Don’t leave it until it’s already happened…
At the actual time you need a locksmith it’s already too late!
You are under pressure to resolve the issue quickly which usually leads to choosing the first locksmith/advert you see. This may result in hiring a company that isn’t local, much more expensive or simply a locksmith with poor credentials.
Questions you may have…
• I need a locksmith but who do I call?
• Will I be charged a small fortune or a competitive local rate?
• Is the locksmith I phoned local to my area?
• How long will I have to wait?
• Have I called someone who is experienced that will complete the job professionally?
These are all good questions and hopefully we will be able to give you the knowledge to choose wisely!
Here are few things you can check…
Make sure the locksmith you’re trying to call has their own website. It should show the areas they cover but more importantly where they are actually located, is the business address local to you? Usually the further a locksmith has to travel the higher the labour rate will be.
Also you can check to see if they use local phone numbers but be warned many companies pay to use local area codes which catch out a large number of the general public, making them think they are supporting local businesses when in fact that’s not the case!
The worst culprits for this are large national firms as they are basically just a call centre. Usually having an office/hub in a specific part of the country but advertise locally in every town and city using purchased localised area codes. When you call them, they will subcontract the job to a local locksmith in your area to do the work. You end up paying an inflated rate as you are essentially paying for two companies.
If you phone a local locksmith directly you will pay a much fairer labour rate and any good locksmith firm will never charge a call out fee. An experienced locksmith should be able to give a reasonably accurate quote over the phone with no hidden charges.
Also if you are put through to a call centre ask to speak directly to the locksmith that will be attending, if the call handler is reluctant this could be a red flag. I personally handle all my calls and think it’s the best way to engage and reassure my customers while providing the best advice.
Make sure the locksmith business you choose has good local reviews, these can be found on Google. Also are they part of any organisations that promote and maintain high workmanship and business ethics, like Trading Standards for example. If they are members of any organisations like this, it’s very likely it will be listed on their website.
When you call your local locksmith you shouldn’t have to wait very long as they should work in or very close to your area. Providing the locksmith has reasonably clear diary they should be able to attend within an hour for emergency work.
As a local business we very competitively priced and have 20 years experience within the trade, so if you live in the Torbay or surrounding areas why not save our number into your mobile phone?