Competitors False Advertising. What to do?

blairlockout · 12-01-2011, 11:06 PM

I operate lockout company and have recently came up against a nationwide scam network advertising "$14 locksmith services" It violates google's adwords policies and I have submitted a complaint to the FTC and Google. They seem to be taking their time. Anyone have any suggestions as how to eradicate these pesky people? I at the point to where I would PAY someone to do something about this.

Barry Unruh · 12-01-2011, 11:55 PM

What makes their service offering a scam?

Is it possible you are not getting a response because they disagree with you?

What FTC rule have they violated? What specific Adwords TOS have they violated?

Why I'm asking for clarification is because obviously you have a lot to gain by knocking them out.

blairlockout · 12-02-2011, 12:38 AM

False advertising violates googles policies, it's common knowledge/sense. FTC also goes after false advertisers, they harm consumers. It's frustrating seeing people who need help get ripped off. I take pride in what I do and offer the best service in Oklahoma City. This company that I'm speeking of was removed from Adwords a day ago but made a new website and are running the same campaign and phone number. The ad says $14 Oklahoma city locksmith, when you call they say there is a $14 charge to assess the lock and after the assessment is completed the locksmith will then charge whatever he feels to actually do the work. If that's not false advertising I don't know what is. It wouldnt be that big of a deal if the cost per click were not $5+. Adwords calculated #1 rank for one of the keywords is $48!

nicktyler · 12-02-2011, 02:03 AM

That is very sneaky and should be addressed. It looks like you have gone down the right route and reported to the right places but sometimes the wheels at Google and the FTC turn very slowly. It is frustrating when you are loosing custom.

Peobably the best thing you can do is get on the phone and start hassling the authorities to go quicker. They will tell you there is a system and process etc but at least it will then be in their minds and if you really try you might get to the point that they push it forward just to shut you up.

GlobalTrader · 12-02-2011, 10:00 AM

Based on your description, the ad is definitely "swarmy" at best but probably borderline acceptable? I am no legal eagle but look what car dealers put in their ads and then read the fine print.

You may find faster action by filing a complaint with your states Department of Consumer protection (if they have one). If they do, it is usually operated within the states Attorney General's office. Check their website to see if they handle consumer complaints as that is the only way they will likely investigate it.

paulgl · 12-02-2011, 10:08 AM

The FTC? Google?

Man, are you daft? What does the FTC have to do with
"false" advertising of some joe blow locksmith? I think
taxpayer money is better spent on big things from the FTC.

Sounds nothing like a scam anyway, or false advertising?

What's wrong with charging for a service call? Plumbers,
electricians, etc. do it all the time. Aint free to come,
is it? I suppose one could offer a free estimate, but
what's wrong with getting a locksmith out and paying
a lousy $14? Just had my house rekeyed. I would not
expect to pay $14 for that. But the visit fee was
taken off the total cost of about $60.

Just because you don't like someone's practice does
not mean they are a scam.

The FTC? Come on. Really.

Why would you not concentrate on free google maps anyway.

Paul

patrich · 12-02-2011, 12:26 PM

OP, sounds to me like you are looking for an easy way out of having any competition. They are not false advertising if they are coming out to assess the lock for the amount that they state in their ad. They aren't doing anything wrong.

Having worked in maintenance for years, I would have been happy to only pay $14 for a service call, sounds like a great deal to me. Maybe instead of trying to find something wrong with their business approach, you should take a second look at your business and determine what you can do to compete better.

edit: If they advertised the service for $14 then told you it they would charge more than that amount to look at the lock, I could understand the false advertising angle, not that it should matter to you anyhow, but they say services for $14, and when you call they tell you it is $14 to look at the lock, sounds legit to me.

Btw, a $14 service fee is pretty good, wish they were in WA, I would be using them.

MikeFriedman · 12-02-2011, 12:55 PM

Believe it or not, locksmiths are generally one of the dirtiest lines of business you will find online. Google has gone as far to not accept them in Google Places. You typically have to create citations and get the business noticed by Google on its own. Then you can go in and claim the listing. But if you try to create a Places listing, it will usually get rejected.

I swore the term 'locksmiths' was banned in AdWords too, but maybe not.

outwest · 12-02-2011, 03:10 PM

I saw a "dateline NBC" type expose on locksmiths

they rented a house and called bunch of "locksmiths" in many different cities

my god the guys that showed up i was shocked what they did. Scammy does not even BEGIN to describe the stuff these guys tried to pull

most of them , (front door need picking, owner forgot key) pulled out drills, and DRILLED the lock, basically ruining it, then proceeded to install a brand new doornob and lock and charge 500 dollars for it. I am not joking, one guy wanted 800 dollars. One guy took a crowbar and just took off the whole doornob with the lock. I think all these guys also charged `100 dollars for the basic service call, so you guys saying 14 dollars for a service call is a scam? cough cough

by the way these locks could have been picked easily in about 30 seconds by REAL locksmiths. I dont even think these guys were locksmiths.

