A locksmith is one of those people you really don’t give much thought to, unless you are faced with an emergency situation. Unfortunately, if you wait until a crisis, you could end up paying through the nose. Avoid this and other locksmith catastrophes by reading the following helpful tips and tricks.
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.
Look up a locksmith online before you have them come out for a job. It’s important to hire someone that is working for you. Some will make their own copy of your key so they can rip you off later on.
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.
Do not let the locksmith begin work until he or she has given you an estimate. Rather than simply getting a verbal estimate, insist that the locksmith write the quote down on paper. This way, you have proof of the number that you were quoted. As long as you agree with the price, work can commence at that point.
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.
Make sure that once your locksmith is done that he hands you a receipt. Even though the majority of locksmiths are legitimate, there are always people out there looking to scam you. That is why it is important to get a receipt. Have the receipt somewhere safe so you can get it if an issue arises.
When you are looking to have a locksmith install a new lock, ask them to use one that has high security. These cost a bit more, but they will keep you a lot safer than traditional locks. You need to show an ID card as well as a card provided by the locksmith in order to have duplicate keys made.
When you are looking to have a locksmith install a new lock, ask them to use one that has high security. These cost a bit more, but they will keep you a lot safer than traditional locks. You need to show an ID card as well as a card provided by the locksmith in order to have duplicate keys made.
Contact your local Better Business Bureau to ensure that there are no complaints lodged against your locksmith. The BBB will have records of any complains along with what the locksmith done to try to remedy any complaints filed. A reputable locksmith may have one or two complaints filed against him; however, if numerous complaints are recorded, look elsewhere.
An emergency is not the time to find your locksmith. Use the valuable information in this article to go about hiring a locksmith in the right way and at the right time. These tips and tricks will end up saving you a lot of money and a lot of trouble. Put them to good use!