What do locksmiths have against bumping?

[Brett McMenimon]

I'm curious as to WHY many professional Locksmiths are against bumping a lock in front of a customer.

In another forum, there is a topic regarding the bypass method where there have been posts stating that it is "unprofessional" and sometimes customers refuse to pay when a lock is bumped. I find this to be incredibly naive and untrue.

If you have a customer who is locked out, my firm belief is that they could care less HOW you get in, but are more concerned with HOW LONG. Why are locksmiths against this? Is it because it is such a simple method? Do they feel like their skills necessary to do their profession has become inadequate? Someone has created an effective, simpler way to open a door. Take advantage of it and get more done throughout the day.

How does everyone else feel about this? Whats your opinion?

[l0ckp1cker]

I'm no practising locksmith, but I can think of a few things:
- If it's open in a few seconds, how secure will the customer feel?
- If you sold them the locks earlier they might think your selling crap because you can access it so easily.
- It wears out the lock a lock, it might even damage the lock so much that it has to be replaced.
- Perhaps their own conscious comes into play as little skill or equipment is needed.
- if you opened the lock in a few seconds, I can imagine the customer complaining having to pay a lot of money for it, after all the amount of work is nothing compared to the price.

just my 2 cents

[sir locksalot]

i dont see a problem with bumping, as the customer just wants to be in, i can see the point of it looking insecure but the epg is nearly as quick so its 6 and 2 3's for me, if the customer would like a security upgrade then thats all well and good for me too. Half of them believe in skeleton keys too

[MarkC]

I think bumping is more a PR issue than a technical issue. Most customers don't care how the lock is opened -- they just want access to their homes.

However, bumping can tarnish the locksmith's image. Customers expect a professional with specialized tools. I think they lose respect for our trade when they see a bump key smacked into a lock with a screwdriver handle.

As a locksmith you should have a decent pick set and gun/EPG. Use those tools. They are just as fast AND you gain a lot more respect. Why disappoint a customer if you don't have to?

Mark

[mattman]

However, bumping can tarnish the locksmith's image. Customers expect a professional with specialized tools. I think they lose respect for our trade when they see a bump key smacked into a lock with a screwdriver handle.

Mark

I agree. I've had a lot of people tell me stories about how they called a locksmith for a lockout, and that he charged them so much money for just a few minutes of work. I have to explain to them that they weren't paying the locksmith per hour. Instead, they were paying him for his knowledge, training, specialized tools, etc., so that he could get them into their house or car quickly, and with minimal damage to their property. They then feel better about paying the locksmith whatever he charged them.

Now, if I show up at a lockout and simply smack a key with a screwdriver handle, I doubt I could explain to them that they are paying me for my specialized training and tools. It's all about making customers see you as a professional, and not as just some thug off the street.

-Matt

[compromizer]

I do not bump locks to get into them. Of course theres always more than one way to defeat a lock. Usually I try to pick the lock first. If it takes me more than 5 minutes I will shim the lock or look at another door lock and see if it picks easier. I mean if you wanted to upsell on a lock that us unbumpable, it would be a good idea to bump their lock and inform them on lock bumping. Of course you probably already know that they do make locks now that cannot be bumped. Why not pick the lock, thats what we do? Its been shown that a 8 year old kid can bump a lock, why have lockpicking skills and not practice them? While your at it get aquainted with the customer and take the opportunity to chat with them. My grandpa is a successful locksmith not because hes the fastest, but because people know him. I believe that business is about building relationships/networking. People know him, you can be there have them in their house, grab your money and be gone within 3 minutes. I just believe that its not about how fast you do a job, its about professionalism and I do have a set of bump keys and would not be against the idea of trying them out if picking/shimming didnt work. Its just a matter of personal preference. Do what works for you and gets the job done. How are you going to better your skills as a locksmith if your not even trying to use the tools of the trade? Bumping could be just like a bypass tool but if you always take the easy way out your going to have more trouble when you run into something you cant bump because your picking skills are rusty.

My five cents.

[djslacker]

My two cents is: Say I take my car into the mechanic because it's running funny. I explain the problem and then wait in the waiting room for 10 minutes. He comes in to get me and said that he fixed the problem and that I owe him $75. I ask him what he did and he points to a little bolt on the carburetor and said that he just had to turn it until the car ran steady.

I'm still going to pay him the $75 because weather it takes 10 minutes or two hours and weather he had to tighten a bolt or install a new muffler, you're still hiring him to do something that you can't do. You're hiring him for his experience, knowledge, and professionalness.

Yes almost any customer could bump their own lock, but they're hiring us for our qualifications. Just make sure that they are fine with paying the bill before you start working.

[Brett McMenimon]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I appreciate the insight.

There are just a few points I would like to respond too:

1. If it opens in a few seconds how secure will the customer feel? They won't feel secure at all, because chances are they do not have secure locks. It's an oppurtunity to demonstrate ti them that cheap locks are not going to cut it, and they should upgrade. The locks on my home are bump proof.
2. No one should be bumping a lock so hard that your going to damage it. It should be done lightly.
3. I agree with the fact that that customers are paying for our expertise, so doing it fast is a bonus for them but does not mean it's discounted. Should we effortlessly for an hour so the price feels justified to them?
4. Someone mentioned making a connection with your customer and not doing it fast. This is absolutely true. Except lock out scenarios. These customers don't want to chit chat, they want to get in, get their keys that they left inside and get on their way. Chances are being locked out has already made them late so we don't need to delay them further.

[Brett McMenimon]

*effortlessly pick


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[butterboy]

If you have any experence" bumping "you should know that eventually something WILL go wrong, key stuck/ broken off/ damage to the lock .
Thats what they have against it .
All though its fun and it works sometimes..

[unlisted]

*effortlessly pick


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