Business Questions? Ask a Locksmith.

[stilte]

Got a question. As a locksmith, do you take any special precautions when asked to open a lock?

In the event that you do open a lock unknowingly for someone who doesn't own the place, could you be implicated in a burglary?

Thanks.

[sphl0ckman]

Got a question. As a locksmith, do you take any special precautions when asked to open a lock?

In the event that you do open a lock unknowingly for someone who doesn't own the place, could you be implicated in a burglary?

Thanks.

It depends on what your local laws sy as to whether you will be held rsponsible but the damage it will do to your companies reputation may be un repairable or at least very difficult to repair. Allways insist on photo ID showing that they live in that house if the ID doesn't have that address either turn it down or find at least 2 differnent neighbors that you choose not them that can verify the live there if they say they just moved in check with the company who sold the house or ask to see proof (one way is to have them tell you where something only they would know about is located. Also if it is a vehicle make sure their name is on the registration. Hope this helps IF YOU ARE STILL UNSURE HAVE THE POLICE THERE OR REFUSE THE JOB IT JUST ISN'T WORTH IT

[sphl0ckman]

By the way make sure THEIR name not their spouses is on anything you use for verification a lot of marriages end in divorce and they can be especially motivated to get your assistance. If their name isn't listed have them dial the persons number who owns the property but insist on talking to the person before they have a chance to trick them. DON'T JUST TRUST THE CUSTOMER they might not like it if you turn them down but many of those same people will become loyal customers because they know you won't compromise their security.

[sphl0ckman]

How much would you recieve if you rekeyed and entire highschool, with probably 400 doors. They are all masterkeyed, some being masterkeyed 4 times, so there are almost like sub master key systems. (key a opens locks 1-20, key b opens locks 1-15, key c opens locks 1-10, key d opens locks 1-5, and key e opens lock 1).

I am wondering because a master-master key was lost in my school and the whole building had to be rekeyed, and i was trying to figure out how much money the locksmith would have made.

It is probbably to late for you now but to anyone else reading this whenever you get a building masterkeyed make sure that the company doing it has an actuall masterkey chart set up specifficly for you they most likely will maintain ownership of it but you should ask to see it and verify that it was made for you exclusively. Otherwise many companies will use the same chart over and over again or worse yet use the shoebox method of using random keys they have laying around which has a high chance of key interchange.Most often you will find this in smaller buildings with 50 or fewer locks but it is not very proffesional I highly recomend using the computer generated codes instead of hand written because it is very easy for a human to not notice an interchange, or MACS violation(cuts too simmilar or depths too far apart etc...)but a computer has no trouble with these although it isnt a bad idea for the locksmith to double check them. Also if there are multiple levels to be keyed insure the code set includes at least an equal number of levels although I preffer to allow 1 or 2 additional higher levels in case the customer deides that the needed another area to work but not on certain keys very easy if you already have 1 or 2 higher levels left a little trickier if you didn't.

[Miami-Locksmith]

this is a very interesting subject - my guess is that there is no way of knowing for sure if your client actually owns whatever you are working on. It may be solved by signing him/her to some legal abiding form that holds a certain responsibility to the job. I must say that I never encountered such problems - but I can imagine it happens....

[freakparade3]

In my catalog from Foley-Belsaw their are hundreds of "tryout keys" for automotive locks. They are very expensive and my question to the locksmiths here is, Have any of you used them? Are they a worthwhile investment?

[Shrub]

Auto discussion is for the auto section only,

[freakparade3]

Sorry Shrub. I know the rules but I wasn't sure about this question, as far as if it was ok to ask here. Won't happen again.

[vector40]

Anyone have a suggestion for a good message to use on the business line (cell) for the unavoidable occasions where I'm out of service/unavailable?

[Romstar]

Try this,

"Thank you for calling (XXX Locksmiths).

Your call is important to us. We are sorry we can't take your call at this moment, but if you leave you name, number, the time of your call and a brief message someone will contact you as soon as possible.

Thank you"

Romstar

[vector40]

Thanks, Rom.

[Genesis]

this thread is awesome and has given me insperation on a business. My question is what exactly do you need to be considered a locksmith (just so in the event of me ordering tools I will actually be able to be a bonified locksmith).

So far all I think you need is a business license and insurance but is there any kind of certification or anything needed?

Basically I'm in my first year of college and work sucks I really am working alot of hours and next year I'm going to transfer and move away from home and I was thinking that maybe it would be just a good part time on the side thing just to get locks open for some extra cash but I want to mainly be legally a locksmith.

So whats the minimum to be legally a locksmith. Thanks

[2octops]

In Texas you must be liscensed as a locksmith. I can not remember what the general requirements are, but you can go to the Texas Locksmith Association web site to get all of the details.

http://www.texaslocksmiths.org/

They have a very good association and they are very active. I would highly recomend you joining, even as a newbie.

[Varjeal]

Got a question. As a locksmith, do you take any special precautions when asked to open a lock?

In the event that you do open a lock unknowingly for someone who doesn't own the place, could you be implicated in a burglary?

Thanks.

Yes, I do, and I'll get into that in a minute. To answer your second question, that is also a resounding yes.

Unlocking any property for someone who ultimate steals from that service makes you an accomplice and puts you in a very dicey situation that can be avoided very easily.

As a locksmith, the first special precaution I take is to always trust my instincts. If the persons story sounds even remotely fishy, I start asking questions and leading the conversation to different points. With some practice you'll find leading questions that will provide more answers than perhaps the customer realizes, and it will help flush out the true story.

Once on scene I'll ask more "casual" leading questions while I'm getting the tools out. Before even having them sign a release I by now have satisfied myself as to whether its a legitimate call or something weird is going on. If the alarm bells are still ringing, I then decide whether to procede cautiously or go straight to blunt questions.

Next, the release gets signed, with plenty of leading questioning and chitchat going on all the way until I get to the door. If by this time I'm still uncomfortable, the questions get short and blunt. That is the point where I decide whether I will open the door or not.

I know it sounds kinda flaky, but I would wager that 99% of locksmiths perform this service in pretty much the same manner.

[pauly003]

WOW, this is one of the best threads on the site. Tons of useful information for someone like me who is new to the biz but would like to learn more and eventually open my own shop. Thanks Varjeal, keep it up