No Callout Charge? How Does That Work?

[PickFree]

I've noticed today that lots of the locak locksmiths (there are quite a few) here in the UK have no call out charge. Now how do they make money from this? If it's a simple lockout then it's surely not going to be a massive money spinner. Would someone mind helping me understand this one, thanks.

[Jaakko]

They probably charge you by the hour, minimum being one hour.

[PickFree]

Ahh so it's no call out charge but a minimum of one hour once they get there. Thanks for clearing that one up for me, i'm not well informed of working practices.

[mhole]

Yup - minimum labour charge.

It's kind of a semantic difference, but a call out charge means £50 (or whatever) just to come to the door, in addition to labour, parts etc.

[Eyes_Only]

How much do you all charge for the service/call out charge in both the US and Europe? In my area its like usually $35 to $45.

[freakparade3]

$45 within a 10 mile radius, $55 up to 30 miles after that.

[mongo]

has the gas prices raised your rates. as a contractor I am using the gas price as a barometer. I have also started refusing jobs one and two towns over, costs to much to get the crews there

[MacGnG1]

on the POP-A-LOCK trucks in my area its free if your kid is locked in the car

[freakparade3]

has the gas prices raised your rates. as a contractor I am using the gas price as a barometer. I have also started refusing jobs one and two towns over, costs to much to get the crews there

When gas went up so high my service call prices went up by $10. It's not unreasonable considering I use a 12 year old 4 wheel drive truck with 2 fuel tanks as my work vehicle. It makes you want to cry filling it up.

[Archive555]

on the POP-A-LOCK trucks in my area its free if your kid is locked in the car

Awesome. I mean "What has the world come to!?". But really, how often do you leave your kid locked in the car? Hmmm?

[Keyring]

It's a lot of trouble to go to to get something for nothing...

[mhole]

If your kid's locked in the car they can unlock the thing...

Otherwise, well - that's natural selection in action

[Eyes_Only]

It happens very often actually.

[mongo]

we should install a lock out lock-out. cop cars have them. with a digital touch pad. keeps the ugly in, and no lock to pick. sit stay hahahah

[prag]

I once had a call out for opening a car with a toddler in it. It was quite a hot day and the mother was extreemly stress out. Once I was on the job the toddler noticed a strange man trying to open the car door. She started howling and this just made the whole situation more tense because the mothers stress levels intensified.

Opened it soon enough and felt like Superman because the mother was so relieved.

On another topic in this thread about fuel prices and its effect on prices.
I know a guy that uses a tank of petrol a day. OUCH. We haven't had that much out of town call outs but it does have an effect on the bottom line.