When to call a locksmith

This is a piece I really should not have to write, but all too often, people call me out for reasons that could easily be avoided or they have called me out too late for an expensive repair, when avoiding the problem was possible.

Common reasons to avoid using a locksmith:

A C Locksmiths Norfolk

So, let’s start with cars. If you are going to lose your car keys, or lock them inside your car, the chances are, you are going to do it when your spare key is stuck back home at the opposite end of the country.  I have done a fair few jobs now where people have been on holiday/visiting distant relatives/doing distance work, etc and they leave their spare car key at home rather than bring it with them to leave in their temporary accommodation. Car entry is not cheap, and it might mean you lose a half day waiting for the auto locksmith to arrive, which will put a downer on your holiday, or might mean you have to see those distant relatives for longer than you wanted, or that you lose the sale you travelled halfway across the country to get. At the same time, please remember to actually remove the spare key from your car when you arrive at your destination. If you are locked out of your vehicle, having the spare in the glove box is no help.

The next common one with cars, is not having a spare. When I am cutting keys at local boot sales, people ask me about prices and sometimes, the spare key is as nearly as much as their second hand car cost them in the first place. But why buy a car with only one key, especially when that key is on its’ last legs? A bargain vehicle only remains a bargain if you can drive it. I also get to see some very sorry looking remote fobs for cars. Cloning a remote fob before it gets to be useless can be a lot cheaper than generating a complete new key from scratch, especially with Fords that must always have two separate keys programmed when starting from new. And, as I said above, a spare is useless if you keep it in the glove compartment.

Never, never, never put your car keys down in your boot area. So many people open their boot at the supermarket, put the keys just inside the boot and then load the shopping. They then close the boot, having not unlocked the rest of the car and are now locked out, often with the spare in the glove compartment! (Have I mentioned that common mistake?) If you are approaching your car, when you unlock your boot, make it a habit to unlock the doors as well. And do not put your keys down anywhere in your vehicle. It might not be cool to hang your keys from a belt loop, but it might just save you the cost of a weekly family shop if you don’t have to call the locksmith. When in and around your car, only let go of the keys when they are in the ignition, and you are sat comfortably ready to drive.

People make just as many mistakes in the home. Children should never be given keys to play with. Besides the whole hygiene issue, they have a nasty habit of sticking keys into keyholes that they were not built for, thus breaking the key and often the lock as well. While on the subject of kids, if you have a bathroom lock that is getting a bit stiff, have it repaired or replaced before a small child locks himself/herself in and you are faced with hours of panic waiting for the locksmith to arrive. I recently went to a job where a toddler had locked himself in the bathroom and the lock disintegrated, with the broken bits obstructing the bits that needed to move. You can imagine the stress that poor child was under when I came along with my noisy drills and hammers, taking my time to ensure nothing flew open into the child’s face.

Got a night latch (Yale type latch lock)? Don’t trust the snib to hold that latch back even if you are just popping into the garden for a few minutes. Take your key. Pets and children are very good at closing doors with enough vibration to release the latch and lock you out with themselves on the inside and pans on the cooker (it can and does happen).

If you have a door with a multipoint locking system, oil it twice a year. Make it part of your routine when you change the clocks in spring and autumn. Use a good quality lubricant and squirt it everywhere you can see moving parts (lift the handles up and down with the door open to see) and then, when you hold the handles down to retract the latch, you will see a small gap the allows you squirt more lubricant into the heart of the mechanism. Give this about a five second squirt and work the handles up and down a few times to get the lubricant into those moving parts. This simple exercise can save you a very expensive visit from your locksmith.

Lubricate all other locks as well. They get full of grit. Insects make nests behind handles and in lock cavities. Regular lubrication will keep your lock clean and lasting longer.

Finally, I get a lot of calls from customers telling me their key works on one side of the lock (Chubb/mortice locks), but not the other. My first reaction is to tell them to try a different key and more often than not, that sorts out the problem. They have just managed to bend a prong on the key itself. Always check other keys before thinking your lock is broken. Not all locksmiths will give you a free solution over the phone.

 

If you have any questions regarding the information above, or have any other issues, please get in touch via my contacts page.

 

Thanks for reading.

