3 Signs that You Can Trust Your Locksmith
Most locksmiths are honest and reliable tradesmen that will help you out in a bind, yet a few bad apples have unfortunately led to locksmiths having an untrustworthy reputation. It’s understandable to be cautious when it comes to a locksmith, as the nature of their job means they can easily access almost any property and make copies of keys without anyone noticing.
However, all the best locksmiths undergo extensive training and must obtain appropriate licensing and registration to practice their trade, so most of us should be safe when hiring one. Of course, cowboy locksmiths know their way around these things and can often pull the wool over your eyes, so it helps to know what signs to keep an eye out for to ensure they can be trusted.
Let’s look at 3 signs that you can trust your locksmith:
1. Accreditation
One of the easiest ways to determine the trustworthiness of a locksmith is asking to see some accreditation. All good locksmiths should have professional accreditation to a recognized locksmith organization, such as the Society of Professional Locksmiths (SOPL) or the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA).
Membership to these organizations involves following strict codes of conduct and being held to the highest ethical standards, so if a locksmith comes with professional accreditation it’s usually a sign he can be trusted.
2. Knowledge and Skills
If locksmithing was as easy as many assume, it’d just be a case of drilling a few holes and then putting up a new lock. The truth is that locksmithing is a complex trade that requires a lot of knowledge and experience to do properly.
But how exactly can you judge the knowledge and skills of a locksmith? One way is to ask a lot of questions about the process they plan on doing, as any skulled locksmith should be able to clearly explain what they are doing and why.
If it feels they are rushing you and avoiding telling too much, then it may be a sign they can’t be trusted. Another way to get a better feel for their skills is to check their experience. While never a guarantee, locksmiths with 10+ years’ experience are usually the most skilled so can probably be trusted.
3. Online Reputation
Cowboy locksmiths are having a tough time in our modern digital age, as it’s now very easy to quickly research any business to see how trustworthy they are. An untrustworthy locksmith is likely to leave a trail behind online, usually in the form of negative reviews, so keep an eye out for this.
Another thing to remember is a lack of any online presence. This is often a sign they can’t be trusted, as anyone that doesn’t have a website or business info online probably have something to hide!
Dib’s Safe & Lock Service in San Bernardino is a locally-owned, family run business with over 90 years experience proudly offering lock, safe, and key, services to residential and business customers in San Bernardino County, Riverside, and the surrounding areas in Inland Empire. If you have questions changing door locks, or lock and key service of any type, give Dib’s a call today at (909) 885-0452.
