Advice re locksmith charge

Getting_better

Hi

Wonder if I can get some advice here please. I live in a block of flats with the letter boxes all outside by the main front door. A couple of days ago I saw someone had put blue tack through the key hole. I tried to pull out as much as I could but there was still some in the lock. The next day I tried to get more out with a needle, managed to but couldn't get the key right in. I then called up some locksmiths for quotes and settled on the cheapest one which said that the price would be £59 for the technician to come out and also to change the lock, agreed to go with that.

Embarrassingly when he came out (Friday morning), he put the key in and opened it straightaway, I asked what I'd have to pay and he said the £59, I then said he might as well change the lock to which he said that would be an additional £25. I then paid the £59 (not happy as this contradicted what I was quoted). On the invoice he put that it was a call out charge. On checking the company's website it states they do not charge a call out fee. I've since been round the houses by phone and then emailed in a complaint where they haven't responded to the misquote and are insisting it's a labour charge and that the technician was incorrect to put it down as a call out fee, regardless of the fact that the technician didn't actually do anything and was there for a minute that the labour charge is valid.

I'm a bit confused by it all, I don't think the charge is valid and am wondering whether to get a refund from my credit card company. I wanted to get some opinions on if this is a valid course of action.

Many thanks.

zaax

My local locksmith is £60 for a call out and £25 is about right for a Yale. If the door was unlocked you should have have brought a new lock and changed it yourself - very simple job

Getting_better

Thanks for your reply- my query is that they misquoted on what the job would cost and also as the work wasn't required charged a call out charge.

Norman_Castle

The call out charge was for them to drive to your home, which they did, and will include labour costs if needed. The £25 will be the cost of the lock.
Did they quote £59 to supply and fit a lock?.

Getting_better

Hi

thanks for your reply:

They quoted £59 to supply and change the lock, they confirmed over the phone (and on their website) that they do not charge a call out charge. The locksmith did nothing and the invoice left with me states "Call out charge".

thanks

Getting_better

hi, lots of views but no opinions?

DaveTheMus

Should the locksmith not be paid for attending your property?

He could have been attending another job had he not been at your property.

Should the locksmith have his time wasted and not be compensated for it?

You're paying for the mans time, you got that.

Getting_better

I think the point i'm trying to get at is the company clearly state they do not charge for a "Call out charge" and I believe that is what i have been invoiced for- in that case am I wrong for not agreeing with the charge?

DaftyDuck

So, you say the company's website says no callout fee. Gizza link, so we can see what it says, and either agree, or disagree with you.

DaveTheMus

Getting_better wrote: »

I think the point i'm trying to get at is the company clearly state they do not charge for a "Call out charge" and I believe that is what i have been invoiced for- in that case am I wrong for not agreeing with the charge?

The company have already advised you that the engineer made a mistake on the invoice and have advised that you have been charged for labour.

Getting_better

thanks. I feel that the company were just saying that as I stated also there was a misquote, thanks for all replies