Greenville Locks
2723 Poinsett Highway
Greenville, SC 29609
(864) 641-3425
This is a very bad idea, though it may be tempting to call multiple locksmiths when you are locked out of your car or home. This means inconveniencing anyone that is unfortunate enough to show up a bit later. In some cases, all of them will leave you stranded as a courtesy to one another.
Try to call the same locksmith every time you are having a problem. It may seem embarrassing, but this is something they are used to. You don't want to trust too many people with this kind of job, so once you find someone reliable you should give them all of your business.
Even if it seems like you'll never need to hire a locksmith, it's always good to be prepared. Do your research ahead of time, and find a reputable individual that you can call on in case of an emergency. Put their number into your phone so it is always available to you.
Always get an estimate from a locksmith before allowing them to do any work for you. Unfortunately, there are locksmiths out there that will do the job then ask for an unreasonable amount of money. If you are clear about what you will be charged for the service, this can be avoided.
Even if you hope to never use a locksmith, it's better to be ready. And you will have a reliable person you can call if there is an emergency, research locksmiths before you have need for them. Put their number into your phone so it is always available to you.
Make sure he or she gives you some kind of estimate first, before allowing a locksmith to get down to business in your home. If you know them well, trust a handshake. Be sure and get it in writing if not. Doing this before the work is completed means knowing what to expect in terms of financial obligation.
Always question a potential locksmith about the professional affiliations they are involved with and the certifications they hold. This just indicates whether the locksmith is current on new technologies and methods. In some cases, it may mean that he or she is more skilled than another locksmith. While there are no guarantees, this line of questioning will help you get a qualified individual.
Program the number of your locksmith into your cell phone so you can have it with you at all times. You don't want to end up stuck away from home with no way to access a good locksmith. If you are stuck on the road, make sure you talk to them about whether or not the rates will be different.
If you have a keyless auto lock, let the locksmith know that when you call and ask for his service. All locksmiths are not qualified to handle this, so you may be wasting time by holding back this information. Make sure to tell them in case they do not, even though most locksmiths will ask.
Check the reviews of locksmiths on the web. You can find lots of good review websites online. When locating these review sites, make sure no locksmith is associated with them. You also need to refer to the BBB when you're going to hire a locksmith.
Don't be afraid to do a little comparison shopping when you need a locksmith for your family. While reliability and trust are mainly the most important qualities to look for in a locksmith, you shouldn't end up being charged a fortune either. Look when you don't need one and get your money's worth.
Also a local address, even though look for a locksmith which not only offers a local phone number. Some unsavory companies use a local number but reroute the call to a national call center, sending out someone who may not be on the up and up. A local address means they really are in your town.
Be sure to Google the business you wish to hire to see what others say about the quality of their work. This is an easy way to figure out if the company is a scam or not, but only if they haven't changed their name recently. If you can't find anything, that is another red flag.
Protect yourself against being locked out by making extra keys and hiding them where you can easily get them. Calling a locksmith can be expensive as well as inconvenient, so planning ahead is the best way to avoid the situation. Do find and store numbers of trustworthy locksmiths in your cellphone just in case.
Locksmiths generally cost you a lot more if you call them when their business hours are over. Some people will take use and advantage this to charge exorbitant rates. Get a quote from multiple companies before you choose the one you hire.
While a license isn't mandatory in all states, it is still a sign that your locksmith truly cares about the quality of his work. You might be better off hiring someone who does if he doesn't have one. The more proof of their quality available, the better your chances are that they're good.
Make sure that the price you were quoted on the phone closely matches the price you are being given on site. There are a lot of scams out there, and this bait and switch is one of them. It's best to vet locksmiths before an emergency even happens just to make sure you don't get into this scenario.
What does the company hold on to after the job is finished? For instance, is your key and your address kept in their files? You may not want this to happen for security purposes. Ask about this important matter well beforehand.
If you understand what it takes to find a great locksmith, you can get the job done right. Just asking family and friends for advice isn't enough anymore. Thankfully, this article has handed you what you need to know, so be sure to make use of what you read today.