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Locksmith

When you think of locksmiths it is easy to think that they pick locks. Picking a lock takes skill and often a lot of time, and some locks simply refuse to be picked. A legitimate locksmith is trying to get the job done for a reasonable price without wasting your time or theirs. There are also locksmith scammers who may not do a good job and overcharge you.

Before they start work

How a legitimate call usually goes

A legitimate locksmith should first ask for ID to show that you live there and, after examining the lock, quote a final price. Often the quickest way to open a keyed lock is a power drill that removes the locking mechanism. After the door is open, they replace the knob with a lockset from the truck, hand over the new keys, and go to the next job.

What the phone can tell you

Locksmiths are usually small businesses, so services and prices vary. Some Southern California rates are as low as $15 for the service call, and one advertised lockout rate started at $35. You usually cannot get more than a general idea of the final cost over the phone. They have to see the job to know what it will take.

Questions to ask when you call

Is the lockout estimate in addition to the service call? Does the lockout quote include a new lockset if one is needed, or is that an extra charge? If the call is outside normal business hours, is there an emergency or nighttime fee? How long will it take for someone to get here?

Hidden cam report on scammers

This news report shows locksmith scammers who overcharge and do a poor job. Watch it before you are standing in the driveway with someone who wants to start work.

Thanks to CBC News for the YouTube video.

Watch on YouTube

The new lockset may not match

You may end up with a temporary knob that is not the same style you started with. The truck has a limited stock of locksets, so speed, cost, and looks are a tradeoff. A house full of lever handles may have to take a cheap round knob for now, and a matching lever-handle lockset later.

Get the quote before they start

Final cost is unknown until the locksmith quotes the job, and they are already at the house when they do. Do not let them start work before that quote, or you may end up overcharged and poorly served. In the end you are inside, with a locking door, after one phone call. Your wallet may tell you to put a hidden emergency key in place so this does not happen again.

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