I locked my keys in the car the other day when I had gotten home. I decided to look up on the internet a locksmith. After googling 'locksmith Salt Lake City' one of the first locksmiths that came up on my browser advertised $15. It was through a company called Recommended Locksmith. I called them to tell them that I had locked my keys in my car.
They told me that it was $15 to have the locksmith show and a 'starting rate' of $35. I assumed that the starting rate meant that it was $35 most of the time and maybe more if it took the locksmith an exceptional period of time and effort to actually open the car. I agreed to have them come open my car.
When they came, the locksmith asked for my ID and wrote down some information. After that it took the locksmith about 1 minute to open the car door and get my keys. He then asked for $85, explaining that $35 was the service fee. I had assumed that it was only the starting rate.
Shocked at the price, I called the company and asked them why I was being charged so much. The receptionist told me that $35 was the 'starting fee' again and that the technicians were the ones that determined the price. Right then I proceeded to tell off the company about how they were engaging in unethical pricing.
After the incident, the technicians said it would be OK if I simply paid $50. I did so and they left.
If you need a locksmith, be sure to use one that has a physical location and that is reliable. Watch out for Recommended Locksmith. Do not use their services.
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