You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Even if your wife asked about the costs, he would've said '£49 for labour' designed to make her think': result! Was there a VAT number? Continental writing (French?) I'd have a word with the trading standards officer. An itinerant bituminous deposit engineer tried to turn over my PiL and the trading standards person was really good and sent the police round for a chat as well.
20s with a file and the door would’ve been open.
That bill is a blatant rip-off and fraud/theft.
The fact you had another key and he either didn’t know what to do or chose not to is the main point.
Cancel the payment now and let him chase it.
hammyuk
Member
20s with a file and the door would’ve been open.
That bill is a blatant rip-off and fraud/theft.
The fact you had another key and he either didn’t know what to do or chose not to is the main point.
Cancel the payment now and let him chase it.
Great advice except, they were locked out so how is '20s with a file' going to help them get in? They had another key, it was in the lock locked inside, that was the problem. Paid be Debit card. How do they cancel that when the wifey's agreed to the fee?
So, 'E- must try and pay more attention HammyUk'...
This is the company:
Locksmith 24 Hours
Blaga Vest Ltd
3 Gerry Raffles Square
London E15 1BG
ldnlocksmith247@gmail.com
http://key-24.co.uk/
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/10908735
They have bad reviews here: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/key-24.co.uk
I guess the good reviews are fake.
I can't leave a review as their website is down (I assume they did it to avoid bad reviews).
I'm gonna contact trading standards today.
I was also thinking of setting up a website eg: http://key-24-scam.co.uk/ or http://key-24-ripoff.co.uk/ explaining the case, but I maybe do that later after having spoken to trading standards.
Yes clearly fake reviews. Is there a trade body, or trading standards. These outfits need to be shut down, I can't believe they get away with it.
Or look on money saving expert forum for advice, some experts over there. I got a full refund from an insurance company as I saw they were fca reg so threatened to complain to fca, full refund offered.
I’d be concerned they have your debit card details too from the payment....... maybe worth cancelling the card just incase, who knows what else they are up to!
Blaga Vest Ltd
3 Gerry Raffles Square
Raffles the Blaga. Not exactly the gentleman thief...
You're not seeing that money again, sadly. Send the bugger on a few fake callouts to the back of beyond to make yourself feel marginally better.
I've sent a complaint to trading standards, gonna check money saving expert forum, thanks.
I bet you a million pounds and a leg that the "VAT" isn't passed on to the Exchequer either.
The positive reviews on Trustpilot are obviously fake, as most of the reviewers photos are just taken from Google. One called 'Samantha' is a Sky journalist! The fake reviews can be flagged and TP will remove them.
I feel the poor reviews are the genuine ones...
These sharks should be closed down asap!
My only concern now is that he know where we live..
My only concern now is that he know where we live..
and potentially has a key to your lock....
finbar
Member
Based on the cost of reglazing a window, I’d say that’s a bit steep.
My thoughts too. I'd have pulled tiles off the roof and gone in through the roof space tbh. (Not unfamiliar with this MoE!)
You may feel better if you call the HMRC fraud hotline with your concerns, 0800 788 887. At least then the vat will be being passed on or the guys ripping us all off.
and potentially has a key to your lock….
He's a locksmith FFS - he doesn't need a key 😬
and potentially has a key to your lock….
You should get the locks changed. I will come and do it for just £400
He didn't provide a VAT receipt? Is he even VAT registered?
https://www.freeagent.com/guides/vat/how-to-find-a-business-vat-number/
Checking a VAT number is valid
HMRC has a complete database of VAT-registered businesses, so if you're in any doubt about a registration number you should call their VAT helpline on 0300 200 3700.
PS I'd maybe invite him to provide a partial refund before pursuing it. And then do it anyway.
I emailed them before posting their details in this thread, obviously no answer.
They are vat registered.
I need some help from the community. After reaching to Trading Standards they suggested:
You may wish to obtain three quotes from three independent trader’s to identify what a reasonable price would be, if this is necessary we would advise having the quotes recorded in writing from a trader in the same profession.
