Extortionate Locksmith Charges

JezzArch

I recently had to call out an emergency locksmith in the middle of the night as I was locked out of my home. I queried the charges before agreeing for the individual to attend but I do not have any proof of this conversation as it was on the phone.

At the end of the visit, the locksmith has charged me £1190.40

I've just received the breakdown:

Emergency Open High Security by Drilling: 150
Emergency Open by Drilling: 89
Emergency Lock Fitting: 178
High Security Lock: 245
Double Locking Lock: 215
Anti Lock Picking: 115
Vat: 198.40

A significant portion of the costs appears to be the actual locks themselves (£575) which is not remotely comparable to the listed prices for these online.

Is there anything I can do to dispute these costs as they seem astronomic?

Thank you for your help in advance and I'm happy to supply additional info if I've missed anything.

longwalks1

I hope someone has a helpful reply, as it looks extortionate to be fair! Sure, middle of the night call out charge will be a lot, but unless you live in a bank vault I doubt you'd need £575 worth of locks on your door


If I had no joy arguing the case I'd be leaving negative feedback in every possible place I could, after I'd let him know my intentions

buglawton

Get exact details on the RRP of your replacement locks. Then challenge the bill firmly where you think you have a case. If you get a poor response, report to Trading Standards. Did you pay by card? That can put pressure even if the card company may not agree with your case.

bris

Let them take you to court, the judge will soon put him straight.


There is case law regarding these rip off merchants, 1 or 2 have even been charged as far as I remember.

davidmcn

Have you paid? What do you think you agreed on the phone?

Comms69

JezzArch wrote: »

I recently had to call out an emergency locksmith in the middle of the night as I was locked out of my home. I queried the charges before agreeing for the individual to attend but I do not have any proof of this conversation as it was on the phone.

At the end of the visit, the locksmith has charged me £1190.40

I've just received the breakdown:

Emergency Open High Security by Drilling: 150
Emergency Open by Drilling: 89
Emergency Lock Fitting: 178
High Security Lock: 245
Double Locking Lock: 215
Anti Lock Picking: 115
Vat: 198.40

A significant portion of the costs appears to be the actual locks themselves (£575) which is not remotely comparable to the listed prices for these online. - indeed, but why did you ask for new locks to be fitted?, as highlighted in red, those costs were easily avoidable

Is there anything I can do to dispute these costs as they seem astronomic? - Not really. You should just said that you would replace the lock yourself

Thank you for your help in advance and I'm happy to supply additional info if I've missed anything.

Emergency locksmiths should only be used to gain entry.

General_Applause

Next time just put a brick through your window.


Or remember your keys.

Frank99

OMG, a painful financial lesson, a DIY break-in would be cheaper.

hollydays

Bloody hell, another of these rip off locksmiths

hollydays

Does the locksmith belong to any trade association.

Al_Ross

JezzArch wrote: »

I recently had to call out an emergency locksmith in the middle of the night as I was locked out of my home. I queried the charges before agreeing for the individual to attend but I do not have any proof of this conversation as it was on the phone.

At the end of the visit, the locksmith has charged me £1190.40

I've just received the breakdown:

Emergency Open High Security by Drilling: 150
Emergency Open by Drilling: 89
Emergency Lock Fitting: 178
High Security Lock: 245
Double Locking Lock: 215
Anti Lock Picking: 115
Vat: 198.40

A significant portion of the costs appears to be the actual locks themselves (£575) which is not remotely comparable to the listed prices for these online.

Is there anything I can do to dispute these costs as they seem astronomic?

Thank you for your help in advance and I'm happy to supply additional info if I've missed anything.

Definitely being ripped off.How was his work?