General Services Reviews 102

I would strongly advise others to avoid General Services Ltd based on our experience.

My elderly parents accidentally locked themselves out of their home and, like most people would, searched online for a reasonably priced locksmith. They found what appeared to be a service advertising call-outs “from £39”, which seemed fair and transparent.

What followed was anything but.

They were charged:

£255 to open a locked door
£289 for a “high security” lock barrel
£180 just to install the barrel
£59 call-out fee

Bringing the total to an eye-watering £939.60 including VAT.

For a straightforward lockout situation involving vulnerable, elderly customers, this pricing feels completely disproportionate and misleading compared to what was advertised. There was no clear upfront indication that costs would escalate to this level, leaving them shocked and distressed.

This kind of practice appears designed to take advantage of people in urgent situations who don’t have the time or knowledge to challenge pricing on the spot.

I would urge anyone considering using this company to get a full written quote before agreeing to any work, and to be extremely cautious—especially if you’re booking on behalf of elderly or vulnerable individuals.

Very disappointing experience.

Impossible to get in touch with, OFF THE SCALE CHARGES.
Strongly recommend DO NOT CONTACT, even if desperate.

Overpriced and Unprofessional

Very poor experience. The engineer arrived in a private car with another person, no uniform or ID, which was concerning as my wife was alone.

He made inappropriate personal comments and did not explain or agree the price before starting the job. After the work, we were charged £619, including £466 for a basic lock, which is clearly excessive.

The lock fitted appears low quality and poorly installed, creating a potential security issue.

Also, a conversation was recorded without informing my wife, which is unacceptable.

Overall, very unprofessional service. I am now pursuing a full refund.

Avoid.

Quoted one price £35 plus what was needed , came to job , tried fitting first barrel lock and it didn’t fit, went to van and change lock to a thumb twist lock without stating price and produced an invoice for £417.00, told my wife after she asked for the old lock to be reinstated that he couldn’t because he’s already fitted the really expensive lock and couldn’t reuse it now it’s fitted, without quoting the price first. Do not use this company. It’s a rip off.

Would rate 0 stars if that was possible.
My 94 year old Nan used this service as her lock broke, it had to be replaced (apparently). She paid £945.60 in total, I’ve tried to get in contact with the company with no response, the only way you can speak to a human is via their emergency contact line - no help at all. Will persist with trying to get an answer as they are not ripping off another elderly person. Scum bags, don’t use!!!!!!!

I snapped my key in the door, had shopping and kids with me so I panicked, googled emergency locksmith and this company came up. Lady said someone would be with me in 25mins.. 10 mins after a man phoned and said 30 mins away.. 50 mins after the initial call he shows up in a plain car.. alarm bell should have gone off then, but I was feeling a bit frazzled.
In very broken English He said coz the key was still inside he had to drill and replace the lock.
He gave me 3 quotes very quickly I couldn't understand him. I said just do it a cheap as you can I don't have the money.
£253 later and I have a lock thats not even the right size 🤦‍♀️

2 weeks later I have trouble locking my door.. the company seem to have disappeared. Found another locksmith. The first words he spoke were "what cowboy fitted that"
It's was a cheap £25 lock from b&q that had barely any security!! He said the job with a proper lock should have cost half what I had paid!!
Lesson learnt don't panic and ring the first number you find 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Hopefully they've disappeared for good!!

Call out a locksmith, said would be 30 mins, arrived 2hours 40 mins later.
Charged over 600, refused to pay as he just made up extras, within 5 minutes 3 more Eastern European guys turned up threatening and forcing me to pay all.
Avoid!

I was locked out with a 6 month old baby and a 7 year old. No coats on. I was panicking and just called the first number that came up. They told me they would be there in 35 mins. An hour and a half later they turned up. Said couldn’t pick the lock as it was a really good one and had to drill it out. it ended up costing me £580!! I could literally cry. What else was I going to do after waiting all that time with the baby. I wish I had kept a level head and not just panicked and called he first number that came up

NIL STARS....... ABSOLUTE THIEVES....DO NOT TRUST THESE PEOPLE.... COMPLETE AND UTTER RIP OFF MERCHANTS....PLEASE DO NOT USE....

Terrible experience.DO NOT USE. Called a locksmith round to look at a faulty Yale lock on a stable style door. He removed the lock, showed me replacement options quickly on his phone. Then when he wrote down the invoice it came to over £1100! I explained I could not afford this but now had no lock on my door. He said he could not put the existing lock back on as he had taken it apart. He also said if I did not go ahead with the work it would still be £192 for call out and labour. I spoke with his Manager and their office who were rude and unhelpful. They eventually lowered the cost and charged me £470 for the new lock. I was intimidated being a lone female and paid just to get him to leave. I note on my invoice it references a panic button mechanism for £171.66. I have no idea what that is as there is no panic button.

