Possible end of Locksmith scam ads?

[d_Random]

Google "Home Services" Ads Beta Qualifying Providers

Google Home Services Ads For Locksmiths, Plumbers Hit San Francisco Market
Professionals must pass a background check, be licensed and insured and have a strong track record.

http://searchengineland.com/google-home ... eta-226469

[dll932]

GOOD!

[GWiens2001]

Unfortunately, it won't be the end of scammers. Though it should help a little bit.

Bet those people it is listing as "trusted and experienced professionals", having passed their background check as well as being licensed and insured, are also paying Google to be listed. "Google may be compensated by some of these providers". Yeah, bet Google is well compensated by all of those providers.

Licensed - guess they mean that they have a valid business license. A scammer can get one of those as easily as a non-scammer.

"Have a strong track record" - how is that determined? What constitutes a strong track record? BBB complaints? Possibly people complaining to Google about having been ripped off by their recommended providers?

Still, it is a good start.

Gordon

[MatrixBlackRock]

What constitutes a strong track record? BBB complaints?

Still, it is a good start.

Gordon

Considering Google's track record it probably means the business' payment to Google cleared. And I am not kidding.

Wayne

[Locks+Picks_Happy]

I hope this is able to solve some of the problems that Yelp won't or can't fix. It will probably have all kinds of issues that are completely new and unique, but I would really appreciate fixing things like skepticism of positive reviews and belief of negative ones. Also I don't want to keep getting calls to my work with companies offering to manage my google reviews (Yelp does that all the time).

Potentially great for the customer, but another potential headache for the business owner.

Still optimistic though! I hope it all works out.

[billdeserthills]

All you need to do when you receive a BBB complaint is to write a letter back to them challenging the validity of the complaint
the BBB will immediately remove the complaint

[CMS_SAFECRAKR1]

Amazon is trying to offer contractor services too now. The scammers will still figure out a way.....they have gotten onto Angies List and they high jack legitimate phone numbers through hacking phone systems.

Best solution is : licensing both locksmiths and Safe Techs
a no mercy fraud charge/ prison for scammers/ impersonators
Allowing legitimate locksmiths to shot scammers on sight! ( imagine the fun)

[billdeserthills]

I don't think licensing is the answer. I have read several locksmith written articles that suggest once the state gets ahold of the money the aren't so fast to actually investigate or close down the scammers. I am constantly losing work to these bastards, and if I could shoot a few, I gladly would. Every once in awhile I see a competitors vehicle in my town and I always feel compelled to follow it & stab all their tires, break keys off in all the locks on the vehicle and take the rotor out of their distributor, but I haven't.

[GWiens2001]

I don't think licensing is the answer. I have read several locksmith written articles that suggest once the state gets ahold of the money the aren't so fast to actually investigate or close down the scammers. I am constantly losing work to these bastards, and if I could shoot a few, I gladly would. Every once in awhile I see a competitors vehicle in my town and I always feel compelled to follow it & stab all their tires, break keys off in all the locks on the vehicle and take the rotor out of their distributor, but I haven't.

When they are taking work from you (food off your table) by scamming, can't say I wouldn't be tempted the same way. But surely you can find better ways than breaking off keys in their locks. Lockout keys are so easy to make, and most scammers would not know how to remove them.

Not to you, Bill (since you don't do that kind of stuff anyway), but to others who may be tempted... Keep it legal.

Gordon

[billdeserthills]

I don't think licensing is the answer. I have read several locksmith written articles that suggest once the state gets ahold of the money the aren't so fast to actually investigate or close down the scammers. I am constantly losing work to these bastards, and if I could shoot a few, I gladly would. Every once in awhile I see a competitors vehicle in my town and I always feel compelled to follow it & stab all their tires, break keys off in all the locks on the vehicle and take the rotor out of their distributor, but I haven't.

When they are taking work from you (food off your table) by scamming, can't say I wouldn't be tempted the same way. But surely you can find better ways than breaking off keys in their locks. Lockout keys are so easy to make, and most scammers would not know how to remove them.

Not to you, Bill (since you don't do that kind of stuff anyway), but to others who may be tempted... Keep it legal.

Gordon

Thing is it that kind of behavior borders on the insane, & I don't want my truck all messed up either, which is the next step in the chain

[Poolsharks1]

Wish that would come to Scotland. I regularly go to jobs where the customers first quote was 2/3 times higher than my quote. To me if you charge an old age pensioner £150 to change a eurolock your a thief