Every once in a while we will have someone walk in and want to “borrow” our slim jim or a coat-hangar (which oddly enough, we just don’t seem to have any of those coat hangers  lying around.)

Know the law before you purchase a locksmith tool. Many states have requirements that need to be met in order to own these tools. Not to mention, those who have little or no knowledge of how to use them can do more harm than good. In addition, if someone uses a tool to open a vehicle, they can be held accountable for any damage done. This is why locksmiths are licensed and bonded as well as trained. There have even been cases where police departments have been sued for damage done to vehicles.

Much like the “don’t you have a [magic] master key that fits every lock in the world” belief; is the ‘slim jim will open any vehicle’ belief. Back in the good ole days, when a car was a car; (Those same cars are now either junk or vintage; depending on how you look at it.) pretty much ‘one size fits all’. In other words, slim jims worked on pretty much everything.

Fast forward to the new breed of vehicles! If you use the wrong tool, you will do damage to it. For example, use a slim jim on certain models and you will break the foot off the rod. Sure, you may be able to get into it that one time; but you will no longer be able to lock your door without taking it in to get it repaired. How much will that cost?

So before you try to borrow a tool; think about how much you want to spend to fix your vehicle. Call a locksmith, get the job done right. Remember that most insurance companies will reimburse the cost to have a locksmith come out if you have full coverage.