre is at an MRT in between Orchard and Novena, with totally no HDB and all-condo or landed. If that doesn't matter in your view, just pay the price or just go and eat somewhere else.

 

[Cestbon]

My decision is not going there for super or dinner even if my friend ask me go there I will ask them go other place.

 

[Ramseth]

Don't know why you all keep saying Newton expensive. I used to be there all night till from 9 to 10 p.m. to 2 or 3 a.m. eating and drinking with whole table of friends. Final bill never cross S$100 for four to five persons, including seafood and beer.

 

[bullfrog]

Why hawkers tout at newton hc? Why not?

 

[bullfrog]

Can show receipt?

Don't know why you all keep saying Newton expensive. I used to be there all night till from 9 to 10 p.m. to 2 or 3 a.m. eating and drinking with whole table of friends. Final bill never cross S$100 for four to five persons, including seafood and beer.

 

[Agoraphobic]

Some people actually still believe in the myth that Spore is a food paradise

I've noticed that. Even in the ST Life section, sodium saturated slop gets placed under Haute Cuisine.

Remove the MSG and the food has no taste. Lack of freshness?

Cheers!