Short, practical videos from a licensed NYC locksmith. No scare tactics, no inflated claims -- just what actually helps when you are locked out or choosing who to call.
These are short videos covering the questions we are asked most often: how the locksmith bait-and-switch works and how to avoid it, what to try before you call anyone when you are locked out, and whether a lock should be rekeyed or replaced. Each one is under a minute.
The bait and switch is simple: a very low call-out fee on the phone, then a much larger bill once someone is at your door. This covers the four questions that protect you - ask for the total price rather than the call-out fee, ask for the licence number, ask which company is actually coming, and be careful if a drill comes out straight away. Most residential locks open without drilling.
Read the full guide in the Knowledge CenterTwo of these work more often than people expect. Check every other door and window. Ask your building super, who often holds a spare and will not charge you. Know the difference between a spring latch and a deadbolt. And be aware that a plain lockout is usually not covered by renters insurance, so do not wait on a claim. When you do call, get the full price on the phone first.
Apartment lockout helpReplacing a lock is not automatically safer than rekeying it, and it usually costs more. Rekeying changes the pins inside the cylinder you already have, so old keys stop working and the hardware stays. That suits a new tenant, a lost key or a roommate moving out. Replace when the lock is worn or damaged, or when you want a higher grade. In a building with a master key system, the cylinder has to stay part of that system.
Lock change and rekey serviceA shorter version of the same advice, in three tips. Get the full price upfront, in writing or on the phone, before anyone comes out. Treat a nineteen dollar service call as a warning sign rather than a bargain. And check that the locksmith you call is licensed before they arrive.
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