Locksmith's sweet revenge on non-paying customer

A locksmith says he locked a customer's keys back in a car after he refused to pay his bill for a late-night emergency call-out.

Sam Kavanagh, from Hull, said he took matters into his own hands following the latest incident involving a pay dispute.

A customer, who locked his car and house keys in his boot, refused to pay £160 after Mr Kavanagh travelled 30 miles to Grimsby at midnight to help him.

"I went to the job and got his keys out, happy days," said Mr Kavanagh. "But he refused to pay, so I put the keys back in the boot and the car locked."

Mr Kavanagh, who set up his business Unlock Auto Locksmith three months ago, said the £160 charge for the job reflected the travel time, his expertise and the late-night call.

He said the customer, who had called him at 19:00 GMT, had originally turned down the quote in a bid to find someone cheaper but called him again shortly before midnight.

Mr Kavanagh said the customer's excuse for not paying was because the job "took 10 minutes".

"I decided that if he wasn't willing to pay then you won't receive a service," Mr Kavanagh added.

"That's the consequences of not paying."

The locksmith said the incident was not the only case of non-payment and that he had also suffered "abuse and intimidation" from some customers.

Nick Colley, founder of online review site Trusted Tradesman, compared the situation to so-called "dine and dash", where people leave restaurants without paying for their food and drinks.

He said: "We've seen people use the cost of living as an excuse. Sadly, there are people who will try and get something for nothing or for less than was agreed.

"It's a very difficult situation that they [tradespeople] are in because they take on a job, they've travelled, got their tools and time. If they're not getting paid it's a problem."

Mr Colley recommended independent businesses to keep a record of all communications with customers and have written proof of all agreed costs.

Citizens Advice said customers who encountered problems with tradespeople should gather paperwork and receipts and make notes about what has happened including times and dates.

Mr Kavanagh said there should also be "protection" for those who work independently and described how he has had to "stand his ground" when dealing with difficult customers.

"In my position, I'm just trying to help. If it takes a minute or half an hour, it doesn't matter, I've done the job and should be paid," he said.

The Federation of Small Businesses described non-payments as "one of the most damaging issues a small business or sole trader can face" and said it put "huge pressure" on finances.

It added 10% of small business owners have experienced "threatening behaviour or assault".

Tina McKenzie, policy chair at the FSB, said: "Traders who have provided an up-to-standard service should get paid, and in a timely manner.

"It's not right that some are being intimidated when asking for money they are entitled to."

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