You may not be able to rely on friends or family for locksmith referrals, as you likely do when seeking out professionals in other trades. Many people aren’t prepared for these key and lock emergencies. You can be different, though. Read on for suggestions for how to hire a locksmith that will fill your needs.
When a locksmith is replacing a lock for you, make sure that they are using a new one that is in a sealed package. It is the only way to be sure that they haven’t made a duplicate. If they do, this means that they can gain access to your home whenever they like.
When you call a locksmith company, pay attention to how they answer the phone. You want to hear the company’s name. If they do not provide one, ask them for it. If you get the run around, and the name is not given, move on to someone else. They could be running a scam.
Many locksmiths will quote you a price over the phone. If they get to your location and change their mind, do not continue working with them. They are simply trying to take advantage of the situation, and you should be wary. There are a number of locksmiths in any given area, so do not feel trapped into using someone that you aren’t comfortable with.
Pay attention to the car the locksmith is driving. It should be adorned with his or her business slogan. If the locksmith arrives in an unmarked vehicle, it is probably best to look for someone else. The locksmith that you called may not be legitimate and may try to scam you.
When a locksmith arrives to help you, ask them if you can see a photo ID. You want to make sure that this person is who they say they are. Some states require locksmiths to have a license. If you are in one of those states, you should ask to see that as well.
You want to be sure that you get a receipt once you pay a locksmith. Most locksmiths are of course honest, but there are scam artists out there. Always make sure that the receipt you get states that the job is complete and everything is paid in full. Place your receipt somewhere safe in case a dispute should arise.
You don’t have to pay all the extra fees if you get a locksmith you can talk to during business hours that are normal. Calling a locksmith after normal business hours can cost extra. If you were to lock yourself out of the car, a basic service can cost you about $50, but you can expect to pay twice that after hours.
Usually, a person is not familiar with a great locksmith until they are in desperate need of one. Unfortunately, that leaves you open to a number of scams. Learn as much as you can, and prepare yourself by using the suggestions from this article. You’ll thank yourself later.
