The locksmith was hired to install new door locks and deadlocks on the house's exterior doors. Additionally, the locksmith was also hired to re-kay all new door locks & deadbolts to be the same key. This service was contracted due to the fact that I purchased a new house and wanted to change out all exterior locks.
Total number of doors to receive new locks = 5
Total number of keys requested to be keyed alike = 6
The locksmith arrived and started his work. Upon completion of the above-stated scope of work, the locksmith stated he had checked all doors, locks, and keys. The locksmith handed me a set of six keys and asked that I also check the doors/locks and keys to ensure they worked.
I walked the house and tested 2-3 random keys in each lock, turning each key to engage the lock and ensuring they turned freely and locked as they should.
The locksmith took my credit, charged me for the service, then left. My family and I then went out to lunch and ran a couple of errands. Upon our return, we unlocked the security front door and attempted to unlock the main front door deadbolt. The lock would not move or operate.
I went and tried the side door that had a new lock installed, and the keys unlocked the deadbolt and doorknob locks - however - there is a security door frame lock installed on the other side of this door, so I was not able to open the door.
I promptly called the locksmith back and explained to him that the front door deadbolt was not functioning and that my family and I were locked outside (in Arizona heat with a five-year-old and eight old and dogs kenneled inside the house). The locksmith immediately began arguing with me that the fault was mine for not checking every key in every lock. I explained to the locksmith that regardless of not checking every single key in every lock (I checked 2-3 random keys in every lock), the defect was most definitely caused by the installation process and not caused by a double-check process. The locksmith also admitted that he was responsible for checking every key in every lock, which did not happen.
The locksmith stated that he would see if there was someone he could get out to the house to drill out our brand new lock and let us in. I received a call from another locksmith company who *Ace Locksmith had, called to help me. This new locksmith stated it would cost me $200 - $300 for him to make an emergency call and perform a drill out of my lock. So *Ace Locksmith's support and resolution of their failed installation was to charge their customer to fix their mistake. I declined the service and called the original locksmith back.
When I called *Ace Locksmith back, I was told again that the issue was my fault and that there was nothing he could do for me. I requested that the original locksmith come to my house to let my family and me in and fix his mistake - which he declined to do. I then asked that the original locksmith refund me 100% of the charges for the services as my only resort left was to break into my house. The cost of repairing the broken window or door that I would need to break to get in would cost more than the total of the original botched job that the locksmith had done. He also declined to refund me the total costs.
I ended up having to break into my house, damaging my door frame, so I could finally let my children inside.
This locksmith performs poor quality installations and does not stand behind their work as a craftsman. The company's customer service is horrible. I now have keys that I paid for that do not open my front door and a broken side door frame. read more