Tips to hire a good locksmith

Finding and hiring a good locksmith is like hiring any other vendor, you have lots to consider. Some of the most obvious things are affordability and availability. Then you must consider credentials and reputation in the community. You’ll also want a locksmith that knows what he or she is doing so experience and training should be considered. Here at Mequon Locksmith we’ve been in your shoes; we know the fears and uncertainties of having complete strangers work on our property and these fears are amplified when you consider that locksmiths actually work directly on your home and business locks and keys! We’ve put together some helpful tips for those needing or wanting to hire a locksmith that fits all of the above qualifications. Of course you can always hire us, but if you don’t live here in the Mequon, WI area, you can use these same guidelines to find the right technician in your locale.

Yellow page days are over!

Remember those heavy yellow page books that got delivered twice a year? There was a time when you simply turned to the locksmith section and looked for the largest or most well designed ad. Who had the most color or good looking models? Who advertised a special? Right page ads tended to draw the most calls so those shops paid a premium to be listed there. You simply called your locksmith and hoped for the best. If the technician you called didn’t work out, you used a different one the next time. Needless to say, these days are over. A pretty ad or a smiling face with pearl white teeth does not mean good locksmith service. You need more than fancy, multi-colored ads to select a qualified locksmith that is reliable, dependable and skilled.

Use your phone!

Gone are the ponderous phone books and in their place, we use mobile phones and tablets. It’s easy to do a Google search for a locksmith but often you are faced with nearly the same scenario as before, but instead of a big ad, you see a website. Web pages have the advantage of having more information on them than the old phone book ads. Even then you should still be on the lookout for certain things and be prepared to make a call or two. Try not to fall into the trap of the best looking site or who is nearer to you location-wise. Remember, the locksmith you hire is coming to you – not the other way around. The best technicians are fully mobile so don’t be fooled about proximity.

Credentials and integrity

Price is important, sure, but integrity ranks up there with affordability! What good is a workable rate when you bring an unlicensed and possible felon into your home or business? Don’t be blinded by low fees and see nothing else! Check prices but also insist that your locksmith be fully licensed, bonded and insured. Many shops background check their technicians and most put them through ongoing and in the field training to keep them up to date on the latest locksmith methods, strategies and hardware. Many correlate experience and certification with price and think that the best locksmiths will be the most expensive. This is not the case! Don’t be afraid to call and ask questions. If the shop refuses to answer or tries to avoid the question, move on! Each town has its share of lock professionals and you don’t have to settle for second best or second rate help.

Pricing

It’s the number one factor for so many people and we agree; pricing is important. It’s also important to remember that you “get what you pay for” and many times, the lowest price is that way for a reason. While there’s no need to go the expensive route, a fair and honest rate should never be dismissed. Get some price quotes from the different shops you are checking out and bear in mind that quality locksmith service really can be attained at an affordable and fair rate.

How important are reviews?

That depends. Fake reviews are common and you can often see these posted on poorly made sites. Usually, they lack a last name or even a name at all and the picture of the reviewer all too often looks like a stock photo model. Look for real testimonials with pictures, and even a video to back it up. Look for reviews that actually say something about the service and not just one or two words. Yelp and Google both have their review systems in place but take what you see with a grain of salt as those can be sprinkled with posts by friends and family members.

The best hardware

One good sign is that your locksmith of choice uses quality hardware. Look for brands that include Medeco, Baldwin, Abloy, Sentry, Schlage, Kwikset, Master, Primus, Yale, Falcon, Dexter, Kaba, American, Sentex, Mul-T-Lock, ASSA and other trusted names. Resist the urge to use cheap locks from unknown brands; you’ll pay the price later when they fail or need replacement sooner than expected.

Ask around

Take a poll of sorts. Ask friends, family, neighbors and co-workers about their locksmith experiences. Some will be good and others not so much. People love to talk about their experiences and you can learn some valuable tips about some of the shops in your area.

Be on the lookout for…

Look for good demeanor, eagerness to answer questions and helpful, friendly attitude on the telephone. Check for pricing; is it affordable? The best shops offer 24-hour emergency service with fast response times. Your locksmith should be licensed, bonded, insured and fully mobile. Free price quotes and free consultations are good to have and make sure they use the quality lock hardware mentioned above. Don’t be afraid to ask questions; be specific in what service or hardware you want and if you don’t know, say so. Your locksmith’s job is to promote security, safety and protection for your home, car or business. If he does a good job, use his services again and tell others about it.