Locksmith Services

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. When hiring a locksmith in the Phoenix Metro area, it's important to look for credentials and experience, along with certification in the locksmith trade. Look for the Better Business Bureau rating longer than two years, look for CRL level certification from the Associated Locksmiths of America. Ask about bonding information, business liability insurance coverage, and IRS tax compliance.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. There are many locksmiths in the valley, and not all of them are the same anymore. There are new predatory locksmith companies out there giving regular original locksmiths a bad name. Make sure you are talking to an actual locksmith and not a call center. Find out what the flat rate price is for a service. Most real locksmiths know exactly how much making a key to a 2010 Ford F150 is, for example...

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. Are you Bonded and Insured? Are you a certified locksmith, with whom? How long have you been a locksmith in Phoenix, AZ? Have you done (the job you need) before? How much will the price be when you are done? What methods of payment do you accept? If they don't accept credit cards or checks made out to the locksmith business name, something is not right. Look for the locksmith to provide you with a receipt with their company name and information printed on it - like all other professional businesses.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. It can really help to know your exact location. If it's a car, truck, or motorcycle or rv, what year, make, and model is it?

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. We bring the tools, experience and education to get the key and locksmith job done right. At Alcatraz Lock and Security Locksmith company, we have been serving the door, lock, key and auto needs for locksmithing for over 25 years. We stay up to date on our trade for the newest applications, and have the skills to provide old world craftsmanship. It's the best of both worlds!

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. We engage in many different forms of continuing locksmith education. We attend seminars held by door lock manufacturers and automotive lock manufacturers, classes at locksmith trade shows, and locksmith classes at local suppliers to stay current. There are online classes to stay current available on the internet that we take for various lock, key and door repair issues. The Associated Locksmiths of America has continuing education classes and prp testing to stay current with our current classifications and certifications that we must partake in to remain active. Formal education is not the only way we as locksmiths stay current, we also belong to a number of different online locksmith and automotive locksmith forums exchanging the very latest information gathered in the field on locksmith and keymaking techniques.

Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.

A. We recently installed closed circuit video system, or cctv security video system, with internal monitors, digital video recorder, external internet video storage, 6 video cameras outside, 2 video cameras inside. Total cost for parts, labor and setup was 2600.00, We beat out several competitors, and provided a better installation, and the internet offsite storage solution.

Q. What is your greatest strength?

A. Honesty, integrity and remembering to see a situation from the position of a person who needs key and locksmith services rendered. We offer flat rate, upfront pricing on most jobs.