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Report: #243063

Complaint Review: USA Locksmith - Internet

  • Submitted:
  • Updated:
  • Reported By: Ridgefield Connecticut
  • Author Confirmed What's this?
  • Why?
  • USA Locksmith service@usalocksmith.com Internet U.S.A.

USA Locksmith The company kept promising to show up to help us, but hadn't shown up after 2 hrs and we were locked out in freezing conditions. They ultimately said they are not coming and we were forced to call the fire dep't because we were left no recourse. ripoff Internet

*Consumer Comment: USA LOCSMITH IN BOSTON

*Consumer Comment: USA LOCSMITH IN BOSTON

*Consumer Comment: USA LOCSMITH IN BOSTON

*Consumer Comment: USA LOCSMITH IN BOSTON

*Consumer Comment: USA LOCKSMITH.COM

*Consumer Comment: USA LOCKSMITH.COM

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The locksmith company, (whose number we got via our cell phone's 411 directory as we had no phonebook for directory of local locksmiths) said they would come right over , within 25-30 min, to help us gain access into our home. An hour passed, and every time we called they kept us on endless "hold'then telling us that within another 15 minutes their "locksmith was on his way".

That kept on for another hour. when we received a message from the supposed locksmith that was coming, that he won't come because he's too far away in Greenwich, CT. All this time we were outside in freezing cold. There was absolutely no sense of responsibility toward us at all.

We were literally left in the cold. So freezing by then, we resorted to calling the fire department. The firemen broke our lock and we were finally back inside.
It had been a nightmare.

Never in any previous lockout experiences in other towns, had we recieved such unprofessional, and possibly dangerous lack of service.

I would advise anyone, NOT TO CALL USA LOCKSMITH!

Sherrie
Ridgefield, Connecticut
U.S.A.

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 04/09/2007 09:55 AM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/usa-locksmith/internet/usa-locksmith-the-company-kept-promising-to-show-up-to-help-us-but-hadnt-shown-up-after-243063. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

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#6 Consumer Comment

USA LOCSMITH IN BOSTON

AUTHOR: Leland - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Sunday, May 06, 2007

Drift Reality > Boston > USA Locksmith

This letter describes an extremely negative experience a friend had with USA Locksmith:

On Wednesday February 14, 2007 I locked myself out of my apartment in Boston, MA. After being locked out, I borrowed a friend's phone and called the USA Locksmith Boston office to help me with my situation. When asked how much it would cost, the representative told me they were unable to provide me with a total estimate, but did state that there would be a minimum fee of $39.95, and that an additional fee for labor would be assessed. I was then told that a representative would be dispatched shortly.

About 40 minutes later, the representative arrived at my apartment. After a brief inspection, the locksmith quoted me a price of $145.00, which would be assessed on top of the $39.95 base fee. As a single female with no personal contacts in the direct area, and with the work day almost completed, I felt compelled to agree to the fee. The locksmith promptly placed some sort of key into the keyhole on the door and tapped on it about ten times or so. After a few moments, he turned the key and opened the door.

Shortly thereafter, the locksmith insisted that I pay him the full amount in cash. As a single female student living alone, I do not make it a practice of carrying very much cash with me at any given time. I asked if I could pay with a credit card or a check and was promptly told that I could only pay with cash. The locksmith asked to see my license. Upon turning my license over, the locksmith told me that he would hold onto it until I paid him the full amount he was owed in cash. I desperately searched for an ATM in the direct vicinity, withdrew the cash and gave it to him.

I am writing this letter of complaint for the following three reasons:

I feel that the refusal on the part of USA Locksmith to provide a cost estimate is a violation of my rights as a consumer. Additionally, the practice of providing a base fee of $39.95 and then an additional fee of $145.00 upon inspection', to a desperate consumer, is an unethical practice. Particularly when the total time require to open the lock was only a few minutes.

Forcing a consumer to pay $185.00 in cash seems to be an unfair business practice. Particularly because later, when I called USA Locksmith, I was told that it was their policy to allow customers to pay with a credit card.

