If you find yourself locked out of your house or home, you probably don't feel like sitting down and spending half an hour researching and comparing locksmiths. There simply isn't a convenient time to be locked out of anything, and if you find yourself stuck on the wrong side of a door, you'll want a solution as quickly as possible.
It's important to realize that, in this moment, you are very vulnerable to scammers. Locksmith scams are all too common, because the perpetrators have realized they can take advantage of people in moments of desperation. If you find yourself needing a solution ASAP and you don't have time to do much research, you should watch for the following warning signs that you're dealing with scammers.
Low quotes in an ad or over the phone
A dishonest locksmith company offers low quotes in order to convince people to hire them. Once they show up, you'll find out that low price only covers the service call. Actually unlocking your door will be another $50 to $100. If you're getting pricing over the phone and you sense any evasiveness, find another locksmith. Don't try to convince yourself that it's going to be fine. A good locksmith will provide you with true quotes, and if you can get a written quote, that's even better.
Tacking on fees before starting work
When you work with a good locksmith, you will know how much you're going to pay before work even starts. If a locksmith shows up and starts adding fees on before he or she begins working on your lock, you are definitely going to be paying too much for the service - and the service itself might end up costing you later. Unskilled scammers end up damaging locks, which just adds to your ultimate expenses. You would be surprised at how many of our clients call because their locks were damaged by locksmiths. Protect yourself (and your locks) from this situation by paying attention to how your chosen locksmith behaves. If you don't like what you see, you can send them away and call someone else.
Showing up in an unmarked vehicle
This is a huge red flag. Do not use a locksmith that arrives in an unmarked vehicle. If he or she isn't wearing a uniform, that is yet another massive red flag. Do not let a locksmith who shows up in an unmarked vehicle without a uniform touch your locks. If you do, you risk the situation we just mentioned - having your locks damaged by an inexperienced locksmith who just wants to get as much money out of you as possible. Don't let this happen.
The whole locksmith team at Bill's Lock & Key works hard every day to stay on the cutting edge of lock technology, because we understand just how important locks are in your life. Locks protect you, your family, and your possessions. They give you peace of mind. Turn to our skilled locksmith team in Albuquerque for assistance with locks on homes, cars and safes.