Locksmith Warning

Of course, I would read this information a year too late!


BBB Warns Consumers of Nationwide Locksmith Swindle
You may have been a victim and not even know it.
For Immediate Release

Arlington, VA – July 10, 2007 – The Better Business Bureau (BBB) today is warning consumers to beware of untrustworthy locksmith companies that are ripping off consumers across the country.

Victim complaints to the BBB reveal that several locksmith companies, all using similar methods, are significantly overcharging consumers, charging consumers for unnecessary services, using intimidation tactics, and failing to give refunds or respond to consumer complaints.

“Ironically, these companies operate under names like ‘Dependable Locksmith’ but in reality they exploit the vulnerable situation of consumers who are locked out of their house or car,” said Steve Cox spokesperson for the BBB System. “We’ve found that some locksmiths have made taking advantage of consumers’ misfortune part of their business model.”

Complaints about locksmith services to the 114 BBBs serving the U.S. increased almost 75 percent from 2005 to 2006, and have continued to come in steadily during the first half of this year.

The BBB has identified Dependable Locksmith – which operates under more than a dozen different names – as a particularly disreputable locksmith. This company poses as a local locksmith in cities across the country and advertises in the yellow pages using local phone numbers and fake local addresses. A consumer might think they’re dealing with a local locksmith but their phone call is actually connected to a call center located in the Bronx borough of New York City.

Consumers are quoted a reasonable price over the phone but when the locksmith arrives – typically in an unmarked vehicle – he demands significantly more money than originally quoted, often only accepting cash.

A complaint from Cleveland, OH, where Dependable Locksmith was operating under the name “Superb Solutions,” alleges the company quoted fees of $39 and $84 for separate jobs, but the bill ended up at $471, which included add-on fees such as a $65 breaking in fee and a $58 fee to uninstall old locks.

Another complainant reported that the locksmith sent to let her into her car demanded she pay twice the price quoted over the phone. The locksmith offered to drive her to an ATM to get cash – feeling unsafe the victim refused. The victim was ultimately forced to write a check made out personally to the locksmith as he would not let her into her car until she did so. She cancelled payment on the check the next morning, but eventually filed a police report after the locksmith harassed her with continuous phone calls about payment.

The BBB has also heard many complaints from victims who say they were charged for unnecessary services. For example, complainants suspect locksmiths sent over by Dependable Locksmiths of pretending they couldn’t simply pick the lock so that they could charge more and install all new locks in homes.

Some of Dependable Locksmith’s aliases include, Superb Solutions, Locksmith 24 Hour, Inc., USA Total Security, Priceline Locksmith, and S.O.S. Locksmith.

Two other locksmith contractors fleecing consumers are Basad, Inc. – which operates under more than 50 names nationwide, such as A-1 Locksmith Service, A-1 24 Hour Locksmith, A-1 Lock & Key Locksmith, and AAA Locksmith 24 Hour – and Liberty Locksmith. Similar to Dependable Locksmith, they pose as local locksmiths and run full-page yellow pages ads with multiple phone and address listings. The phone numbers appear to be local, but connect to national call centers such as Liberty’s in New York City, while the addresses end up belonging to other established businesses in the local area, or are simply non-existent.

Liberty Locksmith had been a BBB member in Tulsa, OK, but during normal BBB member validation processes, it was discovered that the addresses provided by the company were false. In June 2007, the BBB terminated the membership of Liberty Locksmith for providing false information in its membership application and providing misleading advertisements to the public.

Like others, Liberty Locksmith and Basad, Inc. use common cons such as quoting one price over the phone, but then charging significantly more on site.

“These companies are very good at posing as trustworthy locksmiths,” said Mr. Cox. “Before you find yourself in the unfortunate position of being locked out of your car or house, do your research and find a truly dependable locksmith in your area. Ask around and always check with the BBB first to find reputable businesses.”

If you feel you’ve been taken advantage of by Dependable Locksmith, Liberty Locksmith, Basad. Inc., or others, please contact the BBB to file a complaint, or do so online at www.bbb.org.
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Just my opinion!

InBev can go to Eta Epsilon Lambda Lambda!!!!!!!!!!!!!


That's pretty much how I feel about this whole situation that my family could be facing, among several other people I know.

