man leaning on door

Find a Locksmith Before You Have Key Problems

Getting locked out of your home or car, or finding that your home has been burglarized, can lead to panic. Frantically searching online for a locksmith and calling the first company you find could cause you to wind up with unqualified workers, poor service, and exorbitant prices.

It’s a good idea to research local locksmiths in advance so you will know which company to call in your moment of need. Look at different companies’ websites, research their credentials, and get answers to your questions before you find yourself in an emergency.

How to Choose the Right Locksmith

You should always choose a locksmith company that operates locally. If you call a national company, you might reach a call center thousands of miles away and talk to someone who is completely unfamiliar with your area. The company might not even have any locksmiths near your home.

Look at each company’s website to see what types of services they offer. You might have a routine issue, but you will more likely find yourself locked out or face some other type of emergency. Make sure you have the name and phone number of a locksmith company that provides 24/7 service.

You could lock yourself out of your home and need someone to unlock the door. If you have a high-security lock, some locksmiths might not be up to the task. Your door lock might be damaged and need to be replaced, or your key might break or get stuck in the lock. If your home has been burglarized, you might want to have all the locks changed as soon as possible.

If you get locked out of your car and you have a newer vehicle with keyless entry, not all locksmiths would be able to help you. If your car uses a chip key, it might need to be reprogrammed or replaced.

If you operate a business, you might want to install locks that use cards to track employees’ movements. If someone quits or gets fired, you will want to quickly terminate that person’s access to the facility. You will need a locksmith with training and experience in this specialized area.

Avoid Scams

Some people advertise themselves as locksmiths online, but they are really scam artists preying on people who are vulnerable. They hope that a person facing an emergency will choose the first locksmith who answers the phone. Scammers may quote low prices and then dramatically raise their rates after someone arrives or provide shoddy work.

Find a Locksmith Before You Need One

In all likelihood, you will need the services of a locksmith at some point. A qualified locksmith will have the training and skills to handle a variety of situations and will charge reasonable rates. By conducting research in advance, you can know which company to call and avoid wasting time or becoming the victim of a scam.

All American Locksmiths offers residential, commercial, automotive, and emergency locksmith services throughout Connecticut and Westchester, New York. We make our way through Armonk, Stamford, Greenwich, Fairfield, Bridgeport, Milford, New Haven, and Hartford all day, and guess what? We love it! Not only do we get to help the good people of Connecticut get out of some serious lock jams (no pun intended), but we also get to visit some of our favorite places along the way. Call us out to Stamford, and you just might find us at the Mianus River Gorge Preserve afterwards; locked out of your house in New Haven? Great! There’s nothing like the view of the New Haven Green. Lost your keys in Hartford you say? Well that’s a great chance for us to marvel at the Mark Twain House & Museum. Get the point? No Connecticut town is a bother to us. If you’ve got lock problems, we’ll be there to help 24/7.

Contact us today!

checklist

Avoid Locksmith Scams: Follow This Locksmith Hiring Checklist

Most people only think about locksmiths during emergency situations. When you’re locked out of your car, house, apartment, or office, you’re often only thinking about the end point: gaining access.  It’s during these desperate moments, though, when it pays to exercise caution.

Instead of hiring the 1st locksmith who answers your call, take a minute to compose yourself: accept the situation you’re in, and remember that you will gain access in time. In recent years, there has been quite a few instances where locksmith impostors and scammers got away with significantly overcharging people. If you’re thinking about calling an emergency locksmith, then please read this first. Ask these important questions when screening prospective locksmiths

Are They Licensed, Insured, & Appropriately Branded?

Anyone who delivers a service to your home or business should be insured, period. If a prospective locksmith cannot produce proof of insurance, then they should not be trusted. If they damage something while making repairs, can they assure you that they will cover those costs?

In addition, if you do meet them in person, check to see if their vehicle is branded. If they’re driving an unmarked van that displays no marketing material whatsoever, then please use caution. Finally, a reputable locksmith will ask for your identification, but in case they don’t, remember to always ask for their identification before letting anyone into your home or office. Locksmiths must be licensed in Connecticut, so if they cannot show you a valid license, do not give them your business.

What’s Their Process For Lockouts?

If you’re told that your lock must be drilled or replaced, be sure to get a second opinion. A legitimate locksmith will know how to unlock almost any door without replacing it. This does not mean that replacements are never necessary. An experienced, honest locksmith should still be able to give you access. If lock replacement is ideal, a good locksmith will give you that option after solving your lockout emergency.

Do They Have Concrete Prices?

A reputable locksmith’s prices are typically set in stone. Rarely will an honest locksmith “surprise” you with additional fees.

Need Emergency Locksmith Services? All American Locksmith Can Help!

All American Locksmith is the definition of legitimacy. We are licensed and insured, we have a list of predefined prices, and our company vehicles are properly marked. Our mission is to serve our fellow Connecticut neighbors. Why? Because we love this state and the people who live in it. Connecticut is our home, and we take pride in helping our place of residence grow and prosper. In order to make this happen, we must ensure that the people around us are safe, secure, and stress-free. We don’t want you worrying about what your boss is going to say when you tell him you’re going to be 5 hours late because you locked your keys in your car; nor do we want you to have to break into your own house because your door lock broke. 

We don’t want you thinking that it’s too late, or that you’re too far for us, either. When we say we serve all of Connecticut, we mean it. Greenwich, Stamford, Bridgeport, Fairfield, Trumbull, New Haven, Hartford, and anywhere in between– If you’re in a tough spot, we’ll come to your aid day, night, rain, or shine.

searching in snow

Lost Your Keys in the Snow? Here’s How to Get them Back

If you lost your keys in the snow, then don’t panic. It doesn’t matter whether you were shoveling, hiking, running, or snowboarding: if you are certain that your keys are buried under winter’s white blanket, then just remember that  it is possible to find them again. Here’s 2 tips you can use to help you reunite with your missing set of keys.

1. Use a Metal Detector

Before you start frantically shoveling your way to the center of the earth, do yourself a favor: get a metal detector. If you can retrace your steps, chances are that the metal detector will be able to pinpoint the general location of your keys.

How to Use a Metal Detector

If you’ve never used a metal detector before, then don’t worry: they are very easy to operate. While available settings can vary depending on the type of metal detector you get, there are a few universal buttons worth getting familiar with:

  • Detection Mode / Discrimination – These buttons allow you to exclude certain objects from being found. If your keys are made of brass, for example, you can use these settings to exclude iron objects from your search. If you’re not sure what kind of material your keys are made of, then don’t bother adjusting this setting.
  • Sensitivity – This button helps to define how precise you want the detector to be. Before playing around with this setting, use the metal detector as-is. If you’re stumbling upon lots of other objects, then try lowering the sensitivity.

To use your metal detector effectively, execute a sweeping motion while searching.  Keep the device about 6” above the ground Walk slowly and keep the detector roughly two feet in front of you. If you hear it beep, move the detector in small circles until you can pinpoint the exact spot.

2. Melt & Shovel The Snow

Ideally, you should wait for the snow to melt naturally; however, if you live in Connecticut, then you know how long snow piles can linger. If you don’t have a spare key, then you will have to dig to find the ones that are missing. If you’re faced with mounds of packed snow, then a blowtorch can be used to loosen it.

Need New Locks? All American Locksmith Can Help!

If you still can’t find your keys, then don’t worry. All American Locksmith offers 24/7 emergency locksmith services. If you’re locked out of your house, car, or business, then call us right now. Day, night, rain, or shine–we’ll be there to help you in your time of need.