Very few things fill you with as much dread as realizing that you have locked yourself out of your home, car, or business. While locksmiths are available to help get your day back on track, specific tips and advice are essential to consider when working with these individuals. Hopefully, the following information will help you understand how to proceed in what can be a very stressful situation.
If you are locked outside of your home, don’t listen if you have a locksmith suggesting replacing the right lock upfront. A good locksmith can open the door without putting on a new lock. Lock replacement is an extra expense that you don’t need.
Before you hang up the phone with a locksmith, tell them you want a written and signed estimate before they start the job. Anyone who hesitates is looking to make a few quick bucks. You should also get a receipt after all of the work has been done.
The best way to find the most reliable locksmith is usually word of mouth. Start asking your friends and family whom they trust when you need one. Check with the local BBB or other agency that will provide information about reputations. Don’t just trust anyone with the keys to your home!
When checking the credentials of any potential locksmith, don’t forget about a possible alias or another name under which they might have operated. While not everyone will reveal this information, it should be readily available online and elsewhere. While a name change isn’t always a bad sign, it’s something you should know about when searching!
Most legitimate locksmiths will arrive in a service vehicle. If the locksmith does not come in a service vehicle, you should take extra care to ensure that he is not a scam artist. Ask for identification before allowing him to begin. This identification should include a pocket license along with business cards.
You want to hire a locksmith that is active and engaged in his profession. It helps to ensure that you have a true professional working on your locks. It can also help you avoid poor locksmiths that take you for all you’ve got!
Contact the Better Business Bureau before hiring a locksmith to ensure that they have not had many complaints. While there is nothing abnormal about having a couple, a pattern shows that this person is unreliable. Knowing this before trusting them to help you with a lock is best.
Check the reviews of locksmiths on the web. Many reputable review websites can be found online. Make sure a particular locksmith does not run review websites. It would be best if you also referred to the BBB when you hire a locksmith.
Before you hire a local locksmith, check your local laws. Many states have regulations to protect consumers from fraud and sub-par work. For instance, California mandates licensing. Know how the rules in your area are set up to protect you, and make sure that they do! You’ve got too much at stake not to.
Be sure to check the identification of any locksmith you plan to hire. Ask them while they’re on the phone and say that you’re expecting someone that’s a professional to identify who they are. Good professionals should appear in uniform, but an I.D. must be present before hiring them.
Once you have hired a locksmith to come out and help you with home locks, ask them if they can give you a safety assessment. Most locksmiths do not mind walking around your property and letting you know what security measures need to be made to keep your home secure.
Beware locksmiths who answer the phone with a general phrase, such as “locksmith services.” If they don’t provide a company name or location, they may subcontract local locksmiths, meaning you have no control over the quality of the person who shows up. Look for a company that is local and mentions its name.
You won’t do any harm if you search online for the name of someone that you’re calling for locksmith services. Don’t be embarrassed by this since it can protect you better than a few locks can. If you can find something out about the wrong person, you should try to contact someone else.
Check the license of any locksmith who comes to your home. Be sure to verify that they are the person listed on the permit. Some unsavory types will share one license between everyone in the company, hoping no one will check it. You know better, so check it against their photo I.D.
Steer clear of any locksmith who uses a generic name for their services. Look for a reputable company with a brand name attached. Those generic companies are more likely to be scams, so it’s best to avoid them altogether. Plus, it helps you narrow down the best choice in your area.
Before moving forward with a locksmith, check the person’s I.D. You want to make sure the person who arrived is the correct person you spoke with on the phone. This is for your security. Plus, there are quite a few states that require licensing for locksmiths. You can be doubly safe and request to see that as well.
Trade organizations are a great way to find local locksmiths you can consider. For example, the Associated Locksmiths of America will provide you with a list of locksmiths in your area. While they can’t all be guaranteed to be high quality, it gives you a list to start your research with.
Conclusion:
Locking yourself out is not fun. Help make an already tricky situation better by following the tips above. They should assist you in finding and working with a competent, professional locksmith that can help with your problem and allow you to continue with your business.