Friend of Convenience

No, I'm not talking about those kinds of friends. I just want to visit the idea of a friend who is your friend because it is convenient to be such. For instance, are your co-workers that you are close with really friends or just friends because you work with them? What about people you attend classes with and then once school is done you drift apart? Is this because it was convenient to be friends or just that life pulls us in so many directions it's just harder to keep up once older? I have friends that I met through work, that are still my friends although we no longer work together. I also have many college and high school friends that are still friends although we no longer attend those schools. I guess it's just harder when we 'grow up' because you have to make it a point to stay in touch. Our lives change and priorities steer more toward family and career. These are just my random, no nothing, thoughts in the transitional, crazy month that May has always been for me. I'm always up for change for the better, but I'm telling you what even when things are mostly smooth, it's still a challenge in other ways.

My new guacamole recipie

2 ripe avocados
1 can Rotel (hot, med, or mild)
Freshly chopped cilantro
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Salt
Dash of Paprika

Mash two ripe avocados with fork (ripe avocados are somewhat squishy, not hard.) Add one full can of Rotel diced tomatoes. Add finely chopped fresh cilantro to taste. Add seasoning to taste. Enjoy.


VERY YUMMY! This is much better than any mix you can buy. The cilantro really makes a difference, so don't skip it.

Goes well with chips and a nice lime drink :)

Guide to Florida travel

Last week Eric and I visited Tampa, FL and Fort Meyers, FL. In case you plan to travel here is some info which will be really helpful! In Tampa, we stayed at the Comfort Inn close to Busch Gardens. While it was a nice hotel, the surrounding area leaves something to be desired, but at least it's close to Busch Gardens. The pictures online are exactly what it looks like inside. The breakfast is pretty decent too. We stayed there half price through my Access membership discount. While we used another discount for the rental car, we found out through some friends you should bid on a rental on Priceline. Don't even bother with other types of discounts. It is the best way to get a good rate. Eric and I paid WAY too much even with a discount for our car for one day. Our friends paid $15 a day for the week!!

In Fort Meyers, we stayed with our friend for two days about 5 minutes from the island. We then decided to try staying on the beach. The best value was the Pierview Hotel on Estero Blvd. We got a room steps away from the beach (not a beach view), for only $75 a night. Don't bother going through some discount website. Make the reservation yourself. They have 2 types of rooms 2 beds for $208 or 1 bed for $75. The rooms are small, but we planned to be on the beach the whole time or out on the town. There is a bar nearby that plays music, but we couldn't hear any outside noise during our stay. The pool is right next to the beach too. It was nice to be right next to the beach (literally) during our stay.

If you want to party, Lani Kai is a good place to visit during the day or night. I wouldn't stay there because you are basically paying for a "Spring Break" room which to me is way over priced. Most of the 'kids' were staying there. But why pay $200 a night when you could just walk a block from the Pierview?

Anyway, our vacation was nice. With a little research you can get pretty good deals on travel. Ask around to find where to look. It took us a while but we also got our plane tickets through CheapoAir.com. We were able to sit together, and get a decent rate with Northwest (Delta) airlines.

Busch Gardens and Seaworld are nice to visit as well. If you like rides I would recommend the Gardens. They are WAY better than 6 Flags St. Louis rides. My favorite roller coaster was the SheiKra. VERY COOL!

In Seaworld we liked the Dolphin Show and the Shamu show. Personally I thought the dophin show was the most impressive!

I'm finished!!! :)

I'M DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am finally free :-)

Once

For those of you who were watching the Academy Awards tonight, now you have even more of a reason to see what I thought was one of the best shows I've seen this year. Being a "master of music" I have to tell you, I LOVED everything about this film. "Falling Slowly" just won the Ocsar for Achievement in Music: Original Song, that came from this show. Simply moving. I cannot say enough how much I thought this movie was just 'perfect!'

Btw, in case you didn't know, the award-winning music was written by the actors/musicians in the movie. Just awesome!

Iron Barley

If you have never been to Iron Barley before you should make it a point to check it out. It is a local restaurant/bar off the Bates exit on 55. The food is very original and usually features some type of Barley in it's preparation. Yesterday I went and had the Cherokee Chicken. It was a special not on the menu and was quite the yummy experience. Usually they also feature watermelon or blueberry martinis that are to die for, but they were offering Hurricanes for the holiday. They also have quite the list of wine and beer selections. If you are a cider fan, try their Belgian brand, it was very very good.