Is Working Too Fast A Bad Thing?

We were recently reading different posts from different Pop-A-Lock's around the US and Canada recently, when we noticed a funny story that got us thinking. A woman in California was upset because the technician worked very fast at opening her door and she didn't think she would have to pay the amount on the bill for that long of work. We laughed at first because we thought the customer's point was odd, but then we got to thinking about how we would handle the same issue.

The price is going to be the same no matter how long it takes. Personally, I think a service is great when it's fast and it gets the job done as well. Think about it, if the cashier at a grocery store rings your things up fast, then do you think you should have to pay more because of their speed? We say no. The same idea should be applied to our Pop-A-Lock. The price is going to be the same price no matter if the technician is fast or slow. We are usually the fastest in the business because our techs receive top notch training, but sometimes situations can change.

If you are look for a residential locksmith that is unlike any other, then look no further. Just look for Pop-A-Lock of Fort Smith. Download our application from the Appstore of the Play Store. Go to our website and check us out. Or, just to save time, save this number in your phone- (479) 452-6161.If you receive service from us, don't be afraid to leave us a review as well. You can find our review sites on the right side of our website. We're happy to serve Fort Smith. Call today.

Keeping Your Home Safe

Pop-A-Lock of Fort Smith cares about our community. This is just a friendly reminder to make sure that your doors are working properly and that you are not subject to any unwanted attention because of a problem with your door. A simple crack in the wrong place or a slipped door frame can cause unwanted visitors to see your door as an opportunity, as opposed to a gateway. We suggest a visit by our technicians at Pop-A-Lock of Fort Smith. Our professionally trained technicians can look at your door and give you a solution that will give you peace of mind.

Pop-A-Lock is the most trusted locksmith services company in the US and across the world, so whenever you need a locksmith for any reason, you shouldn't hesitate to call this household name and make sure that you are getting the best, because you deserve the best.

Pop-A-Lock of Fort Smith can be reached at (479) 452-6161. We're always ready to take your call because we are open 24 hours a day. Lockouts happen anytime, anywhere, but we're ready. Visit our website to see what services we offer. We offer more services than you would think. Call today and give yourself, and your family, a little peace of mind with a safety inspection by Pop-A-Lock.

Fort Smith Locksmith Scams!

Everyone says they know a scam when they see one. But is this always true? When it comes to needing a locksmith, especially in an emergency or frantic situation, does a person always see the scam coming, or does their situation blind them to it? These scammers take advantage of people during their time of need by adding incredibly high fees and costs. They will quote you only $20 over the phone, but then after the job is said and done, the price will suddenly become $100 or more. This has been common for too long in, not only Fort Smith, but around the US for far too long. Let's put an end to it by being aware, educated, and prepared for any of the scammers that may try to take advantage of us. Here are some great tips to keep yourself safe and keep more money in your pocket.

Tip 1

Know a local locksmith that you can trust! One of the best hints of advice that we can give you is to do your research before hand. Make sure you've looked up a locksmith that is well established and known in your area. The best way to do this is by saving their number in your phone. May we suggest (479) 452-6161, which is Pop-A-Lock of Fort Smith's number.

Tip 2

Avoid fakes. If you happen to call a company and they answer with some generic name like "locksmiths" or "locksmith services," you will likely want to try someone else. This can mean that they are not from around the area and they are just answering generically from a call center.

Tip 3

Once you call and someone shows up, make sure to get an exact quote for the costs before they begin working. You are under no binding contract or legal obligation before they begin working. If you ask for a quote before they begin and it is too much, then you can ask them not to perform the work, and find someone else that will be cheaper. 

Tip 4

Look for a marked vehicle. Most reputable locksmiths will have some sort of marked vehicle. In some states, it is illegal to not have a marked vehicle. Pop-A-Lock's vehicles are brightly colored and marked up and down. You can't miss them.

Tip 5

No drill. Most experienced locksmiths can unlock most doors with specialty tools that cause little to no damage to your door or locks. If a locksmith shows up and claims that he needs to drill the lock without trying any other option, find another locksmith. This usually means that he is completely inexperienced.

At the end of the day, Pop-A-Lock of Fort Smith is the only name in locksmith services that can help you get past the scammers and into your home, car, or business. Whether you need regular locksmith work performed, or emergency services 24 hours a day, we can help you out. Call us at (479) 452-6161 or visit our website to see what services we offer. 

Transponder Key Replacement

If you are driving a vehicle that was made after 1995, a transponder key probably operates it. Transponder keys contain a small circuit that sends a message to your vehicle’s computer. If this communication isn't’t there, your vehicle cannot start. Transponder keys add a large amount of security to your automobile. It makes it much more difficult for your car to be stolen, because the technology is more advanced than the standard keys thieves are used to.

The flip side of this high-tech security is that it can also be very difficult to replicate or replace a transponder key. Well, difficult for untrained locksmiths, not Pop-A-Lock Fort Smith. Transponder keys are designed to make replication difficult. If you allow an untrained, uncertified locksmith handle the task, you could end up with more damage than you started with. You could ultimately loose access to your vehicle and this requires costly repairs.

The other option for replacing a transponder key used to be driving to your dealership to have it duplicated. This takes time and can be rather expensive. Thankfully, Pop-A-Lock can easily replace transponder keys. We come to you. Our mobile locksmiths will come to you. We can quickly duplicate your transponder key without causing damage.

If your transponder key has been lost or damaged, contact Pop-A-Lock Fort Smith. We are your trusted locksmiths. 

What Does A Locksmith Do?

I've been asked this question before, what does a locksmith do? I’m here to answer the question.

