Tag Archives: FAQs

Facts You Never Knew About Locksmiths

Facts You Never Knew About LocksmithsYou’ve locked yourself out your home and the only keys you have are inside. What do you do? Break down your own front door? Smash one of your windows? Calling a locksmith to come pick the lock and let you inside to get your keys is probably your best option.

Locksmiths provide an invaluable service; one that anyone who has ever needed it was extremely grateful for. However, the industry has some severe issues that people need to know about before they hire a locksmith.

Lax Regulations For Locksmiths

Were you aware that only 15 states in America require locksmiths to be licensed? This is a rather alarming fact, as it means that anyone can claim to be a locksmith without any legal proof of their profession. A person simply has to trust that the stranger saying they are a locksmith really is and doesn’t have some other motive for unlocking the door.

Facts You Never Knew About LocksmithsThe lack of licensing is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it makes it very difficult for people who need the help of a professional locksmith to ensure that they are actually getting that help and not that of an amateur or a person who isn’t a locksmith at all. On the other hand, the abundance of people who can claim to be locksmiths makes it difficult for true professionals to find work.

States That Require Licenses

The only states that require licenses for locksmiths are:

  • California
  • Alabama
  • Illinois
  • Connecticut
  • Nebraska
  • Maryland
  • Louisiana
  • Nevada
  • Oklahoma
  • North Carolina
  • New Jersey
  • Oregon
  • Virginia
  • Texas
  • Tennessee

Hiring a professional locksmith is critical. Not only will a professional have the knowledge and tools to properly help you, he or she will have had to have gone through rigorous background checks to ensure he or she isn’t a criminal.

Conditions Are Worse Out Of Country

Outside the United States, conditions are even worse for locksmiths. Very few countries regulate locksmiths at all. Complete strangers are allowed into a person’s private space, but few governments seem concerned with making sure that these strangers do not have any ill intentions toward the people who asked for their help. Japan, Poland, Hungary, and Canada are the only other countries to regulate the locksmith industry.

Expensive Practices

When you lock yourself out of something and need to call a locksmith, the only service you may want them to provide is to quickly pick the lock and allow you inside. However, this may not be the service you get. What little training most locksmith companies gives their employees is usually just about how to perform drills and replacements.

Drilling is when a locksmith drills out the lock in the door, destroying it in the process. Most people want to be able to lock their door afterward, so if the locksmith drills the lock the customer will also have them replace it.

Locksmiths are often trained not to offer any service other than drilling and replacing a lock. Even if a lock is undamaged and could easily be picked, they will still push the other service. This is because drilling and replacing a lock is the most expensive service locksmiths perform, and they know that most of their clients are desperate enough to accept the more expensive service rather than fighting for a cheaper one.

Not only do locksmiths often push customers to accept their most expensive services, the price for those services is not standardized. There is no set price for locksmithing services; a locksmith can charge any customer any price they believe the customer will pay.

What To Look For

So, if there are so many untrustworthy people claiming to be locksmiths, how can people find a good one? Here are some things to look for:

  • Pick a local service. They need to maintain a good reputation, to stay in business, so choose one that has been working in your area for a while.
  • If you live in one of the states that require locksmiths to be licensed, ask to see their certification.
  • Get a complete price quote on the phone before asking the locksmith to come to your location.

Finding a trustworthy locksmith is difficult, but at least knowing these things allows people to be forewarned before the next time they have to hire a locksmith. Remember to find a licensed locksmith, if possible, to make sure you only get the service you need and, above all else, protect yourself and your home.

Sarasota-Area Locksmiths

If you live in Sarasota and are in need of an honest, professional locksmith, you are in luck. Locksmith Sarasota is an expert and reliable family-owned locksmith company that can help most of its customers in less than half an hour.

What Are Transponder Keys?

This entry was posted in Automotive, Keys and tagged , on by .

What Are Transponder Keys for Your VehicleIf you are driving a newer model car, it likely came equipped with a transponder key. These keys are different from older models, since they are equipped with an RF transmitter. There is a small receiver located near the ignition switch on your vehicle. Once you insert the key into the ignition, it transmits a low-frequency signal to your vehicle.

Why Manufacturers Equip Keys With Transponders

The transponder is a security measure put in place to help prevent cars from being hotwired and stolen. The car won’t start unless it detects the correct signal from the key. A copied key without the right signal will not start the car, either.

How To Tell If You Have A Transponder Key

One way to tell whether your key is a transponder key is to examine it closely. If the plastic part of the key is considerably thicker than the metal part of the key, you likely have a key with a transponder.

Another strategy to determine whether you have a transponder key is to contact your dealer and inquire about the cost to replace it. You’ll need to provide your vehicle’s VIN number when you call. If the dealer quotes you a nominal amount, then you probably don’t have a transponder key. On the other hand, if you are quoted a number that could be as high as a few hundred dollars, then you have a key with a transponder.

What If I Lock My Transponder Key In My Vehicle?

This situation happens more often than you realize. Contact a Sarasota, FL auto locksmith immediately for assistance. At Locksmith Sarasota, we know how stressful this situation can be and will get to your location straight away.

Our experienced technicians have the training necessary to open any vehicle without causing damage. We are a full-service automotive locksmith company that will have the right tools and equipment available to help you on the spot.

We offer affordable mobile locksmith services and your satisfaction is guaranteed. If you lock your keys in your car, break a key in the ignition, need jumper cables, or a new key made, contact us – your Sarasota Florida auto locksmith service.

See Simple Tips To Prevent Locking Your Keys In Your Car

FAQs For Car Remote Starters – Should You Get It Installed?

This entry was posted in Automotive and tagged on by .

There are a number of myths circulating about remote car starters and whether they will keep your car and its contents safe and secure. Rather than listening to hearsay, your best source of the facts about these devices is to contact a car locksmith in Sarasota so that you can make sure that the information you are receiving is accurate. At Locksmith Sarasota, we offer automotive, commercial and residential locksmith services and would be pleased to answer any of your questions.

FAQs For Car Remote Starters-Locksmith Sarasota

FAQs About Remote Starters For Your Car

Q: Are Remote Starters Bad For My Car?

A: We understand from a number of top mechanics that starting your car and giving it a few minutes to run before you start to drive is good for the motor, and may even extend its lifetime.

Q. Can I Have A Remote Starter Installed With A Manual Transmission

A. In the past, remote starters were only equipped to be installed on automatic transmissions. Now they can also be installed on vehicles with a manual transmission. We would suggest that you have yours professionally installed however as today’s cars are more sophisticated and installing a remote starter requires more training and skill than an everyday mechanic can handle.

Q. Will A Remote Starter Work If I Have Keyless Entry On My Car Already?

A. Yes, it will, and it will give you at least 800 feet of range, as opposed to the 50-100 feet you get from the keyless entry system. You also can add a number of convenience features to your remote starter, including:

  • Security alarm that will notify you if a cylinder is punched or a window is broken
  • Heated seats
  • Car finder in case you lose your car in a parking lot or garage

Q. Does It Make Sense To Get A Car Starter When I Will Only Use It For Part Of The Year?

A. Your car starter is not just for use during cooler months; you can also use it during the summer to cool off your car before you get in. All you need to do is leave your air conditioner on when you get out of the car. The automatic car starter will look after the rest. No more melting while you wait for your car to cool down during the hottest months of the year!

Find Out Why Today’s Car Security Systems Aren’t Very Effective At Theft Prevention