The most common mistakes when hiring a professional locksmith happen due to a lack of proper research. Clients make mistakes in hiring the first locksmith that pops up, without checking for credentials or asking for upfront quotes. To avoid making such mistakes when hiring a locksmith, always do proper research, verify credentials, and check for legitimate reviews and recommendations.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Locksmith
01. Assuming All Locksmiths Are Licensed
A very common misconception is that all locksmiths are licensed in order to provide professional services. This is wrong, and many rookies start without obtaining licences and certifications, or simply don’t have them (like scammers). This information is usually displayed on the company’s website, so make sure to check that before hiring a locksmith. Failure to check can mean hiring someone who is not experienced and trained to assist with the type of issue you are facing.
02. Not Asking for a Quote Upfront
Very common mistakes, especially in emergency situations, are skipping to ask for a price and not requesting a quote estimate upfront. A professional locksmith is able to provide the price estimation based on just you describing the problem you are facing, or based on the images you have provided. This will also help the locksmith estimate the time and effort they need to resolve the problem, and on the other hand, you will benefit from knowing what you are paying for. This way, you are also avoiding any surprises later on, regarding hidden charges and additional fees.
03. Not Checking Online Reviews
When hiring a locksmith, not checking online reviews and recommendations is a big mistake. Good research and verifying the business through other people’s reviews and recommendations is a must. However, many people still fail to do that, which often results in many unpleasant surprises later on.
04. Not Checking Online Presence
A reputable business needs to have a credible website representing its business and services. Having a location and a Google My Business profile is not enough to verify the online presence, but having a website and/or active social media accounts is a good signal of trustworthiness. Also, double-checking and verifying the business through different sources is always a good idea, since many reviews and accounts can be faked, but multiple cross-references cannot.
05. Trusting the Most Advertised Company
The most advertised company is not always the most trustworthy. Companies with aggressive marketing tactics can make you fall into a trap of hiring them straight away. Even though this doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad decision, sometimes more affordable options are not advertised at all.
06. Not Hiring More Pricey Experienced Locksmiths
Looking only for the lowest price is not always the best option, especially if you are having a very specific problem that only trained and experienced locksmiths can solve. More experienced locksmiths tend to have higher fees, and paying for them makes sense when the expertise is crucial for effective problem-solving (especially if you are facing problems with more modern lock types).
07. Not Checking the Type of Service Provided
Not all locksmiths provide all types of services. Sometimes, locksmiths specialize in dealing with specific types or brands of locks. Also, not all locksmiths deal with all kinds of problems – there are ones that specialize only in dealing with residential, commercial, or automotive issues. Checking upfront the type of service you need and matching it with the right provider is a must to avoid losing time and money.
08. Settling with the First Solution
Make effor to find the right locksmith, even if it takes time. Settling for the first company that pops up means you have a 50-50 chance you will be satisfied with the service, compared to 100% satisfaction levels when you find the right provider. Look for locksmith services that are able to provide a wide range of services, and also advise on security-related issues, including advanced security measures and solutions.
09. Not Asking About Time Estimate
Naturally, some services take less time, while others require more, and that’s perfectly fine. But if you are in a hurry or you are calling at the end of business hours, you must be informed about the service duration. This way, you know how long the service will take, so you can plan your time accordingly. Another common mistake is not checking whether locksmiths provide services after regular business hours, since only selected ones do.
10. Not Asking for Product Warranty
Professional locksmiths should be able to provide warranties for all locks they install, and you should always ask for them. If any additional problem or lock-related work arises in the future, it would be easier to identify the lock type if you have the warranty stating the exact model and type. And you are also covered in case something happens during the warranty period.
How to Choose the Right Locksmith Service?
Finding the right locksmith service may be more complicated than you might think, especially if you are not aware of numerous scammers who are looking for their next victim. In order to avoid locksmith scams, you need to do proper research on how to recognize a reputable business and verify the publicly available information.
Finding the right locksmith is a combination of thorough research and persistence. Check for locksmiths online presence, look for positive reviews, ask your friends and family for recommendations, and make sure the locksmith can provide transparent and fair upfront pricing quotes, with clear communication regarding the services included.
Final Thoughts
When found in a case of emergency, doing research and wasting time on checking reviews can seem like an unnecessary task. Experience has shown that the aforementioned mistakes are mostly made by people in a hurry, who don’t have the time and will to put effort into doing proper research. Doing thorough checks before hiring a locksmith will bring benefits in the long run and will help you avoid scammers.
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With transparent and upfront pricing, we at A1 Locksmith Service LLC make sure that all our customers get only the best possible service for their money. Trustworthy, reliable, and affordable locksmith service is just one call away – ring us at +1 (813) 817-5576 to schedule your locksmith service.
