Do Your Due Diligence
Have you ever been locked out of your car or home? Either you can't find your vehicle keys or you locked yourself from home. First thoughts are typically to turn to family and friends for help or a group of spare keys, but this might not work out. Next steps are to contact a locksmith in your area. However, before sealing the offer with the locksmith business, you should consider the reliability and honesty of the business. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the country's consumer protection agency, has uncovered that some locksmith companies may advertise in your neighborhood telephone book, but is probably not local at all. Worst, these 'technicians' might not have qualified professional training at all and will cause further damage to your property.
Check Locksmith Locality
This has been noted and reported by the FTC previously: A company not located in your area has a name for its business that is similar to the name of other local locksmiths in your community. This company advertises in the yellow pages and online directories utilizing a local address and phone number. However, in actuality, there is absolutely no store front and the neighborhood number is used in a place definately not your neighborhood town. Then, you may not get a quote for the locksmith service or given a false quote. Once the locksmith arrives, he might want more money and you also feel pressured and stuck. If the locksmith only accepts cash, that is also a sign that the business isn't an authentic local locksmith.
Sometimes you can detect these falsely "local locksmiths" because they could have multiple listings - sometimes over 30 listings in a single phone number. All these listings are under different names, but the phone numbers are all directed to an individual central call center. There, operators, who will not be trained individuals, are delivered to your location.
How to Best Choose a Locksmith Company
You can find reliable and honest local locksmith companies out there. The best piece of advice is to do your research and due diligence before you're locked out or within an emergency locksmith situation. Perhaps you are thinking about increasing your home security by installing deadbolt locks, changing locks and door keys, and even installing a home alarm system. This is an excellent time to sit back while watching computer and research different companies. Be sure you read reviews, be sure they have a local address and contact number, and compare quotes over the phone. Additionally, get in touch with co-workers, family, and friends for just about any personal recommendations they could have.
Once you've found an established locksmith, keep the company's contact information in a safe place such as your wallet, phone, or address book. This may save you time, anxiety, and profit the future.
Tips for Emergency Locksmith Situations
Of course, if you are dealing with a crisis locksmith situation such as being locked from your car, home, or office, you don't have exactly the same luxury of sitting in front of the computer and thoroughly checking the legitimacy of the locksmith companies. Below are a few strategies for such scenarios:
If you're locked out of your car and also have a roadside assistance service call them before a locksmith. Often, these lock out services are included in the membership or even though the car dealership or insurance provider depending on when you bought the car.
In case a company answers the telephone with a generic phrase like "locksmith services," rather than company-specific name, be on your guard. Require the legal name of the business enterprise. If the client representative does not give a remedy, call another locksmith.
Get an estimate for several work and replacement parts from the locksmith before work begins.
Ask about additional fees before you consent to have the technician come to your location. Companies may charge extra for responding to a call in the middle of the night or for driving long distance. Ask if Body Corporate Locksmith have a charge for mileage, or a minimum fee for something call.
Never sign a blank form authorizing work.
If the price chosen over the phone will not correspond to the cost of the work when the technician arrives, do not allow any work to be done.
Ask if the locksmith is insured. If your premises is damaged through the work, it's important for the locksmith to have insurance to cover your losses.
It is important to remember that 9 states require locksmiths to be licensed: Alabama, California, Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, NEW YORK, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. Body Corporate Locksmith in these states will be able to provide their license number.