The ‘£39 Locksmith’ Trap: What They Don’t Tell You
- Charlie Church
- Aug 13
- 10 min read
You’re locked out.
It might be late at night, you might have children waiting to get inside, or you might simply have snapped your key in the door and need somebody there quickly.
So you reach for your phone and search for an emergency locksmith.
One advert catches your eye:
Emergency locksmith from £39.
It sounds like a bargain.
But before you pick up the phone, there’s an important question worth asking:
What does that £39 actually include?
At East Kent Locksmiths, we’ve seen how stressful a lockout can be. When you’re standing outside your own home, the last thing you want is another problem to deal with. Unfortunately, some locksmith advertising is designed to take advantage of exactly that situation.
This isn't about saying that every locksmith advertising a low starting price is dishonest. Prices can vary, and some straightforward jobs can cost less than others.
The problem is when an extremely low advertised price is used to get you through the door, only for the cost to increase dramatically once the locksmith arrives.
This is commonly known as bait-and-switch pricing.
And it's a problem worth knowing about before you need an emergency locksmith in Thanet or anywhere else in East Kent.
What is the ‘£39 locksmith’ trap?
The basic idea is fairly simple.
A locksmith advertises an attractive price, perhaps £39, £49 or £69. A customer who needs urgent help sees the price and makes the call.
The locksmith arrives.
Then the situation changes.
The customer may be told that the lock is more complicated than expected, that specialist work is required, or that the lock needs to be drilled and replaced.
Additional labour, parts or emergency charges can then be added to the bill.
In legitimate locksmith work, additional costs can sometimes be completely reasonable. You can't always know exactly what a lock needs until you inspect it.
The warning sign is when the advertised price gives the customer a misleading impression of what they are realistically likely to pay.
Current Competition and Markets Authority guidance on price transparency makes clear that businesses need to give consumers clear and accurate pricing information. It specifically addresses misleadingly low “from” prices and charges revealed later in the purchasing process.
That distinction is important.
A low price isn't automatically a scam. A misleading price is the problem.
Why do these adverts work so well?
Because being locked out puts you under pressure.
It's very different from shopping around for a new television or comparing quotes for a kitchen.
When you're locked outside your house, you want somebody there now.
At East Kent Locksmiths, we regularly deal with people who are understandably anxious when they call us. They may have lost their keys, snapped a key in the lock, had a uPVC mechanism fail or simply closed the door behind them with the keys still inside.
In that situation, it's easy to click the first result on Google and call the cheapest number.
That's exactly what makes emergency locksmith work attractive to rogue operators.
Recent reporting by The Guardian found that some rogue locksmith operations use prominent online advertising to reach customers searching for help.
The newspaper reported a 147% increase in locksmith scam complaints to the Master Locksmiths Association between January and March 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
The same investigation reported a case involving a mother who was locked out with her three-month-old baby and was ultimately charged £2,209.
The original advert reportedly said prices started at £45.
That's a very different number from £2,209.
The BBC investigation: when £50 becomes more than £5,000
The issue isn't just something being discussed on social media.
A BBC investigation published in 2026 reported on a couple who expected to pay around £50 for a locksmith but ended up facing a bill of more than £5,000.
Instead, they were handed a £2,802 invoice. They said the work left their door and frame so badly damaged that they later paid another locksmith £2,244 to replace them.
The BBC also secretly filmed a locksmith and examined how customers can be drawn in by low initial prices before facing much higher charges.
The investigation is a useful reminder that the price shown in an advert isn't necessarily the price that matters.
The important price is the one you are actually going to pay for the work you need.
This is why, whenever possible, you should ask for a clear explanation of the likely total cost before agreeing to work.
What can happen when the locksmith arrives?
This is where things can become particularly uncomfortable for a customer.
Imagine you've called a locksmith after finding an advert offering an emergency service for £39.
They arrive and inspect the door.
You’re expecting to pay roughly that amount.
Instead, you're told that the lock is a high-security model and needs to be drilled.
You may be told that a replacement lock is required.
Then you're given a much higher price.
At this point, the locksmith is already at your property and you're still locked out.
That's an incredibly difficult position for a customer to be in.
Does a locksmith ever genuinely need to drill a lock?
Yes.
Drilling isn't automatically evidence of a rogue trader.
There are situations where a lock cannot reasonably be opened non-destructively and drilling may be necessary.