So if you are a locksmith or you know of any locksmith that could help me with this it would be much appreciated.
Many thanks!
Hasn't there been a couple already been recommended previously on this thread? Read back.
MLA locksmiths
Of that lot I've worked with the guys at GCD security, good chaps.
It's kind of awkward asking ex colleagues to do quotes for work they're not going to see but I'm sure if you ask nicely and explain your situation to a properly accredited company you'll get a positive response.
Mla members have been super helpful, some of them know the company already.
One of them even suggested to complain to google as they use false advertising statement as well, which we’ll do.
singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/any-locksmiths-around-have-i-been-ripped-off-570-invoice/page/3/#post-11275799
Boblo, Did you not read the OP’s original post?
Obviously not - you must try harder then.
They did have another key so any competent locksmith could open that door in under a minute using that key.
I'd hoped the MLA guys would help, genuine Locksmiths, like other trades won't want their reputation damaged by stories like this.
Indeed, some of them already knew the company without me mentioning it.
We used to have a door that did the same, after the first £100+ call out and seeing he just opened it by pushing the handle down from the inside I hid a bit of bent copper pipe in the back garden just in case.... it did happen again a month or two later....
Good luck!
We used to have a door that did the same,
You used to have a door that left a key in its lock?
Going out on a limb here perhaps but I rather suspect that's not a feature of the door...
Yeah, but look how happy that old couple are on the homepage! Like he not only fixed their lock but also cured his erectile disfunction.
We used to have a door that did the same,
You used to have a door that left a key in its lock?
I thought that meant 'a door that could lock itself with a key on the inside and then couldn't be unlocked' - which is something I'm struggling to understand. I've just been checking with my door, with a Euro cylinder. If it's locked, and there's a key on the inside, then it's true that unless the key is absolutely lined up vertically, I can't get a key into it from the outside. But I've tried a good few times, and if there's a key on the inside, I can't lock it from the outside. The only way to lock it with a key on the inside is to lock it from the inside. Those who've had it happen, how is it possible? Is it only on longer cylinders where this can happen, where keys from opposite sides don't clash?
A Yale-style lock can latch shut, but can still be opened with a key.
You raise a very interesting point though - just how in the hell can anyone manage to lock a Eurocylinder from the outside with the key still in the lock inside? If it's possible to lock it then it should be possible to unlock it.
That could be the MacGuffin in a Death In Paradise plot.
EDIT: as soon as I wrote that the penny dropped. You can get Eurocylinder-driven sprung latches can't you. Dangerous combination really, you might lock yourself out and not be able to open it with the... er, oh.
You used to have a door that left a key in its lock?
Going out on a limb here perhaps but I rather suspect that’s not a feature of the door…
When it shut you needed a key to open it from the outside if it was locked or not.
I haven’t read it all but that is a lot of money.
I’m in the security industry.
First thing is ‘everything looks easy once you’ve seen it done’.
For a true professional takes years to get certified same with any other trade.
For a charlatan just takes balls and a screwdriver.
When I say it’s gonna be £65 for a callout and I’ll be there in 10 minutes 12 month guarantee there’s always someone that’ll say I’ll do it for £20.
There is always someone that will charge £500.
If the person pays the bill then they’ve deemed it ok surely?
The rouges have got away with it?
There is no pleasing the majority of the public.
I'm all for paying for specialist skills.
But drilling out a lock then removing and replacing a bolt is not worth £600 however you slice it. I've replaced Eurocylinders for friends for free, a difficult or big job it is not (and taking half an hour to drill it out is amateur hour anyway).
If you're in the "security industry" you should be raging that someone's charged ten times what you would and is bringing the industry into disrepute, not jumping to defend them.
But the OPs wife paid it so she must have been ok with it.
I always ask for a quote before I get any work done to the house / car etc.
... or thought she didn't have any choice in the matter.
Curious logic at any rate. It's OK to fleece someone so long as they go along with it? That's literally how scammers work, those who diddle old folk out of their life savings.
