Knockout Lockouts - heard of 'em?

by **TYE** » 13 Jun 2008 15:37

They're based out of the NY area. Not so much "locksmiths", but they'll bring you 2 gal. of gas, change your tire with your spare, jump start your car, as well as open it using some type of air bag device.
I got an invite to do this part-time, every other weekend, for $15 per call-out. The average number of calls per weekend here is around 15, so about $225. It's not going to teach me much about actual "locksmithing", though.
Oh, the catch is you have to sign a one-year contract. If you quit within that year, it's $1,200 for "training". I know how to change a tire, jump a car, and put gas in one, so I'm guessing the $1,200 is how to operate this air bag device.
Seems like easy work, but I'm not sure about the whole contract thing.
I doubt I'm doing to do this, mainly because of the contract, but I thought I'd give some info in case anyone wants to know, or knows anything more about them.

by **assweasel** » 13 Jun 2008 16:33

I'd be careful with the contract for sure.
read it carefully you may wind up working for them for sometime and then the terminate you and you lose the $1200.00 so basically you would be paying them to work with you.

I would check with the NY labour board and see if that type of contrct is even enforceable.

I doubt it.

They could still screw you by withholding monies due to you after firing you. but really a slim chance of enforcing that $1200.00.
I don't know of any workplace where you have to pay for your own on the job training.

by **TYE** » 13 Jun 2008 17:42

I'm going to send an email reply saying I'm interested, but without the contract, and see what happens. It would be easy extra money, but I'm not locking myself in when I don't really know what the job is really like.
The $1,200 is just crazy. I think it's a way to scare people into giving them at least a year, reducing turnover. Makes sense for the employer, not the employee.
You're probably right about it not sticking, but I don't want to take the chance. I'd rather just avoid the fight all together by not signing up.

by **jimb** » 13 Jun 2008 19:55

It sounds like they are copying Pop-A-lock. They do the same type of work and have a similar contract. 1200 sounds like a lot to teach you how to jump start, pour gas, change tires and use an air wedge.

I'd also check your hours on these weekends and make sure your not on call 24 hours a day to get these 15 calls, and what the hours are. It sounds like their regular crew doesn't want to work weekends at all.

by **TYE** » 13 Jun 2008 20:55

The call is 24/7 from Friday at 7pm to Sunday at 10pm, every other weekend. There's a full-time guy that's been here for 2 years, they say, who will be training me. I'm basically a relief for him, so he can get every other weekend off.

The application process is wierd. First, you send in your app. Then, you get an email with a phone number to call and apply. This leads you to a 10 minute long message from the owner's brother basically about how if you are a loser, hang up. They only want people with integrity.
At the end of the message, you get this guy's cell phone.

He answered, and was a decent upper east coast sounding type guy, who answered my questions. I asked if I could call the local guy to meet him and ask questions about working in the area before I committed to anything, and he was hesitant. Then, refused the contact. I understand, but it would have been nice to talk to the guy I'll be working with first.

One other thing that threw me was that here's a guy talking about integrity, but he said FU$% and SH*& during the interview. I dunno.
It's kinda funny at this point. I think this is going to be a bust, but I'm going to continue with the email asking for employment without a contract, just to see what happens. Then, if hired, I'll see how it is.

I'll keep reporting in as I get more info.
*Man, I feel all undercover-reporter like!!*

by **globallockytoo** » 14 Jun 2008 2:04

Sounds to me like one of those scammer companies......the reaction you got when questioning him is precisely their modus operandi.

They hook you.....use you till you burn out....and pay lousy.

But sometimes a job is a job.

Be careful if they tell you to charge the highest possible price to the customer when you arrive, because they always quote low....use bait tactics to get the jobs...and tell their employees to go for the jugular....switch pricing when you get there.

Customer is usually in a bind and succumbs to pressure. If you get the job I suggest you carry a gun!

by **raimundo** » 14 Jun 2008 7:21

I agree with globalocky and assweaser, this thing is a kind of labor scam, the contract is bushit, and the nice voice on the phone after the brothers baditude reflects on thier attitude toward labor. The contract is likely illegal, and what do you get for the 1200 dollars. nothing worth it, so its a confidence game for labor.

Have you ever seen one of their people on the street? Ask their man on the job if the labor is a scam.

Its entirely possible that half the business is about hireing people for a short time till they find and excuse to fire them then trying to collect on the contract. Many people will pay them even though the contract is illegal and unenforceable.

by **Jaakko** » 14 Jun 2008 7:57

Either OP has said it wrong or others are getting the wrong impression: If *you* quit, you pay $1200. That means that if *they* fire you, you don't pay.

by **TYE** » 14 Jun 2008 9:05

That's the way I'm taking it. If you quit, you pay. Otherwise, it doesn't cost.
I can see all kinds of angles for scams on this one, too.
Another funny one is when I asked him about dress code; if they proide some kind of work shirt or uniform. His answer was something like 'well...up here, all the guys who wear uniforms are pieces of sh#$ who do nothing, but put on their uniform and wait to get paid. You guys are still "backwoods" there, so you still have service'.

I got a kick out of the "backwoods" comment. It's funny how ignorant people can be about midwestern states. I really believe some of them think we've never seen a paved road.
Funny!

by **freakparade3** » 15 Jun 2008 9:49

And if something goes wrong when working on someones vehicle you are the responsible person, not some noname company in NY. You need to be insured, do they provide it? Is the insurance valid in your state? Call your local better business bureau and ask them to check the company out.

by **TYE** » 15 Jun 2008 10:07

All very good points.
I asked about damage liability and he said something like 'if you call me and I tell you to do something and it gets damaged, it's my fault and I'll pay for it. If you don't call, and make your own decision, it's yours'.

This is all adding up to disaster with this place. I was about 90% sure I'd not do it once the phone call was made, but thought I'd check here to see if anyone else had any experience with them, and drop the info for those who haven't.

I sent him an email asking for no-contract employment, but haven't received a response. I'll let you know if I get one.

Thanks for all your replies, guys! It's really nice for a noob to have a place to go with questions where experienced people are willing to help!!

by **TYE** » 17 Jun 2008 21:58

Well, no response to my email request for employment with no contract.
Oh well, nothing lost.
Sounded like a rotten deal anyway. Not really locksmithing. Just using cheater methods.
I'll keep looking.
Thanks for your replies!

by **nostromo** » 14 Jul 2008 5:05

Yow! Fifteen bucks for servicing a lockout? How much does the company charge the customer? These days, gas costs to get to and from each location takes a chunk of that. Plus the tools you'll probably want in addition to the air wedge- if you can't service the lockout, you can't bill for it.