what do I need to start up a automotive or lockout business

[rogerbp]

I know you need a license and permit but besides a good lockout kit and van I am not sure what it all entails.I have read blogs where it has very low overhead and start up costs but I am a bit skeptical because they don't sound very professional.I have an online locksmith course diploma and am going to be taking the ALOA CRL test in May but there is no apprenticeship program in my part of Canada to train further.Being in Vancouver you seem to need to be a locksmith shop grunt for a few years before you can get enough experience to go out on your own.
I am 42 and love what I have learned to date,and am still reading and learning and lockpicking.I heard about a guy who wanted to specialize in this area and he learned by practicing on Hertz rental cars.I was thinking unconventional but at least it's experience.Plus, I don't see a locksmith shop hiring a 42 yr old to learn the trade.
I would appreciate any feedback on this subject and what tools are needed.

Thanks,
Roger

[rogerbp]

I know you need a license and permit but besides a good lockout kit and van I am not sure what it all entails.I have read blogