If you're offered a quote that sounds too cheap to be true you can be sure it is!
There are many honest and trustworthy locksmiths out there who are working very hard every day to earn just enough to put food in their fridges. However, there are others who just want to squeeze as much money as possible out of clients and in return give you a shoddy job that won't last any longer than it takes them to get out of your front gate.
If you search the internet for a local Locksmith you will always find ads at the top of the page that say (Sponsored). All of these ad spaces are paid for and are not organically generated by Google. They normally offer fixed-priced quotes of £39, £49, or £59. It looks great at first sight. However, when they arrive on your doorstep things soon change. The price rapidly goes northwards and ends up being in the hundreds of pounds and some of the excuses offered are to say the least Pathetic. These people are very pushy and sometimes can be very threatening.
If you need the service of a Locksmith for any reason please make sure to take the time and check out the credentials of the technician.
Are they evasive about giving you their name and mobile number?? If so why? It's the easiest way to contact them with arrival details, directions if needed and best of all, How can you recommend someone if you don't know how to get a hold of them?
ASK. Are they a member of a Locksmith association?
If yes ask to see their membership card or details, then contact the association to verify those details are correct. PN Locksmiths are DBS-checked and members of the UKLA (UK Locksmith Association).
If a locksmith claims to be a Police Approved Locksmith then run for the hills. They're not! There is no such thing as Police Approved locksmiths. We do work with the police on a regular basis but we will not say we are recommended or approved by them for legal reasons.
When you ask about the price, are they evasive about the final cost? Although we try our hardest to give the client an accurate quote it can be difficult if we don't have all the right details of the job we are attending. Try to give us as much information as you can including photos if possible. With smartphones it is so much easier to video call us or send a few images to clarify what we are going to be dealing with. This way we can give a more accurate quote and stick to it.
If the first thing a locksmith does on arrival is break out the drill and start drilling your lock then they are probably a scammer! We will always try Non-destructive methods first. Drilling is the last thing we want to do.
If they say they are a cash-only business then ask why. This is a grey area, however, most locksmiths will be able to take card payments and in most cases prefer it plus you will get a confirmation of payment and a traceable bank account number. Once you have paid by cash that's it, No comeback, no guarantee, and no proof it was that particular technician that carried out the work on your property.
So. Just to cap things off, ALWAYS check out your locksmith, if they sound too cheap and promise the world, hang up the phone and ring a real locksmith. Remember the old saying " Pay Cheap. Pay Twice". Money is not easy to come by, but scammers will happily take it off you anyway!