|
|
|
|
The Keys to Hiring a Reputable Locksmith 53 People have recommended this article. If you’ve ever locked yourself out of your car or home, you know what a hassle it can be. Your first thought is to get someone to help you out of your situation. If a family member or friend can’t deliver a spare set of keys, your next call might be to a local locksmith. But before you make that call, consider this: According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, some locksmiths advertising in your local telephone book may not be local at all. They may not have professional training. What’s more, some of them may use intimidating tactics and overcharge you. When “Local” Is Really Long-Distance Consider this scenario: A company far away from your town chooses a name for its business that is very similar to the name used by a local locksmith. The company advertises in the phone book or on the Web using a local telephone number and local address. When you call the number, you’re actually connected to a call center in another city. What’s more, there’s no locksmith shop at the address listed. You may be quoted a price on the phone, but when the locksmith arrives, often in an unmarked vehicle, he may want significantly more money. The locksmith also may accept only cash. Some who claim to be “local locksmith” companies have multiple listings (sometimes 30 or more separate listings in a single phone book) with different names. But the calls to each of these numbers go back to the same central number in a distant city where operators dispatch untrained individuals to do the job. Tips for Picking a Locksmith What’s the best way to pick a reputable locksmith? Consider researching locksmiths before you need one, the same way you would a plumber, electrician, or other professional. That works well if you’re looking to have some security work done at your home, like installing deadbolts on the exterior doors of your house, or a safe in your bedroom. But if you’re dealing with an emergency, like being locked out of your car, you really don’t have much time for thorough research. Regardless of whether you are locked out of your car or home, you need new locks installed, or you require other security work, the FTC offers these tips to help you hire a legitimate, local locksmith. In emergency situations: - If you’re locked out of your car and have a roadside assistance service, call them first. These services sometimes are included with the purchase of a car, or as an add-on through your insurance company. You also can buy this service separately. Roadside assistance plans often have a list of pre-approved companies to perform services like unlocking cars, jump-starting batteries, changing flat tires, delivering gasoline, and towing.
- Call family or friends for recommendations.
- If you find a locksmith in the phone book, on the Internet, or through directory assistance, and a business address is given, confirm that the address belongs to that locksmith. Some disreputable companies list street addresses to give the impression that they’re local. But the addresses may belong to other businesses or vacant lots, if they exist at all. You can verify addresses through websites that allow you to match phone numbers with street addresses. Some legitimate locksmith companies may not include a street address in their listing either because they operate a “mobile” business or they operate their business out of their home and may be reluctant to list that address. If you call a locksmith who doesn’t list an address, ask why. If the answer is that it's a “mobile” business, you will understand they have no storefront.
- Write down the names of several businesses, their phone numbers, and addresses for future reference, in case you don’t want to go with the first locksmith you call.
- If a company answers the phone with a generic phrase like “locksmith services,” rather than a company-specific name, be wary. Ask for the legal name of the business. If the person refuses, call another locksmith.
- Get an estimate for all work and replacement parts from the locksmith before work begins. In cases of “lock-outs” (being locked out of your car or home), most legitimate locksmiths will give you an estimate on the phone for the total cost of the work.
- Ask about additional fees before you agree to have the locksmith perform the work. Companies may charge extra for responding to a call in the middle of the night. Ask if there is a charge for mileage, or a minimum fee for a service call.
- If the price the locksmith provides when he arrives doesn’t jibe with the estimate you got on the telephone, do not allow the work to be done.
- Never sign a blank form authorizing work.
- Find out if the locksmith is insured. If your property is damaged during a repair, or if faulty work leads to loss or damage, it’s important for the locksmith to have insurance to cover your losses.
- When the locksmith arrives, ask for identification, including a business card and, where applicable, a locksmith license. Nine states require locksmiths to be licensed: Alabama, California, Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. In addition to a business card, check to see if the invoice includes the company’s name, and whether the locksmith’s vehicle has a name that matches the business card, invoice, and/or bill.
- Expect the locksmith to ask you for identification, as well. A legitimate locksmith should confirm your identity and make sure you’re the property owner before doing any work.
- Some locksmiths will work out of a car for quick or emergency jobs, but most will arrive in a service vehicle that is clearly marked with their company’s name.
