r/Locksmith • u/burneraccount1837 • 1d ago
I am NOT a locksmith. Did i get scammed?
Idk if this is the right subreddit but ig not ill post this elsewhere. So i was stuck inside my airbnb and my landloed wasnt answeing so i called a locksmith and they had to rpelace the lock cause smth smth broke inside idk. I ended up paying £420(?) And im planning to send it to my landlord but idk if theyre gonna deny it cause the number is insane idk. It seems liek a scam but i already paid
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u/HamFiretruck Actual Locksmith 1d ago
Completely depends what the lock was and what the issue was.
Did the full mech and euro need replacing?
How many locks?
Digital lock that needed a complete replacement?
Many many variables from time if day/night to area etc etc
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u/burneraccount1837 1d ago
It was like 5pm and a bank holiday. Just the lick itself. One lock. They took out the whole thing and got a new one. Apparently smth fractured inside so full replacement was needed? Idk anything else sorry
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u/HamFiretruck Actual Locksmith 1d ago
Yes it is high but again what type of lock and door? Do you have a photo?
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u/burneraccount1837 1d ago
Unsure how to put images but google said it was a Yale P89 Deadlocking Nightlatch
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u/iSuckAtMechanicism 1d ago
Post a picture of the receipt. If the company name is something generic/hard to trace like “24/7 Locksmith” it’s usually a good indication of a scam.
The receipt will have more details as to what you were charged for though.
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u/burneraccount1837 1d ago
Call out fee- 50 Door opening - 130(????) Replacemnt latch- 160(??) Labor - 80
The name is KeySafe :/
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u/fondrenlock Actual Locksmith 1d ago
That is not scammer pricing but you did use a non US based currency figure so 🤷♂️
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u/BuffalockandKey 1d ago edited 1d ago
I would disagree. Again, depends on the lock but sounds like a faulty latch on a doorknob. Assuming it’s a doorknob, 130 to open, and another 80 for labor? Seems like a scam to me. Wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a cheap doorknob too and that 160$ replacement latch is 4-5+ times what it should be. Without seeing a picture of the lock can’t say for sure, and have definitely seen worse, but it seem likely the locksmith is a bit of a sheister
Edit: the post is in pounds I think which are about 30% higher than US dollars but I don’t know what typical prices are but I’m assuming at least a little similarity with U.S. prices which also vary greatly from place to place1
u/Locksmithbloke Actual Locksmith 9h ago
No, it's a full strip replacement, so they've charged steeply for it on a bank Holiday evening. But they're £80 or so, rrp is over £100, so it isn't terrible. Edit: I just saw it was a Yale 89! £40 tops! So yeah, ludicrous markups.
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u/painyTM 9h ago
What was the locksmith like?
Did he turn up in a car or van?
Did he try to bypass or pick the lock open? Or was it straight to the drill?
£420 is expensive for a bank holiday emergency call and to replace a yale 89. I would have been nearer to £180 to low £200s depending on travel time, parking.
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u/trainerjyms13 1d ago
I'm going to charge you for having to read that.