A local woman has accused Hong Kong's only official Mercedes-Benz dealer of 'legalised extortion' after being told it would cost $12,398 to fix her car's windscreen wipers.
The quote - from Aberdeen's Zung Fu dealership - included $7,398 for a new water pump and '$5,000 or so' for labour, according to the woman, who wanted to be identified only as Jane.
The same part - a water pump - is apparently available for just #12.50 (HK$152) from licensed British dealers. 'It's an outrage,' said Jane, who drives a Mercedes 1996 C200 Elegance.
Defiant, she phoned her brother in London, who bought the pump for #12.50 and spent another #2.07 on postage. Jane then fitted the pump herself. 'It took about 15 minutes,' she said. Total savings: more than $12,200.
Next time something goes wrong with her car, Jane plans to take the advice of her young nephew in Britain. 'Aunty Jane, you could pay for an air ticket and I could bring over the bits you need and install them for you.'
It would certainly be cheaper.