If you’re like most people, you like to show up on time for work and other events. Showing up late is never a good look. For this reason, most of us do our best to leave early and show up a few minutes ahead of schedule.

Therefore, when we find out we’ve locked our keys in the car, it’s like getting punched in the stomach. Fortunately, in most cases, a car locksmith is never too far away.

The only question is, how do you know which local locksmith to hire? Great question.

We are here to provide a little guidance by pointing out the common mistakes people make when hiring car locksmiths. Keep reading for a quick list of what not to do.

Failing to Get a Free Quote

One of the worst car locksmith hiring mistakes is forgetting to get a free quote for their services. It’s important to shop around for the best prices before hiring someone to come out to your location to unlock your car.

A small difference in their fees (like cost per mile) could make a huge difference in your overall costs. Therefore, ask the locksmith for an estimate before you agree to their services.

Not Getting a Firm Time Commitment

When choosing a car locksmith, it’s important to ask about their availability. If you’re locked out of the car, it’s likely that you’re in a situation you don’t want to be in. If you’re at home, it’s not a huge deal.

However, if you’re late for work, trying to get home, or need to pick your kid up for school, every minute counts. Make sure you get a firm time commitment before you hire a car locksmith. If they say they’ll be there in 15 minutes, they need to deliver on that promise.

Not Taking Their Experience Into Consideration

Not all car locksmiths are created equally. Some have better equipment and more expertise in the field. This often comes with years of experience.

Before making your decision, ask about their areas of expertise. Additionally, find out how long the locksmith has been in business. For example, this locksmith has over 35 years of experience.

Forgetting to Verify Their Credibility

Finally, hire a car locksmith based on their reputation in the community. Visit their website to find customer reviews and testimonials. What do other people have to say about their services?

When other people who were locked out of their vehicles hired them, did they come immediately to their location? Do you see any reviews about people waiting for hours for the locksmith to show up? What about their customer services skills?

These are important things to pay attention to when looking at customer reviews. You should find all the verification (or warning signs) you need by looking at testimonials.

Looking for a Car Locksmith?

If you’re in need of a car locksmith, use this guide to avoid making critical errors in the hiring process. Take your time and follow the tips listed above and you’ll be back inside your car with keys in hand in no time.

For more lifestyle advice or consumer tips, stick around and look through some of our other articles. Our blog was created to help people like you find the information they need to thrive.