The concern is when drilling becomes the first option rather than the last resort.
The Master Locksmiths Association has advised consumers to be wary of locksmiths who immediately drill locks without properly assessing the situation. The Guardian has also reported on cases where drilling was carried out very quickly before customers were presented with large bills.
At East Kent Locksmiths, our approach is to assess the problem first and use non-destructive entry techniques wherever reasonably possible.
Sometimes a lock genuinely has to be replaced.
Sometimes it doesn't.
That's why the diagnosis matters.
Why the original £39 price can be misleading
Locksmithing isn't simply a matter of turning up and opening a door.
A professional locksmith needs suitable tools, training, insurance, equipment and replacement hardware. There is also the time involved in travelling to the property and carrying out the work safely.
The actual job can vary considerably.
For example, gaining entry to one type of lock may be straightforward, while a failed multi-point mechanism on a uPVC door can require considerably more work.
Which? Trusted Traders' cost guidance gives indicative prices for several common locksmith jobs. Its current guide lists around £100 to £150 for replacing a standard Euro-profile cylinder, £125 to £170 for an anti-snap Euro-profile cylinder and £100 to £150 for replacing a mortice lock. These are indicative figures rather than fixed prices, but they demonstrate why an emergency service advertised at £39 deserves some careful questions.
The cheapest advertised figure isn't necessarily the cheapest final price.
That's the important bit.
Five questions to ask before you agree to the job
If you're locked out and need a locksmith, don't be afraid to ask questions.
A genuine professional should understand why you're asking.
1. What is the call-out charge?
Ask whether there is a separate call-out fee and exactly what it covers.
2. What will the labour cost?
Find out whether labour is charged at a fixed rate, hourly rate or another basis.
3. What is the likely total price for my situation?
An exact price may not always be possible over the phone.
A locksmith might need to see the lock before knowing exactly what is required.
But they should still be able to explain the likely price range and what could make the cost increase.
4. Will you tell me about any additional costs before carrying out the work?
This is one of the most important questions.
If additional work becomes necessary, you should know about it before it is carried out.
5. Are you the locksmith coming to my property?
Ask who you are actually dealing with.
Is the person answering the phone the person attending?
Is the work being passed to another company or subcontractor?
That isn't automatically a problem, but you deserve to know who you're inviting to your home.
Look beyond the first Google result
One mistake we often see people make is assuming that the locksmith at the top of Google must be the best one.
That's not necessarily how search results work.
Paid advertising can put businesses prominently in front of customers searching for an emergency service.
Recent Guardian investigations have highlighted concerns about rogue locksmiths using online advertising and presenting themselves as local businesses, despite some operations being organised through call centres or networks of contractors.
Before booking, take a couple of minutes to look at the business itself.
Check:
Is there a genuine business name?
Is there a real local presence?
Are the reviews consistent and believable?
Are there genuine photographs of the locksmith and their work?
Can you identify who will actually attend?
Is pricing explained clearly?
Can they provide identification when they arrive?
Do they have appropriate insurance?
At East Kent Locksmiths, we're an independent, family-run business serving customers throughout Thanet and East Kent. When you contact us, you know you're dealing directly with the business rather than being passed through a national call centre.
That local connection matters.
If you've invited somebody into your home, you should know who they are.
Don't confuse a low price with good value
There is nothing wrong with wanting a fair price.
In fact, you should.
But there's a difference between fair pricing and the lowest possible advertised number.
A locksmith who gives you a realistic price, explains what you're paying for and carries out the work properly may cost more initially than a £39 advert.
But if the £39 service eventually becomes £500, £1,000 or several thousand pounds, it wasn't a bargain.
It was simply a cheap-looking starting point.
At East Kent Locksmiths, we believe customers should understand what they're paying for. We explain the work required and any relevant costs rather than relying on an attractive headline figure and sorting out the price afterwards.
Common mistakes people make when choosing a locksmith
Choosing the cheapest advert immediately
Price matters, but it shouldn't be the only thing you consider.
Assuming “from £39” means your job will cost £39
It might not.
Ask what the advertised price actually covers.
Not asking about additional charges
A five-minute phone call can potentially save a lot of stress later.
Letting somebody start work before agreeing the price
If the price changes significantly, stop and ask questions.
Assuming drilling is always necessary
Sometimes it is.
Sometimes there may be another option.
