Have you ever been locked out of your car or home? Either you can't find your car keys or you locked yourself out of your house. The first thoughts are usually turning to family and friends for help or a set of spare keys, but this may not work. The next steps are to contact a locksmith in your area. However, before closing the deal with the locksmith business, you should consider the reliability and honesty of the business. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, found that some locksmith companies may advertise in their local phone directory, but they may not be local at all. Worse yet, these 'technicians' may not have qualified professional training and may cause further damage to your property.
Check locksmith location
The FTC has noted and reported this in the past: A company not located in your area has a name for your business that is similar to the name of other local locksmiths in the area. This company advertises in the yellow pages and online directories using a local address and phone number. However, in reality, there is no showcase and the local number is transferred to a place far from your home city. So they may not give you a quote for the locksmith service or a bogus quote. When the locksmith arrives, he may want more money and you feel pressured and trapped. If the locksmith only accepts cash, that is also a sign that the business is not a genuine local locksmith Slotenmaker Zwolle.
Sometimes you may falsely detect these "local locksmiths" as they can have multiple listings, sometimes more than 30 listings on a single phone number. All of these listings are under different names, but the phone numbers are directed to a single central call center. There, operators, who may not be trained people, are dispatched to your location.
How to better choose a locksmith company
There are trustworthy and honest local locksmith companies out there. The best advice is to do your research and due diligence before you find yourself locked up or in an emergency locksmith situation. Perhaps you are thinking of increasing the security of your home by installing security locks, changing locks and door keys, or even installing a home alarm system. This is a great time to sit down at the computer and research different companies. Be sure to read the reviews, verify they have a local address and phone number, and compare quotes over the phone. Also, contact your coworkers, family and friends for any personal recommendations they may have.
Once you have found a reputable locksmith, keep the company's contact information in a safe place, such as your wallet, phone, or address book. This can save you time, anxiety, and money in the future.
Tips for emergency locksmith situations
Of course, if you're dealing with an emergency locksmith situation, like being locked out of your car, home, or office, you don't have the same luxury of sitting in front of the computer and thoroughly verifying the legitimacy of locksmith companies. . Here are some tips for such scenarios:
If you are locked out of your car and have a roadside assistance service, call them before a locksmith. Often times, these lockout services are included in membership or even at the car dealership or insurance company depending on when you purchased the car.
If a company answers the phone with a generic phrase like "locksmith services," rather than a specific company name, be alert. Request the legal name of the company. If the customer representative does not respond, call another locksmith.
Get a quote for all locksmith work and replacement parts before you start the job.
Ask about additional fees before agreeing to have the technician come to your location. Companies may charge extra for answering a call in the middle of the night or for driving long distances. Ask if there is a mileage charge or minimum fee for a service call.
Never sign a blank form authorizing the work.
If the price decided over the phone does not correspond to the price of the job when the technician arrives, do not allow any work to be done.
Ask if the locksmith is insured. If your property is damaged on the job, it is important that the locksmith have insurance to cover your losses.
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