If you ever need a locksmith in an emergency situation, odds are you will just look in the phone book and pick randomly; and that's where they get you. More and more sheisty locksmith companies are popping up all over the country, and they are taking advantage of people in distress. They quote you a price over the phone and then tack on extra charges that you have no way of refuting. Many times people just bite the bullet and pay up because they're in a hurry and what's done is done.
Finding a reputable locksmith is just like any other form of service. You need to research this if you have the time, as it could save you a lot of money and grief in the long run. One of the best ways to find out if a locksmith is reputable is to see if they are a member of their local Chamber of Commerce or if they are an accredited business in the BBB. However, just because someone is a member of these organizations doesn't immediately make them trustworthy.
One good way of choosing which locksmith to go with is by going with a branded company.
If someone is well known in multiple areas, then odds are they have a reputable business. How could they possibly fly under the radar and take advantage of people without anyone finding out about it? When you're that well known by that many people, your service must be impeccable; otherwise people will be talking about it.There are also lots of franchise locksmiths that provide great service all over the country. Just take the time to learn about them and you might not get burned.
So the next time you're looking for a reputable locksmith company think branded.