Alison Prezler, from the BBB, told MSNBC's Consumer Man columnist, Herb Weisbaum, “They have made taking advantage of people who are locked out of their house or car part of their business model."
Sadly, this is the exact scenario recently faced by reader Kaitlin. She was locked out of her car and used Google 411 to find a locksmith, and would like to share her story as a warning to others:
I locked my keys in my car Monday afternoon. It was in the parking lot of a bank/grocery store. i waited a couple hours for my boyfriend to bring me an extra key. when he couldn't find it, my dad came to try to break into my car. No go. My 2005 Focus cannot be slim-jimmed. So, after almost 4 hours, I decide to call a locksmith. I used google 411, and picked a locksmith that was supposedly on a road nearby, because i thought it would be quick. The two I called before I got this one didn't answer their phones. A1 24 hr Locksmith answers and tells me $39.99 + about a $19 service charge. I tell him the kind of car, the address, etc. They say 25-30 mins.
I start to think things might be weird when I get two calls from two different people to confirm the address, my name, etc. The "locksmith" shows up over an hour later, in an unmarked car, with no uniform. I show him my car and he decides that my 2005 ford focus is VERY hard to break into, and that the labor charge is gonna go up to $125, for a total of $177 after tax. About $19 does not = $125. I'm sure he saw 20 year old female college student and thought $$$$$. He is very intimidating. He tells me he's charged people $260 to get into their cars, and that he is giving me a deal, it is late at night, what am I gonna do. He insists that I have to pay him for the service charge anyways. It's almost 9, I've been locked out of my car for almost 5 hours with only a sweatshirt, and I'm cold (live in the seattle area). We argue awhile. I, on the verge of tears, agree to pay him. It takes him all of 2 minutes to unlock my car. I give him my credit card, and ask him if he has a business card, invoice, etc as I was planning on reporting them to the BBB. He could not give me anything that linked him to a business of any sort. This all seems way too suspicious. I drive home, seething.
When I woke up and won't to work the next morning, I noticed that the door of my car was all bent up. I didn't see it in the dark the night before. I decided to call the company back and ask for a partial refund, due to the bait and switch, the late locksmith, and especially the damage to my car. The manager lies, saying that he didn't even have an appt with me. I said "well, I have the license plate number of the car. I will just call the cops to report it, and cancel my credit card." He suddenly "remembers" me. Refuses to discuss the damage to my car or a partial refund. He just kept repeating that it wasn't a scam since the driver told me the price before he did the work. I told him if he wouldn't help me, that I would file a charge-back and report him to the bbb, etc.
I called my bank and they were very helpful. They canceled the card so it could not be used again, and began the charge-back process. When I researched online, there were all kinds of stories about a couple companies back east who have local numbers with made up addresses and ads all over the country. People have lost $300 and more. They dispatch the calls in their main offices, and send out local contractors. They do this all the time- there are hundreds of horror stories, and some of them are about A1 24 hr locksmith. Hopefully the charge-back works. These people lie, and kick you when you are down. Its really hard to google the business name or check out it's reputation when you're locked out of your car in a parking lot. I shudder t think what the charge (and intimidation) would have been like if my dad hadn't been there with me.
Is there anyone else I can file complaints with? I want to get them in trouble and I want to keep this from happening to other people. Businesses should not be able to get away with this. From reading the stories, I doubt they were even licensed, etc. Out of curiosity, I contacted more locksmiths and got the same sort of response. Finally, I got one who seemed reputable. He told me it would be $60 flat no possibility for change, etc, and said he had helped an old woman who was charged $200 to be let into her car
You've already done the right thing and reported this shady company to your credit card company. Be sure to keep following up with them and file any paperwork request in a timely fashion.
Next, report the locksmith company to the BBB, because they like to keep an eye on this sort of thing. Finally, file an official report with your state's attorney general and/or department of consumer affairs.
And, now that you know what its like to be taken advantage of by a shady locksmith, check your credit cards to see if they offer roadside assistance for when you're away from home -- and find a local locksmith that's dependable for when you're not.
(Photo: mullenite )
]]>while I agree this is an immense problem and would like to make sure it is dealt with properly, much of the advice here can definately lead you astray. It is important to understand that car lockouts can be much more complicated than you mighht at first think. This being the case it is important to only trust a QUALIFIED LOCKSMITH to perform this service. Towing companies, security guards and police are notorioous for causing very expensive damage while trying to open a car. None of them are even remotely qualified.
