Are All Locksmiths Crooks?

whatdidyousay!

whatdidyousay!

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I called a locksmith today to have some work done on my locks and the guy said cost $100 -$120 just to come to look at my locks to see what needs to be done. This does not include any labor , if I buy the locks from the locksmith that is $200 more and that for the locks only. it could send up costing over $300 to work on two locks! My house is settling and this has messed up my locked. I called a hardware store to see if they had anyone that does repairs and they the locksmith phone #. I was told a handyman would not know how to fix locks , now I am thinking the locksmith had to be friend of the woman at the hardware store. I can't believe it, $120 just to look at my damn locks , is that a normal price, it feel like robbery to me. There is no locksmiths in my city and I never did use a handyman. I really needs to get my locks fixed and not sure who call now.
 
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whatdidyousay! said:
I called a locksmith today to have some work done on my locks and the guy said cost $100 -$120 just to come to look at my locks to see what needs to be done. This does not include any labor , if I buy the locks from the locksmith that is $200 more and that for the locks only. it could send up costing over $300 to work on two locks! My house is settling and this has messed up my locked. I called a hardware store to see if they had anyone that does repairs and they the locksmith phone #. I was told a handyman would not know how to fix locks , now I am thinking the locksmith had to be friend of the woman at the hardware store. I can't believe it, $120 just to look at my damn locks , is that a normal price, it feel like robbery to me. There is no locksmiths in my city and I never did use a handyman. I really needs to get my locks fixed and not sure who call now.
Click to expand...

I would recommend a professional locksmith. I read an article about that somewhere. Let me see if I can find the site for you.

Here's something to look into:

24/7 Mobile Locksmith - Fast, Professional Locksmith Services ...

And to be safe and secure:

Honest locksmiths hold key to overcoming bad companies | Las ...

Hope that helps. Best of luck to you.
 
Sorry.

24/7 Mobile Locksmith - Fast, Professional Locksmith Services ...

Honest locksmiths hold key to overcoming bad companies | Las ...
 
$100-120 just for visit, well it may be little steep but that is what cost them to do business with you, ofc including some profit.

Reputable locksmith should have bonds and insured, remember that cost them money to maintain bonds and being insured. They also have equipment that they either bought or lease, that includes vehicle, liability insurance, fuel and other cost. Wage paid to employees, usually a visit takes two hours, that includes time start travel to customer's residence, check out and come back. So, basically no one wants give away service for free.

It is NOT true that no handyman knows how to change the locks. Anyone can learn how to change locks. It is very simple and easy. I was shocked to find out how easy to re-key the lock. Just need equipment to key the keys. I change locks all the time, not hard.

But again, if you have locksmith coming in to check your locks, you are "inviting" potential thief to check out your property and may steal from you, that is what bonds are for, hence professional locksmith.
 
whatdidyousay! said:
I called a locksmith today to have some work done on my locks and the guy said cost $100 -$120 just to come to look at my locks to see what needs to be done. This does not include any labor , if I buy the locks from the locksmith that is $200 more and that for the locks only. it could send up costing over $300 to work on two locks! My house is settling and this has messed up my locked. I called a hardware store to see if they had anyone that does repairs and they the locksmith phone #. I was told a handyman would not know how to fix locks , now I am thinking the locksmith had to be friend of the woman at the hardware store. I can't believe it, $120 just to look at my damn locks , is that a normal price, it feel like robbery to me. There is no locksmiths in my city and I never did use a handyman. I really needs to get my locks fixed and not sure who call now.
Click to expand...

wow what a crock! I would even come and replace your locks for free! well.... for a cup of tea and biscuit....
 
diehardbiker said:
$100-120 just for visit, well it may be little steep but that is what cost them to do business with you, ofc including some profit.

Reputable locksmith should have bonds and insured, remember that cost them money to maintain bonds and being insured. They also have equipment that they either bought or lease, that includes vehicle, liability insurance, fuel and other cost. Wage paid to employees, usually a visit takes two hours, that includes time start travel to customer's residence, check out and come back. So, basically no one wants give away service for free.

It is NOT true that no handyman knows how to change the locks. Anyone can learn how to change locks. It is very simple and easy. I was shocked to find out how easy to re-key the lock. Just need equipment to key the keys. I change locks all the time, not hard.

But again, if you have locksmith coming in to check your locks, you are "inviting" potential thief to check out your property and may steal from you, that is what bonds are for, hence professional locksmith.
Click to expand...

That's why professionals are recommended.
 
diehardbiker said:
$100-120 just for visit, well it may be little steep but that is what cost them to do business with you, ofc including some profit.

Reputable locksmith should have bonds and insured, remember that cost them money to maintain bonds and being insured. They also have equipment that they either bought or lease, that includes vehicle, liability insurance, fuel and other cost. Wage paid to employees, usually a visit takes two hours, that includes time start travel to customer's residence, check out and come back. So, basically no one wants give away service for free.

