Breaking Windows

[drew5553]

Hi everyone,

Has anyone ever broken a window on an auto lockout? If this does happen what is the proper action?

Should you carry some trash bags and duct tape with you in case? (no seriously)

Give the customer the name and number of a good auto glass guy?

Of course I have insurance but what should be done at the time?

Thanks

[eurolock fan]

I once broke the rear window in my cousin's car (before I got interested in locksmithing)because she thought it would be cheaper to replace the window than calling a locksmith. First I taped the window up with masking tape then I hit it with a ball peen hammer. The taped up glass was rather easy to clean up with only a few pieces of broken glass on the seat and floor. But seriously if you think your going to be breaking more than one window you should practice more car opening techniques and buy some more tools before going out on any calls.

[maintenanceguy]

Sometimes you can't open the car. A few of the european cars have deadlocking systems that can't be opened without the right key. (I realize your european guys see this all the time, it's not real common here in the US)

If you can't get in, recommend calling the dealer to get a key. If they don't want to leave the car where it is for the 2 or 3 days it takes to get the key, recommend a good towing company. You may even be able to work out a reciprocal agreement with a towing company for referring each other to customers.

But I would not break a window as a service. If they want a window broken, they can do that themselves. Break the window and you'll be sued and loose. Even if the customer approves it, when they find out the replacement costs them $500 plus all the work getting the glass out of the upholstry, and a piece of glass that was missed cuts their children's hand two weeks later, they'll sue. They'll have letters from other lockout companies that say it's not industry practice to break a window. The judge will say that you were the expert and you recommended the wrong solution and it's your fault.

[maintenanceguy]

When you get the lockout call, ask for make and model before you leave the shop. If it's a vehicle that you can't open (I don't mean you aren't good enough, I mean it's a vehicle that can't be opened) tell the customer to call a dealer right on the phone and don't waste your time.

[Eyes_Only]

A lot of times if the window gets broken it's cos of improper use of a inside access tool, a wedge or cos the customer got impatient watching you trying to open the car for 30 minutes and smashed the window themselves.

[linty]

Do you mean on purpose or by accident?

No professional locksmith should break a window on purpose.
I've been at jobs without my car opening tools before where people asked me to improvise or break the window and I outright refuse. They can do that themselves when I'm long gone.

By accident is another question. It always makes me a little nervous forcing a tool into a small space to jam a piece of glass out of the way. I have never broken a window and in 30 years of my shop doing calls apparently only one has ever been broken. I don't carry garbage bags and tape.

[freakparade3]

Mabye you should stop asking about drill bits and breaking windows and use your time to learn the proper way of doing things. If your answer to every job is a drill and a brick you won't get far as a locksmith.

[drew5553]

I didn't mean on purpose.

As for the deadlock, are there cars that you cannot disable the deadlock by pushing the button with a reach tool?

Mabye you should stop asking about drill bits and breaking windows and use your time to learn the proper way of doing things.

Wow what a cocksucking butthole!

[freakparade3]

As for your question about cars, the answer is yes. As for your comment about me, I'm not a nice guy I admit it, but don't call me names. I'm very sensitive and you might make me cry.

[RolandD]

Is there a list of these cars that cannot be opened without breaking a window?

[picky1955]

The very odd car here in the UK that can't be opened, we recover to the dealer if it is in an unsafe location; there it can wait safely until the dealer obtains another key correctly coded for that car. This is by far the best and most professional approach. It also gives the customer confidence in the cars security, since most of the awkward ones are prestige cars, and who wants to pay big bucks for a car that can be opened with a paperclip!! Lost keys tends to be the most problematical, but often the owner has a spare key available that can be delivered by courier if necessary. picky.

[drew5553]

As for your question about cars, the answer is yes. As for your comment about me, I'm not a nice guy I admit it, but don't call me names. I'm very sensitive and you might make me cry.

For such a jerkoff you still give me information. (not that I believe everything I hear)

Here's the worlds fanfare playing just for the locksmiths...oh wait...there isn't one.

[Safety0ff]

Wow drew that last post totally added to intelligent discussion!
Honestly, escallating flames on internet discussion boards is useless and causes threads to deviate from the topic therefore reducing the amount of information you'll get.
For the sake of lp101 rule #9 play nice.

[parapilot]

Not really a car that cant be opened when deadlocked, but making a key that will drive the car away is a different ball game and sometimes needs main dealer.

[Beyond]

Let me see if I can tell this story correctly:

One of the locksmiths at the shop worked for Triple A at one point in his career and was called to do a lock out one winter night. Apparently the car was still running with the heat going on the inside. He placed a wedge in the car window, opened the car, and left the door open. While he was writing the ticket (door still open), the window completely breaks. Luckily, after explaining the situation, Triple A covered all the costs.

I guess the difference in temperature so sudden crippled the glass? I mean after all, these things are already pressurized. One little knick from anything sends them into a million pieces. Porcelain comes to mind, lol.