Today, a growing number of consumer advocates recommend performing a little advanced research to select a preferred 24-hour locksmith before a lock-related emergency arises. This advice surprises some people. However, strong reasons support taking this precaution.
Most households and businesses in Medford will need emergency locksmith services at some point in time. Since lockouts typically occur unexpectedly, the need for this assistance may occur quite suddenly. This brief blog post explains why making the decision to develop a business relationship with an emergency locksmith company offers solid value for most consumers.
One: Verify Your Locksmith’s Qualifications
During recent years, residents in some parts of the nation have suffered losses as a result of the proliferation of unqualified locksmiths. A capable emergency locksmith will take the time to open a locked door for a customer without resorting to drilling the lock as the first option. This service prevents door locks from sustaining unnecessary damage during lockouts. It ultimately helps customers save money.
By taking the time to explore available locksmith options in your community before a lockout occurs, you’ll enjoy a better opportunity to evaluate the capabilities of locksmith firms in the area. Don’t assume everyone advertising online as an emergency locksmith possesses the same level of skill. Currently, at least 10 states in the United States license locksmiths. In Oregon, locksmiths must obtain certification (unless specific exemptions apply). This legal requirement seeks to protect the public. The certification law seeks to ensure only well-qualified locksmiths respond to emergencies.
Two: Make Sure Your Locksmith Provides 24-Hour Emergency Service in Your Area
Another reason to learn about local locksmith firms before you require a locksmith’s assistance relates to a practical issue. You’ll want to make sure your locksmith firm offers emergency services that address the specific type of situation you’ve encountered. Some companies don’t offer certain types of locksmith assistance, for example. Other firms specialize in specific field exclusively, such as automotive locksmithing. If you’ve sustained a residential lockout, it proves important to contact a locksmith who supplies residential locksmith services.
Additionally, it makes sense to verify the company you call during an emergency provides locksmith services in your locale. Most firms will indicate their coverage areas. For example, our Medford firm offers services in some outlying communities (including Grant’s Pass and Ashland). This information proves vitally important. If you reside in Medford, you certainly don’t want to request emergency services from a company serving only Salem or Portland, for example.
Three: Get Competitive Prices From Locksmiths
Another basis exists for learning about available locksmith services before a need arises for a locksmith’s skills. Performing advance research should permit you to compare and evaluate the prices charged by local firms. During an emergency such as a lockout, customers often have difficulty performing this kind of cost-saving analysis.
An honest locksmith firm will disclose its price structure to prospective customers in advance. While the firm may not be able to provide a definitive price (since the extent of the emergency service is not yet known), you can at least learn base price information and standard mileage charges and emergency fees. By performing careful research in advance, you’ll find yourself in a much better position to make well informed decisions about emergency locksmith services. If a need should ever arise to seek this assistance, you won’t become a victim of price gouging.
Four: Prepare to Handle Unexpected Lock Emergencies
Finally, spending a little time familiarizing yourself with local locksmith services offers psychological benefits. It allows you to select a preferred emergency services provider without the presence of an emergency affecting your judgement. During a lockout, many consumers experience strong emotions. They may feel anxiety or even panic. In this situation, some property owners feel tempted to contact the first online locksmith listing which comes to their attention.
By preparing in advance to handle a locksmith emergency, you can place the number of your preferred locksmith company on speed dial. You won’t find yourself hurriedly searching for any firm offering emergency services. Instead, you’ll already know the best company to contact in your area. Simply taking the precaution of performing careful advance research allows you to respond to a potentially stressful situation with a greater degree of confidence.
Sound Consumer Advice
For all these reasons, we urge businesses and residents in the Salem area to select a qualified 24-hour emergency locksmith firm (like J & L Pacific Lock & Key) in advance of an emergency. We remain available to assist new customers in our service area at any time, of course. However, we realize customers discovering home, business, or automotive lockouts sometimes feel stressed during these emergencies.
Consider learning about our services today, before you require our assistance resolving a lock emergency. We welcome the opportunity to speak with you about our company and its services. Contact us at 541-930-8363 whenever you need the services of qualified local commercial, residential, or automotive locksmiths (including emergency locksmiths). We also assist customers seeking to purchase, install, and maintain safes.
Helpful Locksmith Resources
1. https://www.angieslist.com/research/locksmiths/
2. https://www.oregon.gov/ccb/licensing/pages/locksmith.aspx