I really hope this is not the major reason, as many BFers metioned, a lot of the players showed up on Fri night are pretty serious players. With my limited knowledge of CA area, I think $5 is about right for a full day access (compare to NY, that's like heaven). If the price is the main reason, I don't see how Bintang going to survive (either out of business with lack of participation; or force to further cut down the price, which means die slowly).
i think for an establishment like that, they would need at least 150 ppl (average a day) to break even. thats like 150ppl x $5 x 30 days = $22500 a month. rent is probably 15k range per month
Not really. As Joseph metioned, BinTang can generate profit with other stuff, such as private/group lessons, hosting tournies/events, being equipment dealer, string racket, etc. On the "surface", the gym is the main charater, but actually all the "side job" should be the major "money cows". The gym/club itself is a cheaper "office" to run all the shows. This remind me about my local club owner. The couple rent gyms for club bases. Of course, the memship price is much higher in NY. Even like that, with the high cost (rent, utlities, etc), I thought they would lose $$$. After visiting the club, I think I know how they survived. Exactly the "little things", as lessons, tournies, events, string, equipment selling, etc.
bintang is now doing pretty well. i think they get at least 100 ppl per evening if not more. with 11 courts. sometimes we have to wait for a game or more rarely, two. i've only been there in the evening and adding onto that the noon crowd, i am guessing they should be doing fairly well.
bintang at night I have not been to bintang at night yet. How does the white board system work? Are people honest and poilite about the rules? Chris
of course my friend. people are really good with the boards when they are in use. the only problem is when its emtpy and you sort of get use to just jumping on the court and play a match. then all the sudden you get a bunch of ppl mad at you because they have been waiting in line. SOmetimes the gym fills up out of no where, a good thing i believe. Every cent they can make is a good thing, they are having a hard time keeping things up, and i really wanna make sure it stays, i've been there about 4-5 times a week since openning. I have a membership though, of course ^^.
How do you know they are having financial problems? Do they own or rent the building? I go many times a week also, and if they were charging me $5 each time, they would be making much more money. They just opened in January, so I'm not surprised they are not well known yet. They need to advertise. If you look on the web for places to play, you never see them listed. Chris
1. If you go very often, maybe u should consider to be a member, which might save u a bit in a long run. 2. The new facility was opend not too long ago, but Bintang is there for quite a while. I still remember BFers said the grand opening night there were hundreds of ppl there. Therefore, I think they are far from "not well known".
They were in the newspaper. There was an article on it. They had it cut it and put in a lil plastic stand up frame that you can see on the counter.
it was a newspaper targeted towards the Indian population though. it would be nice if they have an article on SJ Mercury. now that would be big.
While I was taking a rest today, I watched the owner of BinTang playing double. Wow, he gotta be one of the best players (except pros) I have ever seen. He is so fast, and his stokes, his footwork,... are so good. He should be a good coach. I definitely will send my kids to learn from him when they are ready.
I disagree to the above I have seen the owner plays as well. He seemed somewhat "normal". yes, he's got good techniques but these days, he does more training than playing. I can name a handful of people who can beat him in the bay area. And that's just off the top of my head.
Qidong, when do you go to Bintang? perhaps i know know you? i was there tonight. it was ok. i was really tired from work and wasn't too motivated tonight.
Hi Kwan, I only go there at lunch hour. But I have a couple of friends going there in the evening and they said they saw you and played with you before. Yes I know Phu definitely is not the best in the bay area as I know that there are some ex-US national team players and ex-Chinese national team players living here. But I have chance to warm up with Phu when it's slow there, and amazingly his stokes are so powerful even he is a skinny guy, and he is so quick covering the court. He is one of the best amateurs I have ever met.
Aotis, you must be very good to refer to Phu as a 'normal player' If he trained more than he plays, his level will easily go up a couple of steps. When I played with him, he would do some unforced errors. For his level of technique, I would say that would be unusual. The reason would be his relative lack of time playing games.
oops, my mistake sorry for the misunderstanding, I didn't mean "normal" as in an average player. I meant normal as in he doesn't seem to prosess anything special. And like I mentioned, and most people would agree, he does have very good technique. and Like Cheung said, he lacks training so he isn't very good at the moment. He tends to make too many unforced errors. So what I wanted to say was, he's good, just lacks training
Phu seems to enjoy playing for fun than for competition. with his basic and if he trains hard, he can be very good. but most of the time, he enjoys just running around making fun and doing tricky shots. perhaps he has come to a realization that badminton is for fun and not for competiton? Aotis, do you play in Bintang? perhaps i know you?
I was only there at the opening night. I am not sure if we've met, I have a feeling we did but just didn't know each other I haven't played much badminton lately, only once a week in the weekends.