Lockout specialist

[lockpickroy]

Opening vehicles ONLY no repairs, rekeying, or even making keys

how rare is it?



I work at the only place in town that does this and it is the largest locksmith company in town .me and two other drivers drive small cars and only open vehicles (I do get house and business unlocks ) if someone needs a lock repair ,rekey,or keys made the company I work for also has 4 locksmiths in vans .

The car I drive

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[ComTech]

On an average day, how many call do you do?

[lockpickroy]

15 - 20 not counting house unlocks on a slow day 6-10 on a busy day 20-30

[Raccoon]

What do you charge?

How much do you keep?

[lockpickroy]

On cod charge low end $47.50 high end $200.00 +
Depending on if it’s during the week, weekend, day, 10pm-6am, distance and if it’s a commercial vehicle like a big rig, or a hard car/truck to get into
My cut is 30%

[linty]

i've never seen that before for a large locksmith, usually the pick only guys are not so professional around here (but we don't have licensing or anything for locksmiths).

It doesn't seem like a bad way to do it though, i've wondered myself how feasible it would be to work as a specialist out of a car.

[Eyes_Only]

I'm interested in starting a lockout business as well but CA is more srtict with licensing stuff here so I need to figure out how all the laws regarding this profession works first. Unfortunately most locksmiths are notorious for being protective of anything in their trade so I'd have to find some other means of research.

[Romstar]

I'm interested in starting a lockout business as well but CA is more srtict with licensing stuff here so I need to figure out how all the laws regarding this profession works first. Unfortunately most locksmiths are notorious for being protective of anything in their trade so I'd have to find some other means of research.

Go down to city hall, or the county office. They'll tell you what you need to be a licensed working locksmith in your area.

Once you start the process, you are bound to find every other piece of information you are going to need. They love to bounce you from department to department. Oh, and don't forget the tax man. You can be forgiven for not knowing you needed a city permit as well as a state license, but EVERYBODY pays taxes. Make sure to check out the ficticious business name laws unless you will be trading using your own name.

Good luck,
Romstar

[ldnlksmth]

I worked for a large locksmith shop a couple years ago. I worked mostly in the shop, but kept tools in my car (little Toyota Echo). I did the lockout only calls (keys were inside). I went out for about a week and got all the local mall security staff to call me only, no CAA or anything. Got a bunch of supermarkets on board and it kept me BUSY (especially near Christmas, people seem to get forgetful). For like 4 months, I did nothing but openings: houses, cars, occasionally trucks and the odd office, but usually left the inside stuff for fully functioning trucks. I kept 35% of every call I did on top of my regular wage (I had a great boss). In the 4 months before the shop closed, I put enough away to buy a new car.

It takes a great salesman to get enough business to make a living at it, but it can be done.