Do Your HOMEWORK
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 perhaps a set of spare keys, but this may not workout. Next steps are to get hold of a locksmith in your town. However, before sealing Helpful resources with the locksmith business, you need to consider the reliability and honesty of the company. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, has uncovered that some locksmith companies may advertise in your local telephone book, but might not be local at all. Worst, these 'technicians' may not have qualified professional training at all and can cause further harm to your property.
Check Locksmith Locality
This has been noted and reported by the FTC in the past: A company not located in your neighborhood has a name for its business that is similar to the name of other local locksmiths in the area. The corporation advertises in the yellow pages and online directories utilizing a local address and contact number. However, in actuality, there is absolutely no store front and the neighborhood number is used in a place far from your neighborhood town. Then, you may not be given 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 is not a geniune local locksmith.
Sometimes you can detect these falsely "local locksmiths" because they may have multiple listings - sometimes over 30 listings in one 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 may not be trained individuals, are delivered to your location.
How to Best Select a Locksmith Company
You can find reliable and honest local locksmith companies out there. The best piece of advice is to research your facts and due diligence before you're locked out or in an emergency locksmith situation. You may be thinking about increasing your home security by installing deadbolt locks, changing locks and door keys, and even installing a home security alarm. 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 phone number, and compare quotes on the phone. Additionally, get in touch with co-workers, members of the family, and friends for just about any personal recommendations they could have.
Once Body Corporate Locksmith found a reputable locksmith, keep the company's contact information in a safe place such as for example your wallet, phone, or address book. This can save you time, anxiety, and money in the future.
Tips for Emergency Locksmith Situations
Of course, if you are dealing with an emergency locksmith situation such as being locked from your car, home, or office, you do not have the same luxury of near the computer and thoroughly checking the legitimacy of the locksmith companies. Below are a few strategies for such scenarios:
If you're locked from your car and have a roadside assistance service call them before a locksmith. Many times, 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.
If a company answers the phone with a generic phrase like "locksmith services," rather than company-specific name, be alert. Ask for the legal name of the business enterprise. If the client representative does not give a remedy, call another locksmith.
Get an estimate for all work and replacement parts from the locksmith before work begins.
Ask about additional fees before you agree to have the technician arrived at your location. Companies may charge extra for giving an answer to a call in the center of the night time or for driving long distance. Ask when there is a fee for mileage, or a minimum fee for something call.
Never sign a blank form authorizing work.
If the price chosen over the phone does not correspond to the cost of the work when the technician arrives, don't 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 possess insurance to cover your losses.
You should note that 9 states require locksmiths to be licensed: Alabama, California, Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. The technicians in these states will be able to provide their license number.