Second, it has been mentioned here to go to a hardware store for key duplication. Not only do hardware stores have the worst and most innacurate key duplication equipment possible, thier clerks are not trained or knowlegeable enough for the task...again, only a trained and professional locksmith should be trusted for this service.
I own a locksmith business and have seen this issue from both sides and sympathize with those hurt by "iimposters" for sure. If the sutomer is willing to pay a fair price and the locksmith provides a quality service then everyone goes home happy!
I am a locksmith, and it is very annoying to drive 45 minutes to a lockout, just to see another locksmith pulling away. If he called three shops at the same time to see who got there first.. then it is karma that had none of them show up.
]]>@Gstein: Me too, and his post resulted in two very informative replies that I quite enjoyed.
]]>Reminds me of locking myself out of my car in high school while doing some Christmas shopping on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Have you ever tried finding a WIRE coat hanger on Rodeo. It was funny- two teens breaking into a car. However, we got the Gucci TV Guide holder.
Last summer, I locked my keys in the trunk while in Malibu surfing. The lifeguard, a friend, laughed and gave me his last wire coat hanger in the building. It worked, but my rubber door seal and paint took a beating but I was able to open in less than 5 minutes on summertime Pacific Coast Highway. My buddy got a bag full of hangers the next day.
]]>i have been a member for nearly 15 years. won't ever go a year without my plus membership.
]]>Dodge stratus took like 2 tries with a slim-jim.
]]>My friend and I proceed to argue with the guy about it until the building manager walks in and unlocks the door for us. Locksmith then demands that we pay him for coming out, and we refuse because he hadn't done any actual work.
He left in a huff, and about ten minutes later my friend recieved a phonecall from the locksmith's offices, demanding that we pay them. Again, she refuses and hangs up. Six more phonecalls later, most of them threatening legal action against us for not paying, we call the police, and a very nice female officer arrives to take down our story.
Lo and behold, they call again while she's there and the nice officer answers the phone and tells the locksmith that they're talking to the police now and that she will have them arrested for harassment if they continue this. Cue the sound of car tires squealing out of the parking lot--the guy had come back and was parked outside the entire time. Needless to say, my friend was exceedingly glad that she was moving out the next day, and hasn't heard from them since.
]]>I don't want to know what they were up to...cruising parking lots at dusk... with three shady guys with car jacking tools...
They were nice.
]]>Also for your consideration: many public places have a prefered towing company with whom they have a contract. Take a walk around and look for signs. If you don't see any, ask the establishment's management for a suggestion.
For example, I currently reside in Savannah, GA, where towing happens frequently. My alma matter Savannah College of Art & Design has a contract with Hook Towing Company. If you lock your keys in your car while on one of their properties, you can get free retrieval service!
]]>It's insentitive to imply that just because it's a green ring that it's always a keyring.
]]>i can has trust issuez :(
]]>yea triple a works. i've locked my keys in twice.
they just airbagged the door a bit and jimmied it open.
30 minutes, no fuss, done.
same with dead batteries etc. quite useful
And this is exactly why BOTH of my parents have a copy of my car key, plus another one at their house in case I lock myself out. That's 3 copies, plus my original. It's sad, but was a necessary thing to do at one point when I had a bad habit of locking my keys in my car with my old Geo.
Now it's a bit more difficult as I have the keyless lock thingy. Gotta admit, I love that!
]]>Plus its not a smart idea. I'll bet if they can unlock your car remotely they can likely lock it as well, and other fun things. Do you really want to tick off OnStar?
]]>Please report this locksmith to everyone you can... BBB, bureau of automotive repair, and I'd tell Google too.. so that they can be removed from their database.
You might want to consider a small claims court case too. It isn't that difficult to take something to small claims court and lots of companies will pay up rather than show up in court, where they will not win.
]]>what no?
]]>And it did help once when we were hundreds of miles from home, actually. We were visiting my brother and our car broke down. We could stay with him but somebody needed to feed the cats. I called my next-door neighbor, gave her the combo to the keysafe and the cats did not have to eat the parakeets that night.
