Needing a key replacement business is something that can happen out of nowhere, such as finding oneself locked out of their home, their car, or even their business! These sudden and surprising moments can result in a sense of panic so that people end up calling up a replacement service because they were the ones that showed up first in a search!
Finding a reliable, good locksmith should be done before there’s an emergency and not afterward, especially if someone owns a business. Here is what to look for in an emergency locksmith:
Make sure that they are available twenty-four hours a day. This is pretty self-explanatory. If they call themselves an emergency service, then someone calling up at midnight shouldn’t get a message saying that they’re closed for the night! An emergency service is open every day of the year, so make sure that it says so on their website. This information should be readily accessible and not hidden on their website. If it is, beware that they might not be entirely honest about their hours.
Make sure they are properly accredited. A locksmith is a professional. They’re not someone who toyed around with it in high school and now call themselves experts! Locksmiths get proper post-secondary training in the field and should have the necessary accreditation to support them. They also shouldn’t be afraid to supply that information to anyone who asks!
Make sure they are experienced and that the company has some history. This is information that people don’t even need to call about as it’s usually listed on their website. It’s always a good idea to visit a business’ site just to make sure that everything looks right. They should have some history and they should have a good amount of experience. Good companies boast about the combined experience their employees have, others don’t.
Check for reviews both online and off. Chances are a company has had other experiences with customers and it’s in your interest to look them up. Online, most sites do have an average rating that they supply for each business. All one has to do is keep in mind that four or five stars out of five, or the rough equivalent, is always an indicator of a good business. Three is a pass, but not great. Two or less is generally an indicator that the company is probably not the best choice.
It’s also a good idea to ask around offline. Even in larger cities, friends and family have usually heard of a company and more people use emergency locksmiths than you think. Ask around and see what they have to say.
Ensure that they are reliable. This is a bit harder to figure out, but not impossible, although it might mean trying them out for a while. If after you’ve hired the company on, you notice that they don’t appear to be answering the phone often or that the phone lines tend to be busy, then they’re not as reliable as they claimed and it might be time to switch to a new emergency locksmith.