Finally, The locksmith had absolutely no right to confiscate my drivers license and hold it hostage until I paid him $185 in cash. This was an act of intimidation, as well as illegal. When considering the fact that I am a relatively small single female (5'4), it is clear that this was his way of intimidating me into paying him in cash.

I have suffered loss of money as well as psychological harm as a result of the acts of USA Locksmith and the contractor they dispatched to my residence. I fully intend to file a report with the Better Business Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission, as well as the Boston Attorney's General Office; as well as pursue legal action.

I would hope that others might learn from this experience and avoid doing business with USA Locksmith in the future.


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#5 Consumer Comment

USA LOCSMITH IN BOSTON

AUTHOR: Leland - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Sunday, May 06, 2007

Drift Reality > Boston > USA Locksmith

This letter describes an extremely negative experience a friend had with USA Locksmith:

On Wednesday February 14, 2007 I locked myself out of my apartment in Boston, MA. After being locked out, I borrowed a friend's phone and called the USA Locksmith Boston office to help me with my situation. When asked how much it would cost, the representative told me they were unable to provide me with a total estimate, but did state that there would be a minimum fee of $39.95, and that an additional fee for labor would be assessed. I was then told that a representative would be dispatched shortly.

About 40 minutes later, the representative arrived at my apartment. After a brief inspection, the locksmith quoted me a price of $145.00, which would be assessed on top of the $39.95 base fee. As a single female with no personal contacts in the direct area, and with the work day almost completed, I felt compelled to agree to the fee. The locksmith promptly placed some sort of key into the keyhole on the door and tapped on it about ten times or so. After a few moments, he turned the key and opened the door.

Shortly thereafter, the locksmith insisted that I pay him the full amount in cash. As a single female student living alone, I do not make it a practice of carrying very much cash with me at any given time. I asked if I could pay with a credit card or a check and was promptly told that I could only pay with cash. The locksmith asked to see my license. Upon turning my license over, the locksmith told me that he would hold onto it until I paid him the full amount he was owed in cash. I desperately searched for an ATM in the direct vicinity, withdrew the cash and gave it to him.

I am writing this letter of complaint for the following three reasons:

I feel that the refusal on the part of USA Locksmith to provide a cost estimate is a violation of my rights as a consumer. Additionally, the practice of providing a base fee of $39.95 and then an additional fee of $145.00 upon inspection', to a desperate consumer, is an unethical practice. Particularly when the total time require to open the lock was only a few minutes.

Forcing a consumer to pay $185.00 in cash seems to be an unfair business practice. Particularly because later, when I called USA Locksmith, I was told that it was their policy to allow customers to pay with a credit card.

Finally, The locksmith had absolutely no right to confiscate my drivers license and hold it hostage until I paid him $185 in cash. This was an act of intimidation, as well as illegal. When considering the fact that I am a relatively small single female (5'4), it is clear that this was his way of intimidating me into paying him in cash.

I have suffered loss of money as well as psychological harm as a result of the acts of USA Locksmith and the contractor they dispatched to my residence. I fully intend to file a report with the Better Business Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission, as well as the Boston Attorney's General Office; as well as pursue legal action.

I would hope that others might learn from this experience and avoid doing business with USA Locksmith in the future.


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#4 Consumer Comment

USA LOCSMITH IN BOSTON

AUTHOR: Leland - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Sunday, May 06, 2007

Drift Reality > Boston > USA Locksmith

This letter describes an extremely negative experience a friend had with USA Locksmith:

On Wednesday February 14, 2007 I locked myself out of my apartment in Boston, MA. After being locked out, I borrowed a friend's phone and called the USA Locksmith Boston office to help me with my situation. When asked how much it would cost, the representative told me they were unable to provide me with a total estimate, but did state that there would be a minimum fee of $39.95, and that an additional fee for labor would be assessed. I was then told that a representative would be dispatched shortly.

