Are Expensive Safes Worth It? Real Safe-Buying Tips for Naples FL

Are Expensive Safes Worth It? What Naples Buyers Need to Know About Security, Scams, and Cheap Imported Safes

When it comes to safes, the market isn’t just weird—it’s completely unregulated.

That’s right. There’s no legal criteria for something to be called a safe. Any metal box with a lock can be sold as one. That includes glorified Ikea filing cabinets with no fire resistance, no burglary protection, and no business guarding your valuables.

So how do you know if you’re getting actual protection or just a false sense of security?

Let’s break it down like we do safes in our shop—quickly, precisely, and with no fluff.

1. The $60 “Safe” That Isn’t Safe At All

We open these every day. Usually in under 30 seconds, our locksmiths crack cheap, imported lockboxes for customers who forgot their code… and are horrified by how easily we do it.

Once they see it? They almost always upgrade.

These boxes are made from ultra-thin metal with laughable locking mechanisms weaker than your sister’s childhood diary lock. Some can be bypassed with a magnet. Others open with a screwdriver. And yes—there are reports of toddlers breaking into them leading to tragic consequences.

But hey, they say “Proven Tough!” and “Burglary Proof” on the packaging, right?

2. Our American-Made Safes: Where Form Meets Fort Knox Level Protection

At “A” Locksmith, we offer a curated selection of quality American-made safes with the Naples homeowner or businessowner in mind. Our security experts pour through all of the data and ratings to bring you the best value.

These safes combine American ingenuity and craftsmanship with elite performance:
• UL-rated or ETL-rated for burglary and fire resistance, the gold standard in scientific safe torture testing for legitimate safe certifications
• High-security electronic, dial, and biometric locking options
• Custom drawers, watch winders, and elegant finishes available
• Anchored installations and discreet placement

They look stunning and actually protect what matters most.

3. The Gun Safe Recall: The Danger of Fake Biometric Locks

Earlier this year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled hundreds of thousands of defective biometric gun safes. Why? Because they unlocked with any fingerprint—including a three-year-old child’s. After a staggering number of accidents and deaths, the government had to step in to force these manufacturers to stop selling the dangerous safes to families trying to do the right thing.

Even more concerning? These recalled safes were sold at Amazon, Walmart, Bass Pro, Cabela’s, Home Depot, Costco, and other major retailers under a range of brand names. And yes, many are still for sale online.

Quality safe locks are expensive to make and calibrate. If your safe costs less than your Apple Watch, that metal box probably isn’t protecting much.

4. Snap-Together Safes and the Curbside Crisis

We’ve seen the “easy-to-assemble” safes that show up curbside in a flat-pack box. And we’ve rescued more than one homeowner after they realized they needed to call a professional to get the 1,000 lbs safe moved out of the middle of their driveway.

Curbside delivery often means a huge box or palette is left out on the road in front of your house, unannounced, in full view of your neighbors (and the local opportunist). No setup. No bolt-down. No help.

Some people call us after they’ve injured themselves trying to move it, but better yet, shop your local locksmith for a safe and let their specialized safe-moving equipment do all of the heavy lifting.

5. Why Naples Trusts “A” Locksmith for Serious Safe Installations

We’re not just a locksmith company. We’re Certified Safe Specialists who have installed more than 20,000 safes in the local area. Our team is so advanced, we are often called by safe manufacturers, banks, and institutions to deliver and install $20,000+ safes and military-grade vault doors in Sarasota, Tampa, Miami, Jacksonville and beyond because there’s no one there that can properly handle these complex jobs. The lead technicians on our safe team have over 10 years of experience, and we install thousands of safes every year across Naples, Collier County, and the entire state of Florida.

We handle:
• Upstairs installations (or using a crane when it won’t fit up the staircase)
• Tight spaces and inset into custom cabinetry
• Custom vault room doors
• High-rise and condo installations (the local property managers love us!)
• Pedestal mounting and stealth placements

Our gear isn’t what movers use. We’ve got stair-climbing safe dollies, precision rigging, floor-protection systems, and the creativity that make even the most challenging safe installs smooth and stress-free.

6. What Are Cheap Safes Good For? Decoys!

Believe it or not, cheap safes have a place—just not the one you think.

We recommend using them as decoys. Mount one in an obvious location with a little cash or some costume jewelry. Meanwhile, your real safe—the one we install discreetly and securely—stays out of sight and out of reach.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Trust a Marketing Slogan. Trust the UL & ETL Labels.

In an unregulated market, anyone can call a metal box with a lock a “safe”. Phonies can also call themselves “locksmiths” and have zero knowledge or a background check, but that’s for another article. Don’t fall for claims of safes that say they are “burglary-proof”, “waterproof”, or “fireproof”, but there is no such thing, it’s just a marketing ploy. That’s why you need to go beyond looks and false claims. Check for UL or ETL ratings, check for a Made in America sticker. Look for expert installation. Get to know your local locksmith and ask the right questions.

If you’re serious about securing your valuables, stop by our Naples showrooms. Talk to our specialists. We’ll help you find a safe that looks good, performs better, and gives you real peace of mind.