WHAT QUESTION TO ASK BEFORE GOING OUT ON A JOB?

[prag]

recently we had a job for "just replacing a lock for a safe lock" as the customer described to my partner. my partner not asking any questions, just got the clients details and off we went. an hour and half of travelling later, we're informed that the key was lost and we had to open the safe and then replace the lock . no problem. we were only prepared for replacing the lock, tools in the other vehicle. solution was to go get a drill. only hand drills available. so what suppose to take us one hour took us 4hrs. don't laugh too much.

two lessons learnt.1 always ask allot of questions eg. what size, colour, type of locking device- combination or key, name of name-- where possible. 2. always be prepared. always.

[lunchb0x]

ask the customer everthing, remember, they probably dont know what their talking about, and if they sound like they do, they probably dont still.

ask every thing,

is the door open?
do you have keys for it?
did it work before? they might think thay have the right key, but might not of used it befor.

everytime I go to a job, I like to call the customer first, the person that takes the job doesnt care about details, sometimes they cant even get the address right, so I like to call the customer, ask them the problem, and ask if they had any problems befor the lock failed, but also in my van I had tools for most jobs, if you go to a job unprepared you can waste alot of time, your bosses money, and more importantly, your time, when you go to a job at 2 in the morning, you want all the tools for the job, and also the customer can get very anoyed with you.

your better off asking too many questions other than not being able to do the job properly

[Mutzy]

an hour and half of travelling later

IMO that's the first mistake. Unless there are no other locksmiths in the wide area, i wouldn't take it, without quoting a high service call and labour charge (most locksmiths charge higher for safe work, anyway) and travel charge.

[lockpicker69]

that was a harsh lesson learnt there. we all hopefully learn from our mistakes, i have done the same thing myself but only once .

[Eyes_Only]

Payment. I always make sure our customer and our shop agree to the amount of the work, or at least make sure they know the service charge and additional costs that may be required once we get to the job site and assess the situation more fully. And also how they are going to pay.

[prag]

IMO that's the first mistake. Unless there are no other locksmiths in the wide area, i wouldn't take it, without quoting a high service call and labour charge (most locksmiths charge higher for safe work, anyway) and travel charge


WE subcontracted this job. its with a major company and the pay stinks but the expierence is great. they only allow certain locksmiths to work on their safes and we're guarded all the time when we work on the safes. this is the reason we'll sometimes drive for 2\3 hrs even.

[Beyond]

Payment. I always make sure our customer and our shop agree to the amount of the work, or at least make sure they know the service charge and additional costs that may be required once we get to the job site and assess the situation more fully. And also how they are going to pay.

Rgr that.

Always make sure they're aware of the service call fee, etc. and what that entails. You can alleviate a lot of headache if you specify what they're paying for well before they pay it.

[rohi]

On lockouts allways ask for an ID, i've had two jobs where the so called customer claimed to have their ID in the house.
I tell them; no problem, i'll ask the cops to drive by and escort you into the house once i open the door, so they can check your ID.

Both times there was nobody there when i arrived .
Hadn't i called the police, i would probably have been helping out a thief.

Ronald