Singapore resident questions handyman pricing disparities

A Singapore resident shared his experience on social media about hiring a handyman. He was surprised to find a significant price difference between a local handyman and a foreign one. The local handyman quoted him S$130 for a minor job that took about 45 minutes. The resident still considered it despite the high price and slow response. In contrast, a foreign handyman charged S$80, was quick to respond, and did a good job. The resident ended up tipping him S$10, making the total S$90. The resident questioned how much longer it makes sense to support local businesses when they do not provide good service. He raised concerns about balancing fair wages for locals with the realities of price and availability. Many Singaporeans commented on the post, sharing their thoughts. Some suggested that the local handyman might charge more due to higher demand or experience. Others believed that high prices from locals could be a result of some getting away with it because many customers do not compare prices. One commenter challenged the resident's claim of wanting to support local businesses. They noted that if price is the most important factor, it sounds more like seeking cheaper labor than supporting local. Another argued that the S$130 charge was reasonable, considering Singapore's high cost of living. Overall, the discussion highlighted differing opinions on local versus foreign services and the trade-offs between price and support for local businesses.