Reputable locksmith in Rotherham

How to avoid a minor annoyance turning into a much worse situation.

The other day I was wood staining my banisters, as you do when you want to take your mind off what is quite a confusing world at the moment. The wood-stain was a classy shade of browny red, and, to match that classiness, I had found an old pair of underpants to use as a makeshift cloth to mop up any spillages. The job went well and I was satisfied with my afternoon’s work. That is until I opened the side door to put the makeshift cloth I’d been using in the bin. It just so happened that my neighbour was also putting their rubbish out, and to their untrained eye, it looked as if I was discarding a pair of blood-splattered underpants.

I’m not sure if you’ve found yourself in a situation such as this, but one’s brain doesn’t always work quite the way you’d like it to. Without thinking, I quickly spluttered out “It’s okay…it’s wood-stain.. I haven’t killed anyone.” My neighbour gave a nervous smile, quickly retreated to his house, and if I’m completely honest, I think he’s been avoiding me ever since, certain in the knowledge I’ll soon be unmasked as the secret underpants murderer.  My attempts at calming the situation had just made an awkward situation worse.  Which, happily, is what I want to talk about today.  No, not blood stained underpants, but how to avoid a minor annoyance turning into a much worse situation.

The annoyance in this case would be you getting locked out of your house. Disrupting to your day, yes, but not a total disaster. However, how you react to the situation could lead you down the path to financial heartache if you’re not careful about who you contact to help.

Most locksmiths are honest and respectable, if not as devilishly handsome as me of course (shush at the back).  However, there are sadly a few that give the rest of us a bad name and will only worsen the situation.  I’ve heard tales of overcharging, intimidation on questioning their fees,  disappearing the moment you request follow-up repairs/refund, and even frogmarching the customer to a cash machine to pay their over-the top charges.

It’s in everyone’s best interests – you the customer, and us as locksmiths not wanting our trade to get a bad name,  that these disreputable locksmiths are not allowed to carry on ripping off customers. In an attempt to do my part, I’ve put together some pointers to consider should you need the services of a locksmith:

Be extremely cautious of very low quotes

If something seems too good to be true, it often is.  We all like a bargain but once the disreputable locksmith has started work, surprise surprise, they suddenly need extra parts, or the labour cost has more than tripled. If the price seems bizarrely low and you’re willing to risk it, then at least get the quote in writing so you have something to fall back on.

Research whether a locksmith is really who they say they are

There have been cases of rogue traders passing themselves off as  legitimate locksmith businesses by using the address or name of a reputable tradesman. Trust your instincts – if you call and it takes a while for the person who answers to realise what you’re calling about, are they *really* a full time locksmith?

Research local locksmiths beforehand

Ask friends and family who’ve had work done in the past who they’ve used. Have a list of reputable locksmiths to hand BEFORE an emergency arises. Ask if they’re police approved and DBS checked. Keep the list to hand, saved in your phone, should the need arise.

Make certain that the locksmith you choose has insurance. Then, if the worst happens and any of your property is damaged, at least you’ll be fully covered.

Use your eyes!

It’s the simple things – does the company sign or logo match their advertisements?  Does the locksmith turn up in a branded van or is it just a plain, anonymous one? The latter should get alarm bells ringing.

Ask for identification the moment the locksmith turns up

If they refuse or try to fudge the request, do not do business with them. There’s always other companies, and your safety is the first priority.

Don’t let them pressure you on the doorstep

If the locksmith immediately insists that the lock has to be completely replaced for you to gain access to your house, ask why.  Locksmiths should be able to open most locks without having to replace them, unless they are physically damaged. Get the locksmith to let you in, and you will then have time to make a decision over whether you need a new lock.

A few tips there that I’d advise you to follow should you need work done. It goes without saying that I would hope you’d choose me to do the work as I’ve worked hard to build up a good reputation in the many years I’ve been doing this job in the local area. However, if you do choose to go elsewhere, I’d urge you to follow the advice above and choose a reputable company who will ensure your safety and security.  I care about my business, but I also care about the profession as a whole and don’t like to see rogue traders giving it a bad name.  A little research will help you avoid making a bad situation much worse.  And I’ll never mention my underpants ever again.