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Key broke off in the front door lock at 7am and I wanted to cry
I was running late for a showing this morning, coffee in one hand, keys in the other. Went to unlock the door of a rental property and the key just snapped off inside the deadbolt. Stuck halfway turned. Couldn't get in, couldn't pull the broken piece out with pliers either. Had to call a locksmith who showed up an hour later and charged me $180 to drill it out and replace the cylinder. The tenant was standing there in their bathrobe watching the whole thing. Now I'm waiting for the landlord to reimburse me but I know that'll take two weeks minimum. Has anyone else had a key fail like that on a common Schlage lock?
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ellis.faith8d ago
Dropped my keys in a puddle of melted snow while trying to pick the broken piece out with a bobby pin. Took forever and I just looked like some idiot trying to break into their own car. Locksmith dude even asked if I had a warrant out.
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wood.eric8d ago
Bobby pin or coat hanger, modern cars have steering column locks for a reason.
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Did you try tapping it with a hammer to break it loose like @wood.eric suggested for cars? That would've been a real show with the tenant watching from the doorway.
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