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The last paragraph in the article talks of scams: a telephone rep offers $49 service to a locked-out homeowner, but when the locksmith shows up he insists on $4

by dctoedt 15y ago

The last paragraph in the article talks of scams: a telephone rep offers $49 service to a locked-out homeowner, but when the locksmith shows up he insists on $400. Once he gets paid, he drills out the lock and leaves, with the homeowner now needing a new lock. One possible defensive tactic comes to mind: I'd be inclined, before agreeing to pay even the $49, to tell the telephone rep I was going to take an iPhone picture of the locksmith's vehicle and license plate, and that I needed a picture of him and his driver's license too. If the phone rep hangs up, I'm ahead of the game. (I might also call the local police station and see if maybe a patrol car might be able to mosey on over so a cop could be standing there, just in case ....)

tnorthcutt 15y ago
“We showed up at a job last week,” he said, “and this woman told me, ‘A young man came yesterday, quoted me $49 to open my door, then he drilled my lock, charged me $400 and left — and now I need a new lock.’ I hear something like that almost every week.” The way I interpret that statement, the locksmith quoted her $49, then did the work and insisted on $400.
- dctoedt 15y ago
  It wasn't clear to me that the $49 quote was after the locksmith showed up - otherwise why would the woman have paid $400?
  - tptacek 15y ago
    Because she's at home by herself and there's a scary guy demanding money and telling her a BS story about how she owes it. Read reviews for plumbers sometime (another trade that tends to get emergency calls) and you'll see the same stories.
    - raldi 15y ago
      Also, if the guy gets angry, she can't retreat inside and lock the door.
    - dctoedt 15y ago
      > Because she's at home by herself and there's a scary guy demanding money and telling her a BS story about how she owes it. You're right, I can see how that could happen. If she paid the money under those circumstances, she might have tried calling the cops; the prospect of the locksmith's being prosecuted for robbery, or maybe extortion or fraud, might have gotten her her money back. (Disclaimer: IAAL but I know very little about criminal law.)
beezee 15y ago
Someone tried this on me once- they quoted me 80 and when he got there said it would be 210. I told him not to touch it, I'd just sleep in the hall. He then asked "well how much can you pay?" to which I said "80" Job done in two seconds (I still felt ripped off, but at least paid what I agreed to.) Lesson being that once they drive out there, they'd rather get paid what they quoted than nothing at all, so just say no and you'll probably get your quoted rate.

by dctoedt 15y ago

tnorthcutt 15y ago

“We showed up at a job last week,” he said, “and this woman told me, ‘A young man came yesterday, quoted me $49 to open my door, then he drilled my lock, charged me $400 and left — and now I need a new lock.’ I hear something like that almost every week.” The way I interpret that statement, the locksmith quoted her $49, then did the work and insisted on $400.

dctoedt 15y ago
It wasn't clear to me that the $49 quote was after the locksmith showed up - otherwise why would the woman have paid $400?
- tptacek 15y ago
  Because she's at home by herself and there's a scary guy demanding money and telling her a BS story about how she owes it. Read reviews for plumbers sometime (another trade that tends to get emergency calls) and you'll see the same stories.
  - raldi 15y ago
    Also, if the guy gets angry, she can't retreat inside and lock the door.
  - dctoedt 15y ago
    > Because she's at home by herself and there's a scary guy demanding money and telling her a BS story about how she owes it. You're right, I can see how that could happen. If she paid the money under those circumstances, she might have tried calling the cops; the prospect of the locksmith's being prosecuted for robbery, or maybe extortion or fraud, might have gotten her her money back. (Disclaimer: IAAL but I know very little about criminal law.)

beezee 15y ago

Someone tried this on me once- they quoted me 80 and when he got there said it would be 210. I told him not to touch it, I'd just sleep in the hall. He then asked "well how much can you pay?" to which I said "80" Job done in two seconds (I still felt ripped off, but at least paid what I agreed to.) Lesson being that once they drive out there, they'd rather get paid what they quoted than nothing at all, so just say no and you'll probably get your quoted rate.