Why should I hire a locksmith instead of just doing the job on my own? The fact is that a locksmith knows exactly what they’re doing, meaning they’ll get the job done right. If you do it yourself, you may end up hiring them to fix what you did wrong. For tips and tricks on hiring a locksmith, read on.
If you have just moved into a new place, you should call a locksmith and have them change the locks right away. Even if the former owners seem trustworthy, you don’t want someone walking around with keys to your home. The price of a lock is small compared to the need for safety for you and your family.
If you are locked out of your vehicle at a bar or a gentleman’s club, give the locksmith you call the impression that you work there. Many times a locksmith will give you a higher quote if they assume you have been spending money. Being a little dishonest can save you some extra cash.
You want to hire a locksmith that is active and engaged in his profession. It’s not a must, but being a part of trade organizations keeps him current on changes to the field. This will also help ensure that he isn’t some moonlighter who isn’t concerned about the job.
Do not hesitate to call a locksmith in the event you need duplicate keys for your vehicle. Most auto dealers will give you the idea that they are the only ones authorized to do this. They say this in order to guarantee you will hire them in your time of need.
You should do your research and have the name of a reliable locksmith on you at all times. Look for online reviews and get recommendations from people you know. You want to know that you are not being taken advantage of if and when you are in an emergency situation.
You can avoid extra fees by contacting a locksmith during normal business hours. After hours, their fees go way up. The after hours fees can often be double the fees charged during normal business hours.
Check the BBB to find the claims against your potential locksmiths. This will let you access a locksmith’s trustworthiness.
Always ask your locksmith for professional identification before you let him into your home. It’s all too easy to advertize as a locksmith when you really are not one. Also, be careful where you find yours. While there are many reputable businesses on places like Craigslist, you really never know!
If time allows, search the web on the locksmith whom you are planning to call. There are a lot of websites with reviews that you can find if you just look. When you find reviews, make sure that they are not from the website of a locksmith. You should also check to see if the locksmith you are considering has a good record with the Better Business Beureau.
Of course you want to save money on your locksmithing services, but you don’t actually want to do business with someone too cheap. Sometimes this means that the person is not qualified to do the job they have been hired for. Get several quotes, toss out the highest and lowest, then hire one of the modest ones.
Beware locksmiths who answer the phone with a general phrase, such as “locksmith services”. If they don’t provide a company name or location, they may actually subcontract local locksmiths, meaning you have no control over the quality of the person who shows up. Look for a company which is local and mentions their name.
When the locksmith arrives on-site, make sure that the price matches the price you received on the phone. If the two prices do not match, do not let them work on your car or home. There are a variety of reasons the two prices do not match, most of them are not good.
If you are hiring an auto locksmith, check their insurance before they begin any work. You want to make sure that there is something to safeguard you in case there is damage to your car. Make sure that they prove the insurance is current since it is not uncommon to be provided with an expired policy number.
Make sure the price you are quoted for a locksmith job is inclusive and detailed. Ask them if this cost includes tax. Are you eligible for discounts? Does the locksmith charge fees for mileage or service after hours? Ask for the total you will actually be charged.
Get a written estimate before you allow any work to be done. If you are locked out, you should be able to get an estimate over the phone. Be sure to ask them about any additional fees before you agree to hiring them so that you don’t end up with a huge surprise bill once the work is done.
Ask to see their identification and license when a locksmith arrives. Compare the ID to the locksmith to make sure it’s the right one. Not every state requires locksmiths to be licensed, but most good locksmiths will have one.
If you have a really bad experience with a locksmith, be sure to contact the Federal Trade Commission. They will not pursue a refund for you, but they may take action against the company if they receive many complaints. This is one way really bad companies can be shut down for good.
Ask about what happens to your property once the locksmith is finished. For instance, have they copied your key and kept it with your address? This could be a major issue if the wrong person accessed your file. Be sure you figure these things out before anything is done for you.
Ask if the locksmith has a set fee for common jobs. If so, you probably want this locksmith. If they are hard to get a hold of about all of this, another company should be contacted.
Finding reliable and affordable help in any profession is very challenging these days. Hopefully the information in this article will make the task of finding a good locksmith much easier. Keep this info in mind as you search, and make sure you find a good locksmith long before the need arises for one!
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