Lockout callers don't wait
Someone locked out at midnight is standing outside, often on a dying phone. They call the first locksmith in the results, then the next, and hire whoever answers and gives a price.
85% of callers who can't reach a business won't call back (BIA/Kelsey). For locksmiths, "won't call back" usually means "already hired someone else".
What to ask, in order
- Where are you right now? (Address, or nearest cross streets for a car.)
- Is it a home, car or business? Is anyone, or any pet, locked inside?
- Safety: a child or pet in a hot car means call 911 now.
- Your call-out fee, stated upfront, and a clear yes.
- Name and a number that will stay reachable.
| Call | Decision |
|---|---|
| Locked out of home or car tonight | Emergency |
| Lock broken after a break-in | Emergency |
| Business that can't be secured | Emergency |
| Rekeying, new locks, spare keys | Next day |
| Safe opening that can wait | Next day |
Example call
KeyRight Locksmiths, this is Josie. Are you locked out right now?
Yes, keys are inside and my phone's at 5%.
Let's be quick. What's the address? Our after-hours call-out is $125. Shall I send someone now?
22 Pine Street. Yes.
Fee agreed · paging Chris (on call)… accepted · text sent to caller
If a caller hangs up before anyone answers (a dying phone, a second company picking up), Hang-Up Recovery texts them within 30 seconds.
What Josie does
- 24/7 Emergency Line: Answers every after-hours call and sorts real emergencies from routine jobs with your rules.
- Emergency Fee Consent + Payment Link: States your after-hours fee and gets a clear yes before anyone is woken. Can text a payment link.
- Hang-Up Recovery: Texts callers who hang up within 30 seconds and books them by text.
- For your trade: 24/7 Answering Service for Locksmiths
Common questions
Should locksmiths quote the call-out fee on the phone?
Yes. It avoids disputes at the door and filters out callers who are only price shopping. Josie states it in your wording and records the yes on the transcript.
Can the service handle car lockouts on highways?
Yes. Josie asks for the road, direction, nearest exit or landmark, and repeats it back before paging.
What does HireJosie cost?
HireJosie is $29/month for 200 AI minutes, starting with a 7-day free trial — cancel before day 7 and you pay nothing. Pro is $79/month for 500 minutes, with $0.25/minute overage after that. Every feature is on every plan, and every plan starts with a 7-day free trial.