Don’t fall for low-price gimmicks, especially in emergencies. These often come with hidden costs.
Tips to Avoid Overcharging:
Get a Quote: Even in a rush, take a moment to get a quote. A professional locksmith will provide accurate pricing upfront.
Save Their Number: Keep the contact of a reputable locksmith saved to avoid future hassle and overcharges.
Recommend to Friends: Share trusted locksmith contacts with friends and colleagues to save them from dishonest services.
For honest and affordable service, contact Jay at Northriding Mobile Locksmith & Safe Technician on 082 651 6416. Reliable, professional, and always fair.
NORTHRIDING MOBILE LOCKSMITH & SAFE TECHNICIAN
JAY 082 651 6416
Randburg, Northern Suburbs & Surrounds
Owner Operated Locksmith, Auto and Safe Technician
SERVICING Boskruin, Bryanston, Cedar Lakes, Cresta, Dainfern, Ferndale, Fourways, Greenside, Honeydew, Jukskei Park, Kya Sands, Malanshof, Northriding, Northcliff, Northgate, Olivedale, Randburg, Randpark, Rivonia, Sandton, Sundowner and surrounding areas.
Locked out? Faulty lock giving you trouble? Just moved and need new keys?
Our locksmith services in the Northern Suburbs of Randburg have you covered!
We offer expert solutions for auto, residential, and commercial needs. From spare keys to maglock installations, we’ve got your security concerns handled.
Need a safe technician? We’ve got that covered too!
NORTHRIDING MOBILE LOCKSMITH & SAFE TECHNICIAN JAY 082 651 6416
Count on us for reliable service with 35 years of experience. Your security is our priority!
Support your local business and give Jay a call today at 082 651 6416 for all your locksmith and safe needs.
All security safes are given what is known as an ‘insurance rating’. This indicates the level of security and the maximum amount of cash that an insurance company will cover if stored in the safe overnight. The higher the rating, the more secure the safe. … Obviously not everyone keeps cash in their safe.
There are 8 main categories for safe grading plus the “No SABS” grading. Since insurance companies cover both the premises and the transit risk of money against theft, the area would be a rating consideration. The maximum limit allowed for each category is as follows BUT it is always important to confirm with your individual insurance company what their specifications are:
No SABS Category – R 2 500
SABS Category 1 – R 5 000
To resist attack by means of hand tools for a net total of 15 minutes, usually 12mm thick steel body and door plate.
SABS Category 2 – R 12 500
To resist attack by means of hand tools for a net total of 60 minutes. Door and body plate thickness not less than 20mm steel plate. Two key locks or two combination locks specified by user.
SABS Category 2ADM – R 50 000
To resist attack by means of hand tools for a net total of 60 minute and also attack by electric disk cutting machines. Door and body contains a barrier material, usually 60-70mm thick. Usually has two key locks.
SABS Category 3 – R 100 000
To resist attack for a net total of 60 minute and also attack by all methods including oxyacetylene cutter or until the gasses are exhausted, whichever is the shorter period. Door and body thickness could be to up to 80-90mm, usually three locks.
SABS Category 4 – R 200 000
To resist attack for a net total of 60 minute and also attack by all methods including oxyacetylene cutter to until the gasses are exhausted, whichever is the shorter period.
SABS Category 5 – R 300 000
To resist attack for a net total of 60 minutes and also attack by all methods including attack with a diamond core drill, impact hammer and angle grinders using diamond coated cutting discs. Usually three locks fitted.
Are you looking for a safe, but still need expert advise on which one is best for your needs?Give Jay a call or send him a WhatsApp message on 082 651 6416 and let him guide you to make an informed decision.
Take the time to find a reliable, local locksmith before you need one in an emergency.
Locksmith scams tend to target home and car owners when they’re at their most vulnerable … in an emergency and needing immediate assistance.
Many consumers think they’re doing the right thing by searching online for a local locksmith, in some cases these locksmiths are run by call centres, in other instances they may not be trained as locksmiths but are in fact handymen.
To avoid hiring an unskilled locksmith to solve your locked-out problem, take the time to research the company first.
Here are some tips to follow before you hire:
Look for a truly “local” locksmith: The best way to know whether a locksmith is trustworthy is to research them in advance. Call them, ask them detailed questions and check their reviews. If you’re in a hurry, be wary of locksmith companies that answer calls with generic phrases like “locksmith services,” rather than a specific name. If a locksmith cannot or will not provide the business’ legal name – FIND ANOTHER LOCKSMITH.
