Atlanta locksmiths give tips on staying safe and secure

As a locksmith, what are some of the services you provide?

Mary Rossi: "Commercial, residential and auto services."

Calvin Pinson: "Everything from rekeying locks to furnishing and installing door hardware. We also provide safes."

Eric Burke: "All locks, all hardware on doors, access control and camera systems."

Are there any types of jobs you won't do?

Rossi: "Very specialized automotive - we have a specialist we refer those to."

Pinson: "We don't do automotive."

Burke: "We're mainly commercial, but we do any type of job. We don't do automotive."

What's the average fee for customers locked out of their house, their car or their safe?

Rossi: "It's $75 for a house or car. There are specific criteria for safes so it's hard to tell."

Pinson: "A house is $125; safes start at $250."

Burke: "It's $123 to open a house and make a new key. Safes start at $250, depending on the make and model."

Are you licensed, bonded and insured?

Rossi: "Yes."

Pinson: "Yes."

Burke: "Yes."

Before you start a job, do you require some type of identification?

Rossi: "Absolutely, because people can be trying to break in."

Pinson: "For a lockout, absolutely."

Burke: "For a home lockout, yes. Either before or they can get it when we open it."

Is there a problem with phony or dishonest locksmiths in the area?

Rossi: "Absolutely, and it gives the whole industry a bad name."

Pinson: "Absolutely - it's a huge problem. The main thing to be aware of is large ads in the Yellow Pages with 800 numbers. You should never have to call an 800 number to get a local locksmith. Make sure they're members of the Associated Locksmiths of America."

Burke: "There's definitely a problem. Stay with a company that has a reputation, and make sure they have a storefront and aren't just mobile. Check their history, and the most important thing is to check out their insurance coverage."