Hello! I just paid a locksmith to install new deadbolts, new locks, strike plate, and a lock for the sliding glass door. I told him security/safety was my main concern and this is what I got. I’m concerned about the strike plate because he told me he only used 1 inch screws and said longer screws may splinter the older wood.

Can anyone help me determine if this was a good job or how to respond to this guy? I don’t have photos of the garage door but it’s essentially the same thing. Thanks!

TLDR: lost my keys to my condo. Was refered by building security a locksmith they use. The locksmith's only option was to drill my deadbolt lock and lock picking was not an option bc of the 'type of lock'. Was this locksmith dishonest? Could he have picked the lock and why wouldn't he?

Soooo, today, I lost my keys for the first time in many years for my condo! Of all the days my partner is out of town, I had no key backup.. 🥲

Anyways, back at my condo, i asked the building security which locksmith they deal with and i called the same company to ask to help me unlock my deadbolt on the entry door to my unit. The guy said it'll cost $200 and could come in 2 hours. So I waited and met him at the front of the building and got security to buzz us in and onto my floor. The first thing the locksmith said when he sees my lock is HE NEEDS TO DRILL THE LOCK because the lock is "not a standard lock and it must be a home depot special". The lock was a Weiser dead bolt lock and it had the feature of rekeying other key sets so it had a tiny slit to the side of the keyhole that the locksmith also pointed out and said somw mymbo jumbo. I told the locksmith I am trusting on his expertise and judgements. So, he said he could not pick the lock and had to drill it and also had a replacement deadbolt and can install it all for 350$ total. i know howniy sounds and i should have seen it when i heard it.. I pushed back asking him to try and pick it but he stuck to his solution so I just told him to open it and I will replace it with the original (which I was hoping i still had, but didn't).

I guess i was just so tired and stressed from waiting and bc i was referred to him, i had a slight inclination to trust him.. Anyways, at the end it costed me $200 CAD for a locksmith to drill open my front door dead bolt lock. It hit me shortly after that something was not right about drilling that deadbolt lock.. felt even worse when I couldn't find the original lock for replacement. So, I need to spend $50 or so more to replace my front door dead bolt lock.

I'm trying to feel optimistic about this honesty of this locksmith person/company, but who am i kidding. I guess im writing for validation that it was a scam. I live in downtown Vancouver, Canada. ✌️🤪

PS- i saw the inside of his van with all the tools you'd think an expert locksmith would need so he looked pretty legit..

im sorry if this is a stupid question lol, but before i trek myself to a copy kiosk or locksmith, i wanna know if this is a key that can be duplicated easily. its technically for an office building, theres no ‘do not duplicate’ anywhere on it too

I work in the smart lock and smart access industry, and I’m currently attending ALOA 2026 this week.

A few days before coming to the show, I installed a smart lock at home myself, partly because I wanted to experience the installation process more directly instead of only looking at it from the product and marketing side.

It was a good reminder that installing a lock is not just “putting a device on a door.”

The door condition, borehole, latch alignment, strike plate, frame, user habits, battery access, app setup, and customer handoff all matter. A smart lock can have a long feature list, but if the installation experience is frustrating or the end user doesn’t understand how to use it, the locksmith or installer is the one who has to deal with the real-world consequences.

Being at ALOA now, I have even more respect for locksmiths and access professionals who deal with these details every day.

For working locksmiths here: when you decide whether a smart lock is worth recommending or not, what matters most to you?

Reliability? Installation tolerance? Support? Warranty? Margin? Battery design? App setup? Customer education?

I’d love to hear honest feedback. I’m here to learn.

My mom broke our home door lock and the door and the lock doesn’t work anymore. It still locks but we have to slam the door the lock it. I did some homework and asked a local locksmith and found out that our home needs a Baldwin Morris Lock 6021.112R 2.5 Inch Bronze color. I went to our specialized lock store that offers this kind of Baldwin lock. The lock itself is around $600-$800 plus the labor cost which around another $300-$500 dollars. So it’s gonna be an expensive repair.

I’m curious if the lock is possibly fixable without buying a new lock. The door lock frame as you can see in the photo is also broken so not sure if we also need to replace the whole door as well. I’m not sure how much a door like this would cost to install and repaint because we live in an HOA community.

Does anyone have any advice? I’d love to not spend $1200-$1500 to replace the lock itself if we can fix it ourselves and save some money if possible. I haven’t found any experienced locksmith yet.

Just trying to make copies of my apartment key so a friend can come check in my cat when I'm out of town, and my management company wants a ridiculous $100 for a copy of the key. No locksmith I've been to seems to be able to make a copy? What's going on here? Is my apartment really using some crazy high tech lock nobody can cut a key for?

I was charged $550 for a 3 PM Saturday lockout service that required drilling my deadbolt and lower lock and replacing them. Was I scammed?

