Locksmith deceived me - Can I get a refund

ucbtjsc

ILW wrote: »

There is no official definition of expensive.

Next time, if the price is different to the verbal quote, just tell them you are not going to proceed or pay any call out. Nothing they could have done.

In retrospect that is exactly what I should have done but I didn't realise that was an option at the time.

ucbtjsc

On a separate note; I think that locksmiths know they have you in a difficult position because usually a lock change is a time sensitive issue; i.e. many people just want the locks changed and are unlikely to turn someone away if the quote changes (because then they'll have to try and sort out another callout).

tinkerbell28

I would take it further, at least to trading standards. He may already have complaints.

Tell the main company you are doing so.

It is awful behaviour. Not everyone knows they can easily say sling their hook, or would even if they did.

How many elderly people have been ripped off? How many women have been locked out and night. Feeling forced to pay up as they felt threatened and left without choice? Once he got there and he jacked up the cost? Saying they'd have to pay anyway?

I expect this exactly the thing ts would be interested in. Sounds awful.

ucbtjsc

I have reported it to the trading standards.

I've never done this before so not sure what to expect from this. I will update the thread if anything interesting happens.

Thanks monty-doggy and tinkerbell28 for the advice (and also to ILW to a certain extent: I will be much more careful next time and won't get caught out!).

deanos

i hope he fitted a anti-snap lock for that price if its on a upvc door

pinkshoes

Definitely worth contacting trading standards, although I would have sent a letter first asking for a refund of the extra amount.

For future reference, most locks are easy to change. The locksmith clesrly realised you knew nothing, so deceived you!

arcon5

Had you provided accurate information over the phone you would have been within your rights to send him away without paying the call out fee since he was changing what was originally agreed.

frugal_mike

As has already been mentioned changing a standard euro cylinder lock is dead easy, all you need is a screwdriver and the key. One thing I would be worried about is that if he is dishonest enough to charge you way over the odds then he may be reckless enough to install a cheap lock with less protection.

Most locks will offer ant-pick, anti-drill and anti-bump protection, but the cheap ones don't offer that.

maninthestreet

ILW wrote: »

For what? There are no laws or guidelines for profit margin or mark up.

The locksmith lied to the OP about the actual cost of the lock - had he told me OP he was selling him a lock for almost nine times it's cost price, do you think the OP would have agreed to go ahead??? The contract was formed on a basis of a lie.

ILW

maninthestreet wrote: »

The locksmith lied to the OP about the actual cost of the lock - had he told me OP he was selling him a lock for almost nine times it's cost price, do you think the OP would have agreed to go ahead??? The contract was formed on a basis of a lie.

The locksmith quoted his cost it seems. So no lie there unless OP can prove what the LS paid for the item.