BBB Consumer Warning: Complaints from Customers Around the Country about Detroit-area based, Run Local Locksmith

When you are locked out of your car or your house, it’s unlikely you’re going to have the time or presence of mind to shop around for a locksmith. So, the first locksmith that you find usually gets the job. Fox 2 News has been working on a story with the BBB of Eastern Michigan about a Detroit-area business that operates as a call center for locksmiths all over the country. The company is Run Local Locksmith and they make sure they are the first company you find. Regardless of where you are in the country, they are the first return on Google when you search for a local locksmith.

Run Local Locksmith currently has an F rating with the Better Business Bureau and currently shows the following on their business review:

• 202 complaints filed against business
• Failure to respond to 78 complaints filed against business
• 6 complaints filed against business that were not resolved

 “Run Local Locksmith has its headquarters in Center Line, Michigan and provides emergency locksmith services in 25 states. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has received more than 200 consumer complaints on this company in the past 36 months.  More than half of these complaints have gone without a response from the business, to date, resulting in an F rating.  In February 2012, Run Local Locksmith responded to BBB Serving Eastern Michigan outreach attempts, indicating that they were implementing new customer service practices and wished to clear up the backlog of complaints filed with BBB for all US locations.  Since February 2012, Run Local Locksmith has been responsive to new, incoming consumer complaints, resolving the issues presented by consumers.  Run Local Locksmith is also working to address the backlog of consumer complaints that previously went unanswered. The rating for this business will remain at an “F” until such time as all complaints are addressed.  At that time, the appropriate rating, based on the volume of resolved complaints, and all other factors in the BBB ratings calculation, will be assigned to this business.”

After speaking with the BBB and conducting his own investigation, Rob Wolchek at Fox 2 News ran a story on this company and placed them in the “Hall of Shame.”  The link to the story is here: http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/21018042/customers-keyed-up-over-run-local-locksmith

The BBB is warning consumers to be wary of conducting business with locksmiths dispatched by Run Local Locksmith until they respond to and resolve their current customer complaints, most of which allege “bait and switch” tactics, such as quoting a low price over the phone, but then charging a significantly higher price once the locksmith arrives. Run Local Locksmith’s BBB business review can be found here:http://www.bbb.org/eastern-michigan/business-reviews/product-sales-general/run-local-locksmith-inc-in-center-line-mi-90002891.

If you have any questions about this alert, please contact the BBB at 248.223.9400.