- Report: #1315441
Complaint Review: 24/7 LOYAL SERVICE - Internet
Reported By:
bewarenow -
playa del rey, California, USA
Submitted:
Updated:
-
Author Not Confirmed
Why?
24/7 LOYAL SERVICE
Internet, USA
Phone:
888-300-0605
Web:
quicklocksmith247.com
Categories:
Business Rating:
(0)
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good?
24/7 LOYAL SERVICE 24/7 QUICK PICK LOCKSMITHS They Bait you with a $15.00 service fee, $35.00 lock change fee and then charge you $321.00! and want CASH! Albuquerque, New Mexico Internet
I was Locked out of my apartment but luckily had my cell phone. I looked up the "quickest and best prices" for a locksmith. They had a 5 star rating. So I called them. They advertised on line as a $15.00 service fee, $35.00 lock change.
When the serviceman got here, everything changed. It would be $132.00 for trying this tool, $162.00 for trying another tool and if that doesn't work $200.00. !! I should have stopped there but I had no idea what prices cost for this?
I was desperate to get into my home as I had work to do so I said go ahead and try. Almost 45 minutes later he was able to get the lock open. It was just a simple Schlag lock, not a dead bolt. He had to use a drill to open up, but he didn't even have a mini vacuum to clean up all the dangerous metal pieces he left in the hallway. I was the one who cleaned it up.
Next, was the new charge of $80.00 for the new lock. When he wrote up the total price for $321.00 I was completely shocked! What a ripoff!! I asked for his manager's name, the name of the owner, his business card....of which he had none.
He gave me the name of a man(Tom) to call but as soon as I wanted to dispute the price he said the owner would call me right back...of course he did not. I called this man(Tom) back and he would Not answer his phone now.
Then I looked at the invoice before the repair man left and I asked for their address...nothing is printed on the form. No Name of the business (it's a regular form you buy from Staples that says Locksmith 24-7 Services)..there is not a name of the company on the invoice! or address?
Then I called the number on the internet which is a 800 number and asked to speak with the owner. I asked for their address and email. They said they were Not allowed to give out this information? What company runs a business this way?
They were completely unhelpful and said that's what it costs and I have no recourse.
I called my landlord to tell him what happened and ask how much it cost to change the locks a few months ago when there was a flood in my apartment, while I was out of town. It cost him $35.00! He was extremely upset, as well, about this company. He knew it was a ripoff as well. He told me to report it to my credit card company and BBB. They don't even come up on the BBB to report them!
I am reporting this because this business is a SCAM and I don't want anyone else to be Violated the way I feel right now.
$321.00 is a lot of money to me and I would have NEVER paid that much if thet told me what is was going to be. They hook you in, take your locks off your door and Then you are held captive to pay. And ask for Cash...who has that kind of cash these days? Also, remember the guy did not even clean up his mess: the metal shards all over the common hallway....for $321.00 you don't clean up your mess. This is a basic part of a service call...to clean up after yourself!
This must Stop!
Thank you.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
FloridaNative
Palm Beach Gardens,Florida,
USA
Yes, you were scammed
#2Consumer Comment
Thu, July 07, 2016
This locksmith scam has been around for a very long time. It is nationwide. You think you are calling a local locksmith service, but the phone number is to a boiler room type operation where the price quoted is no where near the price charged. The people that work for these companies have little to no training and many have criminal records. Usually someone is dispached to you and there is no professional work vehicle, just a plain van or car. The reason is because they operate with many names and 'borrow' addresses on the internet to show they have a phyical location.
Go to the FTC.gov website and look up locksmith scam. You will get a better idea of how this works. Your description is exactly what happens. The phone bank is anywhere in the country, not necessarily in your state. They use sophisticated web ads/systems to pick up local names and addresses as if they have a location in or around your town. The FTC site gives you details.
Oddly enough, the best solution to this problem is to not google for a locksmith but to have one in your database already. Find a local locksmith with a brick and mortar presence and add the info to your database so you know, in advance, who is local and legitimate. Check the location before you have a need to use them to make sure the location and locksmith are real and not one of the phoney web locations used by the criminal organization(s) that specialize in this particular scam. Or use AAA so you have a trusted resource if you need a locksmith for your vehicle.
