Locksmith Bait and Switch - WWPFAD?

[SrslySirius]

I probably have no recourse here, but tell me what you guys think.

I locked my keys in my car today. I had no tools available to attempt to unlock it myself. I was pretty far from the city, and Google Maps showed only one locksmith within reasonable distance. I called them up to request help, and asked how much it would cost. I was told $20 fee for driving someone out, and probably $30 to unlock the car unless it's a high security vehicle, which would cost more.

No problem, I figured. I drive a '07 Corolla. This has happened a few times before, and it's a simple matter of inserting an inflatable wedge into the door and releasing the lock with a flexible rod. Takes 30 seconds.

When the guy shows up, he tells me that my car is a medium-security vehicle, which carries a charge of $130. But because he's such a nice guy, he'll go ahead and waive the driving fee and sales tax. I immediately recognize that I'm being scammed, but I don't seem to have any choice. I'm 40 miles from home and stuck out in the cold.

As expected, he does the wedge/rod thing and unlocks it in 30 seconds. I grudgingly pay with a credit card and go on my way.

This may not be important, but I think the company might be a shell of a larger chain. The supposed name of the locksmith place was "[city] locksmith". The name of the road I was stuck on was "[city] road", yet the guy on the phone needed me to spell the name of the road for him.

Anyway, I briefly considered doing a chargeback, but I don't think I can really justify that since I voluntarily gave my card and signed a receipt. I could call the place back and raise hell, but I don't know what good that would do me. Am I just fucked here?

[gauchojake]

If you signed you're probably screwed. Get AAA.

[BetCheckBet]

http://www.bbb.org/blog/2011/08/lock...-five-minutes/

comment section has interesting info

[SrslySirius]

http://consumerist.com/2008/10/30/i-...ocksmith-scam/

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.

My guy showed up in an unmarked minivan, and this is consistent with the supposedly local company not being familiar with the street I was on.

Looks like an alarmingly common scam. The woman quoted above decided to file a chargeback. I wonder if she was successful.

[tony bagadonuts]

If you signed you're probably screwed. Get AAA.

AAA is the nuts.

[Dan Druff]

Yes, charge it back. You may or may not be successful. I would refer to it as a scam during chargeback (not a bait and switch), and support it with website addresses that explain this scam (or printouts if it isn't too long).

In the future, never never never pay under these circumstances. Call his bluff and say you will only pay what you were quoted. If he refuses and leaves, you will be able to find plenty of other locksmiths to do it, even in a relatively remote area. If not a locksmith, many tow truck places also offer this service. More likely than not, he will realize he is fucked and back down, doing it for the agreed upon price. Otherwise he leaves empty handed.

Also make sure to write a terrible yelp review of this place, warning people. I would call them first and threaten to do this if they don't refund the difference, and then go through with it if they refuse. Even if they agree, write the review anyway once you actually get the money.

[simpdog]

Next time you have that situation, make sure to write on the invoice the amount you wanted to pay.

I would have wrote $50 or Maximum $50+tax on the receipt so it clearly shows how much you wanted to pay.

Either way I would at least attempt to get it back, mention that you were quoted $50 and ended up paying $130.


And at the very least if you're not going to go through with it let Alvin F call them up.

[BCR]

I've probably did this, or had a friend or gf do this 5 or 6 times in my life back before the ability to remote open, and I always just called information and asked for a non-emergency local police number. You call, and just tell dispatcher," I'm stuck, and if you have a patrol car that has a minute, I would appreciate it." They've always came and did it within 15 minutes. I wouldn't do this in some major city, but it always worked everywhere else when it was just the slide in the window deal. One time one couldn't get it, and didn't want the liability of damaging vehicle, and I had to call locksmith, but worth a try if you don't have AAA.

