shaking hands customer trust

Trusting Your Locksmith: Customer Service is Everything

Emergencies happen. We get that. Most times they occur when we least expect it and it’s easy to go into a panic or become desperate. In the case of lost keys, it can be frightening to think that the security of your home or personal belongings may be compromised.

Before you rush to call just any locksmith, take the time to consider the company you’re choosing to come out. You want professional results and at a sensible rate.

Here are our top tips for picking a locksmith you can trust.

Check Their Location and Online Reviews

If you’re conducting a quick search online to find a locksmith be sure to check out their website and also their reviews or credible listings such as a Better Business Bureau (BBB) seal to help you make the best selection. An instant red flag can be a non-existent website, no address or phone listing or a host of negative reviews from others who used their service in the past.

Look for Fair Pricing

One of the biggest problems in the industry is price-gouging. If you need something done with urgency you may be willing to pay more, but that doesn’t mean a locksmith should arrive at your location and then suddenly start increasing the cost. This, unfortunately, is a common occurrence so be mindful of that when you’re going through a lockout scenario.

Consider Their Commitment to Customer Service

Another great indicator of a quality locksmith business is one that puts their customers first and offers add-on enhancements to further improve their experience. The ability to send photos and communicate with the company to better describe lock problems and get a fair price before they head out to help you is one way to get peace of mind.

All American Locksmiths is a family-owned and operated locksmith business servicing communities throughout western, southern, and central Connecticut, as well as Westchester County, NY. We believe in reliability and trustworthiness.  Get in touch today!

avoid scammer locksmiths

How to Avoid Getting Ripped Off by Scammers Posing as Locksmiths

Nothing’s worse than realizing you’ve been locked out of your home or that your business doors aren’t properly secured. Having a locksmith you trust in your contacts list is vital. Today scams are common and it’s easy to feel vulnerable when these situations occur.

Here’s how to avoid getting ripped off by scammers posing as reputable locksmiths.

Do Your Research

Unfortunately, thieves are getting smarter today and leveraging technology as a way to fool innocent consumers. They can do things like caller ID spoofing and phone number forwarding so you think you’re calling a local company but the call is rerouted out of state or to a call center in another country. Many are now also creating imposter company names similar to legit businesses in the area in an attempt to trick someone who is in a panicked rush to find a locksmith.

Be sure to check the BBB for credibility and have a company you trust lined up in advance of an issue occurring with your locks. That established relationship will be important to keeping you safe and protecting your wallet from being overcharged.

Be Careful of Low Price Baiting

You may also find yourself questioning if you’ve been had if you choose a locksmith who shows up to do an emergency lock job and hands you an astronomical bill at the end of the service for something that should have been a quick, easy fix. This is another tactic that non-reputable locksmiths are using to prey on those vulnerable and looking to regain access to their home and belongings.

To trap consumers they bait them in with a service listed on their site as being $19 (and up) and then show up to the job and begin up charging and naming fees and services needed for extra security and other false claims ultimately ending in a bill almost 4x the original quote.

Reputable Locksmiths Have Value-Adds

A reputable locksmith such as All American Locksmiths will offer more accurate pricing and quotes for customers. One option that can easily help get a better quote (and that All American Locksmith’s offers) is emailing photos of the actual lock along with a description of the problem they are having.

Companies that plan to use up charging tactics won’t offer this so they can leave room for technicians to give a higher price once they arrive on the scene. With this communication, there’s less room for surprises and you can feel confident in selecting a reputable locksmith company.

We offer prompt lockout services, new locks, and more throughout Connecticut & Westchester County. Get in touch today!

locksmith opening lock

What is a Locksmith?

There’s nothing more terrifying than being locked out of your car or home on a dark night, alone and unsure where your keys could have ended up. This is an unfortunate reality many of us will face at some point in life. But it doesn’t have to be a scary one. Thanks in large part to Locksmiths.

A locksmith is a professional contractor with specific skills in everything related to entry access. They are trained to install, uninstall, fix and take apart everything from door knobs to locks, ignition cylinders and other forms of entry.

These professionals have been a part of society since the very early years. From ancient Egypt creating locks out of wood, to the 10th century when many blacksmiths began to focus their skills on making locks specifically.

Training and Certifications

Today, professional locksmith training involves both course work studies and in-person, hands-on training to learn the skills necessary for the art of locksmithing. There are many schools dedicated to teaching the craft as well as exams and licensing requirements in many states.

Checking for the BBB accreditation seal is another way to ensure the locksmith you are selecting to work with has a positive track record in the marketplace – with everything from advertising to customer service.

Customers Served

Many locksmiths provide services to both consumer and business customers. The services can range from a simple home lock upgrade, to a car key ignition rekeying or the repair and install of professional grade security locks on large building doors.

It’s always important to check that a locksmith has recommendations and past work experience providing the services you need.  A large part of their job as a lock repairman is to work during non-business hours and many will arrive at your location at any time you need assistance so partnering with a credible and honest company is important.

Other Skills

Locksmiths are also trained to prevent damage when fixing or opening locks and may provide additional services such as cutting keys, rekeying locks and even recommending and installing new hardware.

All American Locksmiths provides prompt lockout services as well as new lock installs and more for commercial and residential customers throughout Connecticut and Westchester Country.

 

Locked out? Contact us now!