Newbie with a budget to to learn

[bigfoot]

justinthomas, the problem is not so much finding decent training the problem is marketing/customers. There are many 2,3,4,5 day courses which basically all cover the same techniques/knowledge necessary for starting out on basic lockout/lockfitting. The problem as parlty illustrated above is that there are too many locksmiths most of which need to hand over several thousand pound a year to the Yellow Pages man just to get two or three calls a week if that. Apart from the many calls that are from advertisers wanting you to give them money for little in return not all the bone-fide customers are going to choose you - they shop around.

After all expenses are deducted at the end of the day ie. travelling costs, subcontracter cut, advertising, materials - a very low standard of living is often the result. I myself only start up 9 months or so ago on a budget as a spare time activity to avoid spending hundreds/thousands on advertising.

I would suggest lock tools (top of page) to get some basic practice boards and avoid taking out a £9000 loan since it is doubtful whether you would have much to show for it at the end of the day - just a large monthly interest payment to make.

Looking at previous posts there have been many people all thinking the same idea as you. I would suggest not following the trend, locksmithing is fine as a hooby or a spare time activity but you will not make any serious money out of it - unless you become a locksmith trainer perhaps! Basically, the last thing the UK needs is another locksmith.

[acl]

Just going back to an earlier post "london is saturated by fly by night locksmiths" it is also saturated with brilliant locksmiths who have been "at it" for a good while now who are getting little or no work due to 2 day course boys who are willing to work for next to nothing for the big boys

[peacefullockie]

About an earlier post.

the bla are full of criminals you say.

PHeww, thank god i didnt pay for the membership via my debit card then 4 years ago.
I left after the women on the phone there was right rude and totally unprofessional.
I now am a member of the locksmith and keycutters association and to be honest i dont know why.
occasionally get a co op job if lucky.
i should join the mla now really but who knows. maybe in time.
Acl i think you used to do quite a bit in london until these cowboy locksmiths took over a lot of it at a cheaper price.
so one of the florido brothers said anyway.

[toomush2drink]

Justin if your going to rely on subcontracting your in for a shock, sure you may get the wok but its whats expected of you to make any money thats the killer.Can you look someone in the eye and charge them £150 for job that should cost £70 ?
As per the previous pm do your research, i operate in your local area and know how it is, ignore the words of others at your peril and risk of financial loss.
Yes you can do it on a small amount but and its a big but in the last few years so many people have done what your contemplating doing, its extremely hard to get established.The local paper the newsshopper used to have 6 lockies advertising, now its 1. Many of the ones i used to advertise against are no longer about.
I hate to say it but youve missed the boat when it comes to easy money and loads of calls.
Sure money can be made if you put the work in and mileage too. You need to research your market and test. If you really want to test the water place and advert in the local paper or get a small run of 100 leaflets made up and deliver them. See what response you get ,if any, and get the reality check before taking out a loan.If you get calls sub me the work so you earn some money back whilst testing the water.If spending this sort of money on a small test seems a waste then so be it but it could save you a fortune.
Get a business plan and strategy together before anything else.All this advice is good stuff and not all negative as its giving you the reality, if you really want to be a lockie you will as you will take it onboard and progress with this knowledge.

[justinthomas]

Hi Toomush,

PM'ed you earlier, hadn't read this thread in ages. Thanks for the advice.
I might just do as you have suggested and advertised.

I won't sub the work to you though, I'll just pass on the work.

Can you PM me your number and your name and I'll save it in my phone for future reference and to pass you work if I get any.

Cheers mate, I appreciate it!

Jus

[UWSDWF]

site rules disallow url dropping in your sig

[justinthomas]

even in images?

[UWSDWF]

i dunno just going by:

4. Signing your name is allowed, however URL dropping in signatures is disallowed and will be removed. Your profile can contain a URL however it may not be referred to.

[justinthomas]

aaah ok, not sure I fully understand it, but ive taken off my url link to ly site anyway.. Cheers for the heads up!

[freakparade3]

PM one of the mods. They can sort it out about the picture.