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Home > ADVICE AND TIPS (FAQS) > Locksmith Bait & Switch Price Scheme – What is it?
A locksmith “bait and switch” scheme is sweeping the locksmith industry especially in London, as the UK’s largest locksmith association we are trying to make the public more aware of this scam when hiring a locksmith.
Our advice will protect you against the bait & switch scheme to prevent being overcharged, with questions to ask the locksmith and red flags to look out for.
The bait and switch price scheme is where a customer is lured in by an initial cheap price advertised, only to be hit with a bill that is more often than not a minimum of 10 times more expensive than the advertised fee!
The ‘cheap locksmith’ will advertise a low cost or quote a low price such as £39 / £49 or £59, only for the final price to be much higher.
Find out how to identify warning signs of a locksmith potentially overcharging you.
How to Spot a Rogue Locksmith
An example of this bait and switch price scheme can be seen below, quote £49 but final price is £1604, this receipt is real!
An example of Bait and Switch locksmith price scheme
We have seen the bait and switch price scheme on the rise within the locksmithing industry especially around London and the surrounding areas.
Locksmiths using the bait and switch scheme we found are using price points of £39 / £49 / £59 when advertising in the Google Ads at the top of the search.
Example of Bait and Switch Scheme – Notice the Cheap £39 Price
Example of a £49 Bait and Switch locksmith advert
These low prices are unrealistic for a job especially if you hiring a 24-hour locksmith after 8pm.
Read our average locksmith prices for how much typical locksmith jobs may cost included are prices of locks as well.
Locksmith prices guide + checklist
It is important to do research when hiring a Locksmith, to avoid the bait and switch scheme we recommend the following:
You should ask any & as many questions you want in relation to the locksmith job such as:
Try to get multiple quotes to ensure you are comfortable with the service you are asking for, and look for reviews in more than one location.
Get Locksmith Quotes Here
We suggest looking for reviews on multiple platforms e.g. Google, Bing, Facebook,
Do not just base your choice on one platform only.
The red flags to look out for when hiring a locksmith are:
For more tips of hiring a locksmith see our choosing a good locksmith below.
How to choose a good locksmith
In summary the price and bait scheme for hiring a locksmith is on the rise, watch out the following:
To protect yourself always ask as many questions as possible, our locksmith price checklist is a great guide.
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