Just helped a neighbour

by **Isepic** » 29 Sep 2007 21:29

She locked herself out of her house. Yeah, opened it in less than a minute. Before you drill me with the "Don't pick locks you rely on", let me state that it is now 10:30 on a Saturday night. She couldn't afford to have a locksmith come out this late, and what would a locksmith do, anyway? Try to pick the lock. I did that for her anyway, and charged her a whole lot less (i.e., nothing. I don't charge for hobbies, unless it's computer work.)

She did ask where I picked picking up though, I had to explain to her that I was not, in fact, a cat burglar, but only picked it up as I work on computers all day, and needed something to do with my hands while I was waiting for something to process/download. She looked a little worried until I mentioned computers. Guess computer nerds can't be thieves... Of course, the portly physique would preclude me from being terribly sneaky anyway.

by **Dragunov-21** » 29 Sep 2007 21:50

Lol, nice job, as for the no locks in use, the problem is that you could've damaged the lock, further complicating the job for the locksmith who'd inevitably be called, which would cost your friend more. /spiel

Still, it always feels good when you get to put your skills into practice for real and help someone out :wink:

by **Isepic** » 29 Sep 2007 21:57

Yeah, but I know the locksmiths around here, and they would have used the same method. Raking, followed by single-pin. The best part is, what makes me feel the best, I didn't even know the woman. I was a boy scout before they got all Mormonized, so I try to help folks wherever I can. (Even my ex-girlfriend, but that's another story...)

by **Eyes_Only** » 29 Sep 2007 22:19

Helping out friends and neighbors now and then when they need the assistance is probably not good for the locksmith who just lost a decent profit for a job he should have done if you look at it in a real anal way.

But you didn't charge the lady you helped out since most of us here are hobbyists at this point so my personal opinion on this matter as someone who works in the locksmith industry is its no big deal.

You didn't damage anything in the process either so thats another plus. :wink:

All of us who are locksport enthusiasts will run into this kind of situation anyways sooner or later. I did a couple "jobs" for friends before I was working as a locksmith, never charged anyone of course. If it's a small and simple job and the person asking for your help really deserves your assistance, I say go for it.

by **Isepic** » 29 Sep 2007 22:43

I have to admit, getting your 'approval' means a lot. It tells me that I did the right thing by helping her.

by **Eyes_Only** » 29 Sep 2007 23:34

Well I'm sure there are many out there who will disagree with me (which they have a right to) but just the fact that you didn't charge her scored points with me. I think the locksmith industry calls unlicensed locksmiths who illegally steals jobs away under false pretense as scabs or something.

by **Marco** » 30 Sep 2007 0:07

The reason we say not to pick locks in use is that you could easily damage the locks. Locksmiths are experienced and know what they are doing, so they are less likely to damage a lock. And even if they do, they would most likely be able to establish that they have in fact damaged it. Whereas somebody inexperienced would be clueless that they have damaged it.

So saying that you did exactly what a locksmith would have done isn't entirely true. Even if the lock didn't show any immediate damage, you could have damaged the lock in the long-term.

I suppose i don't really have a problem with what you did though. It was late, you were probably both tired, and it's not like you were doing it merely to show off (even though i bet you felt pretty cool afterwards

). Just thought I'd explain why we say not to pick locks in use.

by **zeke79** » 30 Sep 2007 1:45

Hehehe I love the "portly" reference :lol:

.

by **dmux** » 30 Sep 2007 2:17

ahha thats cool, i have done that for my neighbor and he was a cop and he was just going to say forget it im going to just kick the door in, im like wait'' i think i can help, and under a minute it was unlocked and he was just like, i thought those only worked in the movies

by **bluestar** » 30 Sep 2007 7:51

I have two questions concerning the matter:

1) about damaging a lock by tyring to pick it - Does this really happen in this case (normal 5/6-pin lock on the front door)? I mean, ok, picking a Keso without knowing what you're doing could leave you with fun at 90 degrees, and in big GMK systems the little spacer pins can get stuck, but if it is not the first lock you're picking, how can a standard 5/6-pin lock get damaged? Does anyone have experiences?

2) How do you personally see picking the front door-lock for a neighbor? I mean, it's nice to be able to help people out, but won't you be responsible for everything that is (or seems to be) missing in the neighborhood if the word is out?

by **Marco** » 30 Sep 2007 8:14

It is possible to damage the springs if you don't know what you are doing. There are also many other things that can go wrong...
Broken tension wrench stuck in door as an example.

You should also refer to these threads here:
http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?p=231817
http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=14143

bluestar wrote: but won't you be responsible for everything that is (or seems to be) missing in the neighborhood if the word is out?

Yes that is one way of looking at it. Well it won't be so much a case of 'held responsible', as there will be no proof of that. But there will be the neighbours who will have the suspiciouns about you, and will forever look down upon you as if you were scum.

by **Eyes_Only** » 30 Sep 2007 15:11

Thats where you'll have to use your own good judgement on the matter. If you know or even suspect the person you're offering the assistance to will turn this around on you and make it bite you in the arse later on in the future then you obviously shouldn't help them out.

by **parapilot** » 30 Sep 2007 16:49

Its fine. She was locked out so you have a good reason to pick it. just dont keep picking it! Dont think she would have minded if the lock needed replacing, prob expecting something like that. just test the lock while the door is open, and maybe a drop of oil.

by **Grey_Wolfe** » 1 Oct 2007 7:42

A good deed well done without expectation of reward, man that makes me miss the Scouts. Kudos to you good sir.

Portly =/= equal sneaky? lol

Two words, Silent Bob. haha

by **Grey_Wolfe** » 1 Oct 2007 7:45

Sorry about the double post, but I forgot something.

Even if you did damage the lock, you still helped her out financially. It's a whole lot cheaper to get a new deadbolt then pay a locksmith, no offense to present company.

Just helped a neighbour

Just helped a neighbour

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