Do Your Due Diligence

Have you ever been locked out of your car or home? Either you can’t find your car keys or you locked yourself from home. First thoughts are typically to turn to friends and family for help or perhaps a group of spare keys, but this may not work out. Next steps are to get hold of a locksmith in your town. However, before sealing the deal with the locksmith business, it is advisable to consider the reliability and honesty of the company. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the country’s consumer protection agency, has uncovered that some locksmith companies may advertise in your local telephone book, but might not be local at all. Worst, these ‘technicians’ may not have qualified professional training at all and may cause further harm to your property.

Check Locksmith Locality

This has been noted and reported by the FTC in the past: An organization not located in your area has a name for its business that is similar to the name of other local locksmiths in the area. This company advertises in the yellow pages and online directories utilizing a local address and phone number. However, in actuality, there is absolutely no store front and the neighborhood number is transferred to a place far from your local town. Then, you might not get a quote for the locksmith service or given a false quote. When the locksmith arrives, he might want more money and you also feel pressured and stuck. If the locksmith only accepts cash, that’s also a sign that the business is not a geniune local locksmith.

Sometimes you can detect these falsely “local locksmiths” because they may have multiple listings – sometimes over 30 listings in one phone number. All these listings are under different names, however the phone numbers are directed to an individual central call center. There, operators, who will not be trained individuals, are sent to your location.

How to Best Choose a Locksmith Company

You can find reliable and honest local locksmith companies on the market. The best piece of advice is to research your facts and due diligence before you find yourself locked out or in an emergency locksmith situation. Perhaps more info are thinking about increasing your security by installing deadbolt locks, changing locks and door keys, and even installing a home alarm system. This is an excellent time to sit down in front of the computer and research different companies. Be sure you read reviews, be sure they have a local address and phone number, and compare quotes on the phone. Additionally, reach out to co-workers, family, and friends for just about any personal recommendations they may have.

Once you’ve found an established locksmith, keep carefully the company’s contact information in a safe place such as your wallet, phone, or address book. This may save you time, anxiety, and profit the future.

Strategies for Emergency Locksmith Situations

Of course, in case you are dealing with a crisis locksmith situation such as for example being locked from your car, home, or office, you don’t have the same luxury of sitting in front of the computer and thoroughly checking the legitimacy of the locksmith companies. Below are a few tips for such scenarios:

If you’re locked out of your car and have a roadside assistance service call them before a locksmith. Often, these lock out services are contained in the membership or even though the car dealership or insurance provider depending on when you bought the car.

If a company answers the phone with a generic phrase like “locksmith services,” rather than company-specific name, be on your guard. Ask for the legal name of the business. If the client representative does not give a remedy, call another locksmith.

Get an estimate for all work and replacement parts from the locksmith before work begins.

Ask about additional fees before you agree to have the technician arrived at where you are. Companies may charge extra for giving an answer to a call in the center of the night or for driving long distance. Ask when there is a fee for mileage, or a minimum fee for a service call.

Never sign a blank form authorizing work.

If the price chosen over the phone will not correspond to the price of the work when the technician arrives, don’t allow any work to be achieved.

Ask if the locksmith is insured. If your property is damaged during the work, it’s important for the locksmith to have insurance to cover your losses.

It is very important note that 9 states require locksmiths to be licensed: Alabama, California, Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. The technicians in these states will be able to provide their license number.