How to Find a Good Locksmith

When you’re looking for a service provider you take various things into consideration. If they are entrusted with something that could affect your safety and security, like a locksmith, of course you are going to want to know if they are trustworthy. In addition to finding out if they are trustworthy, you will want to know if they can handle the job you have for them. If you need the services of a locksmith, the last thing you want to do is waste your time contacting a service provider who doesn’t even act like they want your business. If you are looking for a locksmith, there are definitely some things you need to know. Sandy Springs Secure Locksmith is here to tell you all that you need to know to find a good locksmith. What we mean by good is someone who has the skills to effectively and professionally address your concerns.

What you may not know when you begin looking for a locksmith is that many locksmith companies will actually run several ads at the same time, giving the appearance of being a different company. This means that if you contact a locksmith service just one town over, it’s likely the same service provider that is servicing the same areas. They also use a call center to answer your calls. When they dispatch a locksmith to your location, they are usually the least experienced locksmiths in the area. These same services draw you in by promising you low cost estimates but when you the locksmith shows up to assist you with your service needs, they charge you something different than what you have been told by the dispatcher. Some even insist that you pay them with cash instead of a credit card or check.

When you are not necessarily looking for the absolute cheapest locksmith but a professional locksmith that offers fair pricing, we can certainly help you in this regard. We know what you should look for and which locksmith is sure to offer you the best bang for your buck.

Look Locally

When you call the company, make sure they answer with the full name of the company. Call centers will usually provide a generic name rather than provide you with a real business name. If they do, this is not a good sign. Keep looking.
Check the company reviews. Do more than just search one review site, look at several review websites to get an overall view of what type of service is offered by the company.
An address is very important. It confirms the legitimacy of the locksmith company. When you contact them, ask them for their physical address. If they don’t have one listed online, ask why.
A legitimate locksmith will not be afraid to provide you with an estimate. Make sure you receive an estimate that includes the cost for

Service call
Labor
Parts replaced
Mileage fees, emergency call fees, surcharge fees
A written estimate
Ask to see the company insurance in case of losses or damages
Inquire about licensing and find out if they are a registered locksmith service in their state.

What to Expect Once the Locksmith Shows Up

They need to be able to present you with identification. Also check the car or truck they are driving in to make sure it is the name of the company that you have hired to perform the job. If there is a different name of the vehicle than the name of the service provider you hired, tell them you are not interested in receiving services today. You don’t need to get into a long drawn out conversation about why you don’t want to use their services, just politely let them know you will not be interested.
Check the written estimate provided to you and if they do not already have one written, ask if they will provide you with it. If this estimate doesn’t match what you have already discussed, you can respectfully explain that this was not what was discussed and if they are willing to provide the service or product at the initial rate offered, do business with them. If they are not willing to provide it at the initially estimated rate, you might think of going elsewhere.
If they can’t show you their credentials, that are required by state, do not allow them to perform any work for you.
The good locksmith will also ask for your id. They want to confirm that the person they have spoken to is the person who requested the services.
Do not sign anything that the locksmith hands you without reading it first.
If a locksmith wants to drill your lock to replace it, don’t hire them. A good locksmith knows that this is not necessary to replace a lock. They know how to properly replace the lock without damaging your wall or door.
Always make sure you receive an invoice with the company name on it along with the work they have provided to you.

It is true, good service is very hard to find. It isn’t that hard to find when you know what you should be looking for. We hope this is helpful when you begin looking for a reputable locksmith. There are certainly some out there, there just happens to be more non-reputable locksmiths than reputable and reliable locksmiths. We want you to be prepared when you start your search and this information will certainly come in handy when you do so. You don’t have to accept bad service simply because you don’t have a lot of money. A legitimate locksmith will do their best to work with you to provide you with the help you need so that you will remember this and call on them in the further when you need a locksmith. In some cases, you do get what you pay for. Locksmiths who are highly-skilled tend to make more money but their services are certainly worth every dime when you get what you pay for. Choose wisely the next time you need a good locksmith.