]]>It's got to be terrible when you lock your keys in Monday afternoon. I know I'd hate that! ;)
]]>AAA is definetly worth getting. Can't rememeber how many times that company has helped me out over the past few years.
Thankfully, I've only locked myself out of my car once and was even luckier I did it at a gas station (this was pre-AAA). Called for some help and got a local mechanic. He stopped off and unlocked the car, only got charged $20.00 cause it was on his way to another job.
]]>So I did not renew my membership. Then I got a letter accusing me of being a deadbeat and threatening to damage my credit.
Screw AAA. I carry my own jumper cables, carry a spare key, and take good care of my car. Good neighbors are a better investment than AAA.
]]>Both my cell phone carrier and auto insurance offer road service assistance. I think I pay $5/mo for the cell one, and the auto ins. is free. (I keep both because my husband is disabled and needs help a little more than usual.) The actual assistances cost me nothing except a tip for the driver.
]]>As I've locked my main set of keys in the vehicle.
Several Times.
Okay, more than several.
]]>Not blaming HER, but what's up with her dad leaving her alone like that?
]]>@MrEvil:
Pffft. Junkyard. 20 bucks. A little Windex and they're good as new. :)
]]>@MeanPeopleSuck: I'm not really sure you can call it stranded. I mean her Dad did come out and try to get into the car, it wasn't like she had absolutely no way to get home as she obvious contacted both her boyfriend and her father.
I can understand not wanting to leave your car in the middle of no where, but if you have options (which she obviously did) then why not use them? She was cold and it was late, so why didn't she have her bf or Dad come back out? Bring her some clothes and sit with her until the car could be taken care of?
When the locksmith changed the price why not just refuse, get your Dad (who was already there) or your bf to take you home and you can deal with it in the morning? Yes, it could be a bad idea to leave your car if it's in an unsafe area. However, if it was that unsafe then what were the people she contacted thinking leaving her alone there for 5 hrs?
Yes, it sucks to leave your car behind and yes it would be a problem if you have to miss work the next day to deal with it. But it would be a better alternative than letting some stranger intimdate you, paying more than you should for a service, getting your car damaged, cancelling your credit card, and doing a charge back.
]]>To those in Texas: look on the back of your license, there is the state roadside assistance # (its really small). Its already paid for in your taxes, might as well use it.
]]>@silver-bolt: On more and more new cars, unchipped keys won't even open the doors, as the unlock system is also electronic (as opposed to manual), and the door lock also has sensors in it to detect the correct chip before the electronics will open the door -- this is the way our new Buick is.. So even if someone were to have a key "Made", it has to be paired to the car before the door will unlock.
Not sure how locksmiths are dealing with this one (since we have Onstar and just call them when we're locked out, it's happened twice in 3 years), but I'm sure they have a way. :)
]]>Buy a magnet hide-a-key box and an extra key. Less than $10 for a potential return of over 100% if you lock your keys in the car. Standard keys with electronic fob or handle with can have just an entry key made to fit in the box if you lock the key/fob in the car. This is one of those pre-planning items which will save big time.
My ex-wife mocked and busted on me about doing it for her then new car- until she locked herself out of her running car, at the gas station, in the cold winter, without her heavy coat on. Only then did she come to me with her tail between her legs to say "Thank you." In contrast my 2nd and current spouse got an extra key made and she and her sister figured out where to put the hide-a-key box on her car even before I met her. I think that the contrast illustrates why wife #2 is a keeper for me...
Best one for me was being at a gas station in the summer time and some lady locks her keys in her PT Cruiser by leaving them on the driver seat. She is freaking out and asks me for help. I grab the unbent coat hanger from behind the truck seat and she says the thing probably won't reach or work the unlock button. I say no problem and reach into the open sunroof with the hanger and fish the keys out and give them to her. The lady said "oh." and then thanked me...
]]>Go out, make a duplicate key of your car and of your house and place these duplicates in your wallet. Crap happens, you forget and lock in your keys, etc. That spare key which, at most, is a $6 investment for the set, will come much cheaper than any locksmith.
I've had friends thank me for this tip.
]]>Now I just keep a spare car key in my wallet.
Or you can get these and help yourself to any car
[www.lockpickshop.com]
Took me a bit of practice but now I can open my door with the picks as fast as I can with a key. They came in useful at work when the supply room had been locked with the keys inside. The lock pick skills impressed some co-workers.
