Channel 3 KTVK Gary Harper 3 On Your Side - Locksmith Undercover Investigation

Gary Harper is back at it, catching the phony locksmiths at the only thing they know how to do, rip off unsuspecting Arizona residents! Unfortunately for all of us good guys, they are really good at it.
Here's an excerpt from the article, full story is at the bottom...

3 On Your Side has a consumer warning just in case you decide to call a locksmith.
Let me say right off the bat that there are a lot of good, reputable locksmiths out there.
But, by the same token, there are just as many unscrupulous locksmiths and, given the chance, they will take you for a ride.
Ulinger is in the health care industry and pretty much works out of her car.
"Somehow I managed to lock my keys in my trunk," she said.
So Ulinger did what most people might do and called a locksmith.
"They quoted me $35 for the trip out here and $15 to get into my car," she said.
Ulinger says after hours of waiting, the locksmith did show up.
"He looks at me and says, 'OK, it's gonna be $125,'" Ulinger said. "I'm like, 'Excuse me? It's been three hours, you're late and you gave me a quote of $50.'"
Ulinger's issue has been an ongoing complaint in the locksmith industry.
In fact, two years ago 3 On Your Side confronted a locksmith after quoting our undercover producer over the telephone one price to unlock her car but had a much higher price when he actually showed up to the scene.
Since that report aired, 3 On Your Side decided to see if the locksmith industry has changed its ways.
Our same producer called several locksmiths saying her keys were locked in her car, but she always received the same standard answer: "You're looking at a $35 service call to get the technician out there and a minimum of $15 to open the vehicle, depending on the locking mechanism and how the technician opens the vehicle."
But chances are it will be more -- a lot more. Locksmiths cover themselves by saying a minimum $15 labor charge. But when they arrive, that minimum charge is frequently jacked up and in most cases, consumers are in no mood to negotiate.
By the way, just because you call a locksmith with a local area code, don't be fooled. Many local numbers are transferred out of state and then they'll dispatch some fly-by-night locksmith here in Phoenix to your rescue.
For tips on how not to be ripped off, visit www.ftc.gov.

You can find our list of Consumer Tips to hiring a safe and reputable locksmith on our website and on previous posts here. If you've been taken by one of these criminals please feel free to share your story with us so that we can educate others of the real danger out there. You're welcome to stay anonymous!


The full story: http://www.azfamily.com/ontv/teased/stories/phoenix-3oys-news-071609-locksmiths.490b138b.html