[WillieMcFML]

I've probably did this, or had a friend or gf do this 5 or 6 times in my life back before the ability to remote open, and I always just called information and asked for a non-emergency local police number. You call, and just tell dispatcher," I'm stuck, and if you have a patrol car that has a minute, I would appreciate it." They've always came and did it within 15 minutes. I wouldn't do this in some major city, but it always worked everywhere else when it was just the slide in the window deal. One time one couldn't get it, and didn't want the liability of damaging vehicle, and I had to call locksmith, but worth a try if you don't have AAA.

nowadays cops won't help unless there is a child trapped in the car, at least in my area

[BCR]

I've probably did this, or had a friend or gf do this 5 or 6 times in my life back before the ability to remote open, and I always just called information and asked for a non-emergency local police number. You call, and just tell dispatcher," I'm stuck, and if you have a patrol car that has a minute, I would appreciate it." They've always came and did it within 15 minutes. I wouldn't do this in some major city, but it always worked everywhere else when it was just the slide in the window deal. One time one couldn't get it, and didn't want the liability of damaging vehicle, and I had to call locksmith, but worth a try if you don't have AAA.

nowadays cops won't help unless there is a child trapped in the car, at least in my area

Figures, it's been awhile. I'd still try it. It's the south, I'd hope to get some genteel local sheriff.

[Hockey Guy]

I'm 40 miles from home and stuck out in the cold.

I stopped reading because I was rolling aroung the control room floor laughing & hit my head. After I recovered I checked the outside thermometer &, sure enough, it still read -25C.

 

Cold????? Go fuck yourself Thomas.

[fluffer]

Anyway, I briefly considered doing a chargeback, but I don't think I can really justify that since I voluntarily gave my card and signed a receipt. I could call the place back and raise hell, but I don't know what good that would do me. Am I just fucked here?

just warn them about what you did to a certain ''snake in the grass''#noonefuckswithmeok

[Detroit]

Saw this story a while back.

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/23...wner-runs-away

[Walter Sobchak]

I'm 40 miles from home and stuck out in the cold.

I stopped reading because I was rolling aroung the control room floor laughing & hit my head. After I recovered I checked the outside thermometer &, sure enough, it still read -25C.

 

Cold????? Go fuck yourself Thomas.

Is it that fucking cold where you live? Where in Canada do you live again?

[SrslySirius]

I'm 40 miles from home and stuck out in the cold.

I stopped reading because I was rolling aroung the control room floor laughing & hit my head. After I recovered I checked the outside thermometer &, sure enough, it still read -25C.

 

Cold????? Go fuck yourself Thomas.

This came up again recently with some obnoxious guys from New York that I know. I'm not sure why they find it so shocking that people acclimated to temperate climates, such as those in the southern United States, find freezing temperatures uncomfortable.

That's cool that you guys are used to colder weather, and we're all super impressed that you're wearing shorts and t-shirts in the sleet. Really, we are. But there really isn't any need to constantly be a snob about it. Nobody gives a shit. I'm still going to wear my sweater (like everyone else here) and accurately observe that it's literally fucking freezing out there, which I don't find as pleasant as you apparently do.

[SrslySirius]

I reversed the charge on that scumbag locksmith, btw.

[Rollo Tomasi]

I reversed the charge on that scumbag locksmith, btw.

they did do a bait and switch on you, so they deserve to get screwed but fyi
locksmiths were charging $125-150 for a road call 20 years ago and


--------------------------------- THOMAS ---------- HOCKEY GUY -------

[Hockey Guy]

Is it that fucking cold where you live? Where in Canada do you live again?

We had a few nights where it got down to -27C already but when I wrote that it was only -10C & is now 0C today.

 

I guess that makes me a dirty, stinking, motherfucking, liar & I apologize to Thomas for hurting his feelings with my deception.

I live in northern Alberta BTW.

[nunbeater]

Next time try not to look like such a fucking rube that people see you and snap-decide that you are the type of sucker that would pay an extra hundred dollars. That's what the fuck PFAWD

niggaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[Dan Druff]

I reversed the charge on that scumbag locksmith, btw.

Good.

Can you explain what was involved? Did you have to send any evidence/statements to the credit card company? Each bank is different with this.