About 40 minutes later, the representative arrived at my apartment. After a brief inspection, the locksmith quoted me a price of $145.00, which would be assessed on top of the $39.95 base fee. As a single female with no personal contacts in the direct area, and with the work day almost completed, I felt compelled to agree to the fee. The locksmith promptly placed some sort of key into the keyhole on the door and tapped on it about ten times or so. After a few moments, he turned the key and opened the door.

Shortly thereafter, the locksmith insisted that I pay him the full amount in cash. As a single female student living alone, I do not make it a practice of carrying very much cash with me at any given time. I asked if I could pay with a credit card or a check and was promptly told that I could only pay with cash. The locksmith asked to see my license. Upon turning my license over, the locksmith told me that he would hold onto it until I paid him the full amount he was owed in cash. I desperately searched for an ATM in the direct vicinity, withdrew the cash and gave it to him.

I am writing this letter of complaint for the following three reasons:

I feel that the refusal on the part of USA Locksmith to provide a cost estimate is a violation of my rights as a consumer. Additionally, the practice of providing a base fee of $39.95 and then an additional fee of $145.00 upon inspection', to a desperate consumer, is an unethical practice. Particularly when the total time require to open the lock was only a few minutes.

Forcing a consumer to pay $185.00 in cash seems to be an unfair business practice. Particularly because later, when I called USA Locksmith, I was told that it was their policy to allow customers to pay with a credit card.

Finally, The locksmith had absolutely no right to confiscate my drivers license and hold it hostage until I paid him $185 in cash. This was an act of intimidation, as well as illegal. When considering the fact that I am a relatively small single female (5'4), it is clear that this was his way of intimidating me into paying him in cash.

I have suffered loss of money as well as psychological harm as a result of the acts of USA Locksmith and the contractor they dispatched to my residence. I fully intend to file a report with the Better Business Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission, as well as the Boston Attorney's General Office; as well as pursue legal action.

I would hope that others might learn from this experience and avoid doing business with USA Locksmith in the future.


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#3 Consumer Comment

USA LOCSMITH IN BOSTON

AUTHOR: Leland - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Sunday, May 06, 2007

Drift Reality > Boston > USA Locksmith

This letter describes an extremely negative experience a friend had with USA Locksmith:

On Wednesday February 14, 2007 I locked myself out of my apartment in Boston, MA. After being locked out, I borrowed a friend's phone and called the USA Locksmith Boston office to help me with my situation. When asked how much it would cost, the representative told me they were unable to provide me with a total estimate, but did state that there would be a minimum fee of $39.95, and that an additional fee for labor would be assessed. I was then told that a representative would be dispatched shortly.

About 40 minutes later, the representative arrived at my apartment. After a brief inspection, the locksmith quoted me a price of $145.00, which would be assessed on top of the $39.95 base fee. As a single female with no personal contacts in the direct area, and with the work day almost completed, I felt compelled to agree to the fee. The locksmith promptly placed some sort of key into the keyhole on the door and tapped on it about ten times or so. After a few moments, he turned the key and opened the door.

Shortly thereafter, the locksmith insisted that I pay him the full amount in cash. As a single female student living alone, I do not make it a practice of carrying very much cash with me at any given time. I asked if I could pay with a credit card or a check and was promptly told that I could only pay with cash. The locksmith asked to see my license. Upon turning my license over, the locksmith told me that he would hold onto it until I paid him the full amount he was owed in cash. I desperately searched for an ATM in the direct vicinity, withdrew the cash and gave it to him.

I am writing this letter of complaint for the following three reasons:

I feel that the refusal on the part of USA Locksmith to provide a cost estimate is a violation of my rights as a consumer. Additionally, the practice of providing a base fee of $39.95 and then an additional fee of $145.00 upon inspection', to a desperate consumer, is an unethical practice. Particularly when the total time require to open the lock was only a few minutes.

Forcing a consumer to pay $185.00 in cash seems to be an unfair business practice. Particularly because later, when I called USA Locksmith, I was told that it was their policy to allow customers to pay with a credit card.

