Cosmic Fischer Locks Inc.

Review: I was walking my dog on Wednesday night and accidentally locked myself out (I'd grabbed the wrong set of keys). I called around to the higher-rated 24 hour locksmith services in the area but none responded, so I went with Cosmic Fischer Locks, Inc. When I called and asked for an estimate (even a guestimate), they said it was $79 for late night lock-outs. I asked to confirm that it would be $79 dollars and they confirmed. I reluctantly asked them to send someone. Once the person came, he let me know that it was $79 just for him to get there. To break the lock would be $145, to replace the lock would be $95 dollars or more, give or take. I asked whether I could be billed as I'm typically familiar with for visiting services (I'm given an invoice and then mail in payment the next day), and he said absolutely not. He said they required cash up-front and no other format of payment. I had not been told this on the phone, and being that I was locked out of my apartment I had no way of paying (no phone, no credit card, no checkbook, no cash). Even if I had cash on me I doubt it would have been over $20. After much arguing he said that I would have to pay the $79 regardless of whether or not he helps. I asked him how I was expected to pay if I was locked away from my wallet, and he said I would have to find a way or he would call the cops. He said he would walk with me to the ATM and I could take out cash, and I said I am uncomfortable walking to a bank in the middle of the night to take out a lump sum of cash with a stranger. He seemed to be taking advantage of the fact that I was one woman alone and in a vulnerable situation. I felt threatened when he said he would call the cops if I couldn't pay. If I had not already let a stranger into my building and lead him to my door I would have kicked him out, but I felt very uncomfortable angering someone who now knows my address and how to break into apartment buildings. I felt the way he handled the situation was disrespectful and made me feel extremely uncomfortable. I think the company absolutely sets up their customers for failure and forces them into vulnerable situations so they have no choice but to pay. Thankfully my neighbor was home and I asked her for advice, but she too seemed to think he was taking advantage of me. She advised against kicking him out since he knows how to break locks and clearly had no issues threatening women. Whether it's the business's ethics or the representative himself, it is a poorly-run company which relies on client's vulnerability for profit. I let him break the lock because he said he had to in order for me to pay him. I asked whether I could pay via PayPal so that I didn't have to go to a bank to take out cash, and he said that would work. The entire service wound up costing me $347 and I believe I could have done it myself if I had the part. He made me feel as though I wouldn't be able to do it myself, or that someone could break my door at night if I didn't have him replace it, or that I would have to call someone else over and pay that visitation fee. He kept saying every single business in NYC runs this way and that in the "real world" no business uses invoices. He belittled me and made me feel disgusted and violated in his treatment of me. This business should not be able to conduct the way it does - they should be absolutely clear about having to pay up-front regardless of whether the person fixes the issue or not, and that checks are not accepted. I would have found another place and undoubtedly saved a lump sum of money that I should be putting towards rent. I was devastated that I would not be able to pay rent if I had to pay this much for a (very run-of-the-mill) lock replacement. He knew that I was in a situation where I didn't have control over it and he took advantage of it.Desired Settlement: I would like a cash refund for this. I have spoken to various other local locksmiths that deal with similar situations and each one has offered drastically lower quotes and all policy up-front. I should not have to pay for this disrespect and lack of communication on the company operator's part.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Cosmic Fischer Locks Inc. regarding complaint ID [redacted].

Sincerely,