Many people don’t think about who to call in an emergency until it is necessary to hire one. You probably know that 911 is the number for emergencies, but do you know who to call if you get locked out of your house?
Locked outside the house? Don’t just replace that lock right away. A locksmith that knows what they are doing will not need for a replacement of the lock. Replacing your lock will just end up unnecessarily costing you more money.
Be sure you’re able to research the locksmith of your choice before you hire them for any work. You need a professional that will help to guard you, not scam you. There are scammers out there and people who will make unauthorized duplicates, so be careful.
You need to be sure that the person you hire is working for your best interest and not their own. There are certainly unscrupulous players out there who will copy your money.
Get a receipt for the services are paid. That is why you need proof that you paid for the services in full. Keep your receipt in case there is any question with regard to payment issue comes up later.
Be skeptical of any locksmith that offers one quote only to raise the price when he gets there. Some try this kind of ploy so they can get you to pay more money. You should call another locksmith if he tries to raise the price after arriving at the scene.
Look for locksmiths who are active in the professional community of locksmiths. It is wise to know that you have a true professional working on your locks. It can also assures you that you won’t get scammed.
Get references before you allow a locksmith in you house. Call the references before you engage in business.You not only want the best quality service but also a person you can completely trust.
Make sure you are handed a receipt after paying for locksmith services. Many locksmiths are honest, but some cannot be trusted. Get proof that you paid for the service before the locksmith leaves. Keep the receipt in case you have any questions.
One of the first questions you ask when calling a locksmith is how many years they have ran their business has been around. Make sure that they’ve also been operating from this location the whole time. A business that has been in business for at least five to ten years.
Be sure to check the identification from any locksmith you plan to hire. A professional locksmith will be in uniform and have ID ready to show his credentials before beginning to work on your lock.
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. You can end up paying a larger chunk of money when you call after hours. For example, finding yourself locked outside of your car during business hours may cost $50 or so, but after hours this can easily double.
This can mean that the locksmith isn’t all that qualified. Get several quotes and find one you want to hire.
Look for a good locksmith long before you need one. Waiting until after an emergency may lead you to hiring someone less than savory.You may even end up using someone that doesn’t have a good reputation will get the keys to where you live.
When a locksmith raises the quote on arrival, ask them to leave. There are plenty of honest locksmiths out there, so you shouldn’t deal with one who is not.
Ask your locksmith for references of previous customers. Most companies will gladly give you the references you ask for, and it is important to actually call the referred customers.
Beware locksmiths who say they need to drill out your entire lock or wants to replace it when you are locked out.
Find locksmiths who are known in the locksmith community. This isn’t absolutely necessary, but it’ll be reassuring to know your locksmith is staying on top of current trends. It also shows he’s serious about his profession.
Never use locksmiths who charge simply for coming out. Most locksmiths only charge for services performed, so it indicates this person is not on the up and up. If they insist on payment when you don’t hire them, contact the police if they’re asking for pay.
Locksmith service calls are usually a lot more expensive if you have to call them after hours. Some will use this practice to their advantage and charge unnecessarily high rates. You can avoid this by getting a quote from multiple locksmiths.
Before letting a locksmith into your house, make sure you have references and recommendations. You should do this in advance, before you actually need them. This will ensure that you know exactly what you are getting from your locksmith.
Some might even reconfigure your home’s alarm system.
Ask for identification and their license when the locksmith arrives. Make sure you verify that the person standing before you is the person that is on the license. A reputable locksmith will have a license whether required by the state or not.
Research any locksmith you consider using. There are lots of reputable websites that provide reviews online. Don’t rely on reviews or testimonials found on the locksmith’s website. You should also check to see if the locksmith you are considering has a good record with the Better Business Beureau.
Ask about what information is kept on file once the locksmith keeps after completing the work. Will they be filing away a copy of your house key and your address? This can be a big security breach if it is accessible to the wrong people. Ask about this before you give the green light for any work is started.
Tipping a locksmith when a job is done well is common practice, so don’t neglect to hand him a few bucks for what he did for you. This is particularly appropriate if you called him out after hours. A fifteen percent tip is decent for a regular visit, and 20% can be given for after-hours visits.
Check the credentials of any locksmith prior to allowing him entry to your home. You can check out their business address and cross-reference it with their given phone number. You can also run a search on the web to find out whether the majority of people have had negative or positive experiences with the locksmith.
Err on the side of caution if you want to be safe at all times. As long as you’re able to use what you read here, things shouldn’t be that hard to deal with the next time you lose your keys. You can turn a negative situation around and get the best value for your money.
