Ways To Find A Good Locksmith
If you’re seeking the services of a locksmith there are certainly some very important things to consider before hiring one. Since locksmiths have access to your personal space, it is important that you find one that you can trust. Finding a trustworthy locksmith is possible but you also want to make sure that in addition to their being trustworthy, they are also effective in their duties. The two go hand-in-hand. When choosing a locksmith, you’ll want to choose one who acts like they want your business and will do whatever it takes to gain it. When you are looking for a Munster, IL locksmith, you may come across the name of Locksmith Munster IN, simply because we are one of the most reputable and reliable locksmiths in the area. While we certainly consider ourselves good locksmiths, we know that there are specific things that consumers pay close attention to before hiring us for the job that they wish to have us perform. Here are some things that you should know if you don’t already.
Many locksmith companies will advertise their services under more than one name. They want to give the appearance of being several companies but in actuality, they are the same company. What this means is that when you think you’re contacting one service provider you could be contacting a locksmith that is further away or with less experienced locksmiths. They give the appearance that they think you might be most attracted to in order to entice you to use their services. When the locksmith his dispatched, don’t be surprised if a locksmith arrives with less experience than you had hoped for. Some of these companies simply send out the closest locksmith to your location. They don’t know anything about them, which means that they are putting your safety in jeopardy. There are some of these locksmiths who don’t even honor the quote that was given to you and will insist that you pay them with cash only. Even if you don’t necessarily want the services of the cheapest locksmith, we’re sure you at least want a trustworthy and dependable locksmith. This is certainly something that you should be able to receive and we can make sure you do if you follow these simple steps for finding a good locksmith.
Look For Local Locksmiths
When contacting a locksmith, pay attention to how they answer the phone. If they are not using the full name of the company, continue looking. This is because your call is actually being routed through a call center. When this is the case, they will usually answer with some type of generic business name rather than an actual business name.
Check online reviews of the company. When looking at reviews, make sure you check more than one review website. This will enable you to get a good picture of what a particular locksmith company has to offer. You’ll also want to hire the service that has more good reviews than bad reviews.
Make sure that you choose a locksmith company that has a physical address, it lends to their legitimacy.
Also, when seeking the services of a good, reputable locksmith, make sure they provide you with an estimate that includes the following:
Labor cost
Service call
Parts
Estimate in writing
Emergency call out fees, surcharges, mileage fees
A copy of the company insurance
Don’t be afraid to ask for proof of their qualifications. Ask about their license and if they are registered in Illinois.
What You Should Expect From A Locksmith
When a locksmith arrives they should be able to identify themselves by showing you their identification. They should also arrive in a vehicle that is clearly marked the name of the company that they work for prominently displayed on it. If you notice a name that is different from the name of the company that you have hired then do not do business with them. Simply let them know that you are unable to have services performed that day and then contact the company that you hired and cancel the service. You don’t have to explain why you have decided not to use their services.
You’ll also want to check the written estimate that was provided to you before the locksmith arrived. If you don’t have a copy, the locksmith should be able to provide you with one. If it doesn’t match what you discussed then you can decline services until they can produce a written estimate. They may not want to produce a written estimate because they want to charge you according to their needs. This is not good business, which is why you shouldn’t give them your business. They should be willing to honor any rate that they initially quoted to you and this should be in a written estimate.
Any legitimate service provider is more than willing to show you their credentials, this should also apply to a locksmith services. If they are unable to show you their credentials, such as a certificate of operation or that they are certified, avoid using their services. Go with a locksmith who can produce these credentials. They usually keep them on-hand so that they can gain the trust of the customer.
If you receive a written quote from the locksmith when they arrive, compare it to the initial estimate you received. Whatever you do, never sign anything that you haven’t read through thoroughly. If you feel more comfortable asking them to wait in their vehicle until you have had a chance to read the estimate before signing, do so. A good locksmith will want to do whatever is needed to make the customer comfortable. If they attempt to rush you or intimidate you then kindly excuse them or simply tell them that you’ll be in contact once you have had a chance to thoroughly read the estimate.
The bottom line is you should only hire a locksmith that you are 100% comfortable with and that you have researched in advance.