Phone, keys, and wallet. It’s always in the back of our minds when we walk out the door…until that one time…when we forget! Oh no! Are you locked out?
First, call that trusted person you’ve set up ahead of time who keeps that spare set of keys for you. If that doesn’t work, look for another door or window you left open.
If all else fails, you’ll have to hire a locksmith. And depending on who you choose, you could end up getting ripped off. When you run into trouble with locks and keys ~ whether you’re stranded from your automobile, your place of residence, or your commercial property ~ it’s always frustrating, and it’s never convenient, especially after sundown. You may go into a panic, wondering if the help you need will ever arrive at all. Should you really consider breaking a window, actually risking being mistaken for a burglar? That’s definitely not a good idea. Avoid this scenario all together. Plan ahead!
Before an emergency like this happens, find a trustworthy locksmith. The best way to find a legitimate local locksmith is to track one down ahead of time, before you need one. Do your homework to keep from getting overcharged or scammed.
Ask your friends, family, and colleagues for their recommendations. It’s always best to find what you need by word of mouth from satisfied customers. If you can’t do that, then it’s time to get down to homework.
Find a local, dependable locksmith company. Do your research responsibly, in the phone book or on the Web. Write down all the names of the potential locksmith companies you find in your area, with their phone numbers and addresses. Keep track of which locksmiths specialize in the services you require.
Check for the business address, and confirm that the address truly belongs to that locksmith. Sometimes a disreputable company will list a fake address, claiming to be local but it’s really not. You can easily match up phone numbers with street addresses using the Internet. If a person answers the phone with a basic greeting such as “locksmith services,” rather than saying the company name, ask for the legal name of the business. If the person refuses, you shouldn’t bother. Next.
Some perfectly acceptable locksmith companies simply may not include a street address on their advertisements or listings, because they operate a mobile business that dispatches a professional locksmith that’s local to you. If there’s no address given, simply ask why.
Also check with the Better Business Bureau to ask if there are any complaints on file. You can even consult your local consumer protection agency, and your state’s attorney general’s office.
If you’re in a lockout emergency with your automobile, if you have membership in a roadside assistance organization that you already trust, it’s best to call their service phone line first. Roadside assistance companies keep their own list of pre-approved vetted companies that they regularly subcontract with. Then you know they can be trusted to properly perform standard services such as giving you a jump, unlocking your vehicle, and so forth.
Otherwise, look for a locksmith company that specializes in automotive lockouts and other automotive challenges such as programming transponder keys, replacing your car keys and car locks, putting in a new ignition cylinder, and so on.
First, request a formal estimate. Even for emergency services, before you allow any work to begin, get a written quote that includes all the labor, parts if applicable, and fees, if any. If you’re locked out ~ of your home, your car, or your business ~ a legitimate locksmith will give you either an exact or at least a ballpark estimate of the total cost over the phone. Don’t hesitate to insist upon determining if there are any additional charges before you decide to hire that particular locksmith. There may be a minimum fee; perhaps, there will be an extra fee if it’s after hours; there might be a mileage charge; etc. If the price the locksmith gives you upon arrival doesn’t agree with the estimate you received over the phone, it’s time to say thanks but no thanks.
If you’re locked out, be skeptical of any claim by a locksmith that you’re going to have to replace or drill the lock. A legitimate, expert locksmith will bring the right tools, and possess the experience and knowhow to realize that such extreme moves are overkill. A consummate professional locksmith is able to unlock almost anything.
Also check the locksmith’s qualifications and credentials. When the locksmith arrives, ask for identification, as well as a business card, and proof of license. The locksmith’s invoice should include the company name. Verify that the locksmith’s vehicle has a name on it that matches the business card and the invoice. According to acceptable security procedures, the locksmith must ask you for your identification as well. A legitimate locksmith will absolutely verify your identity. Obviously, you’ll need to show somehow that you’re the genuine property owner before any work can begin ~ whether on your home, vehicle, or business.
The finest locksmith is a trusty pro ~ thoroughly background-checked, properly insured, appropriately licensed, and fully bonded. If your property were to be damaged in any way during a service call, or if the locksmith does faulty work, the locksmith must have insurance. It doesn’t hurt to ask about a warranty.
When you’ve finally found a respectable locksmith, keep that company’s information on hand for your future reference ~ in logical places such as your smart phone, your wallet, your fridge, and your break room’s bulletin board ~ so you’ll always be able to get yourself out of trouble whenever problems with keys and locks arise ~ either with your car, your home, or your place of business.
Whether you need a prime locksmith for a one-time job, or you want to hire an expert locksmith specialist to work for you on a more-involved project, you don’t want to give permission to just anyone when it comes to solving problems with locks and keys. The best locksmiths will gladly answer all your questions. If you’re stranded anywhere in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Locksmith Master Milwaukee is a good bet. Their staff mobile professional locksmith technicians work around the clock to provide emergency, automotive, residential, and commercial locksmith services.
Aricle source here: ARE YOU LOCKED OUT? TIME TO CALL A LOCKSMITH!
