Getting locked out is never pleasant, and it gets harder when it happens while travelling or after moving to a new country: you have to solve a lock problem in another language and under rules you do not know yet. This guide gathers what is worth asking before the locksmith sets off.
24 hour locksmith service in Málaga and across the Costa del Sol
At Mou Cerrajero Málaga we handle locksmith call-outs around the clock in Málaga city and across the province. These are some of the areas with a page of their own:
1. Ask for the quote before the work starts
The most common complaint is one figure agreed on the phone and a different one at the end, explained away as an emergency surcharge or a night rate.
What to do: ask for the full quote upfront, or at least for the items that could be added later.
How we work: the quote is agreed on the first call and is not extended without asking you first.
2. Ask about payment methods
Some locksmiths only take cash or add card charges at the last minute. Being locked out with no cash and no cash machine nearby makes things considerably harder.
What to do: confirm before they set off whether they take card, cash or Bizum.
How we work: we take cash, card and Bizum, and we say so in advance.
3. Check which language you will be dealt with in
It can happen that whoever answers the phone speaks your language and the technician who turns up does not. Explaining what happened then becomes a guessing game.
What to do: ask whether the person who will attend speaks your language, not only the one taking the call.
How we work: we work in English, Spanish, French and Arabic, on the phone and at your door.
4. Be wary of middlemen with no identity
Some operators drill the lock when there is no need for it, to push the bill up. Others do not identify themselves, arrive in unmarked vehicles or are not registered.
What to do: look for locksmiths with a real presence and reviews you can check, not just a mobile number in an advert.
How we work: we are registered professionals and members of the APFC. The reviews can be read on the company’s Google profile.
5. Ask about non-destructive opening
Some locksmiths go straight to drilling, even when it is not necessary. That makes the job more expensive and can damage the door.
What to do: ask whether they can open the door without damaging the lock, and what their plan is before they start.
How we work: non-destructive opening is always tried first. Drilling is the last resort, and it is announced beforehand.
6. Have the arrival time confirmed
You call an emergency service and the wait stretches out with nobody telling you anything.
What to do: ask for an estimated arrival time and check that they will tell you if it slips.
How we work: the arrival time is estimated and confirmed on the first call, and you are told if it changes.
7. Ask for identification
If someone turns up with no work clothing and no identification, it is worth stopping there. You should always know who is coming into your home.
What to do: ask for the name and the identification before any work begins.
How we work: the locksmith who attends is identified and represents the company you called.
8. Turn down work you did not ask for
It is common to feel pushed towards extras: new locks, spare keys or upgrades that were not needed.
What to do: stick to what is necessary and say no to the rest until it is clear to you.
How we work: if something is recommended, the reason is explained, and the decision is yours.
9. Ask what happens afterwards
Sometimes the job looks fine until the lock jams the next day and there is no way of reaching whoever did it.
What to do: choose a company that answers the phone after the job and stands behind its work.
How we work: the work is guaranteed. If something is not right, we come back.
Four things that help
- Save the number of a locksmith you trust before you need it.
- Read real reviews from residents and visitors in the area.
- Ask everything you need to before accepting the job.
- Once you have the information, the decision is yours.
Contact
You can call or send a WhatsApp message to (+34) 603 515 632. We are based in Málaga and cover the whole province and the Costa del Sol.
To see every area we work in, browse the locksmith pages by town.