AI prompt: Locksmith emergency callout quote — state the price before you arrive
You have taken an emergency lockout call. Before you arrive, you need to confirm your ETA and the likely cost so the customer can make an informed decision — and so you have a written record of what was communicated before the job started.
The prompt
You are a licensed locksmith writing a pre-arrival quote message to [customer name] who is locked out of [property type — e.g., 'a residential home with a double deadbolt, Lockwood 570 series']. Time of call: [time]. Your estimated arrival: [ETA — e.g., 'within 35 minutes']. Service required: [what you will likely do — e.g., 'non-destructive entry using pick tools, re-key the cylinder after entry']. Emergency callout fee: $[fee]. Estimated total cost including labour and parts: $[range — e.g., '$180–$250 depending on lock condition']. Proof of residence required: [yes or no — e.g., 'government-issued ID showing the address']. Write a text message or short email under 110 words that confirms arrival time, states the price range and what it covers, mentions proof of residence if required, and offers a one-word reply to confirm.
What you’ll get back
A 90–110 word text or email the customer reads before you arrive, confirming ETA and price range clearly — so the cost conversation is settled before the job begins.
Tips for this one
- Always state the price range before you arrive. The sticker-shock moment at the door — when the customer is already inside their home — is when most locksmith price disputes start.
- Mention proof of residence upfront in the message. It is a professional standard, not an accusation, and customers who have ID ready appreciate the clear expectation over being surprised at the door.
- Specify what the price covers — 'non-destructive entry plus re-key' — so the customer understands they are paying for a defined service, not an open-ended hourly rate.
- Send a service receipt by text or email within the hour after finishing the job. Emergency callouts without receipts are the most common source of 'I never agreed to that price' disputes.
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