 

 

 

Lost car keys Holt, Stolen car keys Holt, Lost keys Holt, Car keys Holt, Auto locksmith Holt, Car locksmith Holt, Vehicle locksmith, Holt. Lost car keys Sheringham, Stolen car keys Sheringham, Lost keys Sheringham, Car keys Sheringham, Auto locksmith Sheringham, Car locksmith Sheringham, Vehicle locksmith, Sheringham. Lost car keys Cromer, Stolen car keys Cromer, Lost keys Cromer, Car keys Cromer, Auto locksmith Cromer, Car locksmith Cromer, Vehicle locksmith, Cromer. Lost car keys Aylsham, Stolen car keys Aylsham, Lost keys Aylsham, Car keys Aylsham, Auto locksmith Aylsham, Car locksmith Aylsham, Vehicle locksmith, Aylsham. Lost car keys North Walsham, Stolen car keys North Walsham, Lost keys North Walsham, Car keys North Walsham, Auto locksmith North Walsham, Car locksmith North Walsham, Vehicle locksmith, North Walsham. Lost car keys Fakenham, Stolen car keys Fakenham, Lost keys Fakenham, Car keys Fakenham, Auto locksmith Fakenham, Car locksmith Fakenham, Vehicle locksmith, Fakenham. Lost car keys Wells-Next-The -Sea, Stolen car keys Wells-Next-The -Sea, Lost keys Wells-Next-The -Sea, Car keys Wells-Next-The -Sea, Auto locksmith Wells-Next-The -Sea, Car locksmith Wells-Next-The -Sea, Vehicle locksmith, Wells-Next-The –Sea. Lost car keys Walsingham, Stolen car Walsingham, Lost keys Walsingham, Car keys Walsingham, Auto locksmith Walsingham, Car locksmith Walsingham, Vehicle locksmith, Walsingham. Lost car keys Briston, Stolen car Briston, Lost keys Briston, Car keys Briston, Auto locksmith Briston, Car locksmith Briston, Vehicle locksmith Briston. Lost car keys Melton Constable, Stolen car Melton Constable, Lost keys Melton Constable, Car keys Melton Constable, Auto locksmith Melton Constable, Car locksmith Melton Constable, Vehicle locksmith Melton Constable.  Lost car keys Burnham Market, Stolen car Burnham Market, Lost keys Burnham Market, Car keys Burnham Market, Auto locksmith Burnham Market, Car locksmith Burnham Market, Vehicle locksmith Burnham Market. Lost car keys Kings Lynn, Stolen car  keys Kings Lynn, Lost keys Kings Lynn, Car keys Kings Lynn, Auto locksmith Kings Lynn, Car locksmith Kings Lynn, Vehicle locksmith Kings Lynn. Lost car keys Norwich, Stolen car  keys Norwich, Lost keys Norwich, Car keys Norwich, Auto locksmith Norwich, Car locksmith Norwich, Vehicle locksmith Norwich. Lost car keys Swaffham, Stolen car  keys Swaffham, Lost keys Swaffham, Car keys Swaffham, Auto locksmith Swaffham, Car locksmith Swaffham, Vehicle locksmith Swaffham.


Car Key Replacement FAQs

AC locksmiths Auto

  1. What is the difference between getting my replacement key from the manufacturer and an auto locksmith?

The manufacturer will usually be able to have your key replaced just from knowing your vehicle ID. You usually get your replacement key within the week. You know your manufacturer will have the key type you require.

The auto locksmith will have the ability to generate a new key on the spot. While it might not be a genuine brand replacement, your new key will be just as good (if not better) than the manufacturer key. The auto locksmith can reprogram your vehicle on the spot, so that any lost/stolen keys are unable to start the vehicle. The auto locksmith comes to you, meaning you can still go to work on time. Most of the time, you will pay a lot less for the convenience of an auto locksmith.

  1. What is cut to copy?

This is where the key is cut using the existing key as a template.

  1. What is cut to code?

Some vehicle keys can be cut using codes taken from the vehicle VIN number or from other sources.

  1. What is key cloning?

This is where the key is completely copied including the data on the transponder that talks to the car. While there may be two keys, the car will believe there is only one. This is important to know because some vehicles must have two separate keys programmed.

