Nothing is as miserable as being locked out of your home or car because you have lost your keys only to encounter a locksmith scam. Locksmith scams exist, especially online, where they have rogue websites claiming to be local, fast, and cheap. Sometimes untrustworthy locksmiths try to scam people by quoting one price on the phone but coming up with extraneous rates during the work. Check out these tips to help you avoid such locksmith scams whenever you are looking for locksmith services.
Look for a trusted local locksmith.
You can rely on your friends to refer you to a trusted local locksmith. Your friends can give you honest opinions of locksmiths they have worked with before and how their experience was. But before you decide to work with them, do your own homework to ensure you can rely on them.
Research the business
When you encounter a locksmith business that offers the services you want, first research it to ensure it is legitimate. Many shady locksmith businesses don’t list their real physical address online. If you realize that the locksmith website does not have a notable physical address, you should go ahead and check if they’re mobile-only. Some locksmiths do in fact have a walk-in address, but some list a PO Box or mailing address or their home address to make you think they’re nearby.
Beware of deals that appear too good to be true.
When you encounter a locksmith you feel you can trust, the first thing to do is ask for a quote for the services you want. Request for an estimate to see if you can afford the services. Avoid cheap locksmith deals that appear too good to be true. If it is too good to be true, it probably is.
Avoid cheap deals
When it comes to locksmith services such as replacing keys, rekeying, or changing the locks, keep in mind that cheap will probably cost you more money in the long run. If you want quality locksmith services, you should be willing to pay for them. You can find a trustworthy locksmith that can provide quality services at competitive prices with a bit of research.
Use a reputable locksmith directory.
Ensure you only stick to reliable locksmith directories such as the 1-800-unlocks to find a trustworthy locksmith. Such directories hold their members to specific standards that ensure they adhere to proper work ethics. Plus, it is the easiest way to locate professional locksmiths that provide all sorts of services, from rekeying to car keys fob programming.
Check their reviews
Remember to check the reviews of any locksmith you consider hiring beforehand to get an idea of what their services are like. Customer reviews reveal things such as the quality of services, professionalism, reliability, and reputability. Unsatisfied customers or negative reviews are a sign that you should look for another locksmith.
Beware of outlandish claims.
For instance, a locksmith tells you that they need to shatter your car window to retrieve your car keys or unlock your car. But later they say they have another option but an expensive one. Please don’t buy it. These are known as outlandish claims meant to scare you into paying inflated prices for locksmith services.
The takeaway
Rely on genuine directories to locate trusted local locksmiths and compare quotes before hiring.