]]>I managed to lose my key to a VW Jetta (2000 model) a few years ago while on vacation at Lake Tahoe, I had driven the from the San Francisco bay area with my gf (~4 hour drive). After calling a few places to get my door opened, including AAA, I was basically told that since the keys were laser cut they couldn't get another one made except at a dealership and they cost a few hundred dollars. I did finally get someone to come out and just open the door even if I couldn't turn the car on so I could get my stuff out. That also meant that the car alarm was going to go off for about 20 minutes since I couldn't turn it off. In the end my dad had to drive 4 hours to get me a spare key. I searched for those keys everywhere in my hotel room and the area around the car, but nothing. Strangely enough, 3 months later, the hotel management mailed me the keys back... I suspect the owners young kids who were playing in the yard accidentally picked them up.
]]>Now...I have a 2005 Suzuki Reno. It will not lock with my key in the car unless I manually lock it. A car like this is awesome, and I would suggest this feature to anyone and everyone.
]]>If you're calling the fire department for something like this, just don't call the emergency number (911 in most areas). I recommend having your town's fire and police department main numbers in your phone for these sorts of situations.
]]>If the police won't perform the service, they often have lists of reputable locksmith services they deal with rather than taking your chances on the Yellow Pages.
]]>There are a few fairly reliable ways to find someone reputable. Call the police dispatch line, and see if they have a recommendation. We were on their list because we always showed up, and we did good work. If you have to resort to the Yellow Pages, be wary of anyone with a name like "AAA Locksmiths" or anything that sounds like they were trying to get a prominent, top-of-the-alphabet listing. They're often fly-by-night operations. And the suggesting to look for someone who's a member of the ALOA is a very good one, if you're able to do so.
]]>If you use the card for discounts, you make money off of it. 10% off at target.com, 20% off at lens crafters, huge discounts on Sirius Radio. It should be the official something of this website.
]]>My Mother once locked her keys in the car in her Driveway and did the same thing. Half an hour later a cruiser showed up, the townie popped the door open using a slim jim, and went back to patrol.
]]>Unlike the nigerian scam, this you can easily recover from. OP did the right thing by calling her bank and reporting the company. OP may want to consider contacting Google to make sure they know about the company. They may remove them from their search.
]]>More than that! If your car doesn't have a transponder key, there are usually only a limited number of master keys (I've heard numbers as low as 20). If you are a locksmith or (trusted?) dealership, you can buy an entire set of keys from a car manufacturer, which can be used on any of their cars. These are are, of course, very popular with repo men. :-)
]]>@midwestkel: because it might only work once and the amount of times you need it could exceed one, greatly.
]]>DO NOT USE GOOGLE FOR LOCKSMITH SERVICES.
Out of the 30 or so Google searched up for me were local numbers that directed to some kind of call center. Total BS quoted me $40 and then the guy shows up and says my POS Suzuki is "hard to break into" and claims it's going to cost about $150 more. I told him to get bent I'd replace a window then pay you. Refused to pay and waited for someone else.
USE THE PHONE BOOK/YELLOW PAGES! Real locksmiths are listed there!
The other locksmith came out about 30 minutes after my call [he was in the next city over] and popped it in about 5 minutes. Cost me $35. I asked him why he was not on Google because that is the first place I turned to [Goog411]. Too complicated or something was his answer and he "uses the phone book for any service work".
I honestly think if you need service work done be it plumbing, locksmith, to chimney sweepers LOOK IN THE PHONE BOOK!
Hope the OP gets the charge back to go through so sorry about the door. Possibly take them to small claims? Good luck!
]]>* Lots of people dispute that here in Michigan (no-fault state). They'll either say the prices are outrageous, or the best available. Guess it depends who you are, and I'm in the lucky portion. Dirt cheap.
]]>I've worked as a locksmith for going on 20 years and the most I've ever charged for a lockout service was in Denver. Night rates were something like $80 and day rates were something like $50 for anywhere in the 40 mile radius that was the Denver Metro Area. But that was going on ten years ago, gas prices have hit the mobile service industry hard. These days in the small town I work in we charge $45 base rate and $2.50 a mile one way outside of town.
