An 87-year-old disabled pensioner was allegedly charged €375 by a locksmith after being locked out of her home.
“My 87-year-old mother, who is disabled, broke the key to the front door. It was stuck in the lock, and she was therefore locked out of her home,” said her son Marc Taylor.
“She called a locksmith to remove the broken lock. They removed the key – and changed the barrel – not the whole locking mechanism,” he said.
“It was just the barrel. Hit the bolts a couple of times, with a hammer, saying they had gone out of alignment.
“45 minutes later they charged her €375. I think that is outrageous,” added Marc, speaking on Quesada Forum.
He said he would like to hear from any builders or lockfitters to tell him whether his mother has been ‘totally ripped off’.
“I want to hear from others to give their opinion on what the cost of the job should have cost her,” he said.
Following Marc highlighting the costs, members of the public have come forward.
It is stated that the cost of a Spanish locksmith during normal working hours is €80 + IVA per hour, said one.
Mick Harris said: “We had a similar problem with our lock a few weeks ago. The local ferretaria in Quesada recommended a local Spanish handyman.
“He came out and managed to remove the barrel. He fitted a new lock with a handle and the total cost, including parts, was €80.”
