I think this week I'll talk about Rogue Traders. Having watched the Rogue Traders programme on BBC the other night, it amazes me how badly some "locksmiths" work. On the programme it set up a couple of lock outs and waited for the locksmith to say that "No one can pick these locks" they'll have to be drilled. I've heard of this being done many, many times. You may have seen the professional locksmith get in in about 10 seconds first. In all fairnes, it's not always quite that quick, but if you have a lock that works off a key it can be picked. To say it can't is just untrue! Then to charge over £200...! Unbelievable!
We at Arden Locksmiths specialise in non-destructive entry. That means that we virtually always pick locks, not drill them. We are also full members of the Institute of Certified Locksmiths (ICL). All ICL members promise that "if your lock is not already faulty, (ie. you've just lost your keys) if we drill or damage your lock, we will replace it free of charge". This saves you as the customer having to pay (or in many cases be overcharged) for a new lock.
Many locksmiths, as seen on the programme, never try to pick locks. Many can't even pick locks! This is so they can charge you more money for locks if you're locked out. Personally I think most of these people are just conmen. They give us genuine locksmiths a bad name. They are the reason people think it's cheaper to smash windows or break down doors, than call a locksmith. It's not. Our rates are as follows:
Mon-Sat 7am-7pm £45
Mon-Sat 7pm-11pm and Sun 7am-7pm £65
Mon-Sat 11pm-7am and Sun 7pm-7am £90
ICL was set up by locksmiths who were sick of seeing other "locksmiths" ripping customers off and giving the rest of us a bad reputation. For more information, click on the link
here.
It's not just lockouts where I've heard of customers being ripped off either. I've had other locksmiths ask me to cover jobs for them and ask me to price up the job when I get there. "Look at what car they're driving and price accordingly". Basically, the more money someone's got, the more they want it bumped up! It goes without saying, I would never do that. We work off set prices on all jobs.
I've also met people who have paid over £1,000 for a new Upvc mechanism! When their upvc door is only worth £600!
I met a recentlly widowed lasdy not so long ago who was quoted £90 to supply and fit a chubb lock. The same sort of price I would do it for (normally we're £80 for a BS3621 2004 E-series lock). However, on completion she was charged £360 because "It took longer than origonally thought"!
Unfortunately it seems the way of things these days. We at ICL are trying to fight back and bring high standards back into the locksmith industry, but these Rogue Traders are still trading and until there is some sort of regulation in the industry, then I think they always will.
So remember, if you're locked out, need a lock changing or fitting, have problems with your pvc lock or any other lock problems, look for the ICL logo.
