What to do if you forgot your keys inside and avoid being scammed by a locksmith? 7 Simple Rules

I slammed the door shut as I left the house, forgetting my keys inside. I called a locksmith who opened the door for me but now he asks me for 600€! He states that the summons is optional. Do I have to pay it and what should I do next time to avoid being scammed?
What to do if we forget the key inside?
The locksmith is obliged to establish, in his presence, a budget when the cost of his intervention exceeds €150.
This is optional only for repairs carried out in the event of an absolute emergency, to the extent that it is limited to putting an end to an obvious danger to the safety of persons or the integrity of the premises. However, even in this case, a repair order must be drawn up before the intervention indicating the inventory and delivered to the consumer.
Claude was simply blocked, so there was no threat to his safety or that of his rooms. Therefore, you must immediately send the locksmith company a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt specifying in detail the conditions of the scam of which you are a victim, specifying all the conditions that led to the abuse: call time, intervention time, comments expressed over the phone. , comments made on site by the repairer, etc.
If you do not reach an amicable settlement, you can report it to the Directorate-General for Competition and Fraud Prevention (DG CCRF) and even file a complaint against the offending company at the police station near your home. .
Don’t call locksmiths from brochures handed out in mailboxes. The very low call price of the trip often hides the costs of very expensive spare parts on site.
Be alert if the professional suggests changing the lock first without even examining the situation.
You can tell a trusted professional, by their ability, that you want to repair the lock (not replace it immediately) and present them with a list price list. The price varies depending on the type of lock, a single price should be a red flag.
Compliance with the announced deadlines can be a reassuring element and indicate that you are a serious professional.
The fact that the locksmith shows up with the equipment demonstrates their willingness to repair the lock or install a temporary emergency lock.
In any case, the first reflex to adopt, when you get stuck on the landing, is to call your insurer. And to optimize your chances of having the contact details and references of the contract with you, there is nothing better than saving them on your smartphone or downloading the application of your insurer.
If the door simply slammed shut and isn’t jammed or fractured, you can open it using an X-ray. Surely a neighbor will be able to provide it for you. If you can’t, a professional locksmith should be able to do it without having to change the lock. The opening of a door must not exceed €130 including VAT during the day and during the week.
Blacksmith’s invoice
High Blacksmith Bill – Source: spm
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