opening a lockout car

[yono]

fellows, i have a question in my approach in responding and opening a lockout car.
while performing to open a lockout car by a "tool" there are some instances, about curious onlookers to gather around you and observed how you do it. whats your opinion about this.?
1. will i stop and wait untill they go away and continue my work.
2. will i continue to work and never mind them?
3. will i ask them politely to step back?
any other idea? thanks

[linty]

hopefully it doesn't take long enough for a crowd to really form.

Truthfully though, the tools and instructions are available online for anybody who wants them. The instructions themselves aren't particularly useful. Seems like half the people I run into seem pretty sure they can open any car they want themselves with a coat hanger or a steak knife or something.

I generally just ask for enough space to move around, but you do raise an interesting point.

On a similar note, when replace automotive parts I usually offer the old part back to the customer (really just to prove I actually changed something). However if I have to drill a lock for whatever reason I am not comfortable giving the lock back. A drilled lock is like instructions on how to drill others.

[parapilot]

agree, any lock i snap / drill comes with me. any i pick i will offer to leave it with them, saves me chucking it away, if its a padlock i re lock it as soon as i get it off so it cant be locked onto anything else until they find the key.

[jimb]

how you do it. whats your opinion about this.?

any other idea? thanks

This usually works for me.

[Eyes_Only]

Me personally don't really care if people are watching. As long as I get paid and no one touches me or my tools they can look and gawk all they want.

[robotmaxtron]

My boss and I were picking into a since moved out of town bank and since the former resident flaked on the bill the guys who wanted in were actually filming the whole process to show that they didn't in fact move or take anything (i suppose, i'm not actually sure though)

Didn't bother either one of us, but there was a handful of people there to watch when we finally made it into the place.

[raimundo]

I have occasionally watched when someone is opening a car, either with a new technique, or when they apparently don't know as much about it as I think I do at the time. The phrasing of that last bit is deliberate, as on any job things can come up to challenge what you think you know.

Sometimes these guys are a bit off put, even try to order me away, but I do not crowd them, they are working at the curb in public, and I watch from the sidewalk usually back 6 to 10 feet. Some will let you watch, others try to body block, but its hard to conceal the technique if the watcher is familiar with the possibilites.

I do not offer advise or help, I think that would be resented even when what I say helps.

The people who are very good at their jobs and use tools such as key clippers are not upset, they know its not a big deal for people to watch any workman in public if what they are doing is interesting. The ones who are not competent or are using some very cheaptrick bypass techinques will be bothered.

[lockdr]

When some joker rests his chin on your shoulder watching, a good phrase to use is: "Your in my light, please move back." If that doesn't do it, some use the tactic of stepping backwards one step to place one's heel on the offenders toe, then a sharp fast elbow movement backwards preferably with some sort of crowbar in ones hands, will give them the hint.

[raimundo]

Lockdr is from washington, from his discription, that must be wah shing don dezeeze, not the rainy state.

[esl_cherokee]

Doing this job ppl watching don't really bother me but one I used when doing home improvements was "Would you want some standing over your doctor during your surgeory watching evey move he make? They would usually get the hint.

[Eyes_Only]

Most people don't know what the heck you are really doing anyways when unlocking a car. I've had people watching me open their friends car and they would say, "dude look! a slim jim! I gotta get me one of those" when I was actually using a under the window tool.

The one situation I really fear is going to a job and one of the customers knows a bit about locksmithing and after I finish the job they "explain" to everyone exactly what I did and over simplifying it, resulting in the other customers refusing to pay cos they believe the job was easy. A lot of times it is but who really wants to be re-keying an entire building at 9:30 pm anyways. Geez.

[Jaakko]

The one situation I really fear is going to a job and one of the customers knows a bit about locksmithing and after I finish the job they "explain" to everyone exactly what I did and over simplifying it, resulting in the other customers refusing to pay cos they believe the job was easy.

"Easy? Yes, it was easy, but I have to make living out of this: gas, my time, tools, van, experience etc..."

[globallockytoo]

Me personally don't really care if people are watching. As long as I get paid and no one touches me or my tools they can look and gawk all they want.

I completely agree...

Most likely.....they wont have access to the tools when you get a call anyhow...and most vehicle opening are one off's anyway.

Get your money....give a card or receipt and go!

[ulliv]

The one situation I really fear is going to a job and one of the customers knows a bit about locksmithing and after I finish the job they "explain" to everyone exactly what I did and over simplifying it, resulting in the other customers refusing to pay cos they believe the job was easy.

"Easy? Yes, it was easy, but I have to make living out of this: gas, my time, tools, van, experience etc..."

I usually say that "It was easy to me. I have been practicing it quite a lot to make is seem so easy"
Another thing is when I do a job quickly the customers say: "That took you so little time. I'm not paying that much for so little work" Then I usually say, "Well sir/mam, you are paying for the speed."

[jimb]

Another thing is when I do a job quickly the customers say: "That took you so little time. I'm not paying that much for so little work" Then I usually say, "Well sir/mam, you are paying for the speed."

When this happens I tell them the unlock is free and that the charges are for the service call and the knowledge to open the car without doing any damage.