The internet is also great when it comes to locating quality professionals for your various home, office and property security needs.  Via your computer or smart phone, a few taps of the keyboard or screen will have all the information you need to pick an experienced and reliable locksmith or security consultant, right at the tip of your fingertips.  Want to know more about using the world wide web to evaluate your locksmith partner and weed out fly-by-night or disreputable companies from your short list, then read on!

1.   Certifications, Accreditations, Licensing and More

One of the first, easiest and best ways to ensure you’re dealing with a professional locksmith is to check out their various accreditations.  Many organizations will list this information on their website.  The state of Texas, as well as other jurisdictions, also maintains lists of licensed locksmith companies.  Always be sure to verify with the certifying authority any information provided.

2.   Industry Participation Adds Cred

In addition to certification by government and third parties, you should use google or other search engines to determine if your individual or locksmith company is active in various trade industries involving security.  Professional outfits like to keep up on the latest-and-greatest happenings in the world of locks and security.  Bonus points for education articles or contributions to blogs that provide vital info to the public.

3.   Check out those Reviews

While it may seem second nature to many, checking out online reviews is one of the most essential and often overlooked aspects of gauging reliability of your potential locksmith.  Yelp, Google Reviews and paid sites such as Angie’s List, all offer platforms for prior customers to rate their service.  Try to peruse a variety of sources to be sure you have the most accurate information.

4.   And by Reviews We Mean the Legitimate Ones

While we’re on the topic of reviews, it’s important to remember that not all reviews are created equal.  Some disreputable companies will ask friends and family to provide five-star ratings, with little to no detail regarding service.  Others will pay third-party services to flood their profiles with positive feedback.  Carefully read the reviews to determine whether they were made by users with active profiles and whether the review itself has quality and applicable information.

5.   Peruse That Website

Since you’re online anyways, another great way to ensure you’re not getting on board with a less-than-awesome locksmith partner is to give their website a thorough once over.  A website should look professional and customized with more than just minimal contact information.  If a website looks canned or has too many stock pictures that don’t match up with the services offered, this may be a red flag that you should look elsewhere for your locksmith needs.

6.   Verifiable Customer testimonials

Whether on their website, through reviews or by email request, the internet is a great place to get ahold of customer testimonials for your locksmith partners.  Testimonials amount to resume references for those in the locksmith or other trades professions.  Be sure the testimonials are from real people and ask if it’s okay to contact the prior clients for confirmation or a more in-depth assessment.

7.   With Age Comes Wisdom and Experience

Whether your grandmother or your locksmith partner, the old saying about listening to your elders certainly applies for general knowledge, experience and know-how.  When choosing a security professional, use available online resources to confirm length of time in business as well as total number of years of locksmith experience.  Fly-by-night operations will often operate under a variety of business names in a short period of time in an attempt to avoid poor reviews or customer service issues.  In addition, when dealing with a locksmith that’s been around the block a time or two you can rest easy knowing your security is in the hands of someone with the right set of knowledge and skills.

The Internet Bottom Line

Using the internet as a valuable resource for weeding out potential bad apples for your locksmith needs is never a bad idea.  If you’re in need of a professional locksmith in the Texas area, call A-1 for a free consultation.  In the meantime, feel free to check out our credentials, industry awards, independent customer tutorials, reviews and more at https://devkey.a-1locksmith.com/.

Uninsured Locksmith Businesses are Often Scams

When a locksmith isn’t insured (as well as licensed and bonded), it’s often because the locksmith business is a scam. Scammers will often make promises of quick service at cheap prices, only to wind up charging you way more than you were expecting. Immediately upon having a locksmith arrive at your home or business, ask to see his or her credentials. If the locksmith doesn’t have insurance, refrain from continuing with the locksmith any further to protect yourself from a scam.

If Uninsured, You’ll Have to Pay for Any Damages

While most locksmith jobs go according to plan with no damages caused to the home or business, some—especially those locksmith jobs performed by non-licensed frauds—do lead to structural destruction. This is especially true if the locksmith insists upon installing a new lock or using a drill to enter your home or business (which may also be a sign of a scam).

Unfortunately, if the locksmith doesn’t have insurance and any damage is caused, the locksmith may not be held liable for the damages; rather, you will be. This means that you’ll most likely have to pay for any damages to your property out of your own pocket, which can get pricey. When a locksmith is insured, then the locksmith’s insurance is responsible for paying for any damages that occur as a direct result of the locksmith professional’s work.

Resisting the Urge to Hire an Uninsured Locksmith

When you’re locked out of your home or office, the only thing that’s on your mind is getting back in. This is especially true when you have a project that demands instant attention, are in a rush, or it’s late at night. When you’re in a situation like this, it can be tempting to hire the first locksmith that pops up on a search engine’s search results page. While this may get your door unlocked, it could end up costing you hundreds of dollars in service fees, technician’s fees, and damages and repair costs.

To avoid a costly mistake such as a hiring an insured locksmith, don’t take chances; instead, always call the team at A-1 Locksmiths. Our team has over 60 years of experience in the Dallas area, and we are fully bonded, licensed, and insured. If you have a commercial or residential locksmith emergency, we’re ready to help you!