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Posted by Been There on March 26, 2001 at 19:19:26:

In Reply to: Locks posted by Out $400 on March 26, 2001 at 13:11:58:

Beware of "emergency locksmith" services. If you had called a locksmith during daytime hours and arranged a repair, you probably would have got a better job for no more than $100.

If you are in this situation again, try to call a locksmith who has a physical business located in your neighborhood - that way you know who they are and they have a reputation to uphold. If you must call whoever from the phone book, then carefully ask the fees before you request that the locksmith come, and do not consent to "extra" work - even if more work is needed, you can have it done the next morning for half the price.

Licensed locksmiths are highly trained and work from a business with a physical location and work with clients who need top security. "Emergency locksmith" services operate from vans and cell phones, and basically cater to those desperate to get in somewhere. I can't see your landlord agreeing to pay for this. Consider this a $400 lesson about the locksmithing business.

: Hi . I am renting an apartment in Manhattan and have been in the same place for almost two years. I was out of town on a business trip this weekend, and my next door neighbor came over on Saturday evening to feed my two cats, and was unable to get into my apartment because the bottom lock on my apartment door was broken. She called the locksmith at 9pm, after unsuccesfully trying to find the super. When the locksmiths finally arrived at 2am (oh, my poor starving cats!!!), they opened the door and said that the whole lock would need to be replaced. It seems that someone tried to break into the apartment several years ago, and instead of replacing the lock at that time, the landlord simply repaired it, but it was cracked and was ready to break any time.

: In any case, it cost me almost $400 to replace the lock (they said that the only lock that was big enough for the hole in the door cost $295). I was on the other end of the country and it was 2 am, so my friend just told them to go ahead and do it.

: My question is: Who is responsible for the locks on the door? If my landlords refuse to pay, then do I take the lock with me when I leave and put the old one back on???

: Help me please!

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Comments:
: Beware of "emergency locksmith" services.  If you had called a locksmith during daytime hours and arranged a repair, you probably would have got a better job for no more than $100.  

: If you are in this situation again, try to call a locksmith who has a physical business located in your neighborhood - that way you know who they are and they have a reputation to uphold.  If you must call whoever from the phone book, then carefully ask the fees before you request that the locksmith come, and do not consent to "extra" work - even if more work is needed, you can have it done the next morning for half the price.  

: Licensed locksmiths are highly trained and work from a business with a physical location and work with clients who need top security.  "Emergency locksmith" services operate from vans and cell phones, and basically cater to those desperate to get in somewhere.  I can't see your landlord agreeing to pay for this.  Consider this a $400 lesson about the locksmithing business.


: : Hi . I am renting an apartment in Manhattan and have been in the same place for almost two years. I was out of town on a business trip this weekend, and my next door neighbor came over on Saturday evening to feed my two cats, and was unable to get into my apartment because the bottom lock on my apartment door was broken. She called the locksmith at 9pm, after unsuccesfully trying to find the super.  When the locksmiths finally arrived at 2am (oh, my poor starving cats!!!), they opened the door and said that the whole lock would need to be replaced. It seems that someone tried to break into the apartment several years ago, and instead of replacing the lock at that time, the landlord simply repaired it, but it was cracked and was ready to break any time. 

: : In any case, it cost me almost $400 to replace the lock (they said that the only lock that was big enough for the hole in the door cost $295). I was on the other end of the country and it was 2 am, so my friend just told them to go ahead and do it. 

: : My question is: Who is responsible for the locks on the door? If my landlords refuse to pay, then do I take the lock with me when I leave and put the old one back on???

: : Help me please!


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