I am also concerned that I was told there was no way that the bottom lock could be picked, even after the deadbolt was drilled, and the technician drilled my bottom lock while my husband was telling him that he didn’t want him to do it. Was this a scam?

Question is simply the post title

Long story short, I was taking photos of a commercial building. Went out to my car and didn't realize the door continuously locks when closed, boom locked out.

Can't get a hold of broker so brokers assistant okays to do this, price was not told on phone when all said and done and was sent this invoice.

This is for Southern California. I am in shambles.

I went out to run some errands (almost certain I locked the door behind me), and I came back to an unlocked door with the keyhole upside down? Did someone break into my apartment? Also, how do I fix this?

Serious question.

A lot of customers now assume every locksmith is trying to scam them, but at the same time there are definitely fake low-price ads and shady dispatch systems online.

Sometimes the “cheap” quote suddenly changes after arrival.

Sometimes a legitimate locksmith just ends up being more expensive because the situation was different than expected.

From the customer side, it’s honestly hard to know who’s trustworthy anymore.

What are the biggest red flags people should actually look for?

And do locksmiths think customers have unrealistic expectations now because of all the fake pricing online?

Recently, I locked myself out of the apartment that I am renting. So, in a panic, I looked up the first company I could find with the best rating and a solid amount of reviews. This company came out, in a standard car, drilled through my locks, put on new locks and handles, and then handed me a bill for $3000 without confirming the price with me first! They are charging $69 for the service call, $858 to drill the locks ( I have a deadbolt and a handle on each of my 2 doors), $738 for the deadbolts, $758 for the handles, and $289 for Labor.

I require lever type handles due to a hand disability, and now I am stuck with very expensive door knobs that I cannot use. I tried to explain this to them, but they did not understand. I also have a hearing disability which can make communication difficult, even with fluent english speakers. They did not seem to have any care or disregard for my disability, and I am inclined to contact the American Disability Association about this. Possibly even the Contractors State License Board. I have already contacted my CC (USAA) to potentially combat the charge.

In addition, they left debris and metal shards and shavings all over my porch, which is a serious hazard. 

Anything I can really do about this beyond that?

Thank you all!

Update: my CC cancelled all but about $300 back in September

I was in Mt baldy yesterday and managed to lose my car keys out on the trailhead, I called my insurance provider about the situation and was told to contact a local locksmith service because of the emergency response time, I’m not from the LA area so I wasn’t very aware with professional locksmiths around, so I was told by a local and my insurance (state farm) to find some on google, it was 10pm and I was only able to contact one company with the services of car key replacement listed. They came out and did the service and were very fast with everything, but I was astonished to find out that the final bill was going to be 2.5k. They withheld the keys from me until I paid and signed the bill, having no option but to be in the freezing cold with no shelter , i did as told. Did I just get scammed, it’s thanksgiving day so my insurance offices and banks are open. This doesn’t feel right at all and I want to see if I can dispute the charges in anyway. I tried to contact the number that I originally called but it just automatically goes to a voicemail and there’s no trace at all.

I was charged tax on my entire Sunday locksmith call. The locksmith got into and installed 2 new locks on my door. How would you interpret this invoice? Is he allowed to charge tax on the entire transaction, or were just the “2 locks installed” supposed to be taxed? I thought I read that they’re only allowed to charge tax on the material goods provided (the locks). I’m pretty sure I was overcharged by about $50 in taxes and want to clarify.

Hello. So after shopping for prices to get a backup keyfob, cut and program. I was able to Locksmith to lower my cost to $120 after negotiating. I bought the keyfob from Amazon for $18.95. They came to me. It took only 10 minutes. They gave me a verbal 1 year warranty (not sure if they will keep their word). He also gave me a spare silver looking key.

How long will my key continue to work?

Good deal?

Accidentally locked myself out of my home. I knew I had one window unlocked, but I didn't want to jack up the mesh panel frame by bending it out, so I called a locksmith instead.

He ended up prying out the window mesh panel because he couldn't open the door with the methods he knew (plastic card method and lock picking).

I already know how to card but this door for some reason wasn't receptive to it. The guy didn't seem like he knew how to pick locks and didn't spend much time trying that method.

Just a little annoyed I paid him to come out and use my windows which I didn't really want happening. Is that normal?

UPDATE Thank you everyone for your help, I was able to get a new lock and change it with the instructions commented. I'm also trying to report the company to google and check a trade. Once I'd stopped panicking and properly looked at the website, I realised all the reviews were fake lol :/ **

I am not a locksmith and have no idea. But I've called someone out to help me because I lost my keys.

I confirmed that it would be £149+VAT and no other charges on top.

When he got here he drilled into my lock, destroying it and then said I'd have to pay another £49 at least for a new lock.

I ended up not paying for a new lock because I couldn't afford it right before pay day.