  1. What is a vehicle PIN?

This is a code that works like the pin number on your cash card. Without your pin, you can’t draw out cash. Without a vehicle PIN, you can’t extract the information needed to program new keys.

  1. Can I buy replacement keys on line?

Yes, and they can be quite cheap. But often, there are hidden extras, like programming the remotes to your car.

  1. Can I call my breakdown service company if I lock my keys in my car?

Yes you can, but they often call an auto locksmith and you then have to pay. As an example, I was called by a breakdown service provider recently. The breakdown engineer took an hour to get to them, spent two hours trying to fish the keys out of the vehicle with the top of the door wedged slightly open and failed. He called me. Within 45 minutes, I had arrived, opened the vehicle and was on my way home.

  1. What are the most common mistakes people make?

In no particular order; shutting keys in the boot without having the main doors unlocked, leaving the spare key 200 miles away at home when going on holiday, letting children play with the car keys, letting the remotes go way past their best condition, treating remotes poorly, letting batteries die, losing keys on the beach, not getting a replacement when the first key is lost, buying a vehicle with only one key (who has the other, and do they know your address?

  1. Why should I get new keys when buying a second hand car?

How well do you know the seller? Most of us buy cars from someone we don’t know. We often give over our address if the vehicle is being delivered, or if we are taking finance, etc. But we don’t know if the seller has already had extra keys made. If you are paying out thousands of pounds to have a car, is it not wise to pay a little more and make sure the vehicle will only drive away from your driveway with keys you possess?

  1. How do I know I am paying the right price?

Get quotes. Two or three at least. A good auto locksmith will advertise prices on their website, but these will be guidance only as the cost of parts and software packages vary a lot between manufacturers. Some work is simple, other work might involve having to get behind your dashboard and removal of computer chips. A difference of just one year can make a particular vehicle much harder to deal with. In rare cases, the auto locksmith might have to walk away unable to do anything. If he is any good, he will not charge you when this happens, unless you have made some prior agreement. If you get three quotes, and one is much less than the other two, investigate further before accepting the cheapest quote. Has he quoted the full job, or been a bit vague? People who quote too little are often not properly trained and are more likely to do something that harms the computer in your vehicle. If that problem takes a while to arise, they will not be around when you go after them for damages.

If you have any questions you would like answered, please contact through any method on the contacts page.

Thanks for reading.


AC Locksmiths Norfolk Auto


At the time of writing this blog, I am very excited. It is just a couple of short weeks until I can finally go live with the Auto Locksmithing arm of my business: AC Locksmiths Norfolk Auto !

From August 1st 2017, I will be able to rescue you if you have lost or had your car keys stolen. I will be able to create new keys for your car, either by copying (cloning) your existing key or by reading information direct from your car’s on board computer that will allow me to use information I have from the manufacturer, to produce a key right there while you are waiting. And because I am mobile, I can come to your house or place of work to carry out the procedures so you don’t have to take time off to see your dealer or wait for your dealer to send your key off and leave you without a car for a week. All this and it will (in most cases) cost less than going direct to your dealer as well!

So if you need an auto locksmith in the East Anglia region, why not give me a call? You can go direct to my prices page to get a really good idea as to how much it will cost. I might not be the lowest price, but my prices are fair and I do not change them if you call me at night, on weekends, or even bank holidays. And at the time of writing, I still don’t have to charge VAT so the price you see or the price I quote you, is the price you pay. No other locksmith in East Anglia that I can find advertises prices on their web site. If their prices are not fixed, how can you trust you are getting a fair deal?

You can see from my testimonials page how I treat my customers. If you are not happy with the work I do, and I cannot rectify that for you, I will not charge you a penny. Just as with my commercial and domestic buildings locksmith work, I am happy to talk you through every stage of what I do and if, for example I have to do something that could potentially cause damage (when gaining entry), I will always talk to you first about the ongoing options and why certain actions are needed before going any further. Everything I supply to you comes with a full 1 year guarantee, so you have peace of mind that if goods are faulty, and have not been mistreated, they will be replaced at no extra cost to you.

