Opinions on U.K. Franchises

[Rockford]

Hi everyone.

I live in the UK, and looking to take-up locksmithing as a profession. I've looked at a number of courses (Justlocks, 24-7, Anvil, Trade Academy), and also at franchises (Dyno Locks, and Key Edge). Although more expensive, the franchises look to provide more in terms of training, on-going support, and initial business. I was wondering if any of the UK users of this site had looked into either of the Franchises, or heard good/bad tales about them.

This is a cracking forum, with loads of useful information and a friendly user-base.

Cheers

[jason]

With the franchises the first load of cash goes straight to the company (they call it "advertising" + van hire + administrative support)

On your own - it's all yours!

Three guesses which one I opted for!

[Varjeal]

It's a bit of legal lingo (say that 10 times reaaaal fast) but you need to consider a few factors (and they're not all bad, just decisions you need to make).

1. When working for a franchise, although you're basically you're own boss, some of your profit is going to someone else for the use of their logo's, reputation, etc.

2. You don't have any control over THEIR reputation. If they screw up, it affects you as well.

3. If at some point you wish to go "fully" on your own there may be some pretty tough conditions to meet in order to do so. Most franchises will lock (pardon the pun) you in for a certain period of time, plus have you sign a contract that states even if you quit with them you will be unable to start a business within X number of YEARS. Keep that in mind.

4. Every company that works on the franchise principle has a vast list of rules and guidelines that if you wish to become a franchise owner, you will be required to follow. Check into that stuff and make sure you agree before you sign anything.

For some people, becoming a franchise owner can be seen as beneficial, since they have the knowledge and experience to get you set up fairly well instantly, and already have an established market presence. (either good or bad)

Starting your own business, honestly, is a lot more work since you are starting with NO market presence, and no reputation (which may be a good thing in some cases) and will have to build from scratch. If this is something you're willing to tackle, then fine. Just make sure you fully explore the benefits/down sides to each before committing.

Good luck.

[Rockford]

Thanks for the advice Jason/Varjeal. I have to say, I'm leaning towards the "go it alone" option - sourcing my own training/tools, and looking after my own marketing (this is something I've experience of). The Dyno-Lock franchise would cost me approaching £10k for training and tools !. The only benefit I can see is the use of an established trading name, and the fact a bank will loan a higher % against the business.

I'll use this forum to try and obtain pointers on training and tools, but any direct advice would be appreciated (even if its a link to another part of the forum).

Finally, what do you think of approaching existing locksmiths in the area (only a couple - and they do not advertise or market their services) for on-the-job training and possible work ?.

Thanks again - much appreciated.

[Varjeal]

In regards to "going it alone", here's a tip.

Do your market research first and do it thoroughly. Starting on your own means exactly that. You need to find out:

1. What is your market? (auto, commercial, residential, safe, etc.)
2. Who is your market? (population, size of area, age groups, etc.)
3. Who else services your market area? (Your only competition is you, really. Stats I read for America was 1 locksmith/40,000 people.)
4. What will make YOU unique in regards to the others?
5. Will you be able to make money doing it?

Then of course, you'll need to sit down and formulate a business plan, etc. during which you'll need to answer the above questions and many, many more.

Hmmm...regarding your last question, you will need to be very careful here....if you go to work for a locksmith, then take off to start your own business in the same area, you may find yourself not-so-well liked anymore, if you get my meaning.

The best course of action is to be honest and let them know your intentions. If you feel you cannot do so because they wouldn't take ya on, chances are you shouldn't go to work for 'em. Just because they do not market their services doesn't mean they don't want to make a living at it. They may be comfortable with the amount of business they are getting. They may also take it as a "slight" if you were to work for them for awhile, then quit and start your own business.

Just some food for thought.

[toomush2drink]

Rockford i am about to do the justlocks course which i know a few people on here have done to get started. I am also trying to go it alone so have been looking into it a lot and it seems that the justlocks course is excellent value. I do the course at the beginning of may and will keep you informed after as to how good it is and if it is enough to start on.
The way i see it skill takes time to develop so gonna do it parttime and keep reinvesting the money made into more training and tools over the course of about 1-2 years. By then i think i should have enough confidence,skill and ability to trade successfully and also with a bit of luck plenty of work. At the end of the day if you dont go for it you will never know if it can be done.
http://www.justlocks.org

hope this helps toomush

[mrwhitelabel]

what are peoples thoughts to the key edge franchise company ?

