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Author Topic: gigolo-in-training primitive locked out of apartment  (Read 973 times)

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Offline franksolich

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gigolo-in-training primitive locked out of apartment
« on: August 02, 2009, 04:10:13 PM »
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6204567

This just breaking.

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armyowalgreens  (1000+ posts)      Sun Aug-02-09 05:02 PM
Original message
 
I NEED HELP: Keys to new house won't work and landlord is out of town...

My roommates picked up the keys yesterday. Apparently the rental agency made them in the office. The keys successfully opened the front door yesterday morning. But they haven't worked since. I'm thinking that the keys were made incorrectly.

One roommate called today and the landlord is in California. The office won't pick up the phone so I'm assuming they are closed for the weekend like normal.

I'm going to call the landlord right now.

How should I handle this? I've never rented a house before. I'm pretty pissed off, and I want them to fix it today or prorate us a days rent for every day that we can't get in.

Does that sound reasonable?

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ecstatic  (1000+ posts)        Sun Aug-02-09 05:05 PM
Response to Original message
 
1. Try the keys again. If they worked yesterday, they should still work today. Maybe twist the door knob in the opposite angle that you'd expect.

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armyowalgreens  (1000+ posts)      Sun Aug-02-09 05:06 PM
Response to Reply #1
 
3. I spent 30 minutes trying to get the door open last night.

We got the security door open but couldn't get the actual front door open.

No success with the back door either.

My roommate tried again this morning and the same thing happened.

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myrna minx  (1000+ posts)        Sun Aug-02-09 05:05 PM
Response to Original message
 
2. Do you have an emergency maintenance phone number? 

Do they have a website with an emergency pager/phone number? Does you lease have any emergency numbers listed? Pro rating the rent is completely reasonable.
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Offline franksolich

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Re: gigolo-in-training primitive locked out of apartment
« Reply #1 on: August 02, 2009, 04:38:14 PM »
Since this is still breaking, I thought I would check in on progress:

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armyowalgreens  (1000+ posts)      Sun Aug-02-09 05:08 PM
Response to Reply #2

6. There is no emergency number on the site.

There is a maintenance email and the numbers for the office and landlord.

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grasswire  (1000+ posts)      Sun Aug-02-09 05:07 PM
Response to Original message
 
4. sometimes.....

....a key will be just slightly off and you must tinker with it to make it work.

Try putting it in the lock without turning and then pull it back out just a tiny fraction. Then turn it. Sometimes that works.

The fact that it did work means it will work again if you just find the right spot to turn it.

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armyowalgreens  (1000+ posts)      Sun Aug-02-09 05:09 PM
Response to Reply #4
 
7. I tried that for 30 minutes last night. No success.

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sendero (1000+ posts)        Sun Aug-02-09 05:20 PM
Response to Reply #4
 
17. That's my advice,,

.. they are "cut" keys that are slightly off register. Try pushing them in extra hard or more likely pull them out just a tiny bit.

If they ever worked they are the "correct" keys.

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Skipperoo (24 posts)      Sun Aug-02-09 05:08 PM
Response to Original message
 
5. Call a locksmith. Pay the bill. Deduct it from the rent next month..

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hlthe2b  (1000+ posts)      Sun Aug-02-09 05:10 PM
Response to Reply #5
 
9. That's what I would do... (and get a letter from locksmith documenting) the problem with the existing key.

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timeforpeace (1000+ posts)      Sun Aug-02-09 05:09 PM
Response to Original message
 
8. Call me crazy, but since the rental agency rented the house AND made the keys...

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jannyk  (1000+ posts)      Sun Aug-02-09 05:10 PM
Response to Original message
 
10. Call a locksmith immediately...they'll get you in in a couple of minutes. you may have to wait an hour or so for them to arrive on a Sunday.

Sorry though...

<<How should I handle this? I've never rented a house before. I'm pretty pissed off, and I want them to fix it today or prorate us a days rent for every day that we can't get in. Does that sound reasonable?>>

....not really if the following is true

<<The keys successfully opened the front door yesterday morning. But they haven't worked since.>>

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rug  (1000+ posts)        Sun Aug-02-09 05:11 PM
Response to Original message
 
11. Call the Cambridge Police Department.

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armyowalgreens  (1000+ posts)      Sun Aug-02-09 05:12 PM
Response to Reply #11
 
13. I swear to god that's all I was thinking about last night as I fiddled with the lock...I looked like I was trying to break in.

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ohheckyeah  (814 posts)      Sun Aug-02-09 05:14 PM
Response to Reply #13
 
14. Is it a deadbolt lock?

If not the old credit card trick may work. Worked for me at a house I lived in.

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armyowalgreens  (1000+ posts)      Sun Aug-02-09 05:16 PM
Response to Reply #14
 
15. There is a deadbolt and a conventional knob lock.

I don't think I'm getting in unless I break shit.

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ohheckyeah  (814 posts)      Sun Aug-02-09 05:19 PM
Response to Reply #15
 
16. Well, that's a pain in the butt.

But it's actually good there is a deadbolt. I couldn't believe how easy it was to use a credit card to break into a knob lock. I thought that stuff just worked on t.v.

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ThirdWorldJohn (501 posts)      Sun Aug-02-09 05:21 PM
Response to Original message

18. Spray the lock with WD 40 or graphite and try again. If that does not work then 
get a fine file or finger nail file and lightly work it along the edges of the key.

