| 1. Can I buy tools that open locks ? |
| No, it is illegal in most states to sell or possess burglary or entry tools unless you are certified by the state and possess and active Locksmith License. Licensed and Certified Locksmiths will not sell entry tools to anyone. |
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| 2. Do we charge more for Holidays, Nights, and Weekend ? |
| We do NOT charge any extra fees for performing jobs during holidays, nights and weekends. |
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| 3. Do we give free estimates? |
| Yes, we offer free estimates over the phone for most locksmith services needed. If an on-site estimate is required, there is a $49 flat fee, which will be excluded from the total if the customer accepts the job. |
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| 4. Do we offer any warranty on labor and parts? |
| Yes, we offer a 90 day warranty on all labor performed by one of our technicians as well as all parts that the customer has purchased from us |
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| 5. How can I pay for the service or products I want to order ? |
| We accept cash, all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express), and corporate checks. All technicians have the ability to charge a credit/debit card at the time of collecting payment. Billing is available solely to Corporate Accounts. |
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| 6. How can I tell what type of car key I have ? |
| You can call the dealership and ask them to provide you with that information or you can also call us and we can provide that for you. |
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| 7. I am moving into a new home, should I rekey my locks even though they seem to be working fine. |
| Yes, we always recommend a re-key when moving into a new home due to the fact that any one of the previous owners could have a spare key. Such a scenario makes your home vulnerable to unauthorized access and not only by previous owners but also by people that they might have given a copy of the key such as relatives, babysitters, house keepers, neighbors, etc. It is always safer to re-key your locks and make sure that you are the only one that has access to your home. |
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| 8. I have a key marked “Do Not Duplicate.” Can I get it duplicated anyways ? |
| Keys that are marked “Do Not Duplicate,” ” Do Not Copy,” or “Unlawful to Copy” can be duplicated ONLY if a letter of authorization from the owner or supervisor is presented with the request for duplication of that key. The letter must be on company letterhead and should identify the key to be made, the number of keys requested, the first and last name of the person responsible for picking up the keys, and the name and number of the person writing the letter or authorization. The person picking up the keys will be required to fill out a “Request for Restricted Keys” form. We reserve the right to refuse to duplicate any key marked “Do Not Duplicate.” |
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| 9. Is the “Do Not Duplicate” marking on a key enough for controlling key duplication? |
| No. While the “Do Not Duplicate” marking on a key is usually respected, many discount stores do not. To effectively prevent unauthorized key duplication, a restricted key lock should be used. |
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| 10. What does response time mean ? |
| Response time defines within how many minutes a technician will be dispatched and on the road to the given job. |
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| 11. What is a Corporate Account ? |
| A Corporate Account is a program offered exclusively to businesses in order to assist them with all of their locksmith needs. In order for your business to have a Corporate Account with us, you need to submit a Corporate Account Application which can be found on our website.
- A Corporate Account includes the following benefits:
- 30minute Emergency Response Time
- 24/7 technical support
- Discounted Rates
- Monthly Billing
- Direct technician line
- Reliability |
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| 12. What is a high security Laser cut key ? |
| A Laser-cut key has a rectangular blade with a wavy groove cut up the center of the face of blade, at constant depth. Typically the key has an identical wavy groove on the back of the blade, making it symmetrical so it works no matter which way it is inserted. Also referred to as the inner profile or sidewinder. These keys must be cut by special key cutting machines made for them |
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| 13. What is a high security lock ? |
| High Security Locks use a unique milled pattern for their keys and locks instead of standard elevated points on the key head. Multiple pins are used on the outside and inside of each pin shaft giving the lock a much higher level of unique combinations. By not using a simple and predictable one-way pattern, the lock automatically becomes more secure and harder to pick.
Most of today’s conventional locks can easily be drilled out using a simple power drill allowing a thief access to your property very fast. High Security Locks are made out of a unique combination of metals and alloys that cannot be drilled through. They will literally burn up drill bits. |
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| 14. What is a master key system ? |
| A master key system is a set of locks cylinders that are keyed in a way that each may have an individual key called a passkey. Nevertheless, all the locks can be opened as well by additional keys known as master keys.
