subject: Does Anyone Know A Good Locksmith? [print this page] We, the general public only go to a locksmith in desperate situations. Plenty of people often have their garage, dentist, plumbing company or chiropodist on their mobile phone.
I have frequently asked myself, from a marketing point of view how many people keep a locksmiths number just in case! Any thoughts?
On the rare occasion that you have locked yourself out or suddenly lost your keys or had an intruder the locksmith is one of those services that you simply contact regardless of the time of day. Many of us rush to resolve the situation and recover lost time. In this rush our usual commercial inhibitions can desert us.I simply want to offer some basic advice.
Why paint yourself into a costly corner?
Undoubtedly for most of the public their rare encounter with a locksmith is when they are at their most susceptible and it is this vulnerability that can turn out costing you a higher price that it should!
Well think about it, how many times have you had to use a locksmith in the last 10 years. How many times do you suppose the average person ends up calling out a locksmith in his or hers life time? Except in cases where you are managing lots of premises or lots of renters it's very unlikely that you simply will make repeated use of a locksmiths expert services. I guess that you do not count past 5.
Why create an opportunity for over charging?
Who wants to be haggling on your own door step before getting into your own house? A lot of people may end up being forgiven if they are somewhat distracted when coping with a set of circumstances that requires the skills of a locksmith.
It is most likely that many of us will not be as vigilant as we ought to be and it is in this environment that the more negative features of human nature can come to the fore. Please don't get the wrong impression I am not saying that locksmiths tend to be deceitful, that is certainly not accurate. Generally there will invariably be a minority which view this particular type of difficult situation as a possible opportunity increase charges and profit. So just be cognisant of this truth.
Avoid putting yourself in a difficult situation
You need to consider your needs. Speed as well as availability are usually the priorities figure in this particular formula, however, do not disregard price tag or credentials. Without having some assessment of due diligence you might be relying greatly on luck and her predisposition to smile on you. Without undertaking some basic checks you could end up with a heftier bill than expected.
Just like I said I am not implying that just about all locksmiths are rogues and on the make, but in case you are at a disadvantage or in a tricky situation I am merely suggesting that you take safeguards.
Sadly some think that emergency translates to a money making opportunity and the average charges applied to a locksmith on-site visit late at night as an example seem to miraculously increase. Some people are simply just opportunistic, they see a great possibility to up the charges, they notice that you are sidetracked and they see that there is minimal opposition to paying whatever is asked. Why well it is easy the last thing any person wishes to be engaging in is haggling on the doorstep. Lets face the facts the majority of us are simply grateful that the experience is over and that we are able to return to our homes once again.
Check the fees understand your options and the cost implications first
So take some extra time, does it really help to make that much difference in the end. It could wind up costing you a great deal less money. Make a few telephone calls prior to agreeing to an onsite visit and watch out for the common scams typically preceded simply by the pointed intake of air and the particular noise of air running over the mouth.
* Check call-out fees
* Compare prices
* Describe your circumstances ask about possible outcomes
* Do ask lots of questions, compare the answers
* Do not permit yourself to be bamboozled or tied up in jargon
* If a locksmith strays outside the English language as you understand it, make clear exactly what he means.
* Ask him or her to clarify the ramifications in terms of outcome and expenses, stick to the business part of the dialogue.
Locksmiths we are always there to help
The thing we all have to keep in mind is that average end user doesn't really represent significant long lasting opportunity for business relationship with a great deal of repeat sales. I'm not necessarily saying that the majority of locksmiths are not interested in taking calls from the general public that's not necessarily true.
Most of the locksmiths I know see an individual service targeted at the consumer as complimentary for their primary business and the associations. Like me many of these professionals have other revenue streams in addition to the consumer marketplace. Lets face it the public needs to lose a lot of keys on a fairly regular basis to keep us all employed!
So from a locksmiths perspective the consumer market tends to be transient with a very high turnover of business. However for the majority of the trade service and professionalism are still delivered to a very high standard but just do not expect to have a Christmas greeting card.