Be it lost keys, broken keys, stolen keys, car keys locked inside the boot, or keys locked in the car, whether you live in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire or Lincolnshire, don’t despair. AC Locksmiths Norfolk is just a phone call away.   07846643176



Car Locksmith Norfolk

Car Locksmith Norfolk

A C Locksmiths
From this August, I will be fully equipped to take my locksmithing training into the area of cars, vans and lorries. The car locksmith training has been hard, but I have come through the other side able to offer my customers even more services with the same value for money I hold central to my ethos.

My computerised key cutting equipment is as good as you will find in any shop, but I can come to you. My diagnostics computer will provide transponders for most makes and models of vehicle. My picks will get you into your car without the need for damage. And if for any reason, I cannot get you into your vehicle or help you, you won’t pay me a penny.

Have you ever tried to get a spare key from your dealer? They charge you a reasonable price, you give up a lunch break or take a morning off to go and pick it up, only to find you can get into your car, but you still can’t start it. When you take it back, they reveal it still needs to be coded to your car. That’s when the price increases drastically, and by the way, it will take a week and you are going to have to give up more of your precious time to go and get it again.

How much better would it be if you could park your car at work, and the auto locksmith could do the job there with no interruptions to your normal day, except when you get a text message to say it’s done, and can you come to collect the key, taking no longer than a cigarette break? What if the flip key was even better quality than the original manufacturers? What if you could have a key fob that usually goes with other cars?

Car locksmithSo, if I told you that this convenience and choice was going to be more expensive than going to your dealer, you wouldn’t be surprised, would you? But, what if I told you that in most cases, it will still cost you less to use me than to use the dealer direct? But that is exactly what will happen. By the time August 1st comes around, my main prices will be on my prices page, something you won’t find on any other local locksmith’s web site. My prices will be fixed, so it won’t matter if you call me for an emergency on a Sunday, evening or a bank holiday, the price will be exactly the same as it is on a Tuesday at 10.00am. All non-emergency work will be carried out during normal hours, but as shown above, I can come to you at work if needed. How convenient is that?

So whether you want a car locksmith in Kings Lynn, a van locksmith in Cromer, a motorbike locksmith in Norwich, or a Lorry locksmith in Great Yarmouth, I’m ready to come to your aid.

You might need your car reprogramming because the keys were stolen. I can do that. You can get some very new looking second hand cars these days, but the remotes that have been in pockets or handbags often look a bit dull and chipped. I can provide new ones or even the extra one as you usually get one flip and one ordinary key. Lost car keys are not a problem. I can provide new ones no matter where you are. From Downham Market through Thetford, up past Fakenham and across to Stalham and Caister. All over Norfolk, AC Locksmiths Norfolk is the only auto locksmith you will need.

Commercially owned or private vehicles, if I can’t help you, I won’t charge you.


AC Locksmiths putting the customer first

When I started up working for myself as a locksmith in 2009, I hadn’t dreamed it would be such a rewarding job. I’ve lost count of the number of times people have told me I have saved their life or that I am their hero. Only this week I was called to a flat in Fakenham where a toddler had pushed shut a door on his Mum, locking her out and him in at the bottom of a flight of stairs. The potential for disaster was very high, but I was able to get to that customer in less than half an hour and gained entry soon after arrival. Being able to do things like that are reward enough for the cost of my training.

AC Locksmiths

I believe I am still the only locksmith in Norfolk to advertise prices, so my customers know exactly what will be charged and what they are getting for that price. I don’t charge any more money for working unsociable hours. You pay the same for a normal Tuesday morning as you do for a Bank Holiday Monday. On kite marked products, I offer a longer guarantee than any of my competitors (if they offer any guarantee at all), which runs right up to the industry recommendation for regular lock changes.

I do everything I can to keep my prices as low as possible for my customers, like running a second hand vehicle over a new one. But unfortunately, I cannot continue to offer the same rates that I have stuck to for the last two financial years. My suppliers have used Brexit as an excuse to raise the prices of the locks I fit, and Norfolk has too sparse a population to keep me busy all the time. While I want to continue to be a knight in shining armour to those who need me when they are locked out on a cold, wet night, I want to offer a full locksmith service to motorists as well, once again advertising prices and being competitive. I also want to offer bespoke alarm systems and CCTV solutions to my residential and commercial customers.