Ask the locksmith to explain why drilling is required before agreeing to it.
Failing to check who is attending
Especially if you've booked through an online advert, make sure you know who is actually coming to your property.
What if you've already been overcharged?
If you've already had work completed and believe the price was misleading or excessive, don't simply throw the paperwork away.
Keep:
screenshots of the original advert;
text messages and emails;
the quoted price;
the final invoice;
photographs of the work;
the locksmith's business details;
payment records.
Ask for an itemised invoice if you haven't received one.
You can also seek independent consumer advice about your circumstances.
The important thing is to keep evidence of what you were originally told and what you ultimately paid.
If an advert promised one thing and the reality was very different, that information can be important when raising a complaint.
What should a professional locksmith do?
In our experience, good locksmithing starts well before the lock is touched.
At East Kent Locksmiths, we want to understand what has happened first.
Is the key lost?
Has it snapped?
Has the lock failed?
Is the uPVC mechanism damaged?
Are you locked out because the door has simply closed behind you?
Those details help determine the safest and most appropriate approach.
Once we're at the property, we assess the lock and explain the options.
If additional work is required, that should be explained before it is carried out.
And if a non-destructive solution is possible, that's something we consider before reaching for the drill.
Good locksmithing isn't about doing the most work.
It's about doing the right work.
How to choose a locksmith in Thanet
If you're looking for a locksmith in Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs, Birchington, Westgate-on-Sea, Minster, Sandwich, Deal, Herne Bay or elsewhere across East Kent, take a few minutes to check who you're dealing with.
Look for a business that is transparent about:
who they are;
where they're based;
the areas they cover;
their experience and training;
their insurance;
their pricing;
the work they carry out;
and the person who will actually attend.
Trade association membership can also be useful when comparing locksmiths. The Master Locksmiths Association is an established industry organisation, and Which? Trusted Traders also works with the MLA to help consumers find vetted locksmiths.
No single badge or review should replace common sense, but independent checks can help you make a more informed decision.
Frequently asked questions
Is a £39 locksmith always a scam?
No.
A low advertised price by itself doesn't prove that a locksmith is dishonest.
The important question is whether the advertised price is realistic and whether the business clearly explains what is included and what additional charges may apply.
Why do locksmiths advertise prices like £39 or £49?
Very low starting prices can attract customers searching for urgent help.
The concern is when the advertised price is used to attract a customer but bears little resemblance to the amount they ultimately have to pay.
Can a locksmith charge more than the price quoted?
There can be legitimate reasons for a price to change if the job turns out to be different from what was originally described.
However, customers should be told about significant additional work and costs before agreeing to it.
Should a locksmith drill my lock?
Not necessarily.
Some locks genuinely need to be drilled, but drilling isn't automatically required for every lockout. A professional should assess the situation and explain why destructive entry is necessary before proceeding.
How can I tell if a locksmith is genuinely local?
Check the business details rather than relying solely on the advert.
Look for a consistent local presence, genuine reviews, photographs, business information and clear details about who will attend your property.
What should I do if a locksmith suddenly gives me a much higher price?
Ask them to explain exactly what has changed and what the additional charges cover.
If work hasn't started, you can ask for the price before authorising it. If you've already had work carried out and believe you've been misled, keep all the evidence and seek appropriate consumer advice.
Are locksmiths regulated in the UK?
Locksmithing is not a government-licensed profession in the UK. That's one reason checking experience, credentials, insurance, reviews and professional memberships can be useful when choosing who to trust with your home security.
The real cost of a locksmith isn't always the number in the advert
When you're locked out, it's tempting to search for the cheapest locksmith and make the quickest possible call.
I understand why.
But don't let a £39 headline price make the decision for you.
Ask questions.
Find out who you're dealing with.
Get as much information about the likely cost as possible before work starts.
And if something doesn't feel right, don't be afraid to stop and ask for an explanation.
At East Kent Locksmiths, we believe locksmith work should be straightforward. You should know who is coming to your property, what they're recommending and why.
We've helped customers across Thanet and East Kent with everything from emergency lockouts and snapped keys to failed uPVC mechanisms, lock replacements and security upgrades.
If you need a locksmith in Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs, Herne Bay or the surrounding East Kent area, you're welcome to contact East Kent Locksmiths for honest advice, emergency assistance or a free quotation.
A locksmith should solve your problem, not create another one.
Comments