POTENTIAL SCAM / DECEPTIVE SERVICE WARNING…read more
Expensive dealer quotes led me to this locksmith--
I lost the key to my 2021 Audi Q3, and Audi quoted me $1,000-$1,500 for a single key. Most locksmiths told me this model was dealer-only and could not be done elsewhere.
Promised service and upfront payment--
A locksmith contacted me, said he could help, and quoted $800 for one key or $950 for two keys. I confirmed the service was guaranteed, and sent half the payment ($475) via Zelle.
First visit failed, then extra charges--
On his first visit, he spent time looking at the car but did not complete the job. Afterward, he requested additional photos of the dashboard and ignition. Once I sent them, he claimed he ordered the wrong key and demanded $170 extra labor, shifting responsibility onto me.
Unnecessary late-night visits & colleague in Germany--
Over the next week, he returned multiple times, removed parts, and said he needed help from a colleague in Germany, scheduling a late-night visit so the colleague could access my car remotely. He later claimed the ECU might be stolen, which was false -- the car worked perfectly before he touched it. He said for $1500 he could replace it with a new one.. I declined.
Money taken, no refund--
After a week of delays and no results, I asked for my money back. He said he had already given the money to his colleague in Germany and refused to refund me. I filed a formal dispute with my bank and reported the transaction as fraudulent, but Zelle treated it like cash, so I could not recover the $475. I also have screenshots of all texts showing his guarantees, the quotes, and later changes.
Finally I called Audi back and they said they could resolve the problem without issue
Eventually I just went to the Audi dealership, paid $1,200, and they made the key without any issues -- no stolen ECU, no extra fees, car fully functional.
Final warning--
Maybe he has helped others, but in my case, the service was never completed, the $475 I paid upfront was never returned, and I am still waiting for my refund. This is no way to treat a customer -- whether it's outright fraud or something equally deceptive, it left me frustrated, taken advantage of, and deeply disappointed.
I'm sharing this so others can make an informed decision. I asked for a simple key and he said he could do it, I paid him, he indeed could not do it it nor give me a refund because he couldn't do it. In this way of doing business it's okay to keep money from a would be customer even if the job was never completed, not cool.
I would be willing to edit this review if the wrong if made right, no update, no good.