- In the case of a lock-out, be cautious if you’re told up front that the lock has to be drilled and replaced. An experienced legitimate locksmith has invested in the tools and education to provide quality service, and can unlock almost any door.
- After the work is completed, get an itemized invoice that covers parts, labor, mileage, and the price of the service call.
In situations where you have more time, check out locksmiths with your state Attorney General (www.naag.org), local consumer protection agency (www.consumeraction.gov), and the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) to make sure there are no unresolved complaints on file. (You can get the phone numbers for these organizations in your phone book, through directory assistance, or through Web directories.) This is true whether you need a locksmith for a one-time job, or you want to hire someone to work for you on a continuing basis. You must be able to trust your locksmith. You don’t want to give access to the locks for your home, car, or place of business to just anyone. In Case There’s a Next Time Once you’ve found a reputable locksmith, keep the company’s name and contact information in your wallet and address book at home or at work. You also may want to program this information into your home and cell phones. This can save you time and trouble the next time you need these services. * Information above was gathered from www.ftc.gov | This content was sponsored by: 24 Brooklyn Locksmith 272 Webster Ave. Brooklyn, TX 11230 Turtle Roofing 8404 Sterling St #1 Irving, TX 75063 HS Locksmiths of South Bay 20707 Anza Ave #103 Torrance, CA 90503 1 Able Locksmith 4560 Pioneer Terrace Hernando, FL 34442 Locksmith for You 1717 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20006 UTS Locksmith Poway 13409 Midland Rd Poway, CA 92064 Goldfingers Lock & Key 2314 Spruce St Philadelphia, PA Philadelphia, PA 19103 Locksmith Kingdom 209 Pheasant run Ponte Vedra Beach , FL 32082 Speed Locksmith 680 Edgewood Ave http://www.rochesterlocksmith.net Rochester, NY 14618 Crescent Movers 6321 N. Cicero Ave, Unit A Chicago, IL 60646 Meter-Key.com 11815Foothill blvd Riverside , CA 91730 Guard Lock CO. 9531 S. Jeffery Blvd Suite A Chicago, IL 60617 Elon 24 Hour Lock Service 501 Manning Ave Elon, NC 27244 Green Locksmith service 1515 Benton st Pooler, GA 31322 495 Locksmith 5237 5th St. NW Washington, DC 20011 GNC Lock and Keys 912 E 15th St Brooklyn, NY 11230 EMBASSY LOCKSMITH & SECURITY 1562 3rd Ave. New York New York, NY 10128 M & D Locks and Keys 1004 Cortelyou RD brooklyn, NY 11218 UTS Locksmith Chula Vista 160 E St Chula Vista, CA 91910 Johnson Construction Company LLC 1707 N West St. Lima, OH 45801 All Secured Security Services 1100 Alum Creek Dr. Columbus, OH 43209 Discount Locksmith LLC 2308 N Horne Mesa, AZ 85203 BRO LOCKSMITH 144 W. Tennessee st Tucson, AZ 85714 Top Master Locksmith 5115 Dean Martin Dr #405 Las Vegas, NV 89118 Lickety-Split Locksmiths LLC 2003 Bayview Heights Drive Spc 3 San Diego, CA 92105 Drytech Restoration Services 80 Central Ave. Spring City, PA 19475 car locksmith in Charlotte NC 12633 Sabal park dr Unit #102 Pineville, NC 28134 H.A.Reed Locksmiths 60 McLachlan Street Brisbane Queensland Fortitude Valley, ME 4006 System one 3-1750 The Queensway, Unit 320 Toronto, Ontario M9C 5H5 Toronto, OH 17351 Riverdale Georgia Locksmith 7055 Hwy 85 Riverdale, GA 30274 locksmith las vegas 4780 w tropicana ave las vegas, NV 89103 Choice Locksmith 20533 Biscayne Blvd Aventura, FL 33180 Aragon Lock and Key 6000 E Evans Ave #1-011 Denver, CO 80222 UTS Locksmith Oceanside 311 Oceanside Blvd Oceanside, CA 92054 San Diego Locksmith 3200 6th Ave San Diego, CA 92103 All Hour Locksmith 369 E 900 S #172 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Evanston Locksmith 1424 Lake Street Evanston, IL 60201
|
|
|
|
|