milesman39
Bethlehem,#2Author of original report
Tue, April 16, 2013
I appreciate your feedback on my post - yes, maybe it would've cost $100, but that's still better than $175.
As for the locksmith who came out, we never had a conversation about the price or job because 1-800-LOCKSMITH was the middleman for everything. He said he would've preferred I called him directly too (and gave me his card) - I have no idea about his ethics, but I do understand the "Wal-mart Effect" in play here. This is when one large business controls the territory based on advertising and/or consumer demand (e.g., people looking for the lowest price) and is therefore able to dictate prices.
It's too bad the locksmiths in the Lehigh Valley can't band together to refuse to work with 1-800-LOCKSMITH, the same way towns have refused to allow a Wal-mart in their area. Small businesses like yours are threatened by this type of thing and the consumer suffers by paying more (and if I pay more, I want it all to go to the small business owner, not having it split with someone answering a phone in Brooklyn).
Thanks again for you post - hopefully saves some other people from being punked like I was.
Legitimate Locksmith
Easton,#3Consumer Suggestion
Tue, April 16, 2013
Good for you to complain against one of the scammers.
First and foremost, as one of the LEGITIMATE locksmiths in the Bethlehem area, you are absolutely correct in searching for a locksmith with a real local address.
Secondly, I hate to tell you that your job, being done by a legitimate locksmith, would cost a lot more than $40. Pretty much all of the legitimate guys in the Lehigh Valley are going to charge at least a $75 trip charge, plus whatever needs to be done. Your lock was probably repairable, and the entire job could have been done for about $100. 1-800-LOCKSMITH typically uses guys who aren't skilled and don't know that much about locksmithing. I have done work for 1-800-LOCKSMITH myself from time to time, but I don't discount my services to them at all. They pay me my full price and then charge the customer over and above my cost. I don't go out until the customer knows the full price up front. They try to negotiate with me, but I don't change my prices for them.
Shame on the person that came out, because he is no better than 1-800. He should have given you a complete accurate estimate up front before doing the job. The real sad part is that he probably overcharged you for the lock. It is more than likely a cheap $5 lock that they charged you about $75 for.
What everyone needs to do is call numerous locksmiths in order to get a good approximation of local costs. Also, if someone shows up to do work for you and their truck says "Handyman", or doesn't have any letting all over it, like a professional business vehicle, send them away and call someone else.
BTW, I am not putting my company name up here, because I am not using this as an advertisement for work, I am using it as an instruction to help others avoid getting scammed.