It will therefore be necessary to increase my prices at the start of the new financial year. I have looked at different ways of doing this. I could pass on the increase in the price I pay for stock, or I could be like my competitors and charge nearly double for Sundays and bank Holidays along with somewhere in between for evenings. I could charge by the hour rather than have a flat fee for all jobs. But I like simple.

My flat rate for all jobs will increase from £50 to £60, regardless of whether the job takes five minutes or five hours. This price still beats the Nationals. It will not go up for evenings or weekends or bank holidays. You will still not have to pay VAT. The locking products will remain the same price they have been for over three years, and while I cannot compete with large DIY store chains on price, I can compete with them on knowledge of brands that are good enough for me to guarantee for much longer than their one year. The only difference to my flat rate pricing will be to multi-lock upgrade jobs where the price will be per half day (or uncompleted part of a half day – i.e. a job lasting from 9.00am to 12.00 noon will be £60, while a job from 9.00am to 2.00pm will be £120). A am also unable to offer my customers a free second visit. Many have benefited in the past when they have wanted additional work done to different locks. This is simply no longer affordable.

However, I will now be signing the back of my business cards and anyone who presents a signed card as a recommendation from another customer will have their job discounted back to £50. Security checks are still free with no obligation to take up my quotation for any works carried out.

Norfolk is still a relatively safe place with regards to burglaries, but they do happen. It is still my aim for my customers to have the best possible security at fair prices from a friendly professional.

If you have any questions regarding the above or any of my other topics, please get in touch through any of the methods on my contacts page.

Thanks for reading.


Staying Safe and Secure.

Almost half of all vehicle thefts are carried out by criminals who have gained access to the victim’s keys. This can either be by the keys being lifted from the owner’s person, e.g. pockets or picked, or handbags stolen, or from the owner’s home. I am constantly finding homes where keys are left on the inside of the front door or placed on a unit near to the front door. With telescopic magnets now easily available, these are very easy for thieves to get at and steal your car from outside your house.
I know it is very convenient to have your keys to hand as you leave the house, but please put them in a draw, or have some sort of barrier that hides them from any line of sight through your letterbox. (Not forgetting that a small mirror can be used to see anything to the sides.)
This does not just apply to the cars either; If a would-be burglar can see your keys on the inside of your door, he can get them and gain entry – thus making even the best of locks worthless. I have used this method several times when people have locked themselves out, I may be a professional locksmith but if I can do this then others can too! It is just too easy for those with a bit of knowledge or determination to do.

When you are out, there are some other ways to protect yourself. The busy shopping period is now in full swing and crowded shopping centres are a haven for light fingered pick-pockets and bag snatchers so here are some useful tips:

  • Put your wallet in a different pocket to your usual one – the different feel will hopefully alert you if someone tries to take it.
  • A karabiner style keyring that screws up, attached to your belt loop, will make keys harder to snatch. You can attach this via a cord to your keys in your pocket.
  • Only take what you really need in your handbag – address books and personal information should be left at home, if possible. If you lose your bag with keys and your home information you will have to change your locks.
  • Check wallets and purses for sensitive information. Is your credit card pin number hidden inside the same wallet as your card?
  • Keep cards and cash in separate pockets and wallets – this way if one gets stolen you still have the other for emergency use.
  • Look around and behind you before entering your pin into any terminal. Take the time to see if anyone is interested in what you are typing.
  • Keep a tight hold on the strap of your bag, or if you are carrying lots of bags of shopping, put your handbag into one of the shopping bags so it is not easy to snatch from your shoulder.
  • If you have a personal alarm, don’t carry it in the depths of your handbag. Make sure it is in easy quick reach so that you may get to it quickly should you need it.
  • Regularly check your pockets for your valuables. Pat your pockets, etc.
  • It’s great to look nice when you are out, but is it worth advertising your personal wealth and making you a target? Make regular trips to lock away your shopping in your car so you are not carrying too much. A laden, smart dressed shopper is a more obvious target.
  • If you leave stuff in your car, make sure it is hidden in the boot and that you have a parcel shelf (if you have an estate or hatch back).
  • Show your car is well protected by investing in bright coloured steering locks, etc that can be seen from a distance and stop the opportunist singling out your vehicle.
  • Be wary of groups milling around or anyone looking remotely suspicious.