Cougar read the post correctly donkeysled said his callout was £65, not £65 for complete job.
You sound like my son (software engineer on a gazillion pounds an hrs) when he was outraged that the landscape gardener had the cheek to charge him £200 for labour to lay his turf. I pointed out to son all you do is tap on a keyboard all day long 😏 what you do is not work
Premier Icon
Cougar
Subscriber… or thought she didn’t have any choice in the matter.
Curious logic at any rate. It’s OK to fleece someone so long as they go along with it? That’s literally how scammers work, those who diddle old folk out of their life savings.
Which is why you ask for the quote first......
Quote us £570.... ok I’ll get back to you and check somewhere else
If I was quoted £200 and then charged £570 without agreeing to it prior to the work being done I wouldn’t be paying it.
Take car dealers as an example, you leave the car in for a service then you get a call saying you need X, Y and Z at whatever price. You can agree or decline the extra work being done.
I suspect in this case the op’s wife just wanted back into the house so didn’t really care to much about the cost so just sucked it up. Husband on the other hand isn’t so happy hence this thread......
Morale of the story.... don’t let your wife book tradespeople without you discussing it first!
Morale of the story…. don’t let your wife book tradespeople without you discussing it first!
Women know your limits!
dhhrider - "Moral"
gobuchul
Memberdhhrider – “Moral”
Dhrider 😉
We've got a door with a split lever, si requires the key to be used to open from the outside. However if a key is left in the inside any way other than perfectly straight vertically it went open.
I found this out the hard way.
I then smashed a small window to climb in, realised it was
a)too high to climb through
and b) too small to fit through anyways.
So smashed the window below it too. 🤦🏿♂️
One thing I did notice when I was halfway stuck through the little window that no passerby asked what I was up to 😐
You can get Eurocylinder-driven sprung latches can’t you. Dangerous combination really, you might lock yourself out and not be able to open it with the
I did not know that, it explains the problem. I've always had locks that don't lock automatically; it becomes a habit to turn the key as you go out and you don't even notice.
Found this link about Euro cylinders. I knew about snapping, etc, but not that thumbturns can be opened from the outside with the right tools.
@bruneep -
You sound like my son (software engineer on a gazillion pounds an hrs) when he was outraged that the landscape gardener had the cheek to charge him £200 for labour to lay his turf. I pointed out to son all you do is tap on a keyboard all day long 😏 what you do is not work
lol. I do feel like that sometimes when I have to explain to folk what I do (software engineer, never reached those dizzy heights of daily rate though!)
At least we all know to call Couger now for our home security issues. He has both the knowledge and will treat you gently come bill time. Result! 😉
One thing I did notice when I was halfway stuck through the little window that no passerby asked what I was up to
I've climbed through quite a few neighbours windows over the years when they've locked themselves out and needed help getting back in.
She googled for locksmith in our postcode and these came up, the ad mentioned they were local and there was no callout fee.
So she called.
Agreed price was around £200, then the extras came in, she had no choice, she couldn’t leave the door without a lock all night.
She’s also pissed off, but at the time she had no choice.
I’ll update the thread if there are any news.
Shocking state of affairs, op. Don't know how such folk sleep at night. (on top of a mattress stuffed with readies, clearly)
Ignore the trolling, I don't really see what else your missus could have done, in the circumstances.
Onwards and upwards. ..
I had similar, albeit in Germany. Charged 700 Euros, the wife did it, I was away.
I googled the fair price, was about 170 Euros.
I wrote an email which said I'll pay 185 Euro tomorrow. If not please contact my
'solicitor'. The 185 Euros was accepted.
I knew about snapping, etc, but not that thumbturns can be opened from the outside with the right tools.
Google "I'll let myself in," there's a physical pen test video on YT which will give you the shits.
At least we all know to call Couger now for our home security issues. He has both the knowledge and will treat you gently come bill time. Result! 😉
You have no idea.
Here.
I'm a joiner not a locksmith but I do get called to open doors. For that I'd be charging less than £100 no callout charge either. Think I might change trade. This time next year rodney