]]>Problem was, he couldn't make a spare. No one could, like you said, except for VW. Well, VW closed and wouldn't open until Tuesday, couldn't have the key ready until a week later or so... I was almost SOL. A redneck at a restaurant wouldn't let me borrow their phone because it was "long distance", had to walk near a cliff in pitch black to get reception from a borrowed mobile, but finally... I reached my friend from work, told her I had the spare key in my work drawer and begged her to drive 6 hours for me. She did the next morning... :) I owed her big time.
I can laugh now, but the weekend was one small disaster after another and ended with me having to climb into my home through a window (it was surprisingly easy to break into my place - had a crack house just in front) AND having the damn window fall on my finger and losing a nail. Lovely...
]]>I was like ok whatever then I called my voicemail and went " hey is your brother still a cop... oh can you have him return my call becuase I am in a situation and have a legal question". The guy left within five minutes.
My friend ended up spending 70 on a taxi back and forth. Never heard anything else from the locksmith. His license is still in good standing.
]]>@TemporaryAphasia: A good locksmith will generally try to unlock the passengers side rear door if they can get the lock button pulled up. Or they do the front passenger door if they have to trigger the latch.
I remember my '81 Mazda GLC had a feature that would unlock the door if you weren't holding the door handle when you shut it. Alot of Japanese vehicles from the 80's had that.
]]>@Veeber: That door must have the flattest glass in the universe and be easy enough for a caveman to remove. Usually the door glass costs as much if not more than the windshield.
I have a reputable locksmith on speed dial and I keep a spare key in my wallet.
]]>@little stripes: My Best Friend's dad is a locksmith, so whenever I happen to leave keys in the car I can give him a ring in town. Usually he just wants $40.
Seriously though, I'm in the wrong business, I charge $50/hr plus a $25 call-out fee to work on computers on-site.
]]>@fonfa: that lock automatically after x minutes, or just lockign the door on the inside then closing it without grabbing the keys.
]]>I never ever locked the keys inside my car. How can you do that?
]]>It's worth every penny. Seriously.
]]>CAA has always been the most helpful service I've ever had the pleasure of paying for and rarely using.
]]>People are making a big deal out of how little time it takes for them to do it. Thats irrelevant. Sure, it took him 5 minutes to unlock you care, but how long did it take from him to learn to do it that quickly?
Think about it this way. how long would you have taken to do it? 2 hours? 5 hours? now how much is that time worth to you? and how much dmaage would you have done in the process.
I fix computers for a living and its similar. People pay me to resolve their issues. I can do it in 10 minutes a lot of the time, but it took me years to learn how to do it, and it would have taken them hours to figure it out, and its likely they would have broken something else.
@MeanPeopleSuck: Thank you.
All sexism aside, at least if you had 1 or 2 men there, it might have deterred the Locksmith from being a conning asswipe.
]]>And your Boyfriend and Dad couldn't have brought you a warmer jacket? I mean all the sympathy in the world for the whole ordeal and go after that lousy locksmith for damages... but what kind of person lets another stand out in the cold?
]]>Tow companies were the trick.
]]>In my locality it's rare for full plates to get stolen though sometimes thieves will cut the registration sticker off with tin snips.
Tried the key in wallet but I'm abit of a nuge about the thickness of my wallet. I don't keep packets of sugar or anything unnecessary in there.
]]>I would, however, be worried about it being towed for "overnight parking".
]]>If I had been in this situation, I would have called the police. I'm sure mr locksmith would have changed his tune.
]]>I was paniced as the movers were coming in an hour or so.
I called a number for a locksmiths and was given the 35$ fee plus $19 for the call for them to come out which i thought was fine
once he got my door open he gave me a bill of $125 and would take cash only.
you are stuck as they have already done their work and wont take a credit card that you could fight the charge with..
i paid it and submitted their butts to the local bbb.
]]>That aside If it was me I would have called Acura roadside assistance and they would have come and opened my door for me free of charge.
]]>But my Saturday night - that was bad.
Oddly enough, though...that shot of the keys and biner looks a LOT like mine.
i have the 'Assurance' roadside assistance thingy through my Cingular/AT&T thingy.
One time while shooting a wedding, i had put my keys into my fanny-pack i use to hold another lens (so i wouldn't sound like i was a security guard or a janitor during the ceremony).