Only giving 1 because it will not let me rate 0. Do not use this company! Misquote and then charge a £58 cancellation fee when you refuse the new increased quote given. And by that time they are already in your home so you cannot refuse to pay it. Came home today to my elderly mother who is very upset about the encounter she had with this company. Technician became very intimidating and raised his voice to her when she tried to disagree with him. Shameful behaviour

Wish I could give zero stars. Was originally quoted 100 for entry to the house (break in) change locks and 3 new keys. Guy turns up and say he wants 350 quid. We said just break in and we will pay for that. Robbing pos said 125 plus vat for that. Had no choice so said ok. He then went on to break my beautiful 1930s wooden door by splitting it. Furious and would of been easier to just let my father in law shove the door and hope it didn't break. Rang to complain got an extremely rude on the phone who said I shouldn't disrespect him by speaking to him the way I was. Guess he didn't like that a women was sticking up for herself. Essentially paid money for them to damage my door

The lock in our front door broke early evening and we could not lock the door. We panicked and called the first emergency locksmith on Google. They quoted £49 call out charge. When he arrived he said he couldn't do it until next day and would cost £672 plus VAT. When we refused he charged us £90 which included a cancellation fee. We got someone else who charged us £150 including VAT. Do not use this company. It is a total scam.

We called for an emergency locksmith, who replaced the barrell and charged us £420. It still didn't open and took many messages and 2 days for the locksmith to return to tell us it was the mechanism inside the door and would cost another £200+. I called someone else who said it was a £40 job and only needed tinkering with. Rogue traders, rip offs and when I called General Services, the man was rude. No website, doesn't answer emails and the main office don't answer telephone calls either.

This is company is fraud,the guy's name was Stefano, They gave a £49+VAT as initial quote.
It ended up with £149+VAT as drilling the lock and £200+VAT as the new lock and £49+VAT as the labour, all together came out as £477.60.
This is robbery. Is there any regulation in this country to stop these people from ripping people off?

Police involved. Rip off service with threatening, aggressive and abusive employees.
Charge whatever they like even after telling you how much it will be before they start the job.
We were locked out and quoted £250.
The locksmith arrived and said straight away that the lock had to be drilled out. No attempt to try to 'pick' or use lock tools unlock it first. This was a single lock French Door.
He was literally 10 minutes drilling and replacing the lock.
When he wrote the invoice, the £255 had turned into £545!!!!
I asked how it had gone up so much.
He told me £95 call out, £265 to drill the lock, £85 for the new lock + VAT.
I told him this was not correct as I had been quoted £255 when I called originally.
He became extremely aggressive and threatening and said it was the weekend and that's how much it was.
I asked him to show me the business pricing structure and was told there isn't one!!!
I called the business with the locksmith still with me. I was told the call out was £45 not £95 I asked how much to drill a lock out in a French Door and the phone was put down. I called back twice but was cut off each time. Seems they don't like you questioning them.
I told the locksmith I was happy to pay the £45 call out and £255 as quoted but he got very threatening. He said if we didn't pay he would come back and super glue all our locks when we were out.
He walked away with the keys to our new lock, meaning he then had access to our property and we still couldn't get in.
I followed him onto our drive and he was taking pictures of our property and of both our cars and the number plates.
He was now really threatening and aggressive to the point our neighbour had to come out to try and calm him down.
As we were being confronted by the locksmith, luckily a Police Woman was driving passed in an unmarked car. She stopped her car in the road and and alleviated a very tense and scary encounter.
She took the details of the locksmith and warned him about his threatening and aggressive behaviour telling him he would be arrested if he kept on. She checked his details and recorded them phoning them through to her Police Station.
In the end, the locksmith asked us what we wanted to pay. We said the original price quoted. He agreed and left.
I genuinely do not know what would have happened if the Police Woman had not been driving passed at that moment, but I honestly believe our house, cars and ourselves would not have been safe.
Please for your own safety and so you do not get ripped off, read the other reviews AND DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY.

Absolute scumbags, ripping people off, I hope none of you sleep at night ,

General servises ltd are a bunch of crooks ripping people of who are in a panic DO NOT USE again DO NOT USE. They will take your money for doing nothing. Drilled my lock and replaced with new barrel £500. I was away so they didn't even have the house owners permission when my dog sitter locked her self out with the dog. Last lock smith charged£140 to get me in on the week week end also.

Ridiculous price and shoddy parts. Quoted £300 - £600 for an emergency call out to replace a door lock. Charged £913 for 40 minutes work and a cheap handle that will need to be replaced again.

My friend could not get in the house Sunday 22nd March she rang this company , he came said it needed a new mechanism £264.95 total cost including call out and vat £469 then said door will be ok until tomorrow I will get you a price for hooks. He rang to say it will be £411 for the hooks fitted, which she could not afford. I sent round another locksmith to review the work , he said the first part he had replaced was second hand and damaged . he completed the work with all new parts for £120 all in instead of nearly £900. I have rang the company 5 times they are going to ring back every time but never do. I have reported them to the police for taking money off a single woman by lying and frightened my friend saying someone can break in and rob you it needs doing straight away . Please do not use these individuals they are fraudsters who want closing down.