Judge orders locksmith to provide estimates

State claims price gouging, but defense argues no law against high prices

By SCOTT DAUGHERTY, Staff Writer

Capital Gazette Communications

Published 08/08/10

In April, the state's Attorney General's Office cited a Pasadena locksmith for charging clients excessive fees, ordering him to provide customers accurate estimates before performing any work.

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He didn't.

A county judge has granted a preliminary injunction against Around the Clock Locksmith and its owner, Joseph M. Horton. Circuit Court Judge Michelle D. Jaklitsch ordered Horton and his employees to provide estimates - and abide by those estimates - or next time they will be found in contempt of court.

"This court finds (Horton) has systematically violated the (state's) ex parte order," Jaklitsch...

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Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2011-08-11 21:59:38

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Problem Child - 2010-08-12 18:39:58

I have a business in Charleston SC. I hired this guy after he rode with me for a few day's. The trouble started even before he got here saying his household goods were being held hostage by the moving company. I shelled out over $1000 to help him. I also put him up in a hotel for a week till he got an apartment, at my expense. I continually found him in area's I didn't cover but he said he was handing out business cards. I provided him with health insurance and great pay and trusted him with night calls. After a couple of weeks he stopped bringing me cash, just the checks or credit card reciepts. He was overheard on the phone by my friend that 'we ran out of invoices', which never happened. We normally do a better than 20% cash business. After constant trouble from him, he called his buddy down here from MD, left my van unlocked in a parking lot and disappeared to open a new business with his buddy in the next town over. They attempted to take my accounts by telling the accounts that I was retiring. It worked in at least one case until he was found out and I got the account back. The business cards he was handing out were his, not mine, I later found out. This charachter is a real gem. I can't believe the judges in MD keep letting him slide with just a 'you had better start writing estimates' warning. Apparantly overcharging is not against the law and being a scammer is not a chargable offense either.

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Steve Myslik - , - Karma: Neutral

rotten locksmiths - 2010-08-12 17:59:15

As a shop owner and practising locksmith and safe cracker I can emphantise with the customer..we out here in Washington State we confront these "bloodsucking scum" all the time. We are trying to get the state to license ALL locksmiths and hold them accountable for their actions and prosecute the SCAB's. As a member of the Associated Locksmiths of America I fully reccommend that people ask if they are members of their state locksmith association or ALOA and ask for proof. And cousemer protection agencys of the states DO their jobs and sue the living snot out of these scum"s ...They give real locksmiths a BAD name.. We have found out thaqt there are "800" companys advertising in local phone books that are either in New Jersy or Arizona or Florida who try to make you think they are local, which they are NOT and use the same scams as the shop in this article....If you are truly intrested in trying to controlling this stuff contact Assoc. Locksmiths of America and see what they offer (pretty Extensive stuff) Thanks for reading this from one PISSED off locksmith who's tired of scum hurting legal and proffessional people. You may contact me via e-mail superkeyman43@comcast.net if I can be of further help.

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james ebeling jr - auburn, wa - Karma: Neutral

Master of Lies-Not Locks - 2010-08-12 11:01:35

This is great news. If you have a complaint to file against Around the Clock Locksmith which occured AFTER 8/2/10, PLEASE contact Ms. Lucy Cardwell at LCardwell@oag.state.md.us

Joseph Horton told me his fee to unlock my car was a $250.00 door unlock fee. I wasn't happy with the stated fee but ALLOWED him to perform the service. He collected my credit card and charged over $1,000.00. I was only made aware of his undisclosed fees when he asked me to sign his handwritten receipt, which I refused to sign. Joseph Horton threatened to telephone the police if I would not sign. I demanded that he telephone the police. The two police officers stated they felt the issue was a civil dispute and all parties parted. Several days later, Joseph Horton responded to my complaints with the BBB and my Bank by supplying TWO SIGNED receipts and stated I had agreed to his fees by signing them! I DID NOT SIGN ANYTHING!

The States Attorney will not go forward with criminal charges. No one should be able to present documents (especially with a monetary value), claim you signed them,(clearly not my signature) and not suffer a consequence!

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Michele Roles - Glen Burnie, MD - Karma: Neutral

Locksmith - 2010-08-11 13:20:17

I hope the woman that paid $720 got her money back.
It's no wonder people are so untrusting. I owned and operated an automatic transmission business ( an infamous business in it's own right) for about twenty five years and I always wondered why people in business were so dishonest. All you do is ruin your name,your busines, and your health. Instead of getting up in the morning and feeling good about going to work, you wake up, open your eyes and think, O Boy, another day of going to work and lying and listening to people chew you out and tell you what a piece of junk you are. I myself would rather people tell me how great I am.

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N GAB - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral

One Problem, Herbert - 2010-08-09 14:41:32

The average A.A. County citizen is only slightly more likely to have heard of this case or this company than they are to know you personally.

This particular business appears to need its licensing revoked in preference to having its metaphorical hand slapped in the courts; as you can see how the original court order didn't stop the questionable business practices.

However, it certainly behooves anyone not to do business with a service contractor (the next most similar coming to mind would be towing) until you have some sort of pricing confirmation. Ask them for a phone quote and then to bring you the written estimate or price list for services with them. If they can't or won't do that, call the next one.

Always have something in your hand before you give them the credit card.

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Raejean French - Severn, MD - Karma: Neutral

fools - 2010-08-08 21:44:04

If you are stupid enough to do business with this guy at this point then you deserve to lose your money. Repeat after me "I will not call Around the Clock Locksmith under any circumstance."

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Herbert Spencer - St. Margaret's, MD - Karma: Terrible