In many states in the USA you are required to have a bond (a fairly large sum of money) as well as insurance and a background check in order to legally trade as a locksmith. Of course, just like in the UK there are those who bring my profession into disrepute, by over charging, bait-and-switch (quote a low initial price for the opening, but then make an excuse and drill the lock out, and charge through the nose for a replacement), or simply doing a bad job (and I’ve seen hundreds! See some of the other blog posts.) They also have the problems with out-of-town (or out-of-state) call centres who pass themselves off as local, but merely take a cut and pass the work to the local guys. Driven by price alone, they frequently overcharge, and often insist that good locks must die to meet the profit targets they set, whilst still being steeply priced.
Well, in the US at least, some locksmith associations are fighting back. The Associated Locksmiths of America, Inc. (ALOA) have a “Report a phony locksmith” link on their website.
“This is a great tool for consumers to fight back against these scam artists,” says ALOA’s Executive Director, Charles W. Gibson, Jr., CAE, “We were asked by the state Attorneys General to help them identify consumers who have been defrauded. Being linked directly to their complaint procedure will ensure a quick response from the state’s top law enforcement agency, and faster convictions for these unscrupulous companies.”
Full story at:
www. legalentry.co.uk are also finding many rogue traders classing themselves as locksmiths because they either drill out ALL locks attended or use the klom electric pick gun to open, as shown WRONGLY on you tube, THESE VIDEOS SHOULD BE BANNED!!!! NOW!!!