AI prompt: Locksmith after-hours callout — quote it so they say yes at midnight
It's late. Someone's locked out or their lock is broken after a break-in. You need to state your after-hours rate, callout fee, and likely total quickly and honestly — before they hang up and call a cheaper tradie who'll botch the job.
The prompt
You are a locksmith explaining after-hours callout pricing to a new customer. Situation: [brief description — e.g. 'locked out of home, 11pm', 'broken lock after a break-in, Saturday night']. Your suburb: [suburb]. After-hours callout fee: $[amount]. Labour rate: $[rate]/hour. Estimated time on site: [X] minutes. Likely parts: [e.g. deadlock cylinder] at approximately $[parts cost]. Write a clear verbal script or SMS (under 90 words) that: (1) Acknowledges the urgency in one line (2) States the expected total — callout, labour, and parts — in plain figures (3) Gives a realistic ETA as a range and tells them what to have ready when you arrive (4) Ends with one question: 'Want me to head over now?' Calm, reassuring, not salesy.
What you’ll get back
A clear 70–90 word script or text that states the likely total and ETA upfront — so the customer can say yes before you get in the van.
Tips for this one
- Give a total, not a rate card. 'Around $280 all up — callout, labour, and a replacement cylinder if needed' is cleaner than '$120 callout + $95/hour + parts TBC' — the second version makes customers anxious while you're still driving.
- Tell them what to have ready: proof of residence (a piece of mail or a rates notice) for residential jobs, or the agent's number for a rental. It prevents the delay conversation at the door.
- State your ETA as a range, not a single number. 'About 25–35 minutes' is honest and forgiven if you're 32 minutes; '20 minutes' that takes 38 generates a complaint before you've touched the lock.
- If it's a post-break-in call, add one line about staying somewhere well-lit or with a neighbour until you arrive. That safety note is the thing they tell their friends about — more memorable than the price.
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How to use this prompt safely
How should a locksmith use this prompt?
Paste the prompt into ChatGPT, Claude, or another AI assistant, then replace the bracketed details with your real after-hours callout quote context before sending it to a customer, lead, or team member.
What should I check before using the output?
Review names, dates, prices, commitments, and any policy-sensitive claims before publishing or sending the AI output. Treat the prompt as a working draft generator, not a final approval step.
Where can I find more locksmith prompts?
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