There are also ways to look after your personal safety as the party season gets into full swing.

  • Don’t make yourself a target by going off on your own.
  • If you do have to go home alone, keep to lighted areas even if it means an extra ten minutes to your route.
  • Make a mental note of where to find places with more people. If you feel you are being followed, the nearest late night take away might be a safe haven until the danger has passed.
  • Always keep enough money back for a cab.
  • Only use licensed cabs.
  • If your friends have a tendency to go off with others and leave you alone then ditch them and find friends who are not so selfish as to leave you vulnerable.
  • If it’s your young adults that are out then try be understanding. Better you get out of bed at 4.00am to pick them up and know they are safe, than get up at 6.00am to find the police at your door.  
  • If for any reason you are being attacked, try and get an object like a car between you and your attacker, so you can see them and whichever way they go, you can just circle the car to get away.
  • In the worst case scenario, shout “Fire!” repeatedly. People are more likely to look out of their windows if there is a chance of personal danger.

 

There are obviously many more tips on staying safe personally but using common sense is your best ally. It would be great to live in a completely safe world but by using common sense, we become less of a target. Although no-one should ever blame themselves for what has happened to them, almost every victim can say: “If only I had not done this….” or “If only I had done…” and those sentences usually finish with something very basic and sensible.

Be safe this winter and thanks for reading


Car Entry

Many newer cars have a deadlocking system that means once the doors are locked, only the remote will unlock them. ‘Deadlocking’ is if you can lock your car with your remote, and, even if you were inside the vehicle, you cannot unlock the doors without the remote key. In these cases, unless the remote is visible, i.e. not locked in the boot, we are unfortunately unable to help. We do not cut car keys,(and cannot help with alarms or immobilisers) so, if your keys are completely lost you would need a specialist auto locksmith.

Where we come in, is in cases of keys being locked inside cars – something that happens surprisingly often!  We are always happy to take your calls and discuss with you what we are and are not able to do, however, there are ways to avoid the rather expensive vehicle locksmith emergencies:-  

  •  Firstly, check, check, and check again, that you have your car keys on you, or in your hand before you close the car door. (Sounds daft – but believe me – worth checking.)
  • Always use the key, or remote fob, to lock the car from the outside, never the door handle lock as you are exiting. – If you keep your car keys in your pocket, have a weighty key ring so you will notice if the keys fall out or are stolen – especially with very light “keyless” cards. – If you keep your keys in a bag, make sure they have their own pocket, preferably a zip up compartment. The routine of putting them in the same place will help ensure you do not leave them in the car.(And make it more difficult to lift from a bag.)
  • Remember to check you have your keys in your hand before closing the car door.
  • Shopping is the most common time for locking keys in the boot. Do not put your keys in the boot or on the parcel shelf thinking you will pick them up when the shopping is out of the trolley. Take those few seconds to put your keys back in your pocket or bag. – If you do not have a spare key, take the time to shop around for someone who can cut keys for your car, and get one cut. It will save you money over having one cut in an emergency.
  • If you have a spare key, do not keep it in the car – yes, this does happen. It is much easier to get a friend or family member to bring you the spare, than have a locksmith break into your car.
  • Did I say check you have your keys in your hand as you exit your car?

Now, one last thing;-  We see, all too often in homes, many cases of keys being left, either on tables or hooks near doors, where anyone with a bit of determination (and the right tools) can get to them. Keeping your keys near the door is obviously needed so you can get out in an emergency, but please make sure there is some sort of barrier between them and your letter box.
A good idea is to sit with your back to your door, with your eyes at letter box height. If you can see your keys from here, in most cases they can be stolen, and if your car keys are visible, your car can be stolen from your drive. If your door keys are visible, then your door might as well be unlocked. This is also true if you keep your keys in the lock on the inside of the door, if it has a letterbox it is easy to get access to the key.
If you keep a spare key somewhere outside the property, the place you think of to put it will probably be obvious to the burglar too. A better idea may be to invest in a digital key safe.

We hope that all who read this already implement all these procedures, but if you don’t already, making sure you do, will save you money and stress in the long term. 

Did I mention – check you have your car keys in your hand when you exit your vehicle!!