KeyMe Locksmiths

Andre Lee

I was skeptical but the key worked and was not suppose to be duplicated. Though it was kind of expensive $10

Justin Olson

Today I accidentally locked myself out of my home. Bothersome way to start the day, but it happens, and there are professionals who can assist with that problem. I google locksmiths and pick the one closest to my home: KeyMe Locksmiths on Barton, good reviews. Give them a ring, provide basic information, and was told that a locksmith can be out there in 30-45 minutes. Perfect! They also indicate that there is a $35 charge regardless of work done for the cost of coming out, but that the locksmith would then assess the situation and quote me a price there. Very well. The initial call was placed at 8:31 and the locksmith arrives promptly at around 9:00. He is pleasant, professional, quickly assesses the situation and explains that he will try to open the door without needing to deconstruct the lock handle. He pulls out two Air Wedge tools (sometimes called Air Jacks), puts them above and below the lock, inflates them up, and voila! Door opens! The entire task took less than five minutes from start to finish. I’m ready to go on with my day, very pleased with the promptness, the professionalism, and the service. So why, then, the relatively poor review? Because at that point, I am charged $395. I’m stunned ... of course, $35 was the cost of traveling out to me, so how could the business possibly price the service he performed at $360! I quickly run through the options in my head and reach the preliminary conclusion that this is not his fault, he does not make the prices, he is simply an employee who provided me prompt and effective service. He did the best he could and was probably overwhelmed with shame and embarrassment at handing me such a bill. It's not his fault and it would do no one any good to argue or dispute the charges with him, so I pay the bill and send him on his way, determined to investigate this further. The two Air Wedge tools he used to open my door are available online for $28.45 each (presently on sale). I next go to the KeyMe website and see a marketing statement that they are “Not Like Other Locksmiths,” claiming there to be “No hidden fees: we provide the full price prior to booking.” Well that certainly didn’t happen; the booking individual expressly told me that the cost was $35 to get the locksmith out there and then I would be given the quote based on the work required, which also did not happen. I next look into the webpage discussing lockout services, thinking perhaps they list a menu of services and at least a range of fees, but no luck. The lockout page has no price listing whatsoever. So … I go further down the rabbit hole. Does this business post ANY of the prices for any services? That’s a firm negative. Lock Repair & Install? No prices listed. Commercial & Office Spaces? No prices listed. Vehicle Keys? No prices listed. RFID and Key Fobs? No prices listed. And that is how I reached my conclusion: the locksmith employee himself was fantastic, but the business he works for – KeyMe Locksmiths – was a great disappointment. The business did not live up to its promises on its own website, and I felt utterly gouged with an absurd, ridiculous, and utterly indefensible bill of $395 for five minutes of work. I recognize times are tough, but there are plenty of locksmiths to choose from in the Seattle area. I wish I could write a positive review and I am sure there is an individual with no say over pricing whose task it is to read reviews and respond with varying degrees of canned or genuine responses of contrition. But how hard would it be to publish a single price for specific services, or to at least give a range based upon the complexity of each individual project? I can’t imagine that all of KeyMe’s competitors would charge such predatory rates in such a hidden way.