If you asked someone you knew about who a good locksmith is, they may just look at you strangely and not have any kind of an answer. This is mainly because most people don’t prepare for key and lock emergencies! You can be different, though. Keep reading to learn how to find the perfect locksmith.
Be on the alert for locksmiths who provide estimates only to raise them significantly later on. This is usually a ploy to bilk money from someone in desperation. If they give no good reason for the price increase, look for another locksmith. It is a competitive business.
Don’t think that the locksmith’s offer to change the lock on your house is always necessary when you lock yourself out. A locksmith that knows what they are doing will not need to change the lock. If you change the lock, you will spend more money than you need to.
You want to be sure that you get a receipt once you pay a locksmith. Though the majority of locksmiths can be trusted, some do try to scam customers. This is why you should have proof that you paid for the services in full. Make sure you store your receipt somewhere secure in the event that a payment issue pops up later.
When you paint your house, make sure you cover any locks prior to painting the doors. If paint gets inside the lock, your key won’t work, and you’re going to have to call on a locksmith for help. Covering every lock takes some time, but not as much time as it takes to replace all your locks.
Check with the BBB to make sure that a locksmith is reliable. This tells you whether or not you have found a scammer. Checking the ALOA website gives you more information about a locksmith’s validity.
Research a locksmith before you hire one. You want to make sure that you are not hiring anyone that is not working in your best interest. Be careful, there are people out there who will scam you and make unauthorized key duplicates.
When a locksmith raises the quote on arrival, ask them to leave. You need to hire someone who is honest.
Even if you think you will never need the services of a locksmith, it is best to be prepared. Look for reviews on local locksmiths on the web; it is advisable to do this before an emergency occurs. Once you find a good locksmith, keep their number in your address book or saved to your cell phone for future use.
Research any locksmith you consider using. There are a great number of consumer sites where you can find honest reviews. When picking out a website for reviews, be sure it’s not the website of that locksmith. Finally, contact your Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against the locksmith.
If you’re unsure about the reliability of a particular locksmith, you need to look them up on the website of the Better Business Bureau. Another great place to determine the legitimacy of the locksmith is to check with the organization that specializes in verifying them, and that is ALOA.org.
Be sure that the locksmiths you try to hire will show you an ID prior to you making your appointment. Be clear that you will require ID from them prior to any work being done. Most good professionals wear uniforms as well, but at minimum a valid ID should be presented.
Search the web before selecting a locksmith. You can find many reputable websites that provide reviews online. When selecting a website to use, be sure it is unaffiliated with locksmith companies. In addition, check with the local BBB office before you hire a locksmith.
While you may want to get a great deal, you want to avoid a locksmith who charges very little. Sometimes this means that the person is not qualified to do the job they have been hired for. Get a few different quotes and get rid of the lowest and highest. Then you should hire one that’s the most modest.
Although saving money is always a goal, do not hire a locksmith whose price seems to good to be true. This can mean that the person isn’t qualified to do what they’re hired to do. Get a few different quotes and get rid of the lowest and highest. Then you should hire one that’s the most modest.
Look for your locksmith well in advance of needing them. Waiting for an emergency to call one will really limit your choices. If you call only in an emergency, you may end up with an unethical locksmith who has the keys to your house.
The net is a great resource for finding a locksmith. You will find that people love going online and sharing their experiences. The types of reviews tell you about the locksmith. The point is that reviews can help people decide whom to hire and not to hire.
Ask any locksmith you are considering how long they’ve been in business. If it’s been quite a while, they are likely reliable. You shouldn’t automatically distrust a new locksmith, but do know that not having many years of experience is a caution flag.
Don’t hire a locksmith that charges for making an appearance. This is not something most locksmiths will do, so it’s a sure sign that the person you are dealing with is a scam. Should you ask them to leave, for whatever reason, contact the police should they demand payment.
Shop around. Call a few to get a feel for the options available. This will go a long way to helping to familiarize yourself with what the market price is for locksmith work. With this knowledge, you can be more sure that your locksmith is charging fairly.
If you call a locksmith during non-business hours, they will likely charge more. Sometimes this will increase the amount of money that you must pay. You can avoid having to deal with this type of price gouging by getting quotes from more than one locksmith.
Before trusting a locksmith with your keys, ask for a referral list of their customers. Reputable businesses never balk at providing references, you simply need to follow up and call them. Knowing how dependable the locksmith will be and how much he or she will charge is very helpful.
As soon as your locksmith arrives, ask him for a license and identification. Look at the two to be sure the locksmith is who they say they are. While many states don’t require licensing, good locksmiths should have one anyway.
When you need a locksmith, check the Internet. Most people go online and make customer reports. Every review counts, good or bad. These reviews can come in handy when you are looking to hire a locksmith.
Be aware that your home access is being given to a company or person that is able to pick locks. If you feel uncomfortable with them, don’t hire them. It is often a good idea to meet the locksmith at their workplace prior to deciding to hire them.
If a locksmith charges you for just coming to your house, do not use him. This is something that not a lot of locksmiths are going to be able to do, so you should know this person is probably trying to scam you. If you end up asking them to leave, such as when they are unlicensed, call the police if they tell you to pay up.
How long has the locksmith been in business? If a prospective locksmith is new in the area, see if they can provide references. Then do an Internet search to find reviews about them.
When a locksmith gives you a quote, make sure you ask him about additional costs. Is tax included in the estimate? Are any kind of discounts available? Any other fees? Know the real total before you sign anything.
Know what the locksmith is keeping. Does the locksmith retain a copy of any of your keys as well as your address? Should the wrong person get these things, big problems can occur. Be sure you figure these things out before anything is done for you.
Emergencies will cost you more with a locksmith. Certain people use this to their advantage and charge unreasonable rates. Avoid this scenario by getting a quote from several locksmiths.
Make sure to confirm the price you will pay at all times. If the lock has been damaged, it may require extra work on the part of the locksmith. Beware of scammers though if the on-site price is hiked up way over the original quote.
Do not forget that you are providing access to your abode to someone who has the ability to pick locks. If the locksmith makes you feel uncomfortable, do not hire them. That’s why you need to visit them at their business ahead of time.
When choosing a locksmith, find one who offers after-hour services. Emergencies are unpredictable by nature, and knowing which locksmith to use in a pinch is critical to your sense of calm. Ask them what they charge for their services. You may have to pay more because you are dealing with emergencies.
You want a locksmith that has a long-standing good reputation. If they haven’t been around for at least several years, find out where they last worked and call to see what type of employee they were. Do a Google search on their name and previous location, and see if any reviews are available.
Most people don’t know a good locksmith unless they really needed one in an emergency. The main thing that’s not good about this is that the services may cost you a lot and won’t be the best. Use this advice to be sure you are properly prepared. You are sure to be happy that you did.
Figure out what the company retains when work is completed. Will they be filing away a second copy of your house key and your address? It would be terrible if the wrong people got access to that! Learn about what they keep before you hire them.