Finally, The locksmith had absolutely no right to confiscate my drivers license and hold it hostage until I paid him $185 in cash. This was an act of intimidation, as well as illegal. When considering the fact that I am a relatively small single female (5'4), it is clear that this was his way of intimidating me into paying him in cash.

I have suffered loss of money as well as psychological harm as a result of the acts of USA Locksmith and the contractor they dispatched to my residence. I fully intend to file a report with the Better Business Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission, as well as the Boston Attorney's General Office; as well as pursue legal action.

I would hope that others might learn from this experience and avoid doing business with USA Locksmith in the future.


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#2 Consumer Comment

USA LOCKSMITH.COM

AUTHOR: Leland - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Monday, April 30, 2007

yeah this place shouldn't even be a buisness
Posted by lookitzmeghan on 06/12/2006
yeah i locked my keys in my car at 11:30 am on a monday, i was told someone would be there in 20 min. well the guy that was supposed to be there got a flat, never called me or let me know. so after 45 min. i call the place and say im not paying for it and i'd like to speak w/a manager, i was then told rudely, "fine we're not sending anyone out then". i get a hold of a manager after that he tells me i will get a 15% discount and it will be another 20 min. 30 min. passes the guy whose suppossed to fix it finally calls tells me it will be $55 plus another $45. i tell him no i spoke w/the supervisor he said it would be %15 off he again repeats the price then hangs up. i call the supervisor tell him what happens and say, "im not going through you guys ive been waiting for an hour and a half and my car is still running so u can tell that idiot not to come now!" if u want to be locked out of your car do not go through these people.

Pros: none
Cons: never got the service
Overall user rating: Not Recommended
Never showed up
Posted by smithjohn on 03/24/2006
I waited for an hour at the gate of my apartment complex in 45 degree temperatures and the guy never showed up. I had lost my purse and had no cell phone, keys or money. When I called them from work, I had made it clear I had no phone to call for verification and they said they would meet me in 30-45 minutes. I was there 15 minutes later and waited for an hour. I ended up having to climb up to the second floor balcony and climb in an unlocked window.

Cons: Unreliable
Overall user rating: Not Recommended
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#1 Consumer Comment

USA LOCKSMITH.COM

AUTHOR: Leland - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Monday, April 30, 2007

WORST SERVICE
Posted by joana81 on 02/16/2007
Do not use this service. I locked myself out of my apartment and called this company. First they couldn't find my apartment so I had to meet them outside on another street (it was snowing that day).

After we finally arrived at my apartment, 2 hours after my initial call, he told me it was going to be a total of 185 dollars. I had no other choice but to agree. He tapped a key into the hole and about 5 minutes later my door was open. Then he insisted that I pay him in cash. I never carry this much money on me, so I offered him a check or credit card. He refused and took my license until I paid him in cash. We had to travel to an ATM and gave him the cash. His manner was abusive, and I was mislead about the price, and having to pay in cash. I will never use this company again.

Pros: None
Cons: Too many to list
Overall user rating: Not Recommended
Do NOT Use This Company
Posted by bkashatus on 03/14/2006
Very expensive to have lockes re-keyed. When the job was finished I was told that I could not pay with a check and I could only use a credit card for a job that was over $500. The technicians asked to follow me to an ATM machine so I could pay them the $350 in cash. I was not notified of the $55 fee just to drive out to my home for a non-emergency service call. They showed up a half and hour earlier than they said they would and yelled at me for not being there when they arrived.

Overall user rating: Not Recommended
Not Happy
Posted by stumpthumper on 02/22/2006
$230 for a 5 minute drill-out. "Either you pay me $230 total to have me drill the lock and get you in or you pay the $55 service fee and call someone else." - paraphrasing. They couldn't tell me what it would cost when I blindly called them later and asked, but when I complained to customer service they told me all drill jobs cost that much. Other companies charge leass than half of that...total.

Pros: Quick service
Cons: Cost, Cost, Cost
Overall user rating: Not Recommended
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