A woman is standing in a parking lot at 10 PM. Her keys are locked in her car. She can see them on the seat. She pulls out her phone and Googles "locksmith near me."
She's going to call the first result. If nobody answers, she's calling the second. And the third. She'll keep calling until someone picks up because she's stranded and needs help now.
This is the reality of locksmith leads. They're the most time-sensitive calls in the entire service industry.
Why Lockout Calls Are Different
Unlike other service calls, lockouts have zero flexibility:
- The customer can't wait — They're physically stuck
- They can't call back later — The problem must be solved now
- Price is secondary — They'll pay whatever it takes
- They won't leave voicemail — They'll just call the next number
The 3-Minute Rule
Our data shows that lockout callers typically:
- Wait 3-4 rings before hanging up on Company #1
- Immediately call Company #2
- Hire whoever answers first
- Never call the first company back
The entire buying decision happens in about 3 minutes. If you're not answering in that window, you're losing the job to someone who is.
Types of Locksmith Emergency Calls
Automotive (Highest Volume)
- Keys locked in car
- Lost car keys
- Broken key in ignition
- Key fob not working
Residential (Highest Value)
- Locked out of house
- Lost house keys
- Lock replacement after break-in
- Broken lock/deadbolt
Commercial (Recurring Revenue)
- Employee lockout
- Lock rekey after employee departure
- Master key systems
- Access control issues
What Great Locksmith Dispatch Sounds Like
Here's what the stranded customer should hear:
"Thanks for calling Fast Lock Services, I can help you right away. Are you locked out of your car or home? ... Your car, got it. What's your current location? ... The Target parking lot on Main Street. Okay, I'm dispatching a locksmith to you now. He'll be there in about 15 minutes. Your name and phone number? ... Perfect, Sarah. You'll get a text in just a moment with your locksmith's name and ETA. Hang tight, help is on the way."
Total call time: 90 seconds. Customer is relieved. Job is won.
24/7 Coverage Is Non-Negotiable
Lockouts don't happen on a schedule. They happen:
- Late at night leaving a restaurant
- Early morning heading to work
- Weekends during errands
- Holidays when spare keys are unavailable
Locksmiths who only answer during business hours are leaving the most profitable calls—the urgent, price-insensitive ones—to competitors.