Consumers complain about randomness and exaggerated pricing in “car garage” services.

Consumers reported that there were price exaggerations in the services of some car garages, and a large and random variation in prices between one garage and another for the same services, pointing out that some garages take advantage of some consumers’ lack of knowledge of the technical matters related to car maintenance to impose exaggerated prices.

They pointed out to “Emirates Today” that the practices of some garages include selling spare parts at varying and exaggerated prices, calling for the need to establish clear regulations that determine the prices of services and labor wages in garages, in a way that enhances the transparency of prices provided to consumers, especially with some garages relying on agreements and verbal negotiations with customers.

For its part, the Emirates Consumer Protection Association reported that it had received a large number of complaints during the recent period related to the practices of some car maintenance garages, most notably the exaggeration in the prices of spare parts and the installation of used parts.

The association called on consumers to reject any exaggerated price increases, and to compare offers between several garages, stressing that the consumer has the right to know the estimated cost from the garage before starting the repair, and to obtain his written approval of that cost before starting implementation, and that the garage does not have the right to add any new items without referring to the customer.

On the other hand, two officials at car garages said that there is no specific price for services, but that prices are subject to market competition and garage estimates.

In detail, the consumer, Farouk Ibrahim, said that “the car maintenance garages sector is witnessing random price exaggerations in the pricing operations of a number of garages, which shows a large discrepancy in the prices of similar services,” pointing out that “for example, some garages provide a car brake repair service at a cost of up to 150 dirhams, while the cost of the same service reaches 180 dirhams in other garages.”

Consumer Salem Mahmoud stated, “Garages charge different prices for the same services, and take advantage of consumers’ lack of knowledge of the technical standards for car repair. Services that are provided in one garage for 300 dirhams may be offered in another garage for 450 dirhams, which shows the extent of the randomness of the prices between them.”

Consumer Abdul Hamid Ali pointed out that “garages sometimes rely on exaggerated and random policies in pricing services provided for car maintenance. Garages that repair tires provide one tire repair service for about 50 dirhams, while other garages offer it for about 20 dirhams only,” calling for the necessity of setting clear regulations and standards for prices in a way that achieves transparency and preserves the rights of consumers.

Consumer Hassan Amer said, “Some garages take advantage of some consumers’ lack of knowledge of technical matters related to car maintenance to impose exaggerated prices. One garage requested 500 dirhams for repairs and maintenance, then demanded an addition of 150 dirhams under the pretext of additional work, even though the cost was lower in a number of other garages.”

He explained, “It is necessary to establish clear regulations that determine the prices of services and labor wages in garages, in a way that enhances the transparency of prices provided to consumers, especially since some garages rely on agreements and verbal negotiations with customers.”

In turn, the official of one of the garages, Muhammad Gholam, said, “There is no specific pricing for services in the garage market, but rather the prices are subject to competition and the garages are estimated according to the services provided and the amount of effort expended.”

The official of one of the garages, Muhammad Ibrahim, added that “the prices for garage services are not specific, but there are common prices,” pointing out that “the prices are determined according to the size of the garage, the available equipment, and the level of experience of the workers in it.”

On the other hand, Walid Salem Al Hosani, a member of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Consumer Protection Association, said, “The Association has received a large number of complaints during the recent period, related to the practices of some car maintenance garages, most notably the exaggeration of prices, including the prices of spare parts and the installation of used parts.”

He stressed that “the association warns against responding to any price exaggerations that may be imposed by some car maintenance garages,” stressing “the need for consumer awareness of the importance of comparing prices between several workshops, which is the ideal solution to avoid exploitation by some garages.”

Al Hosani explained, “The local market is witnessing an abundance of car garage options, and the accompanying clear disparity in the prices of services and spare parts, which gives the consumer a wide margin to choose between the available alternatives, ensuring obtaining the best value for the price.”

He stressed that “there is no unified price for maintenance services, but rather there are common prices that differ from one garage to another according to the location and quality of service,” calling on consumers to reject any exaggerated increases and report them to the competent authorities.

Al Hosani said, “The consumer has the right to know the estimated cost from the garage before starting the repair, and to obtain his written approval of that cost before starting implementation, and the garage does not have the right to add any new items without consulting the customer.”

He pointed out that “it is necessary to obtain and keep repair invoices, while rejecting any exaggerated price increases, and comparing offers between several garages, especially with the abundance of workshops in the country, which provide multiple options and support competitiveness for the benefit of the customer.”

• Dealers demanded the establishment of clear regulations specifying the prices of services and the wages of workers in garages.

• “Emirates Consumer Protection”: The consumer has the right to know the estimated cost from the garage before starting the repair, and to obtain his written approval of that cost before starting implementation.