Locksmiths hold a position of trust in modern society, but sadly, not all of them offer an ethical service.
Calling a locksmith puts you in a vulnerable position. You need their help to regain access to (or reinforce) your home, your place of business, or your car. In these situations, the locksmith has the power, and can raise their prices significantly, threatening to leave your property out of reach or unsecured until you pay.
If you’re in an emergency situation or you feel panicked, it’s easy to make a bad choice and agree to hand over the extortionate fee. Nobody would blame you for that, but you would be paying far more than you had to – which can be devastating if you’re on a tight budget.
However, there are steps you can take to avoid locksmith scams.
Here Are 6 Tips That Will Help You to Avoid Locksmith Scams
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Check their Online Reviews
A wide range of reviews websites gives you, the consumer, the power to voice your opinion.
Other people just like you may well have written honest feedback about your local locksmiths, good and bad. These are the best place to start before hiring a professional and agreeing to their rates.
Pay attention to reviewers’ opinions on the locksmith’s response times, their pricing, and their performance. It’s no good choosing a locksmith who arrives in next to no time but does a mediocre job.
If a company has no reviews, consider asking for friends’ and family’s recommendations instead. -
Make Sure they Appear Legitimate
Look into your potential locksmith’s contact details and credentials. Do they have certifications or qualifications advertised on their website? Do they have a physical address and a phone number you can call? Do they include links to their social media pages?
The best locksmiths online will proudly display their credentials and provide you with all the contact information you need. Unethical ones won’t. -
Don’t Be Shy to Ask About Additional Fees
Locksmith scammers may well quote you a low price but hit you with extra charges when they arrive on the scene or complete the job. They may try to provide justification for these, or act as if you’re being unreasonable by refusing to pay for them.
Reputable locksmiths often promise no hidden charges or provide their prices on their website. At the least, they will be happy to quote the final rate over the phone before they send a locksmith out to you.
Ask about any extra costs that may be tacked on. If they say there are none but your locksmith still tries to add some, you know he’s acting outside of the company’s rules. -
Beware of Scare Tactics
A locksmith scammer might offer you two ways to solve your problem: one will be more expensive than the other, and possibly pose less danger to your property.
For example, if you’re locked out of your house, an unethical locksmith could suggest breaking your window as one cost-effective option but claims they can access the lock in a less intrusive way for a higher price instead.
This is an attempt to scare more money out of you and should not be tolerated. -
Ask for Your Final Price in Black and White
Once you’re quoted a final price for your locksmith service, get it in writing. This may be an email from the company or a handwritten, signed note from the locksmith themselves.
Whatever it is, make sure you have physical evidence of the rate you’re expected to pay. Any costs added on afterwards can then be contested. -
Check the Quality of the Work Immediately
If you’re suspicious about your locksmith, don’t let them leave without checking the quality of their work first.
Try your key in the lock and be certain everything is as it should be. Otherwise, they could take your money without actually giving you the results you need.
Luckey Lock is dedicated to only the finest locksmith services in Calgary, with 24-hour professionals you can trust. We make sure you have all the information you need, and the best results!
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