Locksmith Rip-Off
By Consumer Reporter Tak Landrockt.landrock@krdo.com
Follow me on Twitter @ www.twitter.com/taklandrock
COLORADO SPRINGS – It’s something that doesn’t happen often, but when you lock your keys in your car or your house, you quickly turn to the yellow pages to find a locksmith to help you out.
Many turn to the first page with the biggest advertisement or call the company with several listings.But you may want to beware. NEWSCHANNEL 13 has learned that one local company, has an “F” rating with the Better Business Bureau, the worst grade you can get. The BBB even says the company was part of a “nationwide locksmith swindle” and their technicians are ripping off consumers.
“A Locksmith” has almost 30 local listings in the Dex Yellow Pages with multiple addresses and phone numbers, but they’re actually based on the east coast.
NEWSCHANNEL 13 highlighted the company nearly 2 years ago. We wanted to see if the company would try to swindle us again. The biggest complaint against the company then was that it would quote a price over the phone and then give a much higher price once the car door is opened.
Two years later,we sent our decoy, Mike Jackson, to a parking lot at Cimarron and 8th Street. When he placed the first call, the call taker told him the locksmith would get back to him in a few minutes. We waited and didn’t get a call back.
We called the number again and were told again, the locksmith would get back to us in a few minutes. This time we asked, ” How much is this going to cost us?” We were quoted a price of $40 for a service call and were told there would be another unlocking fee.
A few minutes later, the locksmith called us and told us he was onthe way. As we waited, we sat in an unmarked van with camera rolling. With our hidden cameras rolling, the locksmith showed up in an unmarked van.
The locksmith asked our decoy how he locked his keys in the car.
“It’s my wife’s car, mine is in the shop.”
The locksmith responds, ” You’re not used to this?”
Mike tells him “no” and asks how much it would cost to unlock the car.
“Let me call,” says the locksmith.
As we watch, he calls his boss to get a quote on how much to charge our stranded motorist. After a few minutes we are told the price would be more than $120 dollars. Before he could even begin the job, we jumped out of our unmarked car and began asking him questions.
“Why so much to unlock a car?”
The locksmithtells us, “It depends.”
We ask, “Depends on what?”
He never answers the question and begins walking to his van. He wouldn’t tell us his name, but says he’s been in Colorado Springs for three months. Hesays the company moved him here and when I ask “Where from?”, he doesn’t answer.
Back to all of those listings in the phonebook. The location we”stranded” our motorist/decoy is the same spot this locksmith companysupposedly has an office. We searchedthe entire strip mall, and there were no listings for a locksmith.
WhenNEWSCHANNEL 13asks the worker why his company has so many listings without any real offices,hesays he doesn’t know why.
So how much should you expect truly local locksmiths to charge you?The price range is $40-$60 dollars, depending on your location, and the time of day you call for help.
Greg Weiss with “A Action Locksmith” tells NEWSCHANNEL 13a professional locksmith will always quote you a price to unlock your car.
How do you know which locksmith to go with? The BBB offers these tips on what to watch out for:
“Locksmith Service”: Unscrupulous individuals often operate under many business names or aliases. They may answer the phone with a generic phrase like, “locksmith service” or simply “locksmith”. If the call is answered this way, ask, “What is the legal name of your business?” Unclear Business Name: Look closely at the ad(s) in the yellow pages. Is the specific name of the business clearly identified? Does the ad look similar to other ads but have a different name? Does it appear that the dealer actually operates under several names? Service Vehicle: Some legitimate locksmiths will work out of a car or unmarked van for quick jobs, but most should arrive in a service vehicle that is clearly marked with the name of the business. Identity: A legitimate locksmith should ask your for proof of your identity and some form of proof that you have the authority to allow the unlocking to be done. A legitimate locksmith should also provide you with identification in the form of a business card or invoice with the company name on it. Make sure their identifying information matches the name on their service vehicle. Estimates: Find out what the work will cost before you authorize it. Never sign a blank form authorizing work. Invoice: Insist on an itemized invoice. You can’t dispute a charge without proof of how much you paid and what you paid for. Refuse: If you are not comfortable with the service provider, you can, and should, refuse to work with the locksmith.
