LOCKED OUT?
WHEN IS IT TIME
TO CALL A LOCKSMITH?
Keys, phone, wallet. We keep that mantra in the back of our mind as a reminder whenever we walk out the door. And we remember every time...until that one time...when...we totally forget. Oh no! Locked out! Suddenly realizing that you’re locked out ~ whether from your car, your home, or your business ~ it doesn’t matter whose fault it is, it’s never convenient and always unnerving, especially after hours. But there’s no reason to allow yourself to get upset. Don’t waste your valuable time!
First, call that trusted friend of yours who always keeps your spare key around for you. If you don’t already have a person like that, then you’ll have to go look for a door or window you’ve left open. Maybe you’ll get yourself right back in. But...if you’re not that fortunate, and you’re still stuck, read on.
Any place you’re stranded, particularly after dark, you may be worrying and wondering whether the help you need will ever arrive at all. But don’t waste your valuable time and energy. Should you actually entertain the idea of breaking a window, risking being mistaken for a robber? Of course not! Plan ahead, and you’ll avoid this whole scenario!
Before an emergency happens, find a dependable locksmith. The best thing for you to do is to locate a highly regarded locksmith before you need one! Do your homework in advance, and you’ll avoid getting overcharged or scammed.
Ask friends for their recommendations. Word of mouth from satisfied customers is the right way to go.
Find a responsible local locksmith company. If you can’t get a good recommendation from someone you trust, then do your research. Check the phone book, and search the Web.
Make a list of the potential locksmith companies in your area, with street addresses and phone numbers. Choose locksmiths that specialize in the services you need, and confirm that each address truly belongs to each locksmith. A disreputable company might give out a phony address, claiming it’s local when it really isn’t. So, using the Internet, be sure to match each street address with its phone number.
If a person answers your call with a basic greeting such as “locksmith services,” instead of the company name, then ask to know the legal name of the business. If that individual doesn’t give you a satisfying answer, then cross off that locksmith from your list. Note also: A perfectly good locksmith may decide not to include its street address, because the business is mobile, dispatching a professional locksmith who’s local to each customer. Therefore, if an address isn’t given, simply find out why.
You can also ask the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints exist. Consult your local consumer protection agency, too, as well as your state’s attorney general’s office.
Are you locked out of your vehicle? If you have a membership in a roadside assistance company, call it immediately. Roadside assistance organizations always keep a list of pre-approved subcontractors who are already known to be reliable for expertly performing standard services, such as unlocking your automobile, giving your car a jump, and so forth.
If you don’t belong to a roadside assistance organization, then find a conscientious automotive locksmith specialist, who possesses the expertise required to replace your car keys and car locks, to install a new ignition cylinder, to program your transponder “chip” key, and so on.
Request an estimate. Even if you find yourself in a lockout emergency, you should always ask for a written quote before you allow any work to begin. It ought to include parts, if any; labor; and extra fees, if applicable. A legitimate locksmith will tell you either a precise cost or ballpark estimate on the telephone. There could be a minimum charge; there may be an extra fee for after-hours work; and there might be a fee for mileage. Upon arrival, if the price the locksmith gives you doesn’t match the price you were told over the phone, then it’s thanks but no thanks.
Confirm the locksmith’s credentials. When the locksmith comes, ask for a business card, identification, and proof of license. The invoice should include the company name. Verify that the name on the locksmith’s vehicle is the same as what’s on the invoice and the business card. To follow correct security procedures, the locksmith must unquestionably authenticate your identity. Before any work can begin, you’ll be required to show your ID and prove that you’re the property owner ~ whether of your car, your home, or your commercial building.
Be skeptical of any locksmith’s claim that a lock has to be drilled or replaced in an emergency. An accomplished professional locksmith will bring the right tools, and be experienced enough to know that such extreme measures are probably excessive. A bona fide locksmith is absolutely qualified to unlock just about anything.
A prime locksmith is suitably insured, fully licensed, officially certified, appropriately bonded, and thoroughly background-checked. If your property were to be damaged during a service call, or if the locksmith were to perform unacceptable work, the locksmith must show proof of insurance. Accordingly, find out if there is a warranty.
When you do find a first-rate locksmith, keep that company’s information for your future reference ~ in your smart phone, on your fridge, in your wallet, and at the break room’s bulletin board at work. That way, you’ll always be able to get out of trouble if any problems come up with locks and keys ~ automotive, residential, or commercial.
Whether you seek a proficient locksmith in an emergency, or if you must hire a locksmith technician to work on a special project, you don’t want to hire just anyone when it comes to addressing problems with keys and locks. An exceptional locksmith will be happy to answer all your questions. If you’re anywhere in Schaumburg, Illinois, hire a reputable locksmith company, where staff mobile locksmiths work 24/7 to provide automotive, residential, commercial, and emergency locksmith solutions.