Quickly Locksmith Miami - All You need To Know About Miami Locksmith Scams To Be Aware Of (and How to Avoid Them)
When you find yourself in a lock-related jam, the last thing you want is to become a victim of fraud. Here is how to spot some of the most common scams in Miami.
MIAMI, Jan. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Whether you are moving homes in Miami or you find yourself locked out of your vehicle, at one point or another, you are going to need the assistance of a locksmith.
Locksmiths can be a saving grace in a tough situation. However, unlike Quickly Locksmith, not everyone has a customer's best interests at heart.
Knowing you are dealing with a reputable locksmith can save you time, money, and a world of frustration. Before we get into tips on how to avoid locksmith scams, let's look at two of the most common scams that occur in Miami.
The 24-Hour Scam:
In general, emergency locksmith services come at a slightly higher price. Finding a locksmith that won't charge you a fortune during an emergency seems too good to be true – that's because it probably is.
The 24-hour locksmith scam has become all too common in Miami. Here is what happens.
Say you lock yourself out of your home and you find a technician that only charges $30. You get them to come out to your location, only to be charged $400 by the end of the job. Their excuse for this is that the $30 was just the callout charge and doesn't include labor. They also tend to claim the labor was more complicated than first anticipated or that you needed a high-security lock.
You could refuse to pay them, but they generally threaten to call the police. In many instances, they will even offer to drive with you to an ATM so that you can withdraw the cash.
Reputable locksmiths like Quickly Locksmith will provide you with a free and accurate estimate before going ahead with a repair or lock-out. This ensures you know exactly what to expect.
The Re-Keying Scam:
Another locksmith scam that is often heard of in Miami is the re-keying scam. Re-keying will never cost more than $30 – this is generally only when the lock is double-sided.
The re-keying scam involves the locksmith charging a client for the new pins along with additional charges. What many people don't know is that replacing the pins is part of the re-keying process, it's not an added extra.
There is another variation of this scam that involves the locksmith basing their estimate on the number of pins. However, almost all locks have five pins, so there should only be one standard cost. Some locksmiths will even indicate they need to open the lock to make sure there aren't more than five pins. The result? The customer is all too relieved that they don't need to pay more to replace six or seven pins.
Tips for Avoiding Fake Locksmiths in Miami:
- Start with a Bit of Research.
Having an idea of who the most reputable locksmiths are in Miami is the first step in avoiding a fake professional.
Researching potential locksmiths before you need one is the best way to avoid wasting your time and money. When you are locked out of your home or vehicle, you are generally panicked and desperate – not the ideal time to search for a locksmith.
When searching for local locksmiths, read through online reviews and stop in at their physical store if it's possible. This will provide you with greater peace of mind when you do find yourself locked out.
Unfortunately, not everyone gets the chance to research locksmiths before they need one. This is when you need to take additional steps to rule out scams.
- Review Their Online Presence.
Reputable professionals like Quickly Locksmith have a prominent online presence. If the locksmith you have in mind has a website, that's a positive sign, but before you get too excited, look at the depth of the site.
How much detail does the website provide? Are they posting any useful content that indicates they are industry professionals?
Next, move onto their social media presence. Do they have one? And if so, how regularly do they post? You can even explore some of the comments to see what people are saying about their experience with that locksmith.
- Pay Attention When Calling.
Whether you need urgent assistance or are shopping around for quotes, pay careful attention to what happens during your call with a potential locksmith.
In most instances, a professional business will answer their phones with their name and company. Don't hear a company name? See this as a red flag.
Many fake locksmiths pay call centers to answer and route calls on their behalf. These centers are also usually answering calls for hundreds of other people (many of which are locksmiths), so they avoid mentioning any company names.
The second red flag to look out for when calling a potential locksmith is how often you get transferred. Call centers need to route calls based on zip codes, which can take more than one try. One transfer is fine but once you are transferred two to three times, see this as a sign to continue your search.
- Get Physical Proof Wherever Possible.
If you don't need a locksmith right away, ask for a written estimate from the company. If you are dealing with a reputable locksmith, you will receive a detailed estimate on a company letterhead.
This is not to say that a fake locksmith won't necessarily use a letterhead, but at least you have some physical proof should you need to open a case against them later on.
It's also highly recommended that you get a receipt after you pay. A number of locksmiths try to get a second payment out of customers when there is no proof of a receipt.
- One Quote Isn't Always Enough.
If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is, especially if you are calling a locksmith in an emergency.
Professional locksmith estimates include overheads as well as the time spent completing the job. The rates for emergency and after-hours services will also be higher than their general prices. This is to account for the overtime they need to pay staff.
Fake locksmiths aren't too concerned about whether they can actually assist you without damaging your locks, so their rates tend to be much cheaper. These scammers draw you in with a lower price, end up damaging your locks, and charge more for the repairs.
This is not to say you shouldn't shop around for an affordable locksmith, it's just best to get at least two quotes to compare before you sign off on repairs.
- Rely on Your First Impression.
Every detail counts when you want to hire someone to assist you with the security of your home. Is the locksmith arriving in a professional vehicle with signage? Are they professionally dressed? Do they carry branded documentation? Never discount your instincts when searching for a locksmith. It's these small details that can help you spot and avoid fakes.
When contacting Quickly Locksmith, we will always arrive in branded vehicles and attire, ensuring you know we are true professionals who are ready to assist you.
- Before They Get Started…
Once you decide on a locksmith, there are some final questions to ask before you let them go ahead.
The first thing you want to ask for once a locksmith arrives is their license. This means you can count on them to maintain a certain standard when conducting their repairs. It also proves that they have insurance should anything go wrong.
Unfortunately, only 15 states require locksmiths to have a license, which is why it's important to conduct additional research before accepting assistance. These states are:
Alabama
California
Connecticut
Illinois
Louisiana
Maryland
Nebraska
Nevada
New Jersey
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Oregon
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
If your locksmith doesn't have a license, you can also ask them for an ID, which will contain their name and address.
Over and above this, you may also want to ask one or two questions about the work they are about to perform. A reputable locksmith will always be willing and able to answer your questions.
Fake locksmiths are out there, and they won't be disappearing any time soon, so it helps to be aware of how to protect yourself. Being aware of these common scams in Miami and what you can do to avoid them is a good start.
If you ever need emergency assistance or want an estimate for your residential or commercial property, keep the Quickly Locksmith Miami contact number on hand.
Use Quickly Locksmith Miami website for more tips and helpful information: https://www.quicklymiamilocksmith.com.
Or call Quickly 24/7 with any question: (305) 984-9922.
Media Contact
David Davidof, Quickly Locksmith Miami, +1 786-294-8768, [email protected]
David Davidof, Quickly Locksmith Miami, 305-984-9922, [email protected]
SOURCE Quickly Locksmith Miami
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