Business Questions? Ask a Locksmith.

[Varjeal]

Lockpick Dan: I own my own business, so you would have to define better what you mean by "actually spend working". You see, for me there's a difference between paying work and non-paying work. Paying work is work that I directly receive payment from the customer for doing. Approximately double to triple that time is spent doing non-paying work such as advertising, paper-work, inventory, maintenance, and other activities for which I receive no DIRECT and IMMEDIATE payment for.

My business is also a relatively new one, (Just over 2 years) and I'm finding that the non-paying work quite easily keeps up with the paying work, meaning that as more actual locksmithing is done, more work is required to keep track of it all. These days I EASILY put in 40-50 hrs/week doing the combination.

There is a vast amount of difference when it comes to working for someone else vs. owning your own business, and the time factor is the most noticeable one.

The "trick" so to speak, is to find a balance, and as I'm doing now, working to streamline various aspects of the business to allow more time for actual 'smithing to be done as I anticipate my business flourishing.

Hope that helps.

[Lockpick Dan]

yeah, that helps, i was wondering about payed time. Sorry about the ambiguous question.

[Guitar_J]

Varjeal: Well.. by small I mean it has one two lane road that goes through the town, from end to end it is one mile long... population about 1500 in the year 2000... so its small... thanks for the info!

[Varjeal]

LockpickDan: No problem, just wanted to point out the difference...at this time the amount of time varies depending the day/climate/etc, but on an average week I'm closing in on 20hrs, which isn't bad for a new business. It'll get better, I'm sure.

Guitar_J: Wow, that is small. Well, I'm sure the correspondence course will have you well on your way to being able to service your small town. I'm not saying that in a condescending way either, small towns generally use simpler (and quite often more reliable) locking systems that are also generally easy to service, though most often they will need to be replaced due to wear. Good luck.

[marso]

I have been working in my chosen profession for 5+ years (nothing to do with locks) with numerous years of training and I do not call myself an expert and question wether or not I am qualified some of the time. Yet in locksmithing it seems anyone who has bought a tool or two can become a lockout specialist or a locksmith. When a state has an apprenticeship skeem can you just bypass this and call yourself a locksmith anyways. Is this false advertising as you can not possibly service or repair cylinders or safes or even opening cars without damage or even give valued security advice with only 6 months of working it out on your own and asking a few questions here and there.

If some kid (14, 16 I dont care) came when you called for a locksmith can you ask them to get nicked. If they damaged your lock can you sue them. Can you trust someone of this age with your key bitings (ie they could cut your key and sell it to criminals in the area, yes impressioning etc.. beside point). I personally would tell the person that I would like to speak to the manager or ask for another person because I know they can not have the experience needed to provide me with the knowledge I am paying for. And if it was a simple lockout, I would like to know before hand a minor was doing the job (or a non qualified person) so I can make a judgement of paying for them or phoning someone else and getting the experience I expect and deserve.

Basically what I am asking is with the lockout business, has many people heard of many dodgy jobs from backyard traders and if so how can I protect myself from them.

[Varjeal]

Basically what I am asking is with the lockout business, has many people heard of many dodgy jobs from backyard traders and if so how can I protect myself from them.

With any type of business, especially when it comes to locksmithing and security-type issues, the best way to protect yourself is to simply start asking questions such as these:

1. What are your credetials?
2. Are you bonded AND insured?
3. What courses have you taken?
4. How long have you been in business?
5. How long have you been working as a locksmith?
6. Do you know {name} from {another locksmith shop}?
7. Do you attend trade shows?
8. What types of products do you carry?

Don't be afraid to ask creditials of someone you are trusting to perform security work, and if they cannot supply you with enough answers/proof, tell 'em what you think. If they get better and drive off in a huff, so be it. If they have no proof/evidence that they can perform the work you want, don't hire 'em. I have from time to time been asked to provide proof that I'm qualified to do certain types of work, and I always carry my pick license (which has my photo on it) and business license (which you cannot get here without providing the city proof of insurance and/or bonding) Generally this is enough for most customers, but I'm also willing to show them proof of insurance and stuff is well. Make the customer feel secure is an important part of the job, and within reason I'll do what it takes to make them feel so.

[Guitar_J]

I've looked for this and I Just can't find it.. I don't know if it is answered on here somewhere... I've searched for "Bonded" and looked at every occurance and I can't find a clear definition...

What does it mean to be bonded? I know it is a good thing.. and that it looks gook on your business.. but what does it really mean? What is the purpose? is it good for anything other than just to say "I'm a Bonded Locksmith" ?

F-B sent me an offer for a $15,000 bond if I sign up for a subscription to The National Locksmith... is that worth anything?

Sorry if it is a dumb Q... I'm just wondering...


thanks
-Josh

[Varjeal]

That's not a dumb question. Basically a bond is a type of insurance. To be "bondable" you need to have a clean record. The bond "guarantees" your performance in the work you do, and also is a requirement if you are going to work in banks or for the gov't.

[Guitar_J]

So a bond of X ammount is like you're insured up to X ammount of dollars? Do you have to pay monthly to be bonded or is it like a one time /Yearly thing? Who can bond you?

[Varjeal]

A bond of say, $15,000 means that the company that is providing the bond is willing to pay up to that amount if you screw up and get sued. Depending on the amount of the bond you will pay either monthly or yearly.

As far as I'm aware (check your insurance agent and/or lawyer on this) any company that offers such a thing must have a license to do so. I know there are a couple of Locksmith magazines that provide such a bond, but they also (for their own protection) require some detailed info on you, your qualifications, and your company.

Because I work with alarm systems, safes, etc, I am bonded for up to $2,000,000.00 of coverage for my work performance. I pay approximately $160.00/month for it, too.

Most small mobile business' require only a million for standard types of work.

[Guitar_J]

So what is the difference betweening being bonded and being insured? or are they just different terms for the same thing?

[Varjeal]

Insurance does not require a criminal background check. Other than that, they're pretty much the same thing, other than once you've lost your bond, there's no getting it back.

[007]

Heay Varjeal U R Great.


I am diffenantly intersted in starting a llock smith business once I refine my skills.
Can you tell me what I would need in terms of tools?

Also what in your experience has been the best sort of advertisment?

Thanks Var you r always there and answer the ?'s the best you should be a MOD!!!

[Guitar_J]

007: this has been answered look in the FAQs section, there is a tool list that Varjeal wrote. Quite extensive it is. It's called "Tools for Locksmithing"

[Varjeal]

I believe the tools question has been answered (still a work in progress), but in terms of advertisement, word of mouth, in addition the the decals on my vehicle and yellow pages advertising, and excellent work and customer service have been the best advertisement I've found so far.

P.S. I am a moderator. (look at my signature)

Thanks for the support. There's lots of other helpful people on here too.