Koreans seem to rent water purifiers and bidets — can foreigners sign up too?
At a friend's place I saw they don't buy a water purifier but rent it for a monthly fee with regular maintenance visits. I'd like to rent a water purifier, bidet, or air purifier too, but I'm not sure if I can sign a contract with just my ARC. I'd also like to know how long the typical contract is, and what happens with penalties or reinstallation if I cancel early or move.
1 Answer
Yes — with your ARC and a Korean bank account or card, you can rent water purifiers, bidets, and air purifiers from companies like Coway, SK Magic, LG, and Chungho. Contracts are typically 3 or 5 years, and the monthly fee usually includes regular maintenance visits (a cody who changes filters and cleans the unit for you). If you cancel mid-contract, you can be charged a penalty plus the remaining registration cost, so check the early-termination terms before signing, and when you move, most companies relocate and reinstall the unit for free — so transferring your address is better than cancelling.