Found a company in Chișinău through ChatGPT, 999.md or a group? What to check before you contact them

You live in Durlești and your car has started making a strange noise. You find one garage in a Facebook group, a friend recommends another, and ChatGPT suggests a third. They all look promising. But before you leave your car with anyone, a few simple questions remain: can they take it today? How much is the diagnosis? Will they call you before doing any extra work?

It’s the same when you call an electrician to your home, look for a clinic in Botanica or hire a renovation crew. A recommendation — from AI, from 999.md, from a Viber or Telegram group or a Facebook page — is only a starting point. Then it’s worth checking whether the details actually fit your situation.

Online recommendations are a start, not a guarantee

A BrightLocal survey published in 2026 found that 45% of US respondents had used AI tools to get local business recommendations. Of the 455 participants who had done so, 88% said they check the source or credibility of the reviews the AI mentions.

These are US figures, not a measure of how consumers behave in Moldova. But the trend is useful: a quick recommendation helps you find options, and people look for confirmation before they choose.

The same goes for a post in a local group or an online ad. Ask yourself who provides the service, where they work and whether the details can be confirmed from another source.

1. Check where the provider works and whether they come to you

For a workshop, the exact address and opening hours matter: a garage “in Chișinău” can be on the other side of town. If you live in Durlești, start with the car repair shops in Durlești, then call to confirm an appointment.

For a tradesperson who comes to your home — an electrician, plumber or repair crew — “I work in Chișinău” doesn’t automatically mean they’ll come to Durlești, Stăuceni, Codru or an address on the edge of the city. Ask directly whether they travel to your area and whether the call-out is charged separately.

2. Ask what the inspection costs and what the estimate includes

The price of the job is not always the only cost. Depending on the provider and the service, there may be a separate call-out fee, an inspection fee (constatare) or a diagnosis fee. Don’t assume these are free — ask before the visit.

You can simply ask:

• Do you charge for coming to my address?
• Is the inspection or diagnosis charged separately?
• If I go ahead with the job, is that fee deducted from the final price?
• What does the estimate include, and what might be charged on top?

Ask for an estimate in lei and for an explanation of what it covers. For a bigger repair, request a written estimate (deviz) listing the work, materials, costs and the conditions under which the amount may change. It isn’t realistic to expect an exact price for a problem that still needs to be examined; it is reasonable to know in advance what the examination costs and how extra work gets approved.

3. Check who is behind ads and posts in online groups

On 999.md, in Viber or Telegram groups and on Facebook you can find recommendations and contacts for service providers. See whether the ad gives the company’s or person’s name, phone number, town and the services offered.

A page without an address doesn’t automatically mean the offer isn’t serious — many tradespeople only work at the client’s home. But it’s worth asking who will come, which areas they cover and what document you’ll get for the payment.

If you’re asked for a deposit, clarify who you’re paying, for which stage of the work and how the payment is confirmed. For expensive jobs, put the agreement in writing: scope of work, deadline, price and payment terms.

4. For a registered company, check the IDNO with the Public Services Agency

If you’re dealing with a legal entity, you can check its details through the “Verifică IDNO” online service of the Public Services Agency (ASP). It queries the State Register of Legal Entities and shows the company’s name, IDNO (company ID number), registration date, locality and status, including whether it has been liquidated. The check is free, and ASP states a limit of up to five queries per day.

This check confirms registration details, not the quality of work or the company’s reputation. And if you’re dealing with a tradesperson working as an individual, a company check may not apply. In that case, ask whose name will appear on the payment document and what proof you’ll receive for the service.

5. Ask the right questions for the service you need

At a garage, ask how much the diagnosis costs and ask to be called before any extra work is done. Compare parts and labour separately — otherwise two quotes can look similar while covering different things. You’ll find garages across the city in the Car repair category.

With an electrician, describe the problem and ask whether they handle that kind of job. Clarify the call-out, the cost of the inspection and whether materials are included in the estimate.

At a clinic, confirm the branch address, the specialty and when the doctor you need is available. For more complex treatment, ask for the plan and costs to be explained before you decide. In the Clinics and hospitals category you can compare the published information about medical institutions; it does not replace a medical consultation.

6. Don’t judge a clinic by its average rating alone

An average rating can hide very different experiences. On 1 November 2026, Yell’s “Clinics and hospitals” page listed 189 companies with an average Google rating of 3.9. The published breakdown showed 56 addresses rated 4.5 or higher and 50 rated below 3.5. These are Google figures shown on the category page, valid as of that date.

So look at the number and content of the reviews, not just the overall score. Read a few recent ones and look for details about communication, waiting times and the service itself. A rating helps you compare, but it won’t tell you on its own whether a clinic offers the specialty you need or whether the doctor works at the branch that suits you.

What you can check on Yell

On Yell you can search for companies by category and sector. Profiles may include the address, phone number, opening hours, map location, services and reviews. The available information varies from company to company, so use the profile to compare options and confirm the important details — availability, call-out and costs — directly with the provider before your visit or appointment.

Frequently asked questions

Can I check online whether a company is registered in Moldova?

Yes. ASP offers an online service that checks the State Register of Legal Entities by company name and/or IDNO. It’s free, within the published limit of five queries per day.

Is the inspection or diagnosis charged separately?

It depends on the service and the provider. Before the visit, ask whether there’s a fee and whether it’s deducted from the cost of the job if you go ahead.

How do I check a provider I found in a Facebook or Telegram group?

Ask for the provider’s name, the area they cover and a contact number. Compare the information with other sources and agree on the service, the estimated price and the payment terms in writing.

Does a 4.5+ rating mean the company is verified by Yell?

No. Ratings on category pages come from Google data shown in the directory. They are not Yell’s certification of service quality and should be read together with the reviews and current information about the company.

Sources: BrightLocal — Local Consumer Review Survey 2026; ASP — Verifică IDNO.