I recently locked myself out of the house and paid a $49.99 service call. Only the door handle was locked and not the deadbolt. The locksmith took out a credit card and in half a second, opened the door. He charged $125 to do this. He also fixed our deadbolt because the key would not go in all the way, hence, why it wasn't locked. He spent more time on this and charged $18. How can $125 be justified to swipe a credit card and open the door in half a second. I have an overall ill feeling about this company. Anyone else agree, or am I not being realistic? I can understand paying more for having a deadbolt unlocked/door open, but not a credit card swipe!
2007-07-12 06:41:10 · 9 answers · asked by moms2monkeys 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Because it's all about supply and demand. This company knows if you're locked out you need their service so they can charge whatever they want and you'll most likely pay it because you need in your house.
2007-07-12 06:44:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
how much does it cost to have a locksmith do a lockout?
I recently locked myself out of the house and paid a $49.99 service call. Only the door handle was locked and not the deadbolt. The locksmith took out a credit card and in half a second, opened the door. He charged $125 to do this. He also fixed our deadbolt because the key would not go in all...
2015-08-14 17:10:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You neglected to say what time of day this was but with a service call of $50 I would say during business hours. Locksmiths don't work 24 hrs a day like most people think. We have families and lives too. We drop what we are doing leave our kids baseball game to come open your door because you can't keep up with your keys and you gripe at the $125 charge. Our day time service call is $85 and 125 nights and weekends. Just remember when you call someone after hours they may be at a kids birthday party so don't complain about the charge it just makes you look stupid!
2014-11-30 19:46:03 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
How Much Is A Locksmith
2016-12-11 09:48:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is usually a $50 call during daytime hours, and as high as $100 if after hours. Considering repairs were done at the time, $125 sounds about right.
I had a 2 doors re-keyed a year ago and paid $150 for the service call fee, cost to re-key them, and received 4 new keys.
You probably paid a flat $49.99 fee for the unlock, and then paid another $50 service fee for the repair and then the cost of the repairs. He probably just didn't break it down that way on the invoice. Essentially, you had 2 service calls - one to do the unlock and one to do the repair.
2007-07-12 06:46:16 · answer #5 · answered by sortaclarksville 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I once had a friend who had a solar heating panel installed on his roof. Long story short: a part of the service was to check a particular chunk of the system designed to expand and contract with the changing temperature. The service man simply went up and tapped the appropriate part and charged $20 for the check. The homeowner questioned why he would charge $20 just to tap that part of his equipment. To that the service man replied: There is no charge for tapping your equipment. the charge is for the 20 years of experience I have that tell me whether or not the sound I hear when I tap it indicates that there might be a problem.
So... in short, you didn't pay $125 for a card swipe. You payed $125 to someone for knowing how to open your door using a credit card.
2007-07-12 06:50:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Where do you live? There are laws about gouging in most communities; however, you locked yourself out and he came to your house on a service call. This costs him time and money. You should invest in Auto Club; they have come to my house to unlock doors and the charge is usually around $45; Also, keep a spare key on your key ring ... never put yourself in this position again. Sorry for your problems, though.
2007-07-12 06:46:46 · answer #7 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You paid the company for their knowledge on how to gain access to your house. I suppose your alternative would have been to stand there locked out, since YOU did not know how to do it.
You were wise to have him repair the deadbolt while he was present, since your other door lock could obviously be opened by a novice. You might consider having that lock replaced as well, since it appears to have been made by Fisher-Price or similar.
2007-07-12 06:45:58 · answer #8 · answered by acermill 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They said they couldn't unlock the door and had to put in a new doorknob. Cost me 395!
2014-12-09 09:26:41 · answer #9 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you ask what his minimum charge would be?
Why didn't you do the credit card swipe?
Now that you know you can open your own creditcard swiping business and charge 125.00 a swipe!
2007-07-12 06:45:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