Near the end of the night, i absent-mindedly removed the pack and placed it in the trunk of my Saturday night - only to realize (as the lock went 'click'), that my keys were in there too.
(oh crap)
The first taco-truck driver couldn't find us.
After an hour and another call, found out he went to the wrong address and after NOT finding us (surprise - wrong address), decided to go eat.
(finally got him on the phone - he said i "wasn't there".
I replied "yes i AM...i've got NOWHERE to go!!! I'm sitting less than 10 feet from the car on a stack of cement bags that are being used to build the house i parked in front of."
He said: "i'm done with you. Time to eat". and hung up.)
AFter a THIRD call, a second truck was dispatched to find our location and open the car.
Think the Assurance service sucked. But the guy who finally showed up and was nice and very professional.
Luckily, it wasn't raining that night.
]]>@midwestkel: because it's dishonest?
]]>Wait, why wasn't the dad or boyfriend staying with the woman, especially if its late at night?
]]>@tanya.peacock: I'd be quite worried if they stole my plates. You know them puppeies are gonna turn up in a bank robbery somwhere, and the cops will be at your door!
]]>So I guess here is where we share locksmith stories? A couple of years ago I locked my keys in the car. As my luck runs, my cell phone was also almost out of battery. I called my dad to ask him to call around for locksmiths for me. He called 3 places, all 3 told him, sure no problem, we'll send someone right out. None of them showed up. When he called each of them back, they all had some sort of excuse about how they don't actually service the area I'm in (even though he gave all of them a specific address during the initial call). Every single one of them gave this same excuse, and none of them bothered to call my dad back to tell him. After over 3 hours of these shenanigans and me standing in a hot parking lot, my dad called yet another locksmith, told him what had happened with the other companies, and fortunately he showed up right away. Also fortunately, he charged me the price he quoted my dad - he could have definitely screwed me over once he got to me and demanded more, especially given how pathetic I looked by that time.
]]>I call another friend who's a building manager to see who he'd recommend. He gave me the number to a company he uses, and said it'd be about $30. I stay near the guy the whole time, so he can hear the conversation. After I hang up, I tell her it'd be about $30 with this other company. The guy all of a sudden goes, "$35, I guess I can do it." about 30 seconds later, the door was open. FTW
]]>Here is a story where the local police got in on a scam.
I was driving in the rain, and just made it under and overpass when my alternator died. I was on the side of the road, and immediatly called AAA so I could be towed to my mechanic (about 5 minutes away, on the highway I was underneath).
Right after I call, a cop pulls up and says I can't be there, I need to get towed...he was very angry about it...and said a tow truck is on it's way. I informed him that I had already called AAA, he returned to is cop car. A short time later, I notice a tow tuck arrive, stopped at the cop car. The cop gets out, talks to him, and the tow truck drives away. I assumed that was the one he called.
It turns out he turned away the AAA truck! His buddy's tow truck arrives, and says it will be $40 to tow to my mechanic. I'm shocked. I say to both of them (who are standing at my car window) that I only have $10, and THAT is why I have AAA!
The cop, barely under his breath, turns and walks way saying to himself "I guess I'm not going to eat lunch today." The tow truck driver looks at me, I look at him, he wants money and I need to get to my mechanic. So he takes the $10, and I get towed.
The same cops (in my town) after an accident had the same car towed to the SAME towing/repair shop. They said they needed a repair quote done before finishing the police report, and as such they wouldn't release my car! I had my mechanic call the shop, tell them what's what (he is 80 years old, and knows everyone) and they releaed my car.
I'm glad I moved out of THAT town (Lodi, NJ btw) though I miss the pizza.
]]>I'd like to share a tip for those of you that don't have a AAA membership but find yourself suddenly needing one: call their sales line and buy a membership. You can do this over the phone with a credit card. Then ask to be transferred to the service dispatch line. Instead of shelling out the $150 or more for a locksmith (pray you never have to pay for a tow truck yourself) you're only out the $80 for the AAA membership.