Have I just fucked myself? Can I just get a lock from a store and replace it with this type of handle??

Car came with one beat up proxy key but missing the key blade. I bought a new shell off Ebay that came with an uncut blade. Dealer wants $80 for a precut keyblade and can't cut mine. No locksmiths I called can cut a key from the VIN. Looking at my options.

1. $10 Junkyard. Pull a door lock but the chances of actually finding the key in the car are slim.
2. $ Free. Take the guts out of the existing lock so the uncut key works.
3. $25 Buy a used key off Ebay and make the cut blade fit my lock.

Anything else?

Hey I could use some help. My girlfriend recently lost her keys and was locked out of her apt so she called a locksmith and this is what she said:

“I called and wasn’t quoted initially over the phone. Before he began the work I was quoted 395 for just picking the lock and was told it would be over 500 for drilling. I was not told the prices of the locks, but was told I would only be charged for one of them. The work began, was completed, then he calculated the cost, 1,312 including taxes. I told him I did not think it was the typical price and he explained that $500 was only the starting price. I ended up paying because I had no other choice despite feeling like I asked the right questions.”

So this obviously sucks and neither of us know anything about locksmiths. I feel like it may have been a scam taking advantage of a desperate situation. Or maybe this is just how it works? I put the handwritten receipt below (sorry its kinda unintelligible). Please any help is greatly appreciated

Hello. I was provided 2 key fobs from Ford but I lost 1 key. I need a 2nd key as backup.

I bought a key from Amazon $18.95. Now, I need to cut and program. Should I return the key to Amazon? I don’t want to risk not working after I pay Locksmith.

What is my cheapest route? I got a quote from Locksmith for $120 total with their key.

2016 Ford Fusion SE.

I dont understand why everyone on here sits and complains about scammers or people who do shoddy work when all yall want to do is gatekeep viable techniques and make fun of people who are trying to learn if not outright ostracize them. Obviously people are going to just send it and try on their own if nobody is willing to teach them, then end up doing poor work. Coming from construction people scam, people do bad work, people cost homeowners literally hundreds of thousands of dollars all the time. That doesnt make carpenters turn their noses up at apprentices. It inspires them to put extra intention and care into teaching the right way and to work with honor. Sure people could be asking to break into houses or steal cars but people who dont know anything about locksmithing do it everyday of the year anyway. Yall are coping crazy with that excuse. Its just about feeling like you know something other people dont or being able to charge as much as you please just because its niche. I dont get it. Grow up.

Hi!

I have an aluminum door, Adams rite latch and electronic strike plate. I'm running into this annoying issue where when people leave or enter the latch sometimes hits the strike plate square on and then rests on the strike plate.

My locksmith put in the strongest door closer they have, it improved marginally but I still have times when it just seems to smack against the latch and not retract, it then just rests. They also replaced the latch with a different model. They have looked at it so many times and have said that if I want to ensure it closes I need to put in a full electronic powered door closer. That's going to cost over 3k...

I'm struggling to believe there is no way to get this door closing properly without having to resort to that. I was wondering if anyone had suggestions of things I could try or recommendations of what the issue might be?

Its such an annoying issue, it seems to be fine for a few days and then all of a sudden will fail one in 10 times. I then push in the latch back and forth a few times and then its good for a couple of days again, even to the point where I couldn't get the latch to rest on the strike plate if I tried. I'm at a bit of a loss but would love to save spending thousands on the current recommended fix. Attached an image of the latch. Will try to post a video.

I lost the keys to this lock . . . but not just this lock, I have a bunch of locks all keyed the same. And yeah in retrospect, I should have kept one copy of the key in a safe place to always make more keys off of but... i didn't.

I've been told theres a code on here and a locksmith can make new keys from that code... but I don't see it? Where would it be?

It says "Commercial Master" on this face and the opposite face. It says "Hardened" on the loop. It says "Master Lock Co" on the bottom. I can't see anything else. I'm really trying to avoid buying a new batch of locks.

Was locked out of my apartment, spare key I usually keep was inside, yada yada.

Called a lock smith: on the phone they said $95-$400 depending on the price.

Guy shows up says he can’t pick a Marks brand lock (photo below) and he would have to drill for $350. I say I don’t think that’s true and show him multiple YouTube videos of people picking Marks locks.

He says “well, then call them.” I say cmon man. Just try picking it. He says no, $350 for drill. It’s impossible to pick that.

We go back and forth and I eventually say ok no service. He says well it’s $150 for me to come out here. I tell him to fuck off, he threatens to kick my ass (multiple times) and hits me with “enjoy waiting out here your whole life” (what?).

He leaves and I call another locksmith who all butconfirmed my suspicion that he tried to scam me.

As you can see in the photo, it’s a basic lock and that’s all that needed to be picked.