There are lots of reasons that you might need a locksmith–perhaps you want to change or repair the locks on your home or update the look of your doors and doorknobs. Maybe you own a business, and you want to find ways to increase safety and efficiency. Locksmiths offer many services–but when you do an online search for locksmiths near you, chances are you may find some pretty sketchy places that offer low prices, but really just prey on honest people. Because of this, it’s always a good idea to research local locksmiths and find one that you trust before you need a big job done. Here are a few tips on finding a great local locksmith and avoiding unscrupulous scammers.
- Check the address. Often, scamming companies will be registered under false addresses, so it’s always a good idea to check out the listed address. You can use Google maps, or just drive by the address itself; if things don’t look right, they’re probably not. If the building is residential, or if it looks empty and unused, or if it just doesn’t exist, that’s a clear sign that you should stay away!
- Ask around. Good locksmiths tend to have a good reputation. If you’re an individual looking for a locksmith, check with local businesses. After all, businesses may make more frequent use of locksmith services, and many locksmiths (like us here at Advanced Lock and Security) do both residential and commercial locksmith work. If a business has a locksmith that they’re pleased with, it’s definitely worth checking them out.
- Check review websites. Sometimes fraudulent businesses will post fake testimonials on their websites, making it look like they’re a legitimate business when they’re truly not. Fortunately, there are websites like Yelp and Google Reviews. Checking these sites is always recommended; if a business doesn’t have any reviews, or if all the reviews are negative, it’s another good sign that you may want to look elsewhere.
- Make sure that the locksmith is part of ALOA. The ALOA, or Associated Locksmiths of America, is an organization that you can trust. It provides training for locksmiths, and it lets consumers know which locksmiths have met the high ALOA standards. You can see if a locksmith is displaying the ALOA badge, and double-check by searching the ALOA website.
Of course, we here at Advanced Lock and Security would like to be your locksmith–and we fit all the requirements! We’re a truly local business that’s used by many individuals and businesses; what’s more, we’re a proud part of ALOA, as you can see by the badge on our website. We truly hope that you’ll choose us–but if you’re reading this from somewhere outside our area of service, we also hope that you’ll use these tips to safely find yourself a good local locksmith.
