Are you Locked Out? Why You Should Call a Locksmith

Keys, wallet, phone. We keep that reminder in the back of our mind whenever we go out the door. And we always remember...until that one time...when...we completely forget. Oh no! Locked out! Suddenly seeing that you’ve been locked out - whether from your home, your car, or your business - no matter whose fault it is, is never convenient and always annoying, particularly if it happens after dark. '

Don’t waste your valuable time getting upset. First, call that friend of yours who always keeps your extra key for you. If you don’t already have a trusted individual like that established, then go find a door or window you’ve left open, and you’ll get yourself right back in.

Are you still stranded? Then read on.

Wherever you’re stuck, you may find yourself going into a panic, worrying and wondering if the assistance you need will ever come at all. But you ought not to waste your time and energy. Should you really toy with the idea of breaking a window, and actually risk being mistaken for a burglar? Of course not! Plan ahead, and avoid this scenario in the future!

Are you locked out of your car? First, if you’re a member of a roadside assistance organization, call them immediately. Roadside assistance companies have their own list of pre-approved subcontractors, so they can be counted on to perform standard services properly, such as unlocking your vehicle, giving your car a jump, and so on.

In case you don’t have a roadside assistance organization membership, then it’s time to locate a dependable automotive locksmith specialist, who possesses the expertise to replace your car locks and car keys, install a new ignition cylinder for you, program your transponder “chip” keys, and so forth.

Ask people you trust for recommendations. Word of mouth from a satisfied customer is certainly your best bet.

Before an emergency occurs, track down a capable locksmith. The right thing to do is to find a highly regarded locksmith ahead of time, before you need one! Do some responsible research in advance, and you’ll avoid getting scammed or overcharged.

Find a reliable local locksmith company. If you can’t get a good recommendation, then do your homework. Check the telephone book, and search the Internet. Note down the potential reputable locksmith companies in your area, with their phone numbers and street addresses. Choose locksmiths that specialize in the services you require.

Confirm that each address really belongs to that particular locksmith. There are times when a disreputable company will give out a fake address, claiming it’s local. Therefore, match each phone number with the street address using the information you find on the Web. If someone answers the telephone with a generic greeting like “locksmith services,” instead of saying the company name, then ask for the legal name of the business. If that person gets flustered, call the next locksmith on your list. Note also that a perfectly acceptable locksmith may decide not to include a street address, because their business is mobile, dispatching a professional locksmith who is local to every customer. So, if an address isn’t given, find out why.

You can also consult with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints on file exist. Also, you can consult your local consumer protection agency, as well as your state’s attorney general’s office.

In case you’re stranded any place in Naperville, Illinois, hire an upstanding company such as Naperville Locksmith Pro, where mobile staff professional locksmiths work 24/7 to provide emergency, automotive, residential, and commercial locksmith services.

Always request an estimate. Even if you’re in a lockout emergency, before you allow any work to begin, get a written quote that includes labor; parts, if any; and fees, if applicable. Over the phone, a legitimate locksmith will give you either a ballpark estimate or a precise cost. You never know, there may be a minimum fee; there might be an extra charge after hours; and there could be a mileage fee. If the price the locksmith tells you upon arrival doesn’t agree with the price you were given on the phone, then say thanks but no thanks.

Verify the locksmith’s credentials. When the locksmith gets there, ask for identification, proof of license, and a business card. The locksmith’s invoice ought to include the company name. Confirm that the name on the locksmith’s vehicle is the same as what’s on the invoice and business card. For appropriate security procedures, the locksmith must absolutely authenticate your identity. Before any work can start, you’ll have to show your ID and prove that you’re the property owner - whether of your car, home, or commercial property.

Be very doubtful of any claim by a locksmith that drilling or replacement of a lock is needed in an emergency. A consummate professional locksmith will carry the right tools, and be experienced enough to know that such extreme procedures are likely overkill. A genuine expert locksmith is eminently qualified to unlock just about anything.

A premium locksmith is appropriately insured, properly licensed, thoroughly background-checked, officially certified, and fully bonded. If, heaven forbid, your property were to be damaged during a service call, or if the locksmith were to do unacceptable work, the locksmith must have insurance. Accordingly, find out if there’s a warranty.

Once you’ve found a good locksmith, keep that company’s information for your future reference - on hand in your wallet, on your refrigerator, in your smart phone, and at the break room’s bulletin board at your place of work. That way, you’ll always be able to get out of trouble in an instant if any problems arise with keys and locks - residential, automotive, or commercial.

Whether you need a proficient locksmith for in an emergency, or you must hire a locksmith technician to work on a special project, you don’t want to hire just anybody when it comes to resolving issues with locks and keys. An excellent locksmith will be glad to answer all your questions.