It is NOT true that no handyman knows how to change the locks. Anyone can learn how to change locks. It is very simple and easy. I was shocked to find out how easy to re-key the lock. Just need equipment to key the keys. I change locks all the time, not hard.

But again, if you have locksmith coming in to check your locks, you are "inviting" potential thief to check out your property and may steal from you, that is what bonds are for, hence professional locksmith.
Click to expand...

They're professional locksmith . That is way I have second thoughts about using a handyman , I do not feel comfortable about having strange people in my home. The locksmith do not have to travel very far. I had no idea it would cost so much. I had a locksmith come to home before and they did not want $100 or more to just 'look' at my lock. We had a locksmith in my city but the guy dies very young and his wife was not able to run store on her own. It was very sad.
 
That is why I said it may be steep. I would say around 75 dollars as reasonable.

whatdidyousay! said:
They're professional locksmith . That is way I have second thoughts about using a handyman , I do not feel comfortable about having strange people in my home. The locksmith do not have to travel very far. I had no idea it would cost so much. I had a locksmith come to home before and they did not want $100 or more to just 'look' at my lock. We had a locksmith in my city but the guy dies very young and his wife was not able to run store on her own. It was very sad.
Click to expand...
 
When I lived in Texas, we had to call locksmith to change all the locks to the house because my sister's purse got stolen. The locksmith was a nice guy and he did all the work inside his van to make the keys and change the cylinder inside the knob. He let me watch how the door lock works which was interesting.

Then few years ago, the bathroom door got locked and couldn't get it open so we called locksmith to get it unlock and it costs around $75 to do it.
 
If all you are doing is changing the locks, it isn't that hard to do. I had someone show me and I did two changes on my own.

You could go to youtube and find out how to change locks. That's what I do whenever I need visual help. Youtube is great for that.
 
I remember you talked about living in a condo? The lock issues you have are coming from the building settling so it seems more like it would be a condo association fix job. Even if the manager says it isn't I would look at the fine print. That is a result of structural issues and would be like painting or replacing rotten window frames or fixing the roof.
 
goodonya said:
I remember you talked about living in a condo? The lock issues you have are coming from the building settling so it seems more like it would be a condo association fix job. Even if the manager says it isn't I would look at the fine print. That is a result of structural issues and would be like painting or replacing rotten window frames or fixing the roof.
Click to expand...

I live in a townhouse as well but I changed my own locks when I moved in. They have nothing to do with it. Hers could have different rules. Good question. OP could ask them.
 
goodonya said:
I remember you talked about living in a condo? The lock issues you have are coming from the building settling so it seems more like it would be a condo association fix job. Even if the manager says it isn't I would look at the fine print. That is a result of structural issues and would be like painting or replacing rotten window frames or fixing the roof.
Click to expand...

I already told the condo manger about the building settling and he is too stupid to see it. I did not want my condo manger to fix my locks as the guy could had made copies of my keys to keep for himself. The manger DOES NOT have the rights to have keys get into home owners units.
I found a locksmith and he came to house today and I had a new lock he was able to install. And it only cost me $75.00 for the job. The guy also fixed the second lock for free , he replace the part the was broken and I did not have to pay for it. I felt like calling the first locksmith that wanted $300 or more , I got the job done for $75.00!
Thank you for advice.
 
whatdidyousay! said:
I already told the condo manger about the building settling and he is too stupid to see it. I did not want my condo manger to fix my locks as the guy could had made copies of my keys to keep for himself. The manger DOES NOT have the rights to have keys get into home owners units.
I found a locksmith and he came to house today and I had a new lock he was able to install. And it only cost me $75.00 for the job. The guy also fixed the second lock for free , he replace the part the was broken and I did not have to pay for it. I felt like calling the first locksmith that wanted $300 or more , I got the job done for $75.00!
Thank you for advice.
Click to expand...

In addition to "Dumb, Dumber, and Dumbest", let me add another title:

"Stupid, Stupider, and Stupidest".

These two would define this clown. He ought to join a circus with those titles. Heck, buy him clown shoes and a big red nose.
 
Glad you got it done cheaply. That feels good.

If anyone's gonna change my locks, I would stand there and watch them so that they don't make any copies plus I'd buy my own and give him the supplies to do the labor.

With this tough economy, people are trying hard to take advantage of others which is a shame.
 
MangaReader said:
Glad you got it done cheaply. That feels good.

If anyone's gonna change my locks, I would stand there and watch them so that they don't make any copies plus I'd buy my own and give him the supplies to do the labor.

With this tough economy, people are trying hard to take advantage of others which is a shame.
Click to expand...

The keys never left my house so I know the locksmith did not copy them. He was very nice and fixed one of my locks for free. This is why I did not want my condo manger to do he job, he would want to use his own locks and that way he could had made copies .
 
I am glad it worked out! Locksmithing in its entirety is a real craft but they do not get paid as much as the other crafts up here. I do not know about down there.
I would probably go ahead and send a copy of the billing on to the Condo manager saying that your nephew the attorney recommended you do so and why.
 
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