Within a master key system, groups of locks can be keyed alike, so that the same key operates all locks in the group, locks within that group are operated by the master key. There are a finite number of key changes possible within any given key system, limited by the number of cuts, number of possible depths, permissible disparity of adjacent depths, and subtraction of unusable combinations
Under the master key system, groups of locks cylinders can be keyed differently such as keyed to a passkey, sub-master key, master key or even a grand master. |
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| 15. What is a re-key ? |
| Re-keying it is the act of taking a lock that currently works with one specific key and reconfiguring it by changing the combination of the tumblers so that it will work with a different key and the old key would not open the lock anymore. |
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| 16. What is a service call ? |
| Service call is a trip charge for a technician to come out to the customers' location. A service call does not include any labor, parts or materials. It is a non-refundable fee for the technicians’ time and gas to come out to a customers' location. |
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| 17. What is a transponder key? |
| Transponder keys, which incorporate a small radio frequency device called a chip, are now being used by almost all the automakers on a constantly increasing number of models. Transponder based immobilization is a very effective deterrent against auto theft. Cars with this feature use keys, which have a small “chip” which is embedded in the head of the key. When you turn your key in the ignition, a digital code is transmitted from the key to an antenna around the lock. This digital code may have several billion or trillion possibilities. If you try to start a car using a key without the correct code, the car electronically shuts down. This prevents a vehicle from being stolen by any of the classic methods of forcing, breaking, or lock manipulation. |
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| 18. What is a VAT System ? |
| VATS stands for Vehicle Anti-theft System and is also known as PASS-Key (Personal Automotive Security System) and PASS-Key II. This type of key uses a resistor mounted in the key blank to confirm that the correct ignition key is being used to start the engine. Many people call the resistor pellet a "chip" due to the common misconception that it is some sophisticated digital circuit to identify the key to the car. Not quite. It is not a “chip” of silicon as is customarily used for integrated circuits, but merely a block of carbon appropriately sized to have a desired electrical resistance.
GM mixed about fifteen different resistance values in their pinning codes to add another factor to make vehicle theft more difficult. The resistor blocks are staked into the key bodies, just between the key bow and pinning cuts |
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| 19. Do I need an identification card ? |
| Yes, every locksmith company in the state of California is required by law to ask their customers for identification prior to performing any and all locksmith services.
As stated in the California Business and Professions Code Section 6980.55
“ (a) Any locksmith who knowingly and willfully opens any residence, or commercial establishment for another by any method involving an on-site inspection of a door or entrance, whether or not for compensation, shall obtain the street address of the residence or commercial establishment, and the signature of the person for whom the residence or commercial establishment was opened on a work order form. The following information regarding the person requesting entry to the residence or commercial property shall be recorded on a work order form:
1. Name
2. Address
3. Telephone Number
4. Date of Birth
5. Driver’s License or identification number. A copy of each work order form shall be retained for two years, shall include the name and license number of the locksmith performing the service, and shall be open for inspection by any peace officer or by the bureau during business hours or submitted to the bureau upon request.
(b) Any locksmith who makes keys capable of opening a motor vehicle or personal property registered under the Vehicle Code for another by any method, whether or not for compensation, shall obtain the name, date of birth, and driver’s license number or identification number of the person requesting entrance, and the registration or identification number of the vehicle or personal property registered under the Vehicle Code for which entrance is requested. This information together with the date the service was performed, and the signature of the person requesting entrance, shall be set forth on a work order. A copy of each work order form shall be retained for two years, shall include the license number of the locksmith performing the service, and shall be open for inspection by a peace officer or by the bureau during business hours or submitted to the bureau upon request.” |
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| 20. Who are we ? |
| AMPM Locksmith Inc. is the leading locksmith company for all residential, commercial and automotive services in Southern California. We are licensed, bonded and insured under all Federal and State regulations. Our goal is to provide our customer with professional and efficient services with highly competitive prices and exceptional customer service. All of our locksmith services offered are available to our customers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. |
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