Ask for a quote: The average locksmith callout starts from approx. R 500, what customers need to take into account is, you’re paying to get a locksmith shop at your home, and with that, there’s an overhead; a locksmith’s fee pays for tools, continued training and transportation to and from a job. No skilled or reputable locksmith that does not charge a callout could remain in business. Get an estimate before any work begins, including emergency service. Don’t hire a locksmith who refuses to provide a quote.
Inquire about additional charges: ask about extra charges for things like emergency hours, mileage or service call minimums before you agree to have the work performed. The scammers might also claim the lock on your home or car is obsolete and needs to be replaced. They’ll charge hundreds of rands to replace the lock with what they claim is a high-security lock, but in reality, it’s a cheap lock offering little protection. Reputable locksmiths should be able to answer questions about the intended repair including how they’ll get into your car or home, and the cost of those services. If the locksmith refuses to answer – HANG UP!. This is a sign of someone who either doesn’t know what they’re doing or plans to overcharge you for a job.
Watch out for fluctuating bids: If the locksmith’s on-site price doesn’t match the phone estimate, don’t just accept the adjusted price and pay the bill without an explanation. Some locksmiths may demand payment after doing shoddy work or inflating the bill; a reputable company won’t drastically change the quoted price without discussing it with the client first.
Don’t allow “destructive entry” by a locksmith: If you’re locked out, be wary of locksmiths who recommend or insist on drilling / breaking the lock, forcing you to replace it. There are rare occasions where drilling is necessary, but this should be the last option as most experienced locksmiths possess the skills and tools to unlock almost any door. High security locks are designed to stop people from bumping or picking a door open, and they require specialised keys cut to comply with the lock’s grooves. In these cases, the locksmith may use a cheaper replacement lock as a temporary option while sourcing / ordering a replacement lock of the same security level (with your approval on receipt of a quote for the replacement lock).
QUESTIONS TO ASK A LOCKSMITH BEFORE HIRING
Ask these questions before hiring a locksmith. If a business can’t provide detailed answers, don’t hire them.
Where area do you operate in?
Do you need a picture of the lock?•
Can you give me a quote? •
What factors will cause this price to change?•
Do you require cash, or can I pay with an e-wallet or credit card?•
What’s the name of the locksmith who will be coming?
Attached is an example of a customer who contacted us after they had a bad experience with an unqualified handyman presenting as a qualified locksmith. PLEASE NOTE, THIS IS NOT THE INVOICE OF NORTHRIDING LOCKSMITH (we have all of our company details on the invoice as per government legislation).
Invoice of confirmed unqualified locksmith charging excessively
Protecting your business’ valuables is a fantastic idea, but sometimes those same protections can prevent you from accessing the property. In the case of safe lockouts, the concern is often that the owner will never be able to get their valuables back, or that the contents might be harmed by the methods of opening the safe. With Northriding Locksmith & Safe Technician, the safety and protection of this property is of the utmost importance, and Jay will take every precaution to ensure the integrity of the contents.
Most safes work off a dial or combination lock system. This form of locking mechanism works, at its most basic level, on a system of tabbed wheels (the group of which is known as a wheel pack) that are moved by rotating the dial. The tabs of the wheels (known as the fence) all connect at a certain point, and when the wheels line up a bar attached to the nose (a metal hook shaped form) drops to unite the wheel pack. Once the bar falls into the fence the nose must catch in the cam (another wheel with a groove that fits the nose), and it is at this point that the safe can be opened. The way the wheels are manipulated with the dial may vary from safe to safe, but this is no issue for an experienced safe technician as it is redundant to entry.
A digital lock works off a bolting system that prevents the safe from being turned without the code. The bolt (when locked) prevents the handle from moving the boltwork (the part of the safe that is moved by the turning of the handle); and keeps the safe secure. The keypad will send an electronic signal to the bolt and if the code is correct, this will retract the bolt and allow the boltwork to move freely.
Safe technology has become very advanced throughout the decades, and the process of opening an office safe is made more difficult by their more secure nature, compared to the common house safe. Without an override key, the safe will need to either be picked or drilled open; this is best left to a professional, so the contents of the safe are not jeopardised.
It is important to note, that not all locksmiths are skilled in the art of opening safes and may do more damage if they do not know where to drill, thereby leaving your safe compromised and necessary to replace. If you are in need of an experienced safe technician contact Jay on 082 651 6416; he will require a picture of the safe to determine the category to give you an accurate quote to open or service your safe.