Reading time: 5 minutes / Lars Buchwald / June 24, 2025

A Good Reputation Opens More Doors Than Any Tool

Contents of This Article

→ "You're honest, aren't you?" – A Question Loaded with Meaning

→ Reputation Isn't What You Say – It's What Others Say About You

→ What Professional Ethics Really Mean in Practice

→ How to Spot a Reliable Provider – A Few Simple Signs

→ Real-Life Story: When Dad Waited in His Slippers

→ Trust Beats a Google Rating

→ What I Learned from an Experience (Yes, It Happened to Me Too)

→ A Good Reputation Is the Most Honest Tool

→ Tips & Support

Most locksmith services are better than their reputation – but hardly anyone talks about it. In fact, many people, especially in emergency situations, encounter honest, helpful professionals who act quickly, fairly, and kindly. And yet, negative reports dominate the public image. Time to set the record straight – and to show what really matters.

"You're honest, aren't you?" – A Question Loaded with Meaning

At a trade fair (thanks again to Amin / türöffnung-feuerwehr.de), a visitor at the booth told me about his mother who had locked herself out of her apartment. She was completely distraught. When the locksmith arrived, the very first thing she asked him was: "You're honest, aren't you?" Sadly, questions like this come up very often – and have done so for quite a while. There's hardly a TV station or newspaper that hasn’t reported on what I’ll call “locksmith rip-offs.” Unfortunately, locksmiths are often generally associated with shady practices and wildly inflated bills.
In that moment, you really had to feel sorry for the woman. First, the stressful realization that she'd locked herself out (everyone who's been through it knows the feeling), and then the uncertainty whether she had called someone trustworthy. How could anyone blame her for asking that question?

How to Spot a Reliable Provider – A Few Simple Signs:

If you want to stay on the safe side, don’t just blindly click on the first search result. It’s much better to deliberately look for a local provider with a solid reputation.

Here are a few things that can help:
• The provider has a real, local address
• The phone number is reachable – no anonymous hotline
• An approximate price is already given over the phone
• No bait offers like “from €9.90”
• Transparent presence – with legal notice, names, and proper invoices
• Recommendations from your network (neighbors, property managers, friends)
• How long has the provider been around? Maybe even a family business

Real-Life Story: When Dad Waited in His Slippers

A friend of mine once told me about her father. He was home alone – 88 years old at the time – and had locked himself out. My friend lived about 50 minutes away and had to organize a locksmith remotely. And once again, that same uncertainty: Who can I trust? Is this company legit? What will it cost? So many questions, so little time – especially when Dad is standing outside in his slippers. (I’ve met him once – waiting is definitely not one of his strengths. Just saying.)
Later, he told his daughter how calm and friendly the locksmith was. A great guy, very kind – he not only opened the door but even asked if there was anything else he could do to help. It wasn’t a grand gesture, but it was thoughtful and human. He treated him with empathy, especially knowing he was dealing with a very elderly customer. That’s what makes the difference. It’s often the small things that people remember – and that build real trust.
So, who do you think Dad – and his daughter – would recommend to friends and neighbors in a similar situation? I’d say: everything done right.

Trust Beats a Google Rating

You can take precautions, have emergency numbers ready, even look up reviews on Google. But in the moment of need, that doesn’t always help. What really sticks is the impression someone leaves – and that’s often made even before the first tool is used.
How would you handle such an unusual situation? Have you had similar experiences? Is there a locksmith you trust based on your own experience – or do you have helpful tips? Feel free to write to me – I’d love to hear your story and the lessons that came with it.

Reputation Isn't What Someone Says – It's What Others Say About Them

The good reputation of a locksmith service doesn’t come from classified ads or banners at the local football club. It grows slowly – through people who, after an emergency call-out, don’t feel scammed or ripped off but respected. That, of course, doesn't happen when a locksmith employee wants to charge €250 for a single swipe with an opening card.
One customer who works in property management put it like this: “We have a handful of service providers we truly recommend. Not because they’re the cheapest – but because we know: when we send them, there are no complaints.”
So, a strong reputation is essential in the locksmith industry – and worth its weight in gold.

What Professional Ethics Mean in Practice

A few years ago, there was a documentary about shady locksmith services – outrageous prices, unclear identities, no names, dozens of phone numbers all leading to the same call center, and of course, no receipts. Back then, I asked myself: how does someone decide who to let in when they don’t know the person at the door?
It’s precisely in those moments that professional ethics and trustworthiness become visible. And not as a fancy mission statement on a website, but through very practical things: a clear cost estimate, a calm and respectful tone, no pressure, no tricks – and in the end, a professional, efficient job well done.

How to Spot a Reliable Provider – A Few Simple Signs:

If you want to stay on the safe side, don’t just blindly click on the first search result. It’s much better to deliberately look for a local provider with a solid reputation.

Here are a few things that can help:
• The provider has a real, local address
• The phone number is reachable – no anonymous hotline
• An approximate price is already given over the phone
• No bait offers like “from €9.90”
• Transparent presence – with legal notice, names, and proper invoices
• Recommendations from your network (neighbors, property managers, friends)
• How long has the provider been around? Maybe even a family business

Real-Life Story: When Dad Waited in His Slippers

A friend of mine once told me about her father. He was home alone – 88 years old at the time – and had locked himself out. My friend lived about 50 minutes away and had to organize a locksmith remotely. And once again, that same uncertainty: Who can I trust? Is this company legit? What will it cost? So many questions, so little time – especially when Dad is standing outside in his slippers. (I’ve met him once – waiting is definitely not one of his strengths. Just saying.)
Later, he told his daughter how calm and friendly the locksmith was. A great guy, very kind – he not only opened the door but even asked if there was anything else he could do to help. It wasn’t a grand gesture, but it was thoughtful and human. He treated him with empathy, especially knowing he was dealing with a very elderly customer. That’s what makes the difference. It’s often the small things that people remember – and that build real trust.
So, who do you think Dad – and his daughter – would recommend to friends and neighbors in a similar situation? I’d say: everything done right.

Trust Beats a Google Rating

You can take precautions, have emergency numbers ready, even look up reviews on Google. But in the moment of need, that doesn’t always help. What really sticks is the impression someone leaves – and that’s often made even before the first tool is used.
How would you handle such an unusual situation? Have you had similar experiences? Is there a locksmith you trust based on your own experience – or do you have helpful tips? Feel free to write to me – I’d love to hear your story and the lessons that came with it.

What Can I Do to Find a Trustworthy Locksmith?

About the Author

Lars Buchwald has been an integral part of the Multipick team since 2006, where he dedicates his passion and expertise to marketing and graphics. As a trained graphic designer and copywriter, he brings a wealth of experience and creativity to his work, which enables him to convey the messages of the ingenious tools in an appealing and convincing way. With a keen sense for the needs of the target group, he steers Multipick's marketing fortunes. His commitment is characterized by a high degree of sensitivity and the right richer at the right time. 

As a native of Bonn, Lars not only has close ties to the region, but has also firmly integrated his passion for marketing spear tools into his professional work. His attachment to the city is reflected in his work and gives his marketing campaigns an authentic, Bonn touch.

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