With the seemingly recent glut of reports of unreputable, downright fake locksmiths setting up shop across North America, there are hundreds if not thousands of people being taken advantage of in vulnerable situations.
The result?
Unqualified less than professional amateurs are masquerading as competent locksmith technicians.
A quick check of you tube will reveal more than one Investigative reports from big networks and local news stations that have set up fictitious lock outs. The people responding to these calls are so unprofessional it makes for some downright comical to completely baffling situations.
Many times the number you are calling is a call center located far away from your locality and the job is farmed out to a local company. While there is nothing inherently wrong with this business model, the person that shows up at your door is someone who has been hired by the national company. The problem is technicians credentials may not have been thoroughly investigated before his or her's hiring.
How do you avoid these "want to be locksmith's"?
Truth be told, the best way to avoid being ripped off is to develop a relationship with a reputable company when you are not in an emergency situation. Being locked out of your house or car on a stormy winters night creates a sense of panic and many people just figure being gouged in this situation is the norm. It is not!
Referral from a friend or acquaintance who has had work done by the perspective company you hire is always the best for of reference. The odds of you getting this kind of referral from someone in an emergency situation is slim.
If you have recently moved into a resale home, this is the perfect opportunity to hire someone to replace the existing locks. There is no telling how many people have been issued a copy of the key to your front door.
While many people are more than capable of heading to their local hardware store and installing a lock-set themselves, you may want to reconsider and hire a professional. This is a great way to gain access to a better quality products that are not readily available on the consumer market and develop trust. You also have the added bonus of knowing that the job was done by a pro.
If you don't have the funds to start this relationship while your home is new and find yourself in an emergency lock out situation, there are a couple of things to look for when the technician arrives.
The call out price should not be any different from the price you were quoted over the phone. Be sure to ask the technician about the price and verify it is the same. If it is different it is a red flag.
If the problem is the dead bolt not responding to your key, the first thing the technician should do is try and pick the lock. Any professional locksmith is capable of picking a lock if it in any kind of working order, usually in under two minutes.
If the first thing the respond tech does in this situation is reach for a drill with a big bit, stop him right there, he is not a professional.
Usually this these are the first indications that you are about to receive a huge bill upon completion of the job.
I have heard of seniors being taken advantage of to the tune of $800 for an emergency opening and removing and replacing the existing lock-set. While I appreciate that there is a premium for getting someone out of this situation, I don't think that kind of bill is warranted.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to paint all locksmith with the unprofessional brush. Knowledge is always the consumers best weapon!
The result?
Unqualified less than professional amateurs are masquerading as competent locksmith technicians.
A quick check of you tube will reveal more than one Investigative reports from big networks and local news stations that have set up fictitious lock outs. The people responding to these calls are so unprofessional it makes for some downright comical to completely baffling situations.
Many times the number you are calling is a call center located far away from your locality and the job is farmed out to a local company. While there is nothing inherently wrong with this business model, the person that shows up at your door is someone who has been hired by the national company. The problem is technicians credentials may not have been thoroughly investigated before his or her's hiring.
How do you avoid these "want to be locksmith's"?
Truth be told, the best way to avoid being ripped off is to develop a relationship with a reputable company when you are not in an emergency situation. Being locked out of your house or car on a stormy winters night creates a sense of panic and many people just figure being gouged in this situation is the norm. It is not!
Referral from a friend or acquaintance who has had work done by the perspective company you hire is always the best for of reference. The odds of you getting this kind of referral from someone in an emergency situation is slim.
If you have recently moved into a resale home, this is the perfect opportunity to hire someone to replace the existing locks. There is no telling how many people have been issued a copy of the key to your front door.
While many people are more than capable of heading to their local hardware store and installing a lock-set themselves, you may want to reconsider and hire a professional. This is a great way to gain access to a better quality products that are not readily available on the consumer market and develop trust. You also have the added bonus of knowing that the job was done by a pro.
If you don't have the funds to start this relationship while your home is new and find yourself in an emergency lock out situation, there are a couple of things to look for when the technician arrives.
The call out price should not be any different from the price you were quoted over the phone. Be sure to ask the technician about the price and verify it is the same. If it is different it is a red flag.
If the problem is the dead bolt not responding to your key, the first thing the technician should do is try and pick the lock. Any professional locksmith is capable of picking a lock if it in any kind of working order, usually in under two minutes.
If the first thing the respond tech does in this situation is reach for a drill with a big bit, stop him right there, he is not a professional.
Usually this these are the first indications that you are about to receive a huge bill upon completion of the job.
I have heard of seniors being taken advantage of to the tune of $800 for an emergency opening and removing and replacing the existing lock-set. While I appreciate that there is a premium for getting someone out of this situation, I don't think that kind of bill is warranted.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to paint all locksmith with the unprofessional brush. Knowledge is always the consumers best weapon!
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