HOW TO FIND A GOOD LOCKSMITH
Look for a locksmith before an emergency happens. The best way to find a trustworthy and legitimate local locksmith is to look before you need one. Do you want to enhance the security of your home or business? Perhaps you want to upgrade your locks to deadbolts, get bump-proof locks, or a keypad. It could be time to change all your locks for any number of reasons. Maybe it’s time to augment your security with an anchored safe, a smart key system, video surveillance, or an intercom system. Whatever the case may be, you need to do your homework to avoid getting scammed or overcharged.
Ask family, friends, and colleagues for their recommendations. Word of mouth from a satisfied customer is always your best bet.
Start with the usual method. Look for a local locksmith company in the phone book or on the Internet, or call directory assistance. If you have the business address, verify that the address actually belongs to that locksmith. Sometimes a disreputable company will list a street address, saying it’s local when it’s really not. You can match phone numbers with street addresses using the Web. If someone answers the phone with a generic greeting such as “locksmith services,” rather than an actual company name, be on your guard. Ask for the legal name of the business, and if the person refuses, call another locksmith.
It’s important to investigate carefully, because some perfectly legitimate locksmith companies simply may not include a street address in their listing because they operate a mobile business in order to dispatch one of their professional locksmiths who is local to you. Just be sure that when you call a locksmith without an address listed that you ask why there’s no address given.
Write down all the names of the potential locksmith companies you find, with their phone numbers and addresses for future reference, in case you don’t want to choose the first locksmith you call. Keep track of which locksmiths specialize in the services you’re seeking.
Remember that you can also check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints on file. You can also consult your local consumer protection agency and your state’s attorney general’s office.
In an emergency, such as being locked out of your car, you should call your roadside assistance service first, if you have one. Roadside assistance companies usually keep their own list of pre-approved reliable companies that they regularly subcontract with to send to you to perform standard services such as unlocking your vehicle, giving you a jump, etc., so if you’ve relied on this service before, you already know you can count on them to do exactly what you need.
Otherwise, look for a locksmith company that specializes in automotive lockouts and other automotive challenges such as replacing your car keys, programming transponder keys, installing a new ignition cylinder, and so forth.
Get a formal estimate first. No matter what the job will be ~ emergency or routine ~ always make sure before any work begins that you get a written estimate that includes all the parts, labor, and fees. If you’re locked out ~ of your home, your car, or your business ~ a legitimate locksmith will give you a ballpark estimate over the phone for the total cost of the work. Then, press for information about any additional charges before you hire the locksmith to do the work. There may be a minimum fee; extra fees for responding to a call after hours; a mileage charge; etc. If the price the locksmith gives you upon arrival doesn’t match up with the estimate you got by phone, say thanks but no thanks.
Check the locksmith’s credentials. When the locksmith arrives, ask for identification, as well as a business card, and license. Make sure the locksmith’s invoice includes the company’s name, and confirm that the locksmith’s vehicle has a name on it that matches the business card and the invoice. For security purposes, the locksmith must ask you for your identification, too. A legitimate locksmith will verify your identity and make sure that you’re actually the genuine property owner prior to doing any work, whether it pertains to your vehicle, home, or business.
You’ll want to be sure the locksmith is a true professional ~ fully insured, properly licensed, appropriately bonded, and thoroughly background-checked. If your property were to be damaged during a service call, or if you were to see that the locksmith has done faulty work, the locksmith must have insurance to cover your losses. Depending on the service provided, the job may be backed by a warranty.
If you’re locked out, be doubtful of any locksmith’s claim that you’re going to have to drill or replace the lock. An expert locksmith who is legitimate will undoubtedly carry the right tools, and possess the depth of experience to know that such drastic moves aren’t necessary. An accomplished professional locksmith can unlock almost anything.
Once you’ve found a reputable locksmith, and you’ve had a good experience, keep that company’s name on hand for future reference ~ in your wallet, on the fridge, on the bulletin board at work, etc., so you’ll always be able to get yourself out of trouble whenever problems with locks and keys arise. Whether you need a locksmith for a one-time job, or you want to hire a dependable professional to work on an ongoing basis, of course you’ll want that person to be totally reliable. Whether it’s a locksmith service pertaining to your residence, automobile, or place of business, you certainly don’t want to allow access to just anyone when it comes to resolving issues with keys and locks.
If you’re not in a crisis with keys and locks at the moment, now’s the time to find the right locksmith! The best locksmiths will offer to give you a FREE consultation, so it doesn’t hurt to request one. Bring all your questions to the experts.