]]>Kaitlin, you could have potentially received free lockout assistance with no out of pocket costs direct from a reputable local service contracted by Ford. At the very least, you can even call AAA with or without a membership and have them send you a reputable locksmith and bill you a modest rate (800/222-4357). The membership cost is also a good piece of mind. lastly, if you have an invoice from the locksmith, you can even get reimbursed from ford roadside assistance for your lockout (typically up to $50, this is typical charge). Information on how to do this is in the link below. At least you can recoup part of your cost (unless you performed the chargeback). write these #s down for next time!!!
standard ford roadside assistance 3yr/36k miles (800-241-3673):
http://budurl.com/b5ds
Amazingly, Walmart's tire warranty saved our asses several times after the car I was driving had had all 4 tires replaced. But the tires had needed replacing anyway the first go round. My only gripe was the wait time to get anything done at walmart tire and lube.
If I was wiser when I was younger I could've had my parents get an AAA membership. Now though, apart from the rare tow, my mom has a spare key in her purse at all times. My dad has a spare key in his wallet. And I have a spare tire in my car and I'm a woman who knows how to change a damn tire.
That pretty much gets me where I need to go.
]]>They offer discounts (usually just an extra month, but WTH) to a zillion organizations, and an AAA hotel discount nearly offset my membership dues this year.
]]>Buy a keyless entry system and NEVER use your door locks to lock the door. Now the only time I lock my car is when I am outside of the car using the remote.
Just recently bought one for my girlfriend after she spent $95 to get her car unlocked.
]]>I actually had my plates stolen last year. Wasn't a hassle though. :)
]]>Fortunately, I was at work when I locked my keys in. Called about 4-5 different places, only one gave me a flat, reasonable fee for the job. They arrived in about 45 minutes, wedged a plastic wedge between the door and the frame, slid in a metal bar with a hook, bam. Door opened, keys recovered. $50 for my own stupidity. That said, I highly recommend Affordable Locksmith & Sons in Honolulu. They're members of the ALOA (Associated Locksmith of America), and both Bonded and Insured.
In fact, the ALOA has a great scam response website:
[www.aloa.org]
The ALOA also has a "find a locksmith" site at [www.findalocksmith.com]
]]>Reminded me of the lifehacker article:
[lifehacker.com]
May I suggest you contact the Associated Locksmiths of America. They have a page to report bad locksmiths here: [www.aloa.org]
I used to work for a locksmith, and for a while I was the on-call overnight locksmith. What this guy did is unethical and I'm glad you did a charge back.
]]>Congratulations though on having the clarity of mind to get the jerk's license plate, otherwise you would probably be up poop creek.
I shudder to think that this probably happens all too frequently to people, especially our older citizens, or young people who are too trusting.
Continue to report these perps, and relentlessly follow up with the BBB, state attorney general, and consider reporting them to the news media. Companies hate having bad activities reported on those consumer affairs assistance segments of the news!
One last thing, if you're locked out of your car, consider calling the dealership, perferably the one you bought the car from. They should be able to program or cut a key for you to save you some hassle.
]]>Its unethical.
]]>i cant edit my spelling :( i should proof read befor posting...
]]>with CAA and im sure AAA and you ARE NOT a member you could call them up buy a membership over teh phone give them your CC number then they give you a # then tell them you would like to use the service....
they will let you do that, i needed a tow and teh two was going to cost me over 200.00 i called CAA and the lady told me to get a primium membershi[ that covers up to 500km and frree gas, jumps ect for 15 uses for 90.00 did that and my two was not charged and i have all the other things just incase i need them...
@flugelhorn: that is soo funny, and yet so awesome.
]]>@heltoupee: The one time I needed a locksmith was when I locked the keys inside a running rental car. Coincidentally, I was in the parking lot of my local AAA office (I was picking up maps) so they called for me!
]]>Yes, I am gonna be one of those guys.
so... carry a spare key in your wallet/purse. Also hide a key somewhere on the underside of your car (dont use that lame hide-a-key magnetic box) & somewhere outside your home. And or give a spare set to your friend or family member.
]]>@yetiwisdom: FWIW, some people steal license plates. I would hate to give them my whole car if all they wanted were the plates...
]]>@heltoupee: Yup but at least in most cars a simple cut key will open the doors. If the keys are in the car you could get to them and then you can use the real key to start the car.
]]>AAA is totally worth the price. You get reliable lockout service and piece of mind, plus discounts on lots of other stuff. The amount of money I saved on eyeglasses alone more than made up for the $50 yearly fee.
