Consumer protection groups warn against service provider overcharging

Consumer advocacy organizations in Serbia and Germany are warning citizens about predatory practices by service providers.

In Serbia, the association Efektiva noted that telecommunications operators may attempt to charge penalties or claim equipment costs that exceed market value when users fail to return hardware after contract termination. Efektiva advises consumers to seek written confirmation of equipment returns or use registered mail to provide irrefutable proof of attempted delivery if an operator refuses to accept the hardware.

In Germany, consumer centers in North Rhine-Westphalia and Berlin have reported cases of extreme overcharging for emergency repairs. One woman was charged nearly 800 euros for unlocking a door, despite an average market price of 59 to 84 euros. Another instance involved a plumbing service where an initial quote of 59 euros escalated to nearly 2000 euros for clearing a drain. German consumer groups recommend negotiating fixed prices that include all potential costs before service begins and advise calling the police if a technician uses high-pressure tactics to demand immediate payment.