Choose a reliable Rotherham locksmith wisely

The importance of finding a trusted locksmith

I don’t want to start 2023 off on a negative foot, but I’ve recently been thinking about minor irritations. You know, those things that make you tut and go “oh shucks”. For instance, jumping out of an aeroplane and then realising you’re forgotten your parachute. That would really stick in your craw. Or trying to install Zoom on your computer, and accidentally launching a nuclear attack that wipes out half of humanity instead. I know it doesn’t sound major, but these little irritations can really niggle away at you.

Avoid the stress of calling in a disreputable locksmith

A step up from these kinds of irritations is one where you’ve somehow locked yourself out of your house, either due to a lost key or a broken lock. This is definitely an “oh shucks” moment, or you might even find yourself uttering something stronger like “Crikey Charlie”. As long as no children are around. An important thing to remember, however, is that it’s not the end of the world. I wouldn’t even class it as a major brouhaha. Perhaps a kerfuffle, but no stronger. Nevertheless there is still the risk that the kerfuffle *will* become a major brouhaha, and this is almost entirely down to the actions you take when you find yourself in this situation.

And the major brouhaha in this case would be from calling in a disreputable locksmith – this in turn could cause a lot of additional stress and financial loss, and no-one wants that. Our aim is to keep the brouhaha down to a kerfuffle level of incident at the very strongest.

Now, before I start ripping other “locksmiths” to shreds, I do want to make it clear that the majority are honest, skilled, and a credit to their profession, even if they don’t quite have the film star good looks shared by some of us. Unfortunately, as with most industries, there will be a few bad apples that bring shame on the industry. Police, teaching, lawyers… there will always be some wrong ‘uns in any line of work. Heck, even in convents I bet there’s a sister or mother superior who likes pulling the legs off crane flies or something. In my industry I have come across examples of overcharging, poor shoddy work, disappearing acts when asked to return to put stuff right, intimidation, and even downright extortion.

How to avoid being ripped off

It is in all of our interests, customers and honest locksmiths alike, to make sure this shadier side of the industry does not prevail. We don’t want customers ripped off, and customers certainly can’t afford to be ripped off in this climate. To do my part, I’ve listed a few tips that should be considered when needing the services of a locksmith, whether in an emergency kerfuffle like above, or just to do regular maintenance work.

• Watch out for unbelievable bargains. There is generally a good reason that prices are unbelievable – they’re not achievable. An attractively low quote often goes hand in hand with a very unattractive final bill. Rogue traders will find a way to add extras as they go along – maybe on the pretext the job is more complicated than they first thought, they need extra parts, more labour hours etc. It’s your decision whether to accept a really low quote, but if you do, make sure you get it upfront in writing, preferably itemised so it’s down in black and white.
• Check if a locksmith is really from the company 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 goes through to a call centre or takes a while for the person who answers to realise what you’re calling about, are they really a full-time local locksmith?
• Do a bit of upfront research. Right now, after you’ve read this. Maybe you don’t need a locksmith this second, but it’s best to be prepared. It’s a terrible time to do research when you’re in a panic, locked out of your house. Do it now whilst you’re thinking clearly. Ask round family, friends, work colleagues and get recommendations for trusted locksmiths that you can save in your phone. You may never need to call on them, but better to have them and not need them, than need them and not have them.
• Ask the locksmith if they have insurance. If any damage is done to your house, do they have liability insurance that will cover this? Again, it’s unlikely they’ll cause damage of an insurance claim level, but better to be safe than sorry.
• Use your eyes. Simply speaking, 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, as it suggests a business that is not very well established.
• Is the locksmith able to provide ID? If you have concerns and ask to see a form of identification, the locksmith should happily provide this. If they are reluctant to do so, this should really start alarm bells ringing. Ask them to leave, and get someone else in. Your safety is the priority.
• Is the work proportionate to the problem? If a locksmith turns up and, without giving a cursory glance to the problem, insists that the lock has to be replaced in order for you to access your house, this needs questioning. Yes, in some cases the lock will need replacing, but most skilled locksmiths can get you in your house without this, unless the lock is totally beyond repair. Don’t be pressured whilst stuck on your doorstep. Ask them to get you in the house, and then you can calmly make a decision on any repair or replacement.

I hope these tips have been useful. Whilst I’d obviously like you to choose me if you need work doing, and I pride myself on my workmanship and reputation built up over too many years to count, it may be that you’re out of area, or just decide to go with someone else. That’s fair enough, there’s enough work to go around, but whatever you chose, please do your due diligence and make sure the person you’re letting into your house is who they say they are, and above board. It’s too much of a risk otherwise.