Stories Abound about High Prices.

If you’ve ever been in a group of people discussing locksmiths, you’ve undoubtedly heard one horror story after another about how a locksmith charged them megabucks for doing a simple car opening. Or perhaps it was for making keys or rekeying a lock. In any case, the aggrieved customer was charged an exorbitant rate and felt like it was a total ripoff.

Well, it can happen. Not every locksmith has the integrity to charge only what needs to be collected in order to make a reasonable profit. But some claims may be greatly exaggerated to entertain the group, and a little “I can top that” attitude may be in play.

Few Know What a Fair Price Would Be.

The truth of the matter is that very few people have a good idea of what a fair price is when it comes to locksmithing services. If the work is done too quickly, such as picking a lock, the customer may feel the cost should have been less. Actually, the reverse may be true since a lot of training, practice, and sometimes expensive equipment may have been required to allow the work to be done that skillfully and efficiently. Even if the job itself took just a few minutes, the time and cost of travel to get to you must also be factored in.

To add to the confusion, different prices are offered based on overhead costs that vary widely. Some shops are small, some are large, and some (like me) offer mobile service only. Some specialize; others call themselves full-service shops. You can see that it would be hard to come up with anything but a wide range of prices for the same service.

There Are Several Ways to Determine a Fair Price.

How can you know what’s fair? If you have the luxury of time, you can call for estimates and descriptions of how and when the work is to be done. A fair assessment can be made this way, but you need to make sure of what is being offered.

What Opening Method Will Be Used?

For example, how does the locksmith intend to unlock your house door? By picking the lock, or by drilling and replacing it? To get your car open, will he or she attempt to pick the lock, or pry it open, with chipped paint and damaged door seals a likely result? The less skillful method may (or may not) be cheaper, but most people do not want or expect damage.

Asking about the standard opening methods used by their employees is not wrong. A locksmith should not be upset or reluctant to tell you how he approaches work in general, even if the specifics of how your job will be done may have to wait until he or she can see exactly what type of lock is involved, etc. (Sometimes Plan B is necessary when Plan A to open the lock doesn’t work!)

Some Online Sources May Be Misleading.

You can use online services that evaluate service shops such as plumbers, carpenters, etc., but these can be distorted by unfriendly competition giving false reports. Also, you may only learn about service providers who have paid to be included.

Other People May Help You Find a Good Value.

The absolute best way is to ask other people (whom you respect) ahead of time who they’ve used and their opinion of the value of service rendered. Value is what it is about—the best service available for a “reasonable” price.

Start with the locksmiths who offer the level and quality of service you want and determine which one to use by what you are willing and able to pay. It is only a free market experience if you actually check to see what is available in that market.

We Offer Lower Prices Than Many.

For my own part, I offer damage-free openings and quality work that come from 36 years of experience. I offer lower prices than many because I am a mobile-only locksmith and specialize in auto and safe work, allowing me to keep overhead costs to a minimum.

Call Us at 618-466-9347 to Get a Good Value.

Give us a call and see if what we offer is what you want and need. We cannot promise to be a perfect fit for everyone. No one person could live up to that standard. But if we do not offer what you need, we will do our best to point you in the right direction so that your job will be done to your satisfaction. Just give us a call at 618-466-9347. We do our best to make sure you get the value you expect and deserve.