I am Juan Carlos, a self-employed locksmith from Benidorm, and I want to expose a situation that is destroying the livelihoods of many professionals like me. Since November, Google has removed the ability to advertise urgent locksmith services on its search engine, leaving hundreds of independent locksmiths without one of the main sources for acquiring clients.
For years, my work consisted of helping my neighbors when they needed it the most. I provided emergency locksmith services, whether in the middle of summer, on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, or during the early hours of the morning. Receiving calls at 3 or 4 in the morning was common, especially when young people came home and realized they didn’t have their keys. Being available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year requires sacrifices, but the satisfaction of opening a door for someone and restoring their peace of mind is priceless.
Before this change, I was able to carry out one or two jobs a day, enough to support my family. Now, I barely get two jobs a week. This all started after news stories in the summer highlighted isolated cases of price gouging in locksmith services. Instead of finding solutions to prevent such abuses, Google opted for a drastic decision that harms those of us who work with professionalism and honesty.
An emergency locksmith service is not like any other service. Emergencies don’t adhere to a schedule, and each job requires immediate travel. It’s not the same to attend a job in the center of Benidorm as it is to travel to a nearby village at 3 a.m. All of this affects the cost of the service, but always with transparency and professionalism.
While in other European countries there is an official registry requirement for advertising locksmith services, in Spain, Google has chosen to completely remove locksmith advertising from its search engine without offering any alternatives. This decision benefits large repair platforms, which now appear in the top search results without needing to pay for ads. This leaves local locksmiths at a disadvantage, reducing competition and allowing prices to rise, ultimately hurting customers.
Google’s decision favors large repair companies, which are now monopolizing the industry with much higher prices. Local locksmiths, who provide personalized service and fair prices, are being pushed out of the market. Competition allows customers to choose and find the best price, but that possibility is being lost.
I am not just fighting for my business, but for all the self-employed locksmiths who, like me, are watching their livelihoods disappear. We need our voices to be heard and for support to be given to local professionals who work day and night to help our communities.
Why Choose a Local Locksmith Like Me?
- Immediate Assistance: I am available 24/7 in Benidorm and surrounding areas for any emergency.
- Personalized Service: I know my clients and their needs.
- Fair and Transparent Prices: No surprises or price gouging.
- Experience and Professionalism: Years of helping neighbors with locksmith emergencies.
If you need a reliable locksmith in Benidorm, I am here to help. Visit my website Juancarloscerrajero.com and support local professionals.