How to choose a course avoiding the rip offs

[cobra6]

Hi every one, choosing a course is a tricky business that I am also experiencing

does anybody know whether 1stcall lockouts 5 day course is any good in Birmingham UK?

[UWSDWF]

Don't know bout this course seems a little steep at #1175

but the mentality of the people who put the pamphlet together is what disturbs me most

The lifestyle and earning potential for a locksmith is very lucrative as you set your hours as well as your prices. For example , weekend and night time work is an area that many locksmiths do not wish to cover. The realisation however is you can charge between £70 & £100 to open a standard Yale type lock at 8.00pm at night, and it will only take you 1 minute ( we will show you). What is more we supply each candidate with a manual (developed and used by practising locksmiths) that will enable you to open over 95% of household mortice locks which the British Standards committee have classified as 'thief resistant' (again we will show you how).

[Miami-Locksmith]

this thread is so important - maybe we should all help make a black list and name all of these made up schools..?

[ldnlksmth]

I'll agree to that... in Canada, I'd blacklist Stratford Carrer Institute. No personal experience, but I know another 'locksmith' in the city who's only training is that, and if his skills are any indication, it's not good. I've seen their material, and it's not the greatest.

[Shrub]

There are no black lists on here, its not the way we want the site to look,

If a school isnt on the list then its not reccomended, lets put it that way,

[ldnlksmth]

alright, I can handle the affirmative action... I understand your point and agree with it.

I would like to Recommend (again, in Canada) PCDI- well laid out material, seems to be relevant to the industry today, good value.

[New-York-Locksmith]

I agree we should endorse all the good locksmith schools - but I must say that giving room for people to warn others from some of the really horrible schools out there...I heard some really horrific stories from some of my colleagues - and people should know what to stay away from...

[ldnlksmth]

any written, publicly available material can be concidered libel (or slander, I can never remember which one's written), leaving the site owners/administrators liable. I think that's the only objection there. Even if there are loopholes around freedom of expression and such, I'm sure that the owners/admins would prefer to not get into the battle to begin with.

[New-York-Locksmith]

yep - that makes sense - well - let us remain on the sunny side of life...

[ldnlksmth]

seems like it's the easist way to keep our noses clean. Remember that there are a lot of people out there who disagree with the idea of 'breaking down security' for sport/fun/plasure. Regardless of the fact that we 'never pick a lock providing security' and 'only pick locks we own', it's easy enough to say that we don't... better public image is better for everyone.

[79commando]

Also be very carefull about signing up for a course on the recommendation of individuals that you do not know the history of. It would be very easy to post on here that person x runs a brilliant course and is very professional when in reality that person could be the trainers best mate and just helping him to get extra business

[Daniel's]

I'm currently doing a VERY good course, takes 3 weeks, a further 2 weeks out with a locksmith, (for further experience on picking and ID 'ing)

I find it hard to belive anyone can learn/teach anything about locks in 2/3 days!

I'm starting the 3rd week on Monday, only now we are being shown where to drill (If needed)

We have spent 2 weeks on striping locks, making keys by hand and machine, picking, lock ID 'ing, ways of opening without drilling, different kits for opening mortice locks, learning how to get around curtians etc...using most of the tools and gaggets for opening, pricing, advertising, meeting with Reps. from lock companies,

Really impossible to know and to teach in 2/3 days!!!

Plus after all that, THERE IS a 24hr helpline direct to the locksmith for help on opening etc...

Very pleased with it all!

[New-York-Locksmith]

keep us updated...

[79commando]

Yet another Training School advertising via E-Bay, apparently there are only two types of locks, you will have to travel at times up to 10 miles to a customer but we are assured this will shorten as you get a reputation and after only three days you will be up and running as a locksmith.

Please tell me that there is no one stupid enough to fall for this.

[bonez]

sadly mate there will be many that fall for
that scam

j.