Don't Get Caught Off Guard: How to Spot a Locksmith Bait-and-Switch

A low advertised locksmith price may not represent the complete cost of the service. Before scheduling a locksmith, here are five important questions to ask.

When you are locked out of your home, business, or vehicle, finding a locksmith usually isn't something you have time to research extensively. You may be standing outside your property, dealing with a locked vehicle, or trying to resolve an urgent security issue.

That urgency can make it easier to overlook important details when choosing a locksmith.

An online search may show a company that appears to be nearby. The phone number may look local, and an advertisement may promote an exceptionally low service-call price. However, those details alone do not necessarily tell you what you will actually pay once a locksmith arrives.

A Low Service-Call Price May Not Be the Full Cost

An inexpensive advertised service-call or trip fee can seem attractive, particularly when you need immediate assistance. However, that initial fee may simply cover the cost of sending a locksmith to your location.

Depending on the job, other charges may apply for labor, lock opening, key services, replacement hardware, programming, or other work that is needed after the locksmith evaluates the situation.



For that reason, it is important to ask about the expected total cost of your specific job rather than relying only on a low dispatch or service-call price.

Be Cautious When You Can't Get a Straight Answer

Every lockout and locksmith situation is different. In some circumstances, additional work may genuinely be necessary. A lock may need to be repaired or replaced, and drilling may be appropriate in certain situations.

Before any work begins, however, you should be able to receive an explanation of the problem, understand what options are available, and find out why the price may be different from the original estimate.

Be cautious if a locksmith or dispatcher:

• Provides only a vague "starting at" price without discussing the likely total cost.
• Does not clearly explain what the service-call fee covers.
• Cannot tell you what situations could result in additional charges.
• Recommends drilling or replacing a lock without explaining why it is necessary or whether other entry methods may be appropriate.
• Attempts to rush you into approving work before you understand the price.
• Does not clearly provide the legal business name or identify the company sending the technician.

Clear communication before work begins can help prevent misunderstandings later.

Don't Rely Only on the Star Rating

Online reviews can be useful when researching a locksmith, but a high overall rating does not necessarily tell you everything about a business or a particular service experience.

Before contacting a locksmith, consider reading a selection of recent reviews as well as some lower-rated reviews. Look for recurring concerns rather than basing your decision on a single review.

Pay particular attention to repeated complaints involving:



• A final price that was significantly different from what the customer was initially told.
• Estimates that were unclear or incomplete.
• Pressure to drill or replace locks without a sufficient explanation.
• Difficulty contacting the company following a service call.
• Uncertainty about the company's actual name, location, or the identity of the technician.

One unfavorable review does not necessarily establish a pattern. Multiple similar complaints over time can provide more useful information when researching a business.

Five Questions to Ask Before Scheduling a Locksmith

Before agreeing to have a locksmith dispatched to your location, consider asking these questions:

1. What is the expected total price for the specific service I need?
2. Does that price include the service call, labor, and opening the lock?
3. What could cause the final price to be different once the technician arrives?
4. When appropriate, will you consider nondestructive entry methods before drilling the lock?
5. What is the exact business name providing the service, and where is the business located?

If the person arranging your service will not provide clear answers, refuses to explain the estimate, or is unwilling to identify the business, you may want to stop and contact another locksmith before agreeing to the service.

Get Clear Information Before Locksmith Work Begins

Being locked out is stressful enough without having to worry about unexpected charges. Before authorizing a locksmith to come to your home, business, or vehicle, ask about the expected total cost instead of focusing solely on the advertised service-call fee.

You should also ask what factors could cause the price to change and make sure you understand the proposed work before giving authorization.

At Avallone's Lock & Key, we provide locksmith services for residential, commercial, and automotive customers throughout Beaufort County and surrounding Lowcountry communities. Our services include lockouts, rekeying, lock and hardware installation, door repair, electronic and smart locks, high-security locks, safe services, and automotive locksmith services.



If you need locksmith assistance in Beaufort, Bluffton, Port Royal, Lady's Island, St. Helena Island, Hilton Head Island, or surrounding areas, contact Avallone's Lock & Key to discuss your specific needs before scheduling service.