If the leaks is small and if it's in a piece of straight pipe, go to the hardware and by a tire patch kit along with 2 small hose clamps (auto radiator clamps), place the tire patch over the leak and use the hose clamp to tighten over the leak. It's a $3 repair in the states and even by Swiss prices it can't cost much more than $20. It's cheap and it works. It's temp but can last for years and years. This happened to a pipe in our house and the pipe hasn't leaked for 8 years. My experience with repair people here is similar to yours. You can often find an expat to do the job. They are cheaper and better trained.