Multiple listings

[locksmith727]

In Florida no license is required for locksmiths. There are a lot of scammers. Dependable Locksmith has been in the news recently getting busted for a nation wide price gouging scam for example. There is a lot of talk about license requirments in Florida now wich I think will eliminate these scams, hopefully. Locksmiths list under multiple names to get an edge in the phone book and directory assistance. How can I overcome this the right way?

[unlisted]

Don't do multiple posts/business', (don't do what the other guys are doing) and keep a very good professional business running. Register with the BBB (if possible)

Trust me, if you keep a professional business and do a good job, word will eventually get around.

[locksmith727]

I appreciate your reply, unlisted.

[unlisted]

I will say from what I have heard its a really hard field to just "start up in" currently in North America with the economic situation.

Have you done any official training or joined any locksmith organizations? (or worked as a apprentice at a shop) Those would be a good starting point.

[locksmith727]

No I haven't. Honestly I got interested in locksmithing about a year and a half ago. I learned how to pick and I got real curious about it. I bought The Complete Book of Locksmithing by Bill Phillips. Then I started practicing. It was an interesting hobby at first. I bought picks, pippin files, blanks etc. and would challenge myself. I am in college going for a business degree. I always been interested in business. My father was an entrepreneur and I admired that. He owned a car dealership when I was a kid and had a friend that was a locksmith. I have been blessed with a 4 month old son by my wife and I got the idea of opening a lockmith business to provide more for my family. I read that locksmithing is generally a family business and hard to get into and many locksmiths had learned the trade by themselves so I figured I could read and practice till I had confidence that I could provide a worthy service to the public. I want to start with what I know and keep learning and eventually be involved in every aspect of the trade including safes, alarms, and CCTV.

[locksmith727]

Does anyone think this is a reasonable approach? How did you (the independent locksmiths) get into the business? I have called around posing as a potential customer, though that may be inconsiderate, and asked for quotes and many wont,or can't, even make a key for my wife's 96' Jetta. The few that do charge twice the national average. Some also tried telling me it was high security. If I can do things such as this for half the price I don't see why it would be unfair to the public, even if I haven't been to trade school or worked as an apprentice. Also from what I understand lockmiths train only in lockouts and such to keep the apprentice from learning too much and taking their commercial accounts. I have skills that I can help the public with. What do you guys think?

[globallockytoo]

Does anyone think this is a reasonable approach? How did you (the independent locksmiths) get into the business? I have called around posing as a potential customer, though that may be inconsiderate, and asked for quotes and many wont,or can't, even make a key for my wife's 96' Jetta. The few that do charge twice the national average. Some also tried telling me it was high security. If I can do things such as this for half the price I don't see why it would be unfair to the public, even if I haven't been to trade school or worked as an apprentice. Also from what I understand lockmiths train only in lockouts and such to keep the apprentice from learning too much and taking their commercial accounts. I have skills that I can help the public with. What do you guys think?

I have been practising the craft, since January 1984. I have worked in multiple countries and with many and varied manufacturers products. I have many years experience, but I wake up everyday to new and exciting challenges. I was lucky enough to learn the trade the right way (in my opinion), as an apprenticeship. It was 4 years long (like a college degree) but differed because (at the time) the training through the school comprised 1 day per week attendance at formal training classes and the rest of each week was with my tenured master (the boss).

I learned a great deal from the many tradespeople with whom I have worked. I pursued self-made goals and dreams to further my education through extra training, completing a marketing degree and a diploma in business administration. I also completed a modern management program at a prestigious Australian university. I have regularly (over the years) maintained my training by completing various manufacturers training certificates. I believe it fundamental and important to learn continually and to posess as many manufacturers certifications as necessary.

I run a small business in the midwest. Only going 3 years now and building slowly. I have the training and experience in many facets of the trade including automotive, but I choose not to offer automotive key origination services. Not because I dont know how, but because the obtrusive cost of technology purchase and constant updates, the amount of inventory required to keep onhand, the annual spend on new training and machinery and tools means that I would need to charge similarly to the (expensive) guys you mentioned. And that is just to barely eeke out a living from it.

I know a guy in Canada who takes in $250,000 per year, only doing automotive, but he spends in excess of $50,000 per year on inventory, tools and updates.

It disturbs me everytime I read about novices (please dont be offended) thinking they can enter the trade with no experience and before thoroughly investigating the cost of tools, machinery and training, believing they can perform the job at significantly cheaper prices than those currently plying the trade.

When it comes to advertising, you may wish to consider this article I recently posted to my blog. I believe that the deceptive tactics employed by many companies, on the past will come back to haunt them.

[globallockytoo]

Trust me. Licensing without enforcement is completely useless and the barrier to the true professional maintaining services to the public. It is nothing but a revenue stream for governments. The locksmith industry is so small and insignificant that the enforcement required would be costly to the government and consequently the actual tradespeople. As a consequence, the consumer will ultimately pay ever increasing fees as a result.

I am not about restricting who can become a locksmith, but I would prefer that tool and parts suppliers not sell to just anyone, but sell to people with recognized qualifications or the vouching of another existing customer.

[globallockytoo]

Ca any one tell me, how to identify original locksmith certificate and number?

trackable bonafides. Your certificate will have a number that can be traced to the issuing institution.