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TheCowsCameHome  (1000+ posts)      Sun Aug-02-09 05:23 PM
Response to Original message
 
21. Is there only one entrance?

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MissB  (1000+ posts)        Sun Aug-02-09 05:23 PM
Response to Original message
 
22. Is it a compression lock?

We have those on our main doors. You could turn the key all day long, but if you don't pull the latch towards you at the end, it'll never open.
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Offline JohnnyReb

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Re: gigolo-in-training primitive locked out of apartment
« Reply #2 on: August 02, 2009, 04:48:01 PM »
Knowing how DUmmies like drugs.....are you on the right street? Do you have the right house number? Are you even in the right town/city. Are you in this world?
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Offline GOBUCKS

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Re: gigolo-in-training primitive locked out of apartment
« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2009, 04:49:04 PM »
This may be another of those DUmmy tales with important details omitted.
I'm sure it's not unusual for DUmmies to discover their apartment key no longer works.
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Offline Ralph Wiggum

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Re: gigolo-in-training primitive locked out of apartment
« Reply #4 on: August 02, 2009, 04:51:54 PM »
And this DUmmy felt they had to find internet access immediately to tell his/her/its fellow DUmmies rather than solve the problem? :mental:
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Offline franksolich

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Re: gigolo-in-training primitive locked out of apartment
« Reply #5 on: August 02, 2009, 04:53:56 PM »
Quote from: Ralph Wiggum on August 02, 2009, 04:51:54 PM
And this DUmmy felt they had to find internet access immediately to tell his/her/its fellow DUmmies rather than solve the problem? :mental:

He's probably spending the day with his ill mother, which is where he should be anyway, instead of having his own place with roommates likely to take advantage of him.  One suspects there's a story behind the roommates.
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Offline lastparker

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Re: gigolo-in-training primitive locked out of apartment
« Reply #6 on: August 02, 2009, 05:45:49 PM »
I love this site, I really do.  Everyone here has given me insight, or a new perspective, and usually a good laugh.  But this is the LAST place I'd come for help if I were locked out of my house.

Because I'm not stupid.  I mean, really.  What can any of you do for me?

Sheesh.
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Offline thundley4

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Re: gigolo-in-training primitive locked out of apartment
« Reply #7 on: August 02, 2009, 07:02:24 PM »
The DUmmies should have tried spraying a little WD-40 on the key or in the lock.
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Offline Gwitness

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Re: gigolo-in-training primitive locked out of apartment
« Reply #8 on: August 02, 2009, 07:10:50 PM »
sounds like one of the tumblers got stuck....WD-40 tends to gum 'em up even more...dry graphite lube is the stuff to use.   and tapping the lock cylinder lightly with a hammer helps unstick the tumblers.
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Offline thundley4

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Re: gigolo-in-training primitive locked out of apartment
« Reply #9 on: August 02, 2009, 07:13:01 PM »
Quote from: Gwitness on August 02, 2009, 07:10:50 PM
sounds like one of the tumblers got stuck....WD-40 tends to gum 'em up even more...dry graphite lube is the stuff to use.   and tapping the lock cylinder lightly with a hammer helps unstick the tumblers.

I didn't think about the graphite, good idea. OTOH most people have some WD-40, but not everyone has dry graphite.  I do have a small tube in a tool box in the car.
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Offline crockspot

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Re: gigolo-in-training primitive locked out of apartment
« Reply #10 on: August 02, 2009, 07:49:07 PM »
I suggest that this DUmmy contact a certain Harvard professor, and his driver, to come get the door open for him.
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Offline Traveshamockery

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Re: gigolo-in-training primitive locked out of apartment
« Reply #11 on: August 02, 2009, 07:53:09 PM »
Is this dummie black 'cuz if a white police officer comes, he might be able to get himself arrested and get invite to the white house for some wussy beer. 

Seriously, is this a grown man?   
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Offline Karin

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Re: gigolo-in-training primitive locked out of apartment
« Reply #12 on: August 03, 2009, 08:30:44 AM »
Seriously, Lastparker.  This guy has a pressing, immediate problem that needs solving.  So he logs onto a forum of far-flung dimbulbs like himself and announces he need help?  WTF? 
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Offline AllosaursRus

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Re: gigolo-in-training primitive locked out of apartment
« Reply #13 on: August 03, 2009, 10:30:44 AM »
Quote
I'm thinking that the keys were made incorrectly.

Bwahahahahahahahaha! Ya think, DUmbass? For cryin' out loud, how hard can it be to break into one's own house? This asshat wants to charge his landlord for the days he's to stupid to get into his OWN house! I think you're right, Coach, it needs to stay at home with mommy!
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Offline The Village Idiot

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Re: gigolo-in-training primitive locked out of apartment
« Reply #14 on: August 03, 2009, 11:00:21 AM »
Quote from: lastparker on August 02, 2009, 05:45:49 PM
I love this site, I really do.  Everyone here has given me insight, or a new perspective, and usually a good laugh.  But this is the LAST place I'd come for help if I were locked out of my house.

Because I'm not stupid.  I mean, really.  What can any of you do for me?

Sheesh.

we could try and demotivate you with 'posters'....


ALLO- Yep. Take it off the rent, for a days worth of stupid.... I wonder if the key is upside down?
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Offline thundley4

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Re: gigolo-in-training primitive locked out of apartment
« Reply #15 on: August 03, 2009, 11:17:36 AM »
Quote from: AllosaursRus on August 03, 2009, 10:30:44 AM
Bwahahahahahahahaha! Ya think, DUmbass? For cryin' out loud, how hard can it be to break into one's own house? This asshat wants to charge his landlord for the days he's to stupid to get into his OWN house! I think you're right, Coach, it needs to stay at home with mommy!

Maybe the lock was made wrong?  :hyper:
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