Professionalism as a locksmith

[robotmaxtron]

I have a few questions that seem to go hand in hand.

1) As a locksmith do you feel it is important to have things like a uniform and a vehicle that has some sort of markings on it that say who you are as a locksmith?

2) Keeping with the professionalism i know that smoking can be an issue, when and if is it ok to smoke when you're working. As in, is ok to smoke around a customer when you're both outside or even when it's just you? Is it ok to drive around in a marked car or van and smoke?

3) Would it be ok to keep copies of people's keys in case of a lockout situation or automotive codes written down? I feel like it would be important to tell the customer and even possibly offer a discount based on the fact that you did less work. Is this right?

Any help from other lockies or prospective customers would be much appreciated.

[globallockytoo]

I have a few questions that seem to go hand in hand.

1) As a locksmith do you feel it is important to have things like a uniform and a vehicle that has some sort of markings on it that say who you are as a locksmith? In my opinion, it is not necessarily that important although at least a shirt or badge and being well groomed should be enough. If working for a larger company, sometimes a uniform can indicate a larger operation, which can be both good and bad

2) Keeping with the professionalism i know that smoking can be an issue, when and if is it ok to smoke when you're working. As in, is ok to smoke around a customer when you're both outside or even when it's just you? Is it ok to drive around in a marked car or van and smoke?
I believe you should not smoke around a customer unless they offer you or they dont mind after being asked. In the van, that is your choice (or your bosses)
3) Would it be ok to keep copies of people's keys in case of a lockout situation or automotive codes written down? I feel like it would be important to tell the customer and even possibly offer a discount based on the fact that you did less work. Is this right? NO

Any help from other lockies or prospective customers would be much appreciated.

[robotmaxtron]

globallockytoo
if you wouldn't mind elaborating on the first and last points i'd love to hear more about what you think. What do you mean could be good or bad? When you say that you don't feel it's right to retain information on customers i'd like to understand more as to why if you don't mind.

[Archive555]

I'm not a locksmith, but I'm offering advice from the customers point of view.
With the last point, I most definitely would NOT like you to make and keep a copy of my key without my explicit permission. Just a hunch, but someone you don't know and haven't really even talked to much having a key to your house/car/shed/etc. would creep me out.

Like I said, I'm just offering an opinion from the customers point of view.

[globallockytoo]

There are many arguments for and against having sign written vehicles and wearing uniforms

Sometimes, you might be a subcontractor for other companies in which case (like a national service provider) advertising yourself and your own company, with the chance to take away work from your source would be inappropriate.

I know many locksmiths who operate from unmarked work trucks.

Also, there are many times where a client may not want the whole street to be aware that their locks are being changed or new ones being installed.

Other times, the investment in sign writing and uniforms could be viewed as excellent inexpensive and long term advertising.

It is a personal preference that you must weigh the merits for yourself.


As to keeping copies of keys or codes......If you maintain an institutions or clients master key system, then Yes it is appropriate, to maintain codes and even sometimes copies of keys.

But to keep random customers keys is heavily frowned upon because of the potential security implications that could arise.

Certainly, give the customer the code number. Write it on the receipt or a card......but dont keep a copy for yourself. If that client were ever to be burgled and no signs of entry were detected....the first one they will come looking for are the key holders and the locksmith who made the keys.

[maintenanceguy]

Uniforms look great, they make you look like a pro. People want to hire pros, not fly by nighters. I've never had a locksmith business but I have had several businesses. Uniforms and nicely lettered trucks bring in more business than a yellow pages ad in my experience.

I don't smoke but I understant that if you do, you can't stop it. But don't smoke in the presence of the customer. And pop in a breath mint when you reach the customer's home. If you have to smoke in the truck, keep the window cracked so you don't smell like a chimney when you get there.

Don't keep keys or codes but there's nothing wrong with providing these to the customer who can file them away in case they're ever needed.

[freakparade3]

My truck has no markings. The way I see it, that is just like advertising the truck is full of tools.

The only uniform I wear is a blue shirt that says "Locksmith"

I keep the key biting on file for all of my high security customers. It's required by the company.

[Beyond]

Advertising on a company truck is a double edge sword.

On one end you've got limitless promotion. Everywhere you go, your company logo goes.

On the other hand, as freakparade mentioned, you're letting people know what you've got on you (a lot of valuable and expensive tools).

[carloski]

as a self employed locksmith for 16yrs all i can say from experience is that, your van is the best advert for you company, so mine is clean on the outside an tidy on the inside, uniform wise i wear a blue collared t-shirt with company name an phone number on the rear and dark blue working trousers, regarding smoking if outside when alone it is no problem, but when the customer is with you its a no, unless the customer is smoking. Its a def no no to hold copys of customers keys unless they are a friend and ask you to do so or u offer a key holding service. We do write the key number on the customers receipt if have been making keys for a vehicle, well thats how i operate, hope that helps a bit

[Eyes_Only]

If you really know what you are doing you shouldn't need to have the customer keep track of key codes or even have copies of their keys unless they ask you to keep one like if you're their buildings main locksmith.

Majority of locks in this country are so easy to unlock 90% of the time that theres no need to have every one of your past customers key. When it comes to high security locks the issue changes I suppose but besides that I don't see any need to do so.

And plus, in this tough economy if you show up at a lockout job and just use a key to open your customers home or building a lot of people will not be willing to pay much at all for such a lockout job.

[Legion303]

But to keep random customers keys is heavily frowned upon because of the potential security implications that could arise.

To expand on this, think about what would happen if someone broke into your shop and stole your laptop with all this info in it.

-steve

[Jaakko]

But to keep random customers keys is heavily frowned upon because of the potential security implications that could arise.

To expand on this, think about what would happen if someone broke into your shop and stole your laptop with all this info in it.

-steve

That's why you use encryption, like TrueCrypt to secure your data and customer database

[globallockytoo]

But to keep random customers keys is heavily frowned upon because of the potential security implications that could arise.

To expand on this, think about what would happen if someone broke into your shop and stole your laptop with all this info in it.

-steve

Never keep that info on the laptop. I keep mine on the server and log into it remotely from the road if necessary. Also all hard copy files are in a file cabinet and keys are in a safe, tagged and marked.

[robotmaxtron]

But to keep random customers keys is heavily frowned upon because of the potential security implications that could arise.

To expand on this, think about what would happen if someone broke into your shop and stole your laptop with all this info in it.

-steve

Never keep that info on the laptop. I keep mine on the server and log into it remotely from the road if necessary. Also all hard copy files are in a file cabinet and keys are in a safe, tagged and marked.

@globallockytoo i thought you said that you should never keep information like that?

[globallockytoo]

But to keep random customers keys is heavily frowned upon because of the potential security implications that could arise.

To expand on this, think about what would happen if someone broke into your shop and stole your laptop with all this info in it.

-steve

Never keep that info on the laptop. I keep mine on the server and log into it remotely from the road if necessary. Also all hard copy files are in a file cabinet and keys are in a safe, tagged and marked.

@globallockytoo i thought you said that you should never keep information like that?

Only restricted key master key system information needs to be kept (or any master system)

That's the reason Master Key system software exists. You need to have the depths recorded in order to provide new original keys upon receipt of suitable authority signatures.