A locksmith is a professional who works with locks on doors, safes, cars, and much much more. Being a locksmith is not a backbreaking job, but what it lacks in heavy lifting, it makes up in finesse and carefulness. A lock is a fickle device that is meant to keep people out who don’t have a key, therefore wrangling one can be a difficult task. We deal with many different types of locks, but we can usually always handle any lock you throw at as. Our job is to take a lock and open it through various techniques that we have been trained to perform. Considering locksmith work opens locked door, it would be very unprofessional of us to teach the general public how to do so. Because of this, I cannot tell you exactly how we perform a opening, but you should know that it’s certainly no easy task. It requires patience and training along with a license. In most provinces, you can’t even purchase lockpick devices without a license. Therefore, leave it to us, the professionally licensed  locksmiths, Pop-A-Lock of Fort Smith.

Our locksmiths are trained in Lafayette, Louisiana, the home of Pop-A-Lock. They are given training in door unlocking, car unlocking, key cutting, transponder key programming, and so much more. Our locksmiths are trained to handle most of your locksmith needs. Visit our main web page to see which services we offer.

Pop-A-Lock of Fort Smith is the best example of what a professional locksmith is and should be. We offer competitive prices, professional service, and incredible dedication to our customers. Most locksmiths don’t offer the same things that we offer. We offer a community service called our PALSavesKids, which is a free community service that unlocks vehicles if loved ones are locked within. We offer this service because no one else is willing to step up and do the right thing.

So, give us a call any time. Our emergency services are ready to help you 24 hours a day and we hope that when your need for a locksmith arises, you dial 1-905-913-9288 for Pop-A-Lock of Fort Smith.

Who Says You Need To Get Spare Car Keys From The Dealer

Pop-A-Lock locksmith trucks are brightly marked and have big pictures of different automotive keys on the sides and back.  All the time, someone walks up to our trucks or pulls us over to ask if we make car keys.  We always tell them that we do, and we do many different types of keys – mechanical keys, keys with chips inside, key and remotes all in one, and proximity keys – the kinds where you push a button to start the car.  Most of the people say “I didn't know you could make that key.  I thought I had to go to the dealer.”

Dealers sure do have it easy considering most of those people didn't know about their options. Keep in mind that I do buy auto parts from a dealer, but only if I can’t buy them someplace else for less.  The $6 brake light bulb at a dealer is $2 at Autozone for example.  Its no different for your car keys, there are plenty of alternatives.

Pop-A-Lock sells, cuts, and programs car keys and remotes for the great majority of cars.  Our price for making a duplicate is typically about half of what the dealer charges.

What’s the downside of not having a spare key?  If you lose your only key, you essentially have 2 choices – call Pop-A-Lock to come out to where your car is located and make you a new key OR get your car towed to the dealer to make you a key.  If you happen to have auto insurance that covers towing, that’s helpful, but if you don’t, the cost of towing can be more than the cost of the new key itself.  Also, towing to the dealer takes time.  Given most people lose their key in the afternoon or evening, its most likely the dealership won’t get the key made until the next day, so you’re not going to have a car for awhile.

A locksmith like Pop-A-Lock is usually there in 30-45 minutes to start making you a key.   It typically takes 30-90 minutes to make a new key. Then you get to go home in your car. No towing to the dealership, no loss of use until they make you a key the next day, and the cost is less. So, why do you need a spare key?  The answer is that the cost for Pop-A-Lock to make a spare key is half the cost of making a key when you've lost your only key.  Why spend $200 to make a key after you've lost one when you can spend under $80 to make a duplicate?

So, make the right and cheapest choice, and call Pop-A-Lock. 24/7, we're ready to help you.

11 More Things Your Locksmith Won’t Tell You

The information following reprint was found in Readers Digest and all of the contributors were locksmiths from around the country.  I found it interesting and a bit surprising, so hopefully will you.

11. I’ve seen my share of dead bodies.  It’s always a bad sign when the landlord calls to get into an apartment and nobody’s seen the tenant for 10 days.

12. Divorce lockouts are a challenge. The soon-to-be ex-wife will call and say she’s locked out, so I get her in and change the locks.  The husband then calls with the same request.  I refer him to a competitor.

13. Don’t feel bad if you have to call me twice in a short span of time.  I once had a guy lock himself out of his house 3 times in one day.

14. If you’re locked out, please just call one of us.  More than once, I arrived at a lockout to find 2 competitors trucks already there.  At that point, we all agreed to leave and abandon the inconsiderate victim.

15.  Never tell me “don’t worry, it’s an easy lock”.  Every time someone says that it takes an extra 10 minutes to get it open.  Its the kiss of death. 

16.  If its 2am and some guy calls me because he’s locked out of his car at a strip club, a service call that’s normally $55 is now $100.  If he’s got money for club’s, he’s got money for me.

17. Don’t believe a car dealer who says only he can duplicate keys.  In most cases, a locksmith who specializes in automotive work can make you a key – usually cheaper.

18. Try the door.  I’ve gone to houses and found it open, but I’m still going to charge you for coming out.

19. If your key won’t turn, try WD40 or silicone spray.  Sometimes the pins get jammed and 25-40% of the time, that solves the problem.

20. Have a house keeper that needs a key?  Ask me to key your door so that your master key works on both the dead bolt and the door knob but hers just works the door knob.  On the day she comes, only lock the knob.

21. Many locksmiths in the phonebook or online are scammers.  They’ll quote you one price, but when they get there, they’ll say you have a special lock they can’t pick, so they’ll have to drill it open.  Then they charge you $125 or more for a replacement lock you can buy at Home Depot for $25.

These are all topics that locksmiths deal with on a daily basis.  As your trusted locksmith, Pop-A-Lock seeks to 1) educate consumers about best practices in locksmithing , 2) provide secure solutions at an affordable price, and 3) identify and take steps against the scammers that prey upon consumers.