12-01-2011, 11:06 PM	#1
blairlockout Active Warrior Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 36 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Competitors False Advertising. What to do? I operate lockout company and have recently came up against a nationwide scam network advertising "$14 locksmith services" It violates google's adwords policies and I have submitted a complaint to the FTC and Google. They seem to be taking their time. Anyone have any suggestions as how to eradicate these pesky people? I at the point to where I would PAY someone to do something about this.
	Oklahoma City Locksmith Okc Locksmith Oklahoma City Locksmith

12-01-2011, 11:55 PM	#2
Barry Unruh Loving The Philippines War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pampanga, Philippines Posts: 1,737 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 478 Thanked 668 Times in 475 Posts Contact Info	Re: Competitors False Advertising. What to do? What makes their service offering a scam? Is it possible you are not getting a response because they disagree with you? What FTC rule have they violated? What specific Adwords TOS have they violated? Why I'm asking for clarification is because obviously you have a lot to gain by knocking them out.
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12-02-2011, 12:38 AM	#3
blairlockout Active Warrior Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 36 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Competitors False Advertising. What to do? False advertising violates googles policies, it's common knowledge/sense. FTC also goes after false advertisers, they harm consumers. It's frustrating seeing people who need help get ripped off. I take pride in what I do and offer the best service in Oklahoma City. This company that I'm speeking of was removed from Adwords a day ago but made a new website and are running the same campaign and phone number. The ad says $14 Oklahoma city locksmith, when you call they say there is a $14 charge to assess the lock and after the assessment is completed the locksmith will then charge whatever he feels to actually do the work. If that's not false advertising I don't know what is. It wouldnt be that big of a deal if the cost per click were not $5+. Adwords calculated #1 rank for one of the keywords is $48!
	Oklahoma City Locksmith Okc Locksmith Oklahoma City Locksmith

12-02-2011, 02:03 AM	#4
nicktyler Advanced Warrior Join Date: May 2011 Location: London Posts: 708 Thanks: 8 Thanked 56 Times in 55 Posts	Re: Competitors False Advertising. What to do? That is very sneaky and should be addressed. It looks like you have gone down the right route and reported to the right places but sometimes the wheels at Google and the FTC turn very slowly. It is frustrating when you are loosing custom. Peobably the best thing you can do is get on the phone and start hassling the authorities to go quicker. They will tell you there is a system and process etc but at least it will then be in their minds and if you really try you might get to the point that they push it forward just to shut you up.
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12-02-2011, 10:00 AM	#5
GlobalTrader HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: , , USA. Posts: 168 Thanks: 49 Thanked 27 Times in 24 Posts	Re: Competitors False Advertising. What to do? Based on your description, the ad is definitely "swarmy" at best but probably borderline acceptable? I am no legal eagle but look what car dealers put in their ads and then read the fine print. You may find faster action by filing a complaint with your states Department of Consumer protection (if they have one). If they do, it is usually operated within the states Attorney General's office. Check their website to see if they handle consumer complaints as that is the only way they will likely investigate it.
	GlobalTrader

12-02-2011, 10:08 AM	#6
paulgl Plundering the Web War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: , , . Posts: 4,851 Thanks: 804 Thanked 1,200 Times in 887 Posts	Re: Competitors False Advertising. What to do? The FTC? Google? Man, are you daft? What does the FTC have to do with "false" advertising of some joe blow locksmith? I think taxpayer money is better spent on big things from the FTC. Sounds nothing like a scam anyway, or false advertising? What's wrong with charging for a service call? Plumbers, electricians, etc. do it all the time. Aint free to come, is it? I suppose one could offer a free estimate, but what's wrong with getting a locksmith out and paying a lousy $14? Just had my house rekeyed. I would not expect to pay $14 for that. But the visit fee was taken off the total cost of about $60. Just because you don't like someone's practice does not mean they are a scam. The FTC? Come on. Really. Why would you not concentrate on free google maps anyway. Paul
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12-02-2011, 12:26 PM	#7
patrich HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 283 Thanks: 19 Thanked 97 Times in 62 Posts	Re: Competitors False Advertising. What to do? OP, sounds to me like you are looking for an easy way out of having any competition. They are not false advertising if they are coming out to assess the lock for the amount that they state in their ad. They aren't doing anything wrong. Having worked in maintenance for years, I would have been happy to only pay $14 for a service call, sounds like a great deal to me. Maybe instead of trying to find something wrong with their business approach, you should take a second look at your business and determine what you can do to compete better. edit: If they advertised the service for $14 then told you it they would charge more than that amount to look at the lock, I could understand the false advertising angle, not that it should matter to you anyhow, but they say services for $14, and when you call they tell you it is $14 to look at the lock, sounds legit to me. Btw, a $14 service fee is pretty good, wish they were in WA, I would be using them.

12-02-2011, 12:55 PM	#8
MikeFriedman Don't Drink and SEO War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: York, PA Posts: 2,009 Thanks: 207 Thanked 551 Times in 393 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Competitors False Advertising. What to do? Believe it or not, locksmiths are generally one of the dirtiest lines of business you will find online. Google has gone as far to not accept them in Google Places. You typically have to create citations and get the business noticed by Google on its own. Then you can go in and claim the listing. But if you try to create a Places listing, it will usually get rejected. I swore the term 'locksmiths' was banned in AdWords too, but maybe not.
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12-02-2011, 03:10 PM	#9
outwest Lovin Life War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: USA and Asia Posts: 2,690 Thanks: 118 Thanked 180 Times in 161 Posts	Re: Competitors False Advertising. What to do? I saw a "dateline NBC" type expose on locksmiths they rented a house and called bunch of "locksmiths" in many different cities my god the guys that showed up i was shocked what they did. Scammy does not even BEGIN to describe the stuff these guys tried to pull most of them , (front door need picking, owner forgot key) pulled out drills, and DRILLED the lock, basically ruining it, then proceeded to install a brand new doornob and lock and charge 500 dollars for it. I am not joking, one guy wanted 800 dollars. One guy took a crowbar and just took off the whole doornob with the lock. I think all these guys also charged `100 dollars for the basic service call, so you guys saying 14 dollars for a service call is a scam? cough cough by the way these locks could have been picked easily in about 30 seconds by REAL locksmiths. I dont even think these guys were locksmiths.