People generally look for locksmith service during an emergency situation and need the help of professionals almost immediately. Whether you are locked out of your home, office, or car, forget the lock combination, need to open a deadbolt or any other similar problem, professional locksmiths in Australia can be very helpful. However, the problem is that people look for the locksmiths in a hustle and thus, sometimes, they end up hiring unprofessional companies.
People get lured by the cheap price and discounts and become victims of scams. Therefore, when you are hiring professionals, research properly and be careful. But do you know how to keep the unprofessional locksmith companies at bay and protect yourself from scams? There are a few ways that can help you to know about the red flags. It is advisable to research and find a reliable locksmith company in advance so you don’t have to hustle at the last moment.
Here are some key tips to protect yourself from locksmith scams.
Watch out for locksmiths that answer the phone with broad terms like “locksmith services” instead of a particular name. Find another locksmith if a locksmith refuses to provide you with their legal name. If you locate a locksmith with a “local” address, look up that address on the internet. Check to see if any other firms are using the same address. When you contact, enquire about the company’s location.
There are several reasons why you need to call a locksmith, but when you do it, make sure you hire an experienced service provider. Opening, installing and repairing modern locks is not an easy thing to do. Some special skills and knowledge is required that locksmith professionals develop over the years. Therefore when you hire experienced locksmiths, they deliver the result perfectly as they have learned from their mistakes. Inexperienced professionals and companies might not be able to give you the result you want.
What are the best ways to avoid locksmith scams is by getting a reference from your friends and families. Before hiring any professionals, talk to your close people and ask them which company they hired when they faced lock and key related problems in the past. Knowing about the locksmith company from people you can trust it’s a huge advantage. From the service quality and behaviour of the professionals to the price, you can know everything about the service provider.
Reading online evaluations is the simplest approach to determining whether or not a company is credible. If there are dozens of one-star reviews or disgruntled customers, you should look for another locksmith. The reviews will help you to understand the company, its service and its professionals. If possible, contact some of the previous customers and have a word with them.
Another thing to be wary of is fraudsters who claim they can unlock your blocked or locked door without destroying the lock by breaking it off because you have lost the key. They will also automatically urge you to change the lock and charge you extra money. Furthermore, many of these unprofessional locksmiths will attempt to collect the entire fee in cash on the spot.
Be aware of locksmiths that insist on drilling the lock if you are locked out. Most certified locksmiths in Australia have the knowledge and tools to open almost any door. You always have the choice of rekeying or replacing the lock. Drilling is usually required only to access high-security locks.
Find a reliable locksmith in your area who is open about price right away. Of course, things may alter once your locksmith notices the issue, but a trustworthy locksmith usually explains the reason. Get a thorough cost breakdown in writing before allowing them to begin the work, and have them note any adjustments that occur.
Fake locksmiths generally quote a very low price and give discounts to attract customers, and then they increase the rates when the customers arrive. The standard argument is that the job is more difficult and will cost more. While it’s not uncommon for prices to fluctuate as work becomes more involved, the suspiciously low price at the start is a red flag. They also apply several hidden charges.
Have a brief but completely trustworthy database or list of locksmiths near you. Make sure you can rely on them in the event of an emergency – whether it is 2 a.m. or 4 p.m. You also need to ensure that their reputation is spotless and that there are no previous claims against them or any previous consumer complaints. Follow some simple tips to find the right locksmiths near you.
If a locksmith company employs toll-free numbers rather than a local phone number, this is a red flag. It’s usually a hint you’re dealing with a contact centre from out of state, which is a warning flag for a locksmith scam.
Protecting yourself from locksmith scams doesn’t have to be a challenging task. All you need to do is start looking for a company in advance and follow the tips mentioned above. When you know more about the behaviour and tactics of dishonest companies and where to report fraud, it becomes easier to avoid unprofessional ones and also deal with them.
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