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by **horsefeathers** » 5 Jan 2006 17:36

Hi all

Only been doing locksmithing a few months but have had one or two calls from Nationwide emergency service companies (plumbers, electricians, locksmiths etc) asking if I would be available to do work for them.

I wont name them (you may want to in replying however) but what are you thoughts as to working for them - as an addition to my own work of course. Until I get more well known locally, and my ad in Yellow Pages comes out etc, is it an avenue worth pursuing, to get money coming in? What are the pitfalls/advantages?

regards

wayne

by **Shrub** » 5 Jan 2006 17:41

Its a minefield and depends on which companies they are, you really need to name them to be honest to get a decent opinion but most are just cowboys so tred carefully, again pinky is the guy to speak to.

by **horsefeathers** » 5 Jan 2006 17:47

okay - three so far....

Reactfast
Able Group
Lockaid

I am in Norfolk so may only get East England companies I suppose!

regards

wayne

by **Shrub** » 5 Jan 2006 17:51

Well im certainly no expert but i do know you cant run fast enough or far enough from reactfast, they are a big problem in the industry.

by **illusion** » 5 Jan 2006 17:55

Reactfast... isn't that the huge company who just hire guys with drills to bugger your lock up and fit a new one?

rings a bell...

by **Shrub** » 5 Jan 2006 17:57

Yep all driller killers and ride horses.

by **pinky** » 5 Jan 2006 18:11

Though not reactfasts biggest fan, i will say that they are the best of that bunch.

the trouble is with nationals, your kept poor, you build up an area for them make them look good, then they sell area off as a franchise, you in fact work to put yourself out of business.
but for many this is the only way of getting any work and experience in those early days before establishing yourself.

I dont think anyone should work for any of them, but if i had to, and as much as it pains me to say it, reactfast are the best of that bunch, and at least the guy on here from RF is trying to make changes and trying to work to higher standards, sadly hes not the guy who goes out to the job.
Cold hard facts, guys working for these outfits deliberatly drill out and trash locks to sell locks and make a little money on the job.

by **SteveW** » 5 Jan 2006 18:15

I have had several similiar calls

Just Say No :!:

by **toomush2drink** » 6 Jan 2006 12:45

Ive had a few calls too so it maybe the goods news is that they are short of lockies because people wont work for them, great more jobs my way.The most recent was absolute emergencies.

by **acl** » 6 Jan 2006 17:14

Pinkys right(dont know about the best of the bunch bit mind!) Lockaid called me a while back and asked me to do a bit for them.They charge 50-55 a callout and i think the guy said i would get 45% of that.Im sure you guess how the rest of the conversation went. Able ,Absolute,RF Lockaid all have at least 3 ads in most Yellow Pages and all positioned before most decent lockies. My local yp has 4x Able, 4xRF,3xAE,3 xsome poxy maintenance co and 2x Aaron !!! all before my ad and my co name is ACL !!
Wayne i see you mentioned possibly doing work for them untill your YP ad comes out.I hear this all the time "ill be ok when my ad in the YP comes out" Wrong! dont think as soon as its out youll be inundated with work because it just wont happen,Why? because of what i outlined above these guys gobble up all the decent work and the others are left with the sh*te and the 3am/bank holiday calls. Dont think im having a dig at you here because im not im just telling you what ive learnt over the years ive been advertising. Look in the last few pages of the lock section of your yp and then take a look in the new edition and see how many of those guys are still advertising. Many of us have in the past done work for them(i did a few jobs for RF yrs ago) and if you have to use them to keep afloat then we cant knock you for that,just take heed of our warnings.
Sorry for ranting on about these w*nkers more than usual but ive not had a drink or a fag for 6 days now and its starting to take its toll.
Andy

by **Rockford** » 6 Jan 2006 17:20

Things must be bad if you can't afford to buy a packets of fags, or a few cans :wink:

by **acl** » 6 Jan 2006 17:27

Thank you Dean,this is bloody serious you know!

by **pinky** » 6 Jan 2006 17:42

he wont last another week

by **Rockford** » 6 Jan 2006 17:49

It HAS to be serious for you to be sober on a Friday night! What's the reason - new year resolution ?

by **acl** » 6 Jan 2006 18:04

Kind of yes thought id see if i could do a month and i really do want to kick the cigs and for me the 2 go hand in hand ,so i thought id have a rest from the beer to give myself a proper chance this time.
God am i starting to sound all grown up and sensible?

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