The remote controller for my Carrier air conditioner failed. The price for a replacement is more than $150. Fortunately, I was able to find a universal remote controller from Korea that worked with the Carrier air conditioner for $10.
It is quite unfair for a company to levy an excessively high charge for a spare part that they designed specifically for their product. The motor car manufacturers also charge a high price for their keys.
As the manufacturer chose to have a special design for the remote controller or their key, they spare parts should be considered as a monopoly item and should be subject to anti-monopoly laws. The law should dictate what is a fair price and what is an excessive price.
I believe the manufacturer does not charge the distributors the high price. It is the distributors who jack up the price on those replacement parts.
ReplyDeleteI could get original replacement (for other items) from other distributor at a reasonable price.
There may be an explanation for this trend of charging high prices for parts replacement. Electrical
ReplyDeleteproducts are getting cheaper by the year, and manufacturers/distributors try to make up for lower profits by pricing parts higher.
Mr. Tan,
ReplyDeleteyou are right. I was charges 500 for my mercedes spare key from a parallel importer.
I have the same issue too. Care to share where you got your Korean universal controller. I have tried other brand of universal controller , but did not work for my carrier air con.
ReplyDeleteThanks in advance
Hi Simon
ReplyDeleteKorean brand is Chunghop K1000E. Cost $10. Available at Ang Mo Kio Hub (but don't know the shop, as it was bought by my son).
Hi Simon
ReplyDeleteYou can buy online here:
http://www.budgetgadgets.com/chunghop-universal-remote-control-k1000e-p-5592.html