Here at Galmier, we often come across two different types of clients: the ones who find themselves stuck in a rut, searching for an immediate and responsive
locksmith in Melbourne, and those conducting thorough research for a larger scale job, like changing the locks at a business or home.
Regardless of which group you fall into, it’s super important that you do your research and know what to look for to ensure you’re choosing a reputable,
trustworthy, honest, and affordable locksmith!
Over on our social media pages, we have been sharing lots of news articles lately from various US states in regards to bogus locksmiths scamming unsuspecting
customers.
During a locksmith emergency, your main priority isn’t really investigating a company, so we can understand how these locksmiths trick customers. It’s
totally unfair, so we’ve written this blog post with the aim of educating customers before they’re in a situation when they need an emergency
locksmith.
So, read on to learn how to find a locksmith for your next auto, residential, commercial, or emergency job.
Determine your problem
If you’re reading this blog post, it’s likely you’re searching for a solution or more info – great work! (Is there anything specific you need to know?
Get in touch.)
As mentioned above, our clients generally fall into one of two categories.
1. Emergency home and auto locksmith services
These are the common situations we hate to find ourselves in. Whether we’ve locked the keys in the car, snapped a key in the ignition, or your keys have been stolen, you don’t have time to waste.
2. Researching a locksmith for a specific job
Commercial and residential clients fall into this category when they are planning and require a locksmith’s services as well as advice and guidance. Common
planned jobs include:
- Landlords changing the locks between tenants
- A homeowner changing the locks at their new home
- A business owner looking to improve his shop’s security
The difference between the two becomes clear now, don’t you think?
Ask for a quote
What seems like such an obvious move is sometimes sidestepped, especially in a more urgent situation. If a locksmith can’t give you an accurate quote or
cost, there might be something up.
Better yet, if you are ringing around, you can get a couple of quotes and pick the one that best suits your budget.
Choose a locksmith who’s part of the MLAA
The Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia (MLAA) is an independent professional body committed to providing domestic and commercial clients the
ability to find trusted locksmithing services.
Its main goal is to promote the locksmith industry and provide a wide range of security services through its searchable directory.
MLAA locksmiths are licensed to operate and abide by a code of ethics and a code of conduct, so when you choose an MLAA locksmith, you’re choosing wisely!
Check out reviews
Google and WOMO are your best friends here!
Scour review websites and read all about the companies that have made it to your shortlist. Is one company consistently praised for arriving on time and
offering highly competitive costs? People are far too quick to write negative reviews, so if you’ve found positive reviews, you can have confidence
in your locksmith choice. Click the image below to read some of our reviews!
(Slight humblebrag: we are super delighted to have been awarded a 2016 Service Award from WOMO. That means more than 90% of our WOMO reviews have had a 4 or 5 star rating. Less than 5% of businesses qualify for this award, so we are pretty proud of ourselves!)
Ask for references
Especially important for a large scale job (like a commercial property), references show and tell you that a specific locksmithing company has the experience,
knowledge and tools to tackle even the most complex of tasks.
A proud locksmith should always be willing to show off references!
Get an itemised invoice at the end of a job
This is another super important one, but can sometimes slip our minds amidst our elation at getting back into our car/office/home.
The receipt or invoice should include basic company details and all items or services should be priced individually, followed by the grand total that you
were charged.
Perhaps the most important tip we can share: once you find a good locksmith, stick with them!
Save their number in your phone and ensure they’re always just a phone call away should you ever be in an emergency situation.
Whether you’ve locked your keys in your car, have snapped a key in a lock, or can’t find that darn house key, you’ll be so glad you’ve already got your
trustworthy locksmith in your phone contacts. Now, without further ado, save our number in your phone: 0407 022 234.
If you have any questions about our services, want to book a time, or would
like a quote, don’t hesitate to reach out. We can’t wait to help!
