Locksmith scams are sadly still a huge problem for people in the UK. There is a lack of industry regulation, and things like online ads open the door for scammers. To reduce the risk, you should do some research before you need help. Find a local specialist you know you can rely on. Locksmith Expert is perfect in that regard if you need an emergency locksmith in Barkingside at any time; we’ve been serving the area for years.

The most common scam to be aware of is the bait and switch. We want to have a closer look at this today, giving you details so you know what to beware of.

What is it?

You might have heard the term bait and switch before. It basically means you are told one thing but then the details change suddenly. In terms of locksmithing, what you generally get is an advertisement offering very cheap services or a low quote when you call. However, when someone arrives they suddenly quote a much higher price for the job. Some can get aggressive here to bully people into paying.

It can be a very horrible situation to be in. However, there are some things to keep in mind. Most crucially, a professional locksmith should never attempt to squeeze more money out of you. Their quote should be honest and as close to market rate as possible. It could change slightly when they have a look at the actual lock, but it should never suddenly shoot up. They should also be able to fully explain why there are extra fees.

Emergency services

People are most at risk of falling for the bait and switch scam when it is an emergency. Time is of the urgency here and the stress of the situation works to the scammer’s advantage. But, you should do your best to step back and regain you composure.

The important thing to keep in mind is that emergency call outs will always be more costly. However, they shouldn’t ever be exorbitant. If the price seems massively high, question it. If you do need an emergency locksmith in Barkingside, rely on us.

Get a proper quote

The best piece of advice we can offer is to make sure you get a quote in writing before any work takes place. This gives you the best protection. Ensure it lists exactly what will be done and prices for each aspect. You can then go back to it if the locksmith tries to charge for anything additional.

Some fake locksmiths will say they can’t give a quote in writing. If that happens, don’t work with them. Professionals should have no problem providing quotes.

If you do get a quote and have any concerns about it, get a second opinion. You can then compare to see if any parts of the fee are unnecessarily high. Like with any other trades, it is useful to get more than one quote.

Cash only

Finally, be careful with how you pay for services. Bait and switch is often successful because the scammers get cash and disappear. Ideally, you should pay with a credit card so you get extra protection from the provider. They could refund you if it does turn out to be a scam.

Choose a reliable local emergency locksmith in Barkingside

Locksmith Expert works very hard to ensure we can give clients the best services. Our level of workmanship is exceptional. Most importantly, we have the knowledge and skills to try different things in any situation. We’ll only resort to things like lock drilling and replacement if we have no other choice.

So, get in touch if you need help from an emergency locksmith in Barkingside. In fact, we recommend you keep our number handy in case you need it. We’re available 24/7.