Academy Lock & Safe, Dublin

Avoid, disappointing behaviour & poor work I never post anything to social media but I was so disgusted by this that I feel I have to post a review. I had Dave out to my new house on the back of a recommendation from a family friend who fits alarm systems. Our mutual friend agreed a price of €120 for Dave to fit 2 new locks on our house (front and back door). When I called Dave myself to organise a time, I asked about fitting a new set of handles on our front door also. I offered to buy my own handle prior to his visit but was told he would have plenty of handles with him that I could choose. When Dave arrived at the property I was there with my cousin (we are both young women in our early twenties). Dave took full advantage of this and basically scammed me thinking I’m a young girl who wouldn’t know any better. To think this would still happen in 2022 is disgusting. I was giving my cousin a tour of the new house as Dave worked away. When it came to payment I was shocked to hear he was asking for €300! I knew this wasn’t right but due to my lack of experience with anything like this, I didn’t have the confidence to challenge him. He was trying to charge me €180 for a handle. To add to this, the handle does not sit right on the door and has no spring so it stays sticking up the air when used. He also fitted silver locks onto the brass handle and left the adhesive panel on the back door lock hanging off. I would have been very unhappy with this level of work regardless of the fact I was blatantly overcharged. I spoke to my partner and parents about it as I knew the price couldn’t be right and my dad then gave Dave a call to clarify the price charged and the work done. Dave constantly changed his figures on the phone and it was obvious he was trying to validate the €300 on the spot. My dad then said that aside from that he was not happy with the level of the work and Dave hung up on my dad. Again, unbelievable that someone would conduct their business like this nowadays. My dad gave him the benefit of the doubt and phoned him back saying he was unsure what had happened to the line to which Dave told him “No I hung up on you” and proceeded to again. The next day my dad sent Dave a text message saying we would like to resolve this amicably so could Dave please get in touch about fixing the work he had done. We received no reply. Two days later I text Dave myself and stated that if we could not resolve this amicably I would have to escalate it to the Small Claims Court and I also requested a VAT Invoice for the work carried out. Again we received no reply. This is the only review I have ever put up online and anyone who knows me knows I never post anything to social media but I couldn’t let this go unsaid. Dave took advantage of a young girl on her own and scammed me for at least an extra €100 which is a lot of money to anyone, never mind someone who has just bought their first home. He has then failed to communicate or take any opportunity to resolve things. Completely disgraceful behaviour and I would encourage anyone needing a locksmith to steer clear.