I slammed the door on my way out of my house, forgetting the keys inside. I called a locksmith who opened the door for me but is now asking me for €600! He claims that the quote is optional. Do I have to pay it and how do I act next time so I don’t get scammed?

What to do if we forgot the key inside?

  • The locksmith has the obligation to establish, in your presence, an estimate when the cost of his intervention exceeds 150 €.
  • This is optional only for repairs carried out in an absolute emergency, insofar as it is limited to putting an end to a clear danger to the safety of persons or the integrity of the premises. However, even in this case, a repair order noting the inventory must be drawn up and given to the consumer before the intervention.
  • Claude was simply locked outside, so there was no threat to his safety or that of his accommodation. He must therefore immediately send the locksmith company a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt specifying in detail the conditions of the scam of which he is the victim, specifying all the conditions which led to the abuse: time of call, time intervention, comments made by telephone, comments made on site by the repairman, etc.
  • If he does not obtain an amicable settlement, he can inform the General Directorate for Competition and Fraud Prevention (DG CCRF) and even file a complaint against the offending company at the police station near his home. .
locksmith unlock door

Locksmith unlocking the door – Source: spm

Tips for not getting scammed by a locksmith

  • Do not call on the locksmiths of the leaflets distributed in the mailboxes. The very low call price of the trip often hides the costs of very expensive spare parts on site.
  • Be on the alert if the professional first suggests changing the lock without even examining the situation.
  • You can tell a trusted professional by their ability to want to repair the lock – not replace it right away – and present a catalog price schedule. The price varies depending on the type of lock, a single price should be a red flag.
  • Respecting the announced deadlines can be a reassuring element and indicate that you are dealing with a serious professional.
  • The fact that the locksmith shows up with equipment shows their willingness to fix the lock or install an emergency temporary lock.
  • In any case, the first reflex to adopt, when you find yourself stuck on your landing, is to call your insurer. And to optimize your chances of having the contact details and references of the contract on you, nothing better than saving them on your smartphone or downloading your insurer’s application.
  • If the door is only slammed and not locked or fractured, it is possible to open it using an x-ray. A neighbor can certainly provide you with one. If you can’t, a professional locksmith should be able to do it without having to change the lock. The opening of a slammed door must not exceed 130 € including tax during the day and on weekdays.
locksmith bill

High locksmith bill – Source: spm

What the law says ?

Article L. 121-1 of the Consumer Code

A commercial practice is misleading when it is based on indications or presentations that are false or likely to mislead… This provision applies in particular to the “price or method of calculating the price” as well as to the “qualities, skills and professional’s rights.

Article 433-17 of the Penal Code

The unauthorized use of a title attached to a profession regulated by the public authority is punishable by 1 year’s imprisonment and a fine of €1,500.

Article L 122-8 of the Consumer Code

Anyone who takes advantage of the weakness or ignorance of a person to subscribe to him, by means of home visits, commitments in cash or on credit or in any form whatsoever shall be punished by 5 years’ imprisonment and a fine of €9,000, or one of these two penalties only.

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