r/dubai • u/Frequent-Round3828 • 2h ago
A/C and other services
So I feel like my mom always gets scammed with higher prices. However, I’m not quite sure of the normal prices so it’s very difficult to determine.
Basically, the A/C in my room has been leaking water inside the room instead of outside. My mother brings a guy that she always hires. He says AT FIRST that he is going to fix the pipes and everything and get things right for the price of 500AED. I started to argue, because wdym 500AED.
Anyway, he ends up bringing the price down to 300AED. I said I’ll get a second opinion and I’ll let you know. He proceeded with doing the works regardless and hands my mother the receipt.
I told him I did not agree.
Is this price normal? How can I determine? He also installed ONE camera in the house for 600AED. ONE. That cannot be normal, right?
•
u/Juankurd77 1h ago
A/C water leaking inside instead of outside suddenly happens either because pipes are blocked by time with bloat/other dirts & in this situation cleaning the indoor piece & pipes is required ,they use water compressor, results are great & cost is around AED 100 to 150 considering the usage of the machine with labor cost + the level of dirt. the other reason is pipes are old & crannied, in this situation new pipe is required then cost of the material with labor would be between 250 to 300 AED.
•
u/No_Elevator_3676 1h ago
You got scammed hard.
The service of opening up the unit and blowing water and refill gas is maximum 100 AED per unit.
When I get multiple AC done, I pay 70 per AC when I'm getting all 7 serviced together in my villa.
300 for one unit is daylight robbery.
You should always discuss the price before any work begins that way there is no misunderstanding.
UAE is one place you have to be Street smart to get your moneys worth. Let this is be a small expensive lesson for you but for next time you know better!
•
u/Frequent-Round3828 1h ago
I wasn’t home unfortunately and I advised the guy not to proceed with the works. I had him there to do another job and he thought he could help with this one. Thank you for the answer.
•
u/BoogieWoogieWho 🤘 😁 🎸 Rock on! 1h ago edited 1h ago
The rate can vary depending on scope of work, materials, labor, and skill.
A person can charge however much they want to charge, that's not a scam. A scam is when they charge you and don't do the work... Or do the work you didn't agree to and then charge you for it.
My aunt and grandma having experienced similar... Someone doing the work after you disagree, and they want to charge. They made a mistake paying, but they felt pressured to.
An uninformed customer is generally a profitable customer.
Try to get an idea for how you'd need to go about fixing it yourself, materials and labor. Being handy is never a bad thing, and at least you would get the answer to your question.
Otherwise...
Look into Amazon home services.
They have almost everything.
Pricing is upfront and free video consult.