Video: Family says they were overcharged for lock

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EVERETT, Wash. - Martha Smith thought she was getting was a top-of-the-line lock, but experts say she got overcharged for a product that broke down very quickly.

Martha was in a jam. She was about to go on a European vacation when her son gave her some bad news.

"He told us that his keys were stolen and his house key was on it and it was missing," she recalled.

Seh got online and found USAlocksmith.com.

"I looked at the site, it looked reputable," she said.

They sent a locksmith who charged $60 for the service call and installation, plus $150 for a lock.

A little over two months later, the key "justed turned, there was no clicking, the door wouldn't open at all."

The new lock was broken, so she called information from her cell phone.

"I just called the 555-1212 and asked for a locksmith," she said. "Could they connect me with a locksmith? They did and it happened to be USA Locksmith."

The locksmith arrived and asked Martha if she had the original lock. Because her son's keys had meanwhile been found, she gave the old lock to the locksmith who installed the same old lock he took out a few months earlier - at a cost of $200.

"I'm very frustrated," she said.

Martha wanted her money back, and after getting nowhere with the company she called Jesse.

We took that $150 lock to Jesse Black, vice president of the Northwest Locksmith Association and asked if this lock looked like a $150 lock.

"This looks like a $25 or $30 lock you can buy at Home Depot," Black said.

USA Locksmith is based in New Jersey and dispatches locksmiths based in the Seattle area.

Black says to be careful using out-of-state companies.

"They will sell grade one or grade two deadbolts that are not up to standard," he said.

After speaking with USA Locksmith, they agreed to pay Martha $150 to replace her shoddy lock with a better product.

The best way to find a good locksmith is to look before you need one and not when the pressure is on. If you are locked out of your house or car, it's best to go online and check with the Northwest Locksmith Association or the Associated Locksmiths of America.

It's your best bet to find a local and competent locksmith.