Appearances can be deceiving. Take online dating services, for example. You could be attracted to someone’s profile picture, only to find out when you meet them that the picture is really 20 years old. Or, as was the case in the movie Elf, just because a coffee shop claims to have the “World’s Best Cup of Coffee,” doesn’t make it true. Then there are online reviews. From restaurants and laundromats to hair salons and plumbers, reviews don’t always tell the whole story.
The same can be true for locksmiths. While locksmith reviews have their merit, you need to take them with a grain of salt. From fake reviews to businesses rebranding to avoid a poor reputation, it is important to look at the legacy and stability of a locksmith when considering customer reviews. Here’s why:
Some Could Be Fake
According to Gartner, 10-15 percent of all online social media reviews in 2014 were anticipated to be fake. Also, a 2013 study indicated that approximately 16 percent of all Yelp reviews were fake. Who is writing these reviews? Sometimes, companies pay people to write bad reviews for their competitors, as Samsung did in 2013. Other times, company employees create several fake accounts to write positive reviews for their company. Then there’s always the possibility of bots creating reviews. To determine if a review is fake or not, we recommend you take time to read it and see if it sounds like the person had a real-life experience. Or, you can even message them to see if they respond. Either way, look at all reviews with a bit of skepticism.
Others Could Be Misleading
Oftentimes, businesses rebrand themselves to avoid a poor reputation they’ve developed online. (You may have seen this before with apartment complexes.) After their rating has plummeted, they simply change the name of their company and create new websites, social media pages and review listings. To spot these instances, look for locksmiths with only a few reviews and a perfect rating. You might already doubt these companies, as studies show that 95 percent of consumers don’t trust reviews when there aren’t any negative scores. Do your research and see if the company is hiding any of its real reviews.
Reviews Only Tell Part of the Story
Locksmith reviews are definitely beneficial when they’re real and not misleading. Be sure to look at the legacy and stability of a locksmith when considering their customer reviews. If the company has been around for a while and maintains a positive score, that’s a good sign. Other indicators that you’ve found a trustworthy locksmith include:
- A good BBB rating
- High voting scores from actual residents
- Professional association memberships
- State licenses
OF course, the best way to see if locksmiths are worth their salt is to give them a try for yourself. To see why A-1 Locksmith has been voted the #1 Dallas locksmith three years in a row, call us at (972) 284-7500 to schedule a consultation or talk about your security issues today.
