"Avoid for bike locks"

My bike D lock was stuck or I’d forgotten the 4 digit code. Davelocksmith said they’d come out that afternoon, with a callout of £69 plus labour. I thought that was steep, but I needed my bike.

I went up to the bike and waited. Nobody came. They called to say they’d be another two hours. Went home, went back, waited. They called to say no one was free. I cancelled.

Next day, a Monday, I couldn’t locate my bike tech so rang Davelocksmith again. I had to wait another hour from the time given. Unlocking the bike took 7 minutes.

The man said that would be £125. He had quite a strong accent. I assumed that was for callout and labour, but after paying (on a phone, in bright sunlight), noticed it was a staggering £194. I once had a stuck Kryptonite lock and the guy who sawed through it charged me £38. Unlike a door lock, a bike D lock is simple. Undoing it takes no skill, only an angle grinder. You can buy one for under £50.

I wasn’t asked for any identification or proof that the bike was mine.

I wasn’t scammed, exactly, but feel distinctly ripped off.

If your bike lock is stuck, don’t use this unpunctual, unprofessional and wildly expensive firm.