M E Duffels looking for good 2 in 1 and curtain picks

[SFGOON]

Don't you just hate it when a bunch of college kids with tools they ordered off the internet take work away from craftsmen with years of experience in their trade?

[Bump]

hey guys, I just started the business a week or so ago, ..................... But i would definitely need a lot of practice before i start advertising for lever lock opening. Ant.

And you dont think you're stealing the bread from a proper Locksmiths plate then?

You can't just pick and choose the easy stuff and cry off when the going gets difficult. What happens if someone wants you to open an "exterior" lock, do you call a proper locksmith and hand over your fee?

Either become a professional or maintain your amateur status buddy!

[Bump]

And while your at it why not fill in your profile so the trading locksmiths in your area can wish you all the best.

[Romstar]

Oh give the guy a break.

He'll either make his chops, or he'll leave off.

Personally, I think he should wait a while before he goes advertising or anything, but there are always some people.

There are things that I can't do that are often related to certain brands of locks. For instance I am not an Abloy dealer so I just had to pass one of those jobs off to a collegue. I don't even really like the guy I passed the job off to, but he does decent work, and he is the Abloy dealer in this area.

In any case, he'll get it or he won't. Depends entirely on his persistence and dedication.

Romstar

[SEVEN]

RB Medical make precision tools for the medical and locksmith industrys. If your starting straight into the locksmith trade with no formal training spend your money on a drill and a grinder,these will be of more use.Carry a card of a trading locksmith you will need it .P.S. LEAVE BEFORE HE GETS THERE.

[Bump]

Oh give the guy a break.

He'll either make his chops, or he'll leave off.

Personally, I think he should wait a while before he goes advertising or anything, but there are always some people.

There are things that I can't do that are often related to certain brands of locks. For instance I am not an Abloy dealer so I just had to pass one of those jobs off to a collegue. I don't even really like the guy I passed the job off to, but he does decent work, and he is the Abloy dealer in this area.

In any case, he'll get it or he won't. Depends entirely on his persistence and dedication.

Romstar

You miss my point! If all you want to do is pick locks as a hobbyist then fine, you aren't bothering the likes of those who need to earn a living, even if you let a mate or two into their property. To front up and admit that you want to cherry pick the easy end of the market and THEN ask for advice on how to do it is, frankly, indiscrete and an affront to those who have invested their time, money and effort into aquiring skills that will stand examination on day one of trading.

There had been oodles of threads regarding licencing of the trade to prevent the two day course locksmiths operating; I have sucked my teeth each time legislation is mentioned, but I am now finding myself increasingly supportive of such an idea.

I agree, each of us learn as we gain experience and it's impossible to have all the skills on day one, but at least there should be an industry minimum. I have attended a few jobs where the amateur has mangled the lock and left ugly marks on the door, hasn't been insured against the damage, has taken a call out fee and scarpered leaving the customer still on the doorstep, even when its a simple job like slipping the latch. Guess with which brush I am painted when I turn up to mitigate the damage.

Sorry for the rant but some of us who earn aliving in this industry do care about the customer.

[UWSDWF]

Oh give the guy a break.

He'll either make his chops, or he'll leave off.

Personally, I think he should wait a while before he goes advertising or anything, but there are always some people.

There are things that I can't do that are often related to certain brands of locks. For instance I am not an Abloy dealer so I just had to pass one of those jobs off to a collegue. I don't even really like the guy I passed the job off to, but he does decent work, and he is the Abloy dealer in this area.

In any case, he'll get it or he won't. Depends entirely on his persistence and dedication.

Romstar

You miss my point! If all you want to do is pick locks as a hobbyist then fine, you aren't bothering the likes of those who need to earn a living, even if you let a mate or two into their property. To front up and admit that you want to cherry pick the easy end of the market and THEN ask for advice on how to do it is, frankly, indiscrete and an affront to those who have invested their time, money and effort into aquiring skills that will stand examination on day one of trading.

There had been oodles of threads regarding licencing of the trade to prevent the two day course locksmiths operating; I have sucked my teeth each time legislation is mentioned, but I am now finding myself increasingly supportive of such an idea.

I agree, each of us learn as we gain experience and it's impossible to have all the skills on day one, but at least there should be an industry minimum. I have attended a few jobs where the amateur has mangled the lock and left ugly marks on the door, hasn't been insured against the damage, has taken a call out fee and scarpered leaving the customer still on the doorstep, even when its a simple job like slipping the latch. Guess with which brush I am painted when I turn up to mitigate the damage.

Sorry for the rant but some of us who earn aliving in this industry do care about the customer.

I agree with romstar here. But one question, why is it that only properly trained locksmiths need to earn a living? I'm not a locksmith and I don't try to be one but I still make a living in security... is that fine by you?

[Bump]

Clearly I'm wrong! Lets give it up for every kid on the block with a set of lockpicks.

[UWSDWF]

I knew you'd see it our way..... one of us, one of us, one of us.

That took alot of guts to admit that you were wrong, you should be proud

[Bump]

Somethings just dont translate across the pond!

[UWSDWF]

no it appears it doesn't

[Mark A]

Bump

Too subtle.

Mark

[Romstar]

Bump, Mark was right, that was too subtle.

Look, I agree with you in a lot of ways. I also see the other guy's point of view. I think that in the middle are the manglers you get stuck cleaning up after. Obviously if he is here, there is a good chance he isn't one of the manglers and will most likely not take a call out fee if he can't do the job.

Chances are he is just as likely to ring up another trading locksmith and tell him that he can't do the job, and could the other bloke come round to do it for the nice person standing on their doorstep? The problem comes when he rings up another chap who doesn't have any more training than him, and the other guy's solution is to drill the lock, and charge £400 quid for the pleasure and thank you missus

I have seen the mess left behind by some lads the like of which you describe, and some of them are right buggers about it too.

As I said though, if the guy is here, there is a good chance he isn't one of these.

Some people have the skills going on, and after two days can make a reasonable go at it if they try. Others couldn't do anything with a to month course.

I feel your pain, honestly I do. Especially the part where the customer is now looking at you like you are another mangler. Its happened to me a few times. The best that you can do is to try and make the best of it, and convert the drillers and shills out there.

Good luck to ya,
Romstar

[toomush2drink]

Question : Would you class someonre who can only pick cheap cylinder locks a locksmith ?

Question: Would you feel cheated/conned if a guy turned up claiming to be a locksmith but couldnt get you in as you had a mortice lock or "higher security" cylinder like a 6 pin era etc ?

Question: If you looked in the "locksmith" section of an advertising book would you expect to find a locksmith or someone who only opens cylinders ?

Question: Youve lost your keys, its midnight, and the guy shows up and gets you in (its only a cheap cylinder) but is unable to replace the lock or rekey or replace the mortice lock( it wasnt locked and he doesnt do mortice locks). Would you be happy or prepared to pay for this service ?

I'll let you make up your own minds............................

I just hope trading standards doesnt find out about this one.

[Romstar]

I know, I know.

Its a screwy situation all around.

There has to be an in though, because most trading locksmiths won't take on another person to teach for any length of time, and the cost of seeting up a full shop can be prohibative to say the least.

Romstar