Best Practices When Hiring a Locksmith

steven@vikinglocks.com (Steven Gaudette) — Wed, 21 May 2025 16:06:56 GMT

Best Practices When Hiring a Locksmith

The locksmith industry, unfortunately, has its share of shady characters — from low-ballers and “trunk slammers” to full-on scammers. While the first two are frustrating for professionals like us, it’s the scammers who truly hurt consumers. They take advantage of people in vulnerable situations and leave them overcharged, under-served, and with no way to get help when something goes wrong.

Here’s how to protect yourself and hire the right locksmith the first time:

Red Flags: How to Spot a Scam Locksmith

They Rely Solely on the “Google Guarantee”

While that badge looks official, many reputable, established locksmiths choose not to pay for that service. Don’t assume it means they’re verified professionals.

They Won’t Give a Straight Quote Over the Phone

“It’s $29 for us to come out” might sound reasonable — until they arrive and the final bill is hundreds more. Ask for an honest estimate upfront.

You're Talking to a Call Center, Not a Locksmith

If you hear background chatter from other agents, you’re not dealing with a local business. These centers dispatch unverified contractors, not trained professionals.

You Receive a Second Call From an Out-of-State Number

If someone else follows up from a different number, that can be a red flag. Often, it's the actual tech being looped in after a call center books the job. This is not always the case, but it is something to look out for.

They Arrive in an Unmarked or Personal Vehicle

Legitimate locksmiths show up in clearly marked work vans with proper signage, tools, and identification. No logo = no accountability.

They Drill First Without Exploring Other Options

Professional locksmiths treat destructive entry as a last resort. Scammers go straight for the drill to upsell you on cheap replacement hardware — often charging $300+ for a $20 lock.

They Claim They Need “Special Tools” for Car Keys

This is a common tactic to justify massive upcharges. A trained auto locksmith has the right equipment on hand — and doesn’t need gimmicks.

They Disappear After the Job

No business card. No receipt. No way to reach them if something goes wrong. That’s not service — that’s a hit-and-run.

What Viking Lock Service Does Differently

We provide honest, upfront pricing — with no bait-and-switch
We always answer our own phone — you always speak to the locksmith providing service
We drive a marked, professional vehicle with our logo, name and number displayed
We are licensed, insured, and can provide identification
We only use high-quality hardware from trusted brands, this goes automotive, residential and commercial.
Only drills as a last resort
We Offer follow-up support(6 month warranty) and stand by our work

Real Example from the Field

One of our customers called us to rekey her home. While working, we noticed her doorknob was keyed differently than her deadbolt — a red flag. She explained that weeks earlier she had locked herself out and called a “locksmith” she found online.

He arrived in an unmarked car, didn’t ask any questions, and immediately drilled the lock. Then, he replaced it with a bargain-brand deadbolt he had in his trunk and charged her $350 on the spot. No receipt. No company name. No way to follow up.

That’s what these scammers do — and why we take education and transparency so seriously.

Bottom Line

Hiring a locksmith should bring peace of mind, not added stress. Protect yourself by choosing a local, established professional who values your safety and trust. Ask friends, family and colleagues for recommendations. If you find a locksmith on google. make sure to search their phone number or business name. Here in Florida, you can also check out sunbiz.org , and verify whether a business is legit.

Here are two google searches for Viking Lock Service, and our phone number. As you can see we have a good amount of link backs and posts on all sorts of different websites. That is a perfect example of how a locksmith company should be represented online.