Hiring a Locksmith in Los Angeles
This is an article about the dangers of hiring a fraud or faulty locksmith service in LA. It also talks about the necessary precautions that one can take while hiring a locksmith Further the article also helps in identifying simple do-it-yourself techniques in emergency situations of lockouts.
Almost everyone in this world needs a locksmith at some point in time. Most of them are sincere and helpful. But a few are just con artists. Their agenda is not to help you but to get as much money out of you as possible.
After the report of multiple locksmith scandals in the city, it has been found that a lot of untrustworthy locksmiths are using their skills to charge their customers exorbitantly in crucial moments, so that they can get the maximum out of them. Los Angeles alone is reported to have over 1000 complaints in the recent past. Probably there are even more, unreported ones.
The trick
What most of the companies are doing today is listing them with a phone number that routes to a call center in a different part of the country. They also put in false addresses so that once the deed is done, they aren’t traceable. When consumers call, they are quoted a nominal price for the service, however, when the person actually comes for it, adds up many other hidden costs and increases the bill phenomenally. They take undue advantage of people who are locked out of their cars and homes and use formidable tactics to get the money. There have been multiple incidents when people have been charged for unnecessary services with useless explanations and threatening tricks.
Hiring a Locksmith
Having said that, we also have to accept that if in a fix, one is left with no choice but to pay up for the locksmith, because you have to get into your car/house. It is advisable to carry a “Slim Jim”, which you can buy at a reliable locksmith supplies store in Los Angeles, with you for emergencies like this. Try to do it yourself first and then in case you are unsuccessful, only then approach a locksmith. Another important rule of thumb is to have a local trustworthy locksmith in your contact list, before you need one. It is important that you look for a credible locksmith, visit his store to see where his workshop is and whether he really is credible or is just another bogus con. Save his number and there you go. You know who to call when in a lock emergency. Now, it is possible, that you may never need a locksmith in LA, however, having one guarantees your safety. And of course saves a lot of trouble, and a lot of money.
The Slim Jim
A Slim Jim which is also referred to as a lockout tool is essentially a thin strip of metal. Slim Jims are used to unlock vehicle doors in the eventuality that it gets misplaced. It acts straight on the controls and interlocking rods that operate the door, entirely avoiding the difficulty of dealing with the lock machinery itself. There is a hooked end on the Slim Jim, which is to be inserted in the gap between the glass of the window and the rubber padding. It gets into the intersection of the lock lever and with a little manipulation; it can open the door for you. If you have a reliable la locksmith in Los Angeles, it is advisable to have him do it for you.
Our word of Advice
No one can really tell when you might need a locksmith. It is always advisable to identify a good and reliable locksmith service in LA so that when you need one, you know who you can call without running the risk of being stripped off your money.
Be cautious. Do not select a company randomly out of the phone directory. If you are stuck in a lock emergency, try to approach a known company. Learn never to trust an unmarked vehicle. Do not hesitate to file a complaint or call the police if you are suspicious of the locksmith. Remember to discuss charges before the services, but do not pay until delivered. Use a credit card, if possible because it has a built in fraud protection feature and does not credit money to scam or suspicious accounts.
Be safe.
The author belongs to an internationally acclaimed Locksmithing company called Lion Locksmiths. This company is known to have delivered the best of locksmith services in and around LA. Their services are available 24 hours.