KATY, Texas – A Katy woman turned to KPRC 2 for help after she says she locked her keys in her car, called a locksmith advertising a $19 fee, only to end up paying nearly $200.
Lindsey Kern says she contacted a service she found through a Google search, called "24/7 Quick Pick Locksmith Services."
"I Googled 'Locksmith.' The first thing that I saw, it said $19," said Kern. "When the guy showed up 20 minutes later, he quoted me $165 plus the $19."
The website advertises "$19 Locksmith Services" on the top of the page, but down below at the bottom, it states in part "Price quotes are a minimum... Unforeseen complications may arise at the job site, these changes may affect the price by way of labor and parts."
A dispatcher with "24/7 Quick Pick Locksmith Services" told KPRC 2 they charge customers $19 as a service call to send a technician out to take a look at the problem.
According to that dispatcher, the technician then decides how much to charge the customer for the labor.
Kern's receipt indicates she was charged $165 for labor and $20 for the service call.
She is now warning others to do more research before hiring someone who could charge more than expected.
KPRC 2 requested to speak with a company supervisor but had not been contacted by one as of Thursday night.