[pinky]

forget it

[captainsawdust]

just forget it as pinky says go to these www.justlocks.org

they will sort you out

[Al]

Generally having a franchise means you are self employed but STILL beholden to somebody else. Times you can work and areas covered are not all within your control. They may help with a ready supply of work when you first start but they will take a big slice of your turnover for ever.


I often see a Key Edge van in my travels and know very little about the company. Pinky can you expand on your 'Forget It'?

[Rob Gray]

It's what ever suits you. for some it is being part of the bigger picture help support add's leads and the start up ie van tools stock etc. But it also means you are held to rules and some times a high cost to get out what you have to do is think what is best for you and what you want to be doing in a few years from signing up it could end up costing you more that just a start up fee

Rob G

[simsmith1]

i currently work as an employee part of a franchise for dyno. Its actually my father who is the director. When looking back at figures, turnover, training etc. i came to the conclusion we wouldnt have been able to go it alone. The problem some people have about the franchise business is the company you are buying into, eg dyno, the name has been out for 40 years and evrybodies seen a bright dyno van before, they arent going to flop, were only going upwards!

[Covlocks]

Buying into a"named franchise" does not make you a locksmith - neither does the few days of training in leiu of the years it takes to actually learn the job.
Very few Locksmith fanchises stay the course - there are many people who have paid the Key Edge fee and gone broke - realising the 5 day lock fitting and drilling course was a waste of time.

I personally know a number of these failed franchisee's.

Company backup and advertising was zero, training was from a guy who was a failed franchisee who threatened to take them to court. They made him their trainer and gave him a salary to pacify him so he had no experience at all of practical work.

In the five day training course does anyone think that they are going to learn to fit and pick high security rim cylinders, 5 lever BS3621 Mortice Locks, 7 Lever Safe Locks, High Security Car Locks, fit and repair Access Control Locks and Installations, Open and Repair Multipoint Locks, Design and make up a Master Key Suit, Rekey Rim Cylinders, Vehicle Locks, Mortice Locks, MulTlocks, bypass detainer locks etc.

If you cant do the above basics you cant call youself a locksmith and certainly wont make a living unless you just want to get into the world of "Emergency Locksmiths" armed witha drill and a box of £1 Euros and Rim Cylinders that you are going to rip people off for around £40 each.

[pinky]

my opinions on franchises are well known, and i agree with most of your points made, however a good trainer can teach a student how to pick most bs locks and detainer locks, but can only teach method, mastering the method comes only with practice. but these methods are easily taught on the bench, but as we all know the door is another matter and takes far more experience.

with a curtain pick most BS3621 locks are beaten within 5 mins on the door, with expensive decoders often quicker, just because this isnt taught on most courses mainly due to the trainers not being able to do it themselves as most trainers are no more than novices themself some failed locksmiths even, doesnt meant the methods cannot be taught by a competent trainer.

This site is living proof of what can be achieved on picking of BS3621 lever locks, 2 years ago all the talk of opening BS3621 locks was with a drill, now most of these guys on site can pick most bs locks, all down to practice.

sadly bench locksmithing and lock and access control fitting are sadly forgotten on training courses, as is proper picking methods, sadly the industry is full of cowboys, but that leaves the cream work for the established locksmith with few new operators making it, due to poor training , insufficient practice , insufficient knowledge commitment and investment.
sadly its sold as a get rich quick scheme, but most lose their savings, the only fat cats are the guys offering mass classroom training and the franchise companies who quite frankly dont give a toss whether you succeed or not.

until regulation happens this will get worse, 1st point of regulation should be on training, then on trading.

[dll932]

To me, franchises are always a double edged sword-you get trained and turnkey ready, but owe your soul to the company store, like it said in the song. For anyone thinking about any franchise, vet them thoroughly, including talking to franchisees.