Don’t fool yourself into thinking that it can’t happen to you. Anyone can unknowingly be ‘taken’ by a scam. Nobody is exempt. This is why anytime you require the services of a professional service provider, you should always be aware of the various types of scams that any type of service provider is known for. In the case of a locksmith service, they are known to go after homeowners and motorists. This happens when they are in the most vulnerable situations, like being locked out. You can find a reputable and trustworthy Menifee locksmith, such as, Secure Menifee Locksmith, by performing little research.
Searching the Internet is not the most reliable resource for finding a reputable locksmith service since scammers are mimicking legit locksmith services. The reality is that many of the scammers do not even operate a locksmith service; they just set up out of state call centers and then reroute your calls to someone they work with who may not even be a trained or certified locksmiths. This opens up a host of issues and problems for you. One of these is your safety and security. If you want to make sure you’re not being ‘taken’, it is up to you to perform you r due-diligence to ensure you’re dealing with a legit and qualified locksmith service.
Steps to Finding a Legitimate Locksmith
1. Search Locally – Research, research, research! Call up a couple of local locksmiths and have a list of questions ready to ask them about their services. Be specific in your questions and make sure they give you clear and concise answers to your questions.
Listen out for how the service answers your call. If they do not have a company name and they answer by using the phrase ‘locksmith services’, be cautious.
When a locksmith has a local business address, check to make sure there are no other businesses operating, using the same address. Get confirmation from the locksmith service if you find that they share the same address with another service provider. If the addresses match it is likely a SCAM!
If the locksmith service uses an 800 number and there is no other number listed, be wary. The place that you’re calling is likely an out-of-state call center.
2. Check Locksmith Credentials – If locksmiths in your area are required to carry a license, make sure the first thing you ask for when they arrive to your location is their id and license. You wan to be sure that they are who they say they are and that they are qualified to address your lock or key issue.
Alabama, Connecticut, California, Louisiana, Illinois, Nebraska, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Virginia and Texas all require that locksmiths have a license. If you have telephoned a locksmith service and they claim that they are licensed, yet they do not live in any of these states, proceed with caution!
Legitimate locksmith services will always ask the customer to show them some id before they will begin handling the work they need done. This clears them of any liability if they should unlock the home or car of someone whom it doesn’t belong to.
Check to make sure the locksmith arrives in a vehicle that is clearly marked. If they arrive in an unmarked car or do not have the name of the business that you thought you were hiring on the vehicle, walk away and find another locksmith service.
3. Get an Estimate for the Job – When you’re contacting a locksmith call center, you’ll notice that they will give you a starting rate less than $50. They get customers by promoting their services way lower than the actual cost of the job. This is known as a bait-and-switch approach. However, once they arrive, the price will undoubtedly go up much higher than the low price they initially offered you. They will tell you that the job is more challenging than they anticipated.
On average, a locksmith service call will typically cost between $50 to $60. If you receive a price of $15 to $40, this is usually the sign of a scam because these are the numbers that are usually most attractive to a potential customer. The reason the cost is a little more for legitimate locksmiths is that the cost of traveling to your location is often including.
Keep in mind the expenses that are incurred by the locksmith service, such as, licensing, tools and travel. Do you honesty think that anyone could pay for these things charging customers only $15 per job?
If you ask for a price quote and the locksmith service doesn’t provide you with one, don’t use their services. They will often charge you what they want and it will likely be a lot more than you can imagine. Don’t let them touch anything until you have a written estimate in your hand. It is also in your best interest to also get a quote for any emergency lock and key services they might offer.
Be aware of any price changes. We understand that an estimate is just that, an estimate. However, if the price that they offer to you on the phone far exceeds what they tell you once they have performed an onsite evaluation, find another locksmith service.
4. Customer Satisfaction – If it is clear that the problem you have hired a locksmith to perform has not been performed efficiently, you shouldn’t have to pay. A legitimate locksmith wants the customer to be satisfied and they will do whatever it takes to make sure the customer is happy. This mean that they will ‘willingly’ come back to perform the job the right way. A locksmith that refuses to make things right, should be avoided.
The bottom line again is to make sure you do your research before hiring just any locksmith service. You have to protect yourself and your family and cannot risk just allowing anyone into your home or handing over your keys to anybody. Get what you pay for by hiring a legitimate locksmith service.
