Ethics Question

[freakparade3]

I recently bought a book on locksmithing, and in the business section it says if you go to an automotive lockout the 1st thing you do after opening the door is to grab the keys. That way if the customer can't or refuses to pay, you can toss the keys back into the car and close the relocked door. Is this something that is actually done? The reviews of this book made me think it was from the grand master of locksmithing, but I think doing something like that would quickly make a situation turn very nasty. I'm not a practicing locksmith yet, so I'm not sure, but wouldent it be best to get paid before you open the door?

[pauly003]

Just take down the guys plate number and see what the cops will do for you(probably nothing). If the guy is such a bastard that he wont pay you after you greatly helped him out, than to hell with him. Karma will take care of a situation like that(hopefully)

[UWSDWF]

make sure your customer understands what is owed for opening the door. upon opening the door if customer refuses to pay then simply tell him he is under arrest for theft under. call the police and they'll deal with him

[burchlockkey]

In Memphis, payment is discussed on the phone before one goes to the lockout location. I restate the agreed upon price and get them to agree again once I am on site. I always grab the keys that are in the car. If there is a problem with payment, the keys go back into the relocked car. My 9mm always goes with me and makes for a more polite and civil transaction and I have only had to lock the keys back in 1 car so far.

[VashTSPD]

In Memphis, payment is discussed on the phone before one goes to the lockout location. I restate the agreed upon price and get them to agree again once I am on site. I always grab the keys that are in the car. If there is a problem with payment, the keys go back into the relocked car. My 9mm always goes with me and makes for a more polite and civil transaction and I have only had to lock the keys back in 1 car so far.

o'boy, what did the owner do after that?

[Romstar]

I've done the same thing, on more than one occasion. It often happens when you show up for a $45.00 opening, and take less than two minutes to pick a lock.

When they start to shout about not paying for such little work, the keys get chucked back into the car.

Unfortunately while I do possess a license for a hand gun (rare in Canada) its is extremely frowned upon to carry one. I only personally know 5 people who can, and I am told there are less than 100 in the entire province. The paperwork here is a nighmare. They DON'T like handguns here.

At any rate, on only one occasion did an irate husband refuse to pay and break a window instead.

I just looked at him, and congratulated him on wasting $500.00 rather than paying for $45.00

You get all kinds.
Romstar

[lockdr]

Romstar wrote:

Unfortunately while I do possess a license for a hand gun (rare in Canada) its is extremely frowned upon to carry one. I only personally know 5 people who can, and I am told there are less than 100 in the entire province. The paperwork here is a nighmare. They DON'T like handguns here.

I'm afraid the trend is against private ownership of guns anywhere in the world. If you happen to be in an area like that where only the bad guys carry guns, might I suggest PEPPER SPRAY? (Worked for me in Vancouver)

[Romstar]

I'm afraid the trend is against private ownership of guns anywhere in the world. If you happen to be in an area like that where only the bad guys carry guns, might I suggest PEPPER SPRAY? (Worked for me in Vancouver)

Oddly enough, pepper spray is supposed to be illegal here. Go figure. Decently effective, very little risk of lethality, and completely illegal.

You would begin to think that they are more interested in protecting criminals than they are about protecting honest people.

Romstar

[Raccoon]

To the original poster: I would not worry about this. Yes, it has very much to do with where you live, but I feel that the number of confrontational customers you'll run into is going to be slim. As long as you quote them your fee over the phone BEFORE you come out; I have never had a problem. Yes, I've had calls where people said it was too much and that they'd find another way in. That's why you quote them over the phone before driving out there.

In the grand scheme of things, the number of problem customers is going to be SO SMALL, that treating all of your customers like crooks is only going to hurt your reputation, and hinder the success of your business. Don't let a few bad apples ruin your ability to treat your customers with trust and respect.

I personally will not enter a customer's home or vehicle after it is unlocked, unless their car alarm goes off-- then I grab their keys and put them in the door to shut the alarm off. I feel the customer's property is their private domain, and it would be rude to trespass. It may also be a liability as forgetful customers (those who tend to lock their keys in their car) might also accuse you of swiping their necklace or purse. Keep your nose clean and retain a good distance of deniability.

[Romstar]

Racoon has a few good points, but fails to miss some others.

In many cases customers will have had well meaning strangers and even police officers at their vehicle trying to open it.

I have been to a few vehicle openings where there wasn't anyone but the owner there, but all the signs were evident on the vehicle. Scratches on the glass, cracked and even ripped weather stripping, scratched paint and sometimes more.

In cases like this you need to ask serious questions about other people trying to open the vehicle, you need to be aware that there may be damage due to other people jamming coat hangers and other tools into the door.

You need to be sure after you open that vehicle that everything works, that the customer is aware that everything works, or if not, what doesn't. The last thing you need is a customer trying to blame you for damage you didn't cause.

Also, in some cases they just want to be out of there.

While a waiver form is always a good idea, it doesn't cover everything, and having those keys in your hand allows you to finish everything up protecting both you and the customer.

Romstar

[zeke79]

Honestly your best bet if you can see that the door cavity has been messed with or has tools stuck in it is to stay away from it completely... If the car can be jiffy jacked then that is a good time to use the method or pick the lock.

[toomush2drink]

One thing i have learnt is that people hate seeing you get in easily.Its best to take your time or pad it out by making out the lock is a tricky one then you wont get this nonpayment situation much.An extra 10mins doesnt make much difference to yourself but it makes a lot to a customer. I learnt this after getting the "im ripping them off" abuse as i opened the door so quickly on a couple of occasions, now i take my time even if i know i can open it in under a minute.
If they dont pay then shut the door and walk away dso they are back to where they started.If they know want you to open it make sure you charge more as youve had to do the job twice !!

[UWSDWF]

I'm afraid the trend is against private ownership of guns anywhere in the world. If you happen to be in an area like that where only the bad guys carry guns, might I suggest PEPPER SPRAY? (Worked for me in Vancouver)

Oddly enough, pepper spray is supposed to be illegal here. Go figure. Decently effective, very little risk of lethality, and completely illegal.

You would begin to think that they are more interested in protecting criminals than they are about protecting honest people.

Romstar

bear and dog spray isn't though

[freakparade3]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I'm a long way from being able to do this for a living, right now I'm trying to learn as much as I can. Thanks again.

[Raccoon]

Racoon has a few good points, but fails to miss some others.

Sorry, I was only responding to the issue of "grabbing customer's keys to make sure they pay". I understand there are other issues out there, such as liability for other people's damage. That's why I keep a digital camera with me so I can take pictures.

Didn't I tell you the story of the 3 coat hangers and a metal pipe protruding from the door of a beautiful brand new chevy pickup? I wept inside, and that's when I started bringing a camera with me because the damage they did was horrendous.