March 9, 2008
Whats a normal cost for a locksmith to open your door and replace your lock?
Haroldian asked:
At about 7pm I got locked out of my apartment. I called a locksmith and asked how much they cost. They said $75. The guy came, said it was a 5 pin lock, he couldnt pick it, and hed have to drill and open it, and replace it. In total, he charged me $600. The door wasnt even truly locked– I hadnt turned ther key. It just locks automitcally behind me. Ithink it could be jimmied with a credit card, but he said he couldnt, there wasnt enough space. Did I get ripped off?
If I did get ripped off, what can I do about it?
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Comments on Whats a normal cost for a locksmith to open your door and replace your lock? »
Yup, consider yourself ripped.
You were severely ripped off. Figure, at most, $50 / hour for his time + the parts and that's the most it should have cost you.
I believe you did. a 5 pin lock should make no different at all. I would call and complain.
Very few locksmiths are actually good enough to pick locks effectively. Locks are designed to stay locked, period. Nowadays, drilling locks is pretty standard. You should not have paid more than $200.
I also think that $600 is too much. I would call and talk to the owner. The fact you asked the cost and they quoted a price, unless he clarified by saying "unless" or something like "for door knob locks" you have a right to complain. It is true that in difficult cases, they have to switch to a basic call charge and hourly rates. How long was he there and did the $600 include the replacement parts?
When hiring any help or services, you need to stand up for yourself and learn to continue to say "what is this going to cost?" When you don't make them aware that you want to know before they do it… they see the words "sucker" on your forehead.
Take it from someone who made the same mistake and learned.
You got jipped!!!!
U COULDVE JUST KICKED IN UR DOOR AND IT WOULD HAVE SAVED YOU AT LEAST 350 BUCKS! I WOULD CALL THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU! AFTER I CALLED THE OWNER OF THE LOCKSMITH PLACE! SORRY FOR UR RIP!
$700 seems high. I'd've thought more like $200 plus a new lock, which should run maybe $70 for an expensive one. Of course, you paid extra b/c it was at night. It would have been cheaper to break a window to get in and then replace the glass.
you got ripped, a painful experience, as my pappy always said " You just can't do anything about dumb"
well, as far as being a 5 pin lock, i work at a hardware, and i know how to key locks, and all exterior locks that i have ever come across have 5 pins….its nothing special, and yes, 600 is way too high for that, hell ill come over and do it for 150, including bringing and installing a new lock with how ever many keys you may need :-p
Yes,it should have been about $150 – $200ish. He should be bonded so you can complain to some state agency,not sure which one though.
WAS IT A HIGH SECURITY LOCK? MEDECO /MULT LOCK? HOW LONG DID IT TAKE?