TrustDale.com Recommends Pop-A-Lock Atlanta

by Lisa Cunningham, Director of Communications

Pop-A-Lock Atlanta is honored to have recently received the endorsement of Consumer Investigator Dale Cardwell.

Dale is a six-time, Emmy-award winning investigator and founder of the consumer advocacy website, TrustDale.com. On his website and weekly TV show, Dale spotlights local businesses which he has investigated and found to operate with integrity and honesty and in the best interest of consumers.

Dale investigated 20 other locksmiths before naming Pop-A-Lock Atlanta,TrustDale.com’s “Trusted Locksmith in Atlanta.” He chose us for a few reasons, including:

• Our price guarantee. The price we quote over the phone is the price you pay.
• We perform extensive background checks on all of our employees each year.
• Our phones are answered by live, friendly, and knowledgeable dispatchers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Click here to read Dale’s endorsement and watch the video.

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Pop-A-Lock Atlanta Dispatchers Helps Stranded Motorists During “Snowpocalypse”

by Lisa Cunningham, Director of Communications

The recent snow and ice storm in Atlanta shut down several interstates and made many side streets impassable. It also created a field day for scammers posing as locksmiths.

Last week, we at Pop-a-Lock Atlanta were answering calls from motorists who were either stuck in the snow and ice or locked out of their cars. One caller in particular said she had locked her keys inside her car and a locksmith quoted her $300 to open it – this is 4 to 5 times more than what we would have charged.    

Unfortunately, locksmith scams are all too popular, especially during inclement weather, when stranded and frightened motorists, not knowing what else to do, are more likely to pay outrageous fees to get into their vehicles.

Read our article on how to avoid locksmith scams here. For timely, relevant articles on how to spot and avoid scams, subscribe to our blog.

And if you ever need a reputable, nationally-recognized locksmith that is also the most recommended by law enforcement, contact us at 770-339-1616. Our dispatchers are available 24/7, 365 days a year to take your call.

See Pop-A-Lock Atlanta on www.trustdale.com

Locksmith fraud: avoid being taken for a ride

 By Lisa Cunningham, Director of Communications

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The other day, a friend of mine posed the following question on Twitter:

“Locksmiths in Atlanta: what’s an average price to have a Honda Accord unlocked (keys inside)?”

I knew it didn’t sound good, but when I probed further to find out what price the company quoted her, my friend said the locksmith quoted a $29.00 service fee and said he would have to “determine what method to use when he got there” and then he could provide her with the final price.  My advice to her was simple: run.

Locksmith fraud is nothing new. In fact, according to the Locksmith Association of America, the majority of locksmith advertisements – in print and online are fraudulent.  If you go online or look in the phone book for a locksmith, you have an 8 out of 10 chance of picking a locksmith scammer than a reputable locksmith!

Unfortunately, many people don’t realize the alleged locksmith is a fraud until it’s too late.

Here’s how the typical scam works: You see an online locksmith ad for “15 minute response time”, “$29.00 car door unlocking” – sounds good so you call to find out if there are any more fees – you’re smart and you know it has to be more to it than what’s advertised.  A company representative answers the phone “locksmith”  — although you might not know this, no reputable locksmith answers their phone “locksmith”.  Anyhow, you ask the dispatcher for the price and they tell you it’s $29.00 for the service fee and the locksmith will give you the final price after he assesses what needs to be done.  

Unfortunately, too many people fall for the scam above.  The vast majority of all locksmith services can be quoted over the phone and typically, no “assessment” is required.  I have heard of people paying upwards of $600 to have their car door unlocked – sounds insane but it has happened.  

Avoid being taken for a ride by taking the following steps:

1. Be prepared. Contact the Better Business Bureau to get information on a locksmith.  Locksmith scammers don’t list with the Better Business Bureau because they would have too many complaints and would have an F+ rating.  

2.  Check to see if the locksmith is listed with the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) at www.aloa.org.  A lot of locksmith scammers have the ALOA symbol on their websites or in their yellow pages ad, but they are not members.  If this is the case, do not do business with this locksmith company. 

3. When you call a locksmith, ask what your final price will be including “all fees and taxes”.  If they can’t provide you with a “final price quote”, hang up. If they quote a price and then raise it when they show up, say “no, thanks.”

4. Never do business with a locksmith who shows up in an unmarked vehicle and is unwilling to provide you with company ID.

5. If you call several locksmiths for a quote and provide them with your address, it is not uncommon for a locksmith scammer to show up and pretend to be the locksmith you asked to come out and do the service.  Again, ask for ID, verify the “final price”.

6.  Never pay before the work is done.

7.  Locksmith scammers can be very intimidating when there is a dispute over price.  If you do find yourself in an uncomfortable situation with a locksmith, call the police immediately and let them settle the matter. 

Locksmith fraud is nothing new, but by taking just a few precautions and using good judgment, you can easily avoid becoming a victim.

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