In a show of extreme generosity, a company that was contacted to do some minor roofing work has agreed to knock 25 percent off the standard expat exploitation fee.
Damien Fils, co-owner of Fils & Fils, spent around 30 seconds examining a leaky skylight from a distance of six meters, all while texting his wife, ordering takeaway sushi for lunch, and humming the tune of “Despacito,” before giving an estimate.
“You appear to be an office worker with little experience in home repairs, so I’m going to offer to fix the leak for the low price of six thousand euros,” he told the foreign-born customer who, despite having moved to Luxembourg a decade ago, still has that deer-in-the-headlights look when dealing with contractors.
“Of course, I need to add the linguistic inconvenience charge and the standard expat exploitation fee, which brings us to seven thousand euros,” he continued. “VAT not included. Payment due upon completion of work. Tips accepted. Coffee appreciated.”
When Fils observed that the customer, who had assumed the job might only cost two or three hundred euros, was on the verge of passing out due to shock, the contractor decided to make a generous offer to seal the deal.
“I’m willing to knock twenty-five percent off the expat exploitation fee,” he said. “That’s a fixed charge. Most guys won’t even consider touching it, but it’s Friday, I like you, and I’m in a good mood.”
“That brings us down to sixty-eight hundred euros,” he added.
When the expat responded that he would need time to think about it but had already decided on a resolute no, the contractor left a business card on the counter and departed.
According to sources, the expat went on to contact three other contractors who gave estimates of eight, nine, and ten thousand euros, respectively, leading him to sheepishly accept the original offer.
