A&k Locksmith

DO NOT USE THIS LOCKSMITH!
The short version:
1. Took 90 minutes to get to my house after saying it would be under 20 minutes
2. Was rude
3. Charged almost $ 300 for 20 seconds worth of work (that did not involve replacing any locks or other hardware)
4. Did not return several phone calls wanting to discuss the work done and high cost
The long version:
In October 2001, I locked myself out of the house with my young son while getting my daughter to the bus stop. It was around 8 a.m. and I had on pajamas, no wallet, no phone … Nightmare situation. I called my husband from a neighbor’s house, who in turn said he would find a locksmith who could come immediately.
A&K one came up first (always smart to start a business name with the letter «A») and the person who answered the phone said someone would be at my house within 20 minutes. An hour later, my husband called again, and the person said he would be at my house «in a few minutes.» A half hour after that, he finally showed up.
He was not friendly, polite, or personable, but in that situation, I really just wanted someone who could get us in the house after an hour-​and-​a-​half outside.
I told «him» (he never introduced himself, or even made eye contact with me) that it was just the lock on the doorknob, not the deadbolt, that was locked. He looked at the door and said, «It will be $ 285.» I incredulously asked him if that could be correct for a simple twist lock on the doorknob, and he said yes.
It literally took him *under 20 seconds* (yes, SECONDS) to get the door open (with some sort of inflatable device), at which point I asked again if it was really almost $ 300 for THAT as he didn’t have to fix or replace any locks, wood, or hardware.
He was busy complaining about a splinter he got from my door and never even responded, and then asked how I was going to pay him. He said he didn’t take checks and prefers cash. (Really? Because while I was locked out in my pj’s for 90 minutes, I didn’t happen to run to the ATM.) I told him it would have to be a credit card. He called my credit card number into the company, which took forever … Much longer than any actual «work» he did.
My husband called the worker and left him two messages to protest the high charge, and never received a call back.
This was truly a ripoff, and I would rather be locked outside for 8 hours than use this company again.