The bait and switch price scheme is where a customer is lured into a purchase by an unrealistically low price then finds out the real price is much higher for what they want or the product/service offered is far less than they believed.

This scam is common with many types of product and service sales but has recently become a bigger problem in the world of locksmiths with many adverts appearing on local websites such as Gumtree, for  locksmiths services advertised at false prices. Customers find out after the work is completed that the cost is actually dramatically higher than they believed.

Typically, these services are offered at £39, £49 or £59 for a lock fitting, lock replacement, emergency access etc. but the customer ends up being charged several hundreds of pounds or more.

If a locksmith offers services at prices that are dramatically lower than the industry prices then there is almost certainly a scam going on.

1. Always get multiple quotes and specify as clearly as possible what you want and ask exactly what will actually get for the quoted price.
2. Make sure to be clear on what the call out price is and what the cost per hour or per task is on top of that.
3. Ideally get a detailed written / email quote for the work
4. Select a local company, not a national business where you may be talking to someone in a call centre hundreds of miles away
5. Ideally you want to talk to the locksmith who will do the job, not to an admin person.

If you have any experiences with bait and switch scams do let me know, by email.