Repair of lock on home safe

[davek_964]

We have a Chubbsafe home safe - it's a little over 2 years old. About a month ago, it refused to unlock one evening - took several attempts. It was OK for a few weeks, but last week refused to open for about 20 mins. Sometimes it will open fine now, sometimes repeated attempts will fail (hence, it's currently open).

It's an electronic keypad (no backup key option). It behaves as if the battery isn't managing to release the latch in the lock - but a new battery does not solve the problem. I assume it needs a new locking mechanism or maybe the existing one needs opening up and lubricating somehow.
Replacing it isn't really something I want to do - it's bolted to the floor, and was about £1,500 two years ago so having to pay that again seems a bit excessive.

Finding somebody to look at it is proving to be much harder than expected. "InSafe" seem to be the place to go - I've called a few local places, and they all say "no, we don't repair safe's - call InSafe". By chance, that's who I called first - their initial helpdesk was very responsive - then they passed it to the "technical team" who simply don't contact me. I chase them, they either ignore me or say somebody will get back to me - and nobody does.

I tried Timpsons - who advertise on their webpage that they fix safes. The lady who answered the phone sounded a bit clueless - but told me to mail them a picture of my safe. I didn't really understand how that helps them quote - if my car breaks down, sending a photo of it to a mechanic isn't going to get me a sensible diagnosis or quote......... and they haven't got back to me either.

Has anybody managed to get a safe repaired - and if so, who did you use? I thought it would be much simpler than this.

[netherfield]

Have you contacted Chubb for their advice, surely that's the first place to go.

[ColinM50]

Since you've only had it two years, it's still covered under the Consumer Rights Act so I'd go back to the original supplier and see what they say. No doubt they'll start with "no sorry it's out of guarantee" but that borax. You have much longer period of guarantee than they'll easily admit. Just be firm and tell them you know your rights and quote the CRA to them

[Somebody]

These are in no particular order:

Will Kelly
SAFE BUSTERS
Canons Road
Ware
SG12 0BT
Tel: [phone]
Website: https://www.safebusters.co.uk


Dave Neafsey
SAFE CRACKER LTD
16 Thele Avenue
Stanstead Abbotts
SG12 8JB
Tel: [phone]
Website: https://www.safe-cracker.co.uk


John Drake
Elite Safe and Security Service Engineers
Maenan
Church Lane
Hardwicke
Covers Gloucestershire
GL2 2RP
Tel: [phone]
No website.

Alan Morgan
Alan Morgan Master Locksmiths
Unit 18
8 Bessell Lane
Stapleford
Nottingham
Covers Nottinghamshire
NG9 7BX
Tel: [phone]
Website: https://www.alanmorganmasterlocksmiths.co.uk

Jason Jones
Key Elements
Colchester
Covers Essex
Tel: [phone]
Website: https://www.kelocks.co.uk

Lee Brookes
Brooks & Daughters Safe Engineers
53 Whatley Avenue
Merton Park
Covers Surrey
SW20 9NR
Tel: [phone]
Website: https://opensafes.com