Being unable to access your house or car can be stressful. In such situations, your first impulse is to find a good locksmith fast, but how do you know who is reputable and who isn’t? There are plenty of scammers out there who claim to be locksmiths yet they aren’t experienced or qualified.
The best thing for you to do is arm yourself with information before making the call to avoid paying more than what’s fair. Follow the steps below to avoid locksmith scams!
Ensure a Locksmith is Legitimate Before Calling
Scams are common in the locksmith industry. Unscrupulous locksmiths will usually advertise insanely low prices without having the necessary skills to do the job they’re hired for.
When searching for a reputable company to work with, it’s important that you look at their professional address and ask them questions about what they offer before giving them your business.
Once you observe that a locksmith hasn’t listed any official address or can’t answer questions about what services they provide, it is wise to find a reputable Gainesville locksmith instead, one who is committed to providing honest pricing and excellent service with every call they receive.
Hire a Locksmith After Checking Their Reviews
Are you in need of a locksmith? Make sure to do your research first and read their Google reviews. Dozens of dissatisfied customers or one-star reviews are a sign that the company is not reputable and should be avoided.
Reviews can give your insight into the quality of service a locksmith offers and its reliability. However, stellar reviews aren’t always an indication of quality service, especially now that businesses can buy reviews and 5-star ratings. You must be able to discern genuine, positive reviews.
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Find a Locksmith Before You Need One
Locksmiths are an integral part of our world; however, most people don’t think about them until they actually need one.
But what happens when you find yourself unable to access your house or car? How do you know which locksmith to call? You may not give it thought, but it’s a good idea to get in touch with a reliable locksmith before you need one.
This gives you the opportunity to vet their professionalism and expertise so you have someone to call during an emergency.
Be Aware of Additional Charges
People who are looking to get their locks changed or fixed can be subject to some pretty sketchy offers.
Scammers will often promise you a low price and then add on extra charges after they have rendered the service, forcing you to pay more.
One way to avoid this is by asking upfront about any extra charges before agreeing and making payment. There’s no harm in asking!
Check for the Company’s Brand on Their Uniform or Car
Before having a locksmith attend to you, ensure they have a company name or logo on their vehicle and are wearing a uniform identifying them as a legitimate locksmith.
It is common for scammers to claim they work for companies that they do not. Genuine companies usually have marked vehicles and uniforms so that there is no confusion about their identity.
Get Everything in Writing from Your Locksmith
We all know how stressful it is to have a lock on your door that needs to be replaced. When you call for service, most locksmiths will give you an estimate over the phone, but just because they give you one doesn’t mean it’s accurate.
The best way to avoid any surprises at the end of the job is by getting everything in writing before the work starts. You can ask them for their written price list or simply have them email or text you an accurate estimate.
Pay Using a Credit Card
Fraudulent locksmiths often demand cash from their customers, as their victims will have no recourse. So, to be on the safe side, insist on paying with a credit card so that if anything goes wrong you can dispute the charge.
If you’re looking for a locksmith, it’s important to be vigilant about who you work with. To make sure that the company is reputable and will provide excellent service, check their reviews online before making contact.
You should also get in touch with them ahead of time, if possible, to enable you to vet them beforehand. When hiring someone on the spot, always insist on having everything in writing before starting any work.
Finally, keep an eye out for small details like uniforms or branded vehicles when the locksmith finally turns up, as these are signs that the locksmith is legitimate.
