Many of the websites I browse on a daily basis cover nationwide topics but occasionally one that references our fair city will catch my eye. This time, courtesy of The Consumerist ^[2], we get a glimpse into the somewhat-sketchy world of locksmith companies. A-1 24hr Locksmith, likely named so the company will show up in the first few phone book listings, is a company to stay away from.

Quoted from the article directly:

A1 24 hr Locksmith answers and tells me $39.99 + about a $19 service charge. I tell him the kind of car, the address, etc. They say 25-30 mins.

I start to think things might be weird when I get two calls from two different people to confirm the address, my name, etc. The “locksmith” shows up over an hour later, in an unmarked car, with no uniform. I show him my car and he decides that my 2005 ford focus is VERY hard to break into, and that the labor charge is gonna go up to $125, for a total of $177 after tax. About $19 does not = $125. I’m sure he saw 20 year old female college student and thought $$$$$. He is very intimidating. He tells me he’s charged people $260 to get into their cars, and that he is giving me a deal, it is late at night, what am I gonna do.

The next day, the car owner discovers a fair amount of damage to her car door and the dawning realization that she’s been scammed. Stay away from A-1 24hr Locksmith. There are plenty of reputable locksmiths in the greater Seattle area.