]]>Do BBB's actually do anything? I keep reading conflicting answers.
Submitted for the approval of the midnight society.
]]>I recommend calling the non-emergency line for the local fire department. This has worked for me and my friends many times here in Texas (at least in "small" towns). Just sign a release saying you won't hold them responsible for damages, they get out their axe and scare you, then use the wedge/balloon/stick methode mentioned earlier.
The axe thing is classic though.
]]>FYI - Check BEFORE renting to see if your rental car company's so-call "roadside assistance" will help you get into your car. I called Avis roadside assistance and was told the coverage does NOT include keys locked in cars. The stupid thing about it was that my car was in the airport arrivals area (the red zone has ALWAYS been for loading and unloading!). They could have just given the shuttle driver a key, and I'd have walked over to the bus pick-up zone to get it.
Luckily I had AAA.
]]>I'm not a AAA spokesperson by any means, and never had it before getting a membership as a gift, but I'll have it till I can't drive anymore, and will gladly pay for each of my kids to have it, especially when they head off to college.
]]>Of course, now I have AAA, Onstar, and roadside through my insurance.
]]>Most contractors will charge you a set minimum price, no matter how long the job takes, like $75 for the first half hour, and then another $75 for each hour after that (broken by quarter hours) If they didn't charge a minimum price, they wouldn't make money, and that's what they're in business to do. So no complaining about how little work it seemed like to you. You couldn't do it, could you?
]]>How wrong would it be to smash your window and claim it on your insurance?
]]>Luckily my car is a '96 and doesn't have remote door locks. I have to physically lock the door from the outside to lock the car and set the alarm. I am going to do your little key tip for my Mom's car though.
]]>AAA helped me out when, after a night of $1 shots at the bar, a girl I took home locked her keys in the car. AAA came and got rid of her for me.
]]>After several minutes of arguing that escalated to yelling, we got it through his head that no, we weren't going to pay him a cent since he hadn't actually opened the doors, broke them instead, and took more than an hour to do that - and yes, he was going to fix both doors free of charge on Monday - since we had somewhere to be on the weekend and couldn't do it then. We spent the whole weekend climbing in through the back doors. Took the car back on Monday and he did indeed fix them - without any sort of apology at all.
]]>@dripdrop: yeah they hammer a wedge in between your door maybe tw then insert a heavy laod airbag inflates with a aircompressor(any portable tire pump works) and then they usually just have a bent heavy gauge wire or stick to reach in and unlock tehd oor. I paid 200 a long long time ago. Unfortunatly my car was running so time was of the essence.
]]>Thanks to AAA, though, I've never had to wait more than half an hour. I do love my AAA (not a spokesperson!)
And, as Clobberella said, I think the yearly membership is probably cheaper than one nasty (or even semi-nasty) road mishap (flat/tow/lock-out) might cost. (I say I "think" because it's a family plan through my parents..)
]]>I pay $4.99 a month for roadside assistance with AT&T (which I decided to get after I locked my keys in my car in their parking lot). I've never had a problem with them and I've called them at all hours of the day. I've never had to wait longer than an hour. Any locksmith I call through them cannot charge me a dime.
]]>I had something similar happen to me. I ended up paying something like $150 for the guy to spend all of five seconds opening the door with his little gizmo. Having also paid about $90 for a two-mile tow a couple of months before, I finally joined AAA (for a yearly fee of less than half of what I paid the stupid locksmith). I also had a spare key made that I now keep in my purse at all times. I will never, ever call a locksmith again, even if I'm locked out of my house and it's -20 degrees outside. Them's bad people.
]]>This will keep it secure and it's rare that you'll be stranded without SOMETHING that can be used (dime, piece o'metal by road, helpful person's screwdriver) to remove the screw and access the key.
This $2 fix has saved my bacon many times. Those magnetic boxes are OK but they can dislodge when u hit a pothole.
]]>;)
]]>Many cities require a license to practice locksmithing, you need to see if yours does. Then report him to that agency.
]]>What is happening in this world?
]]>OMG a ballon and a stick? You've got to be kidding me.
]]>Ugh!!
I guess a good solution is to get a recommendation on a good, local locksmith and put the number in your cell phone, and also maybe let any family/friends know so that if you ALSO lock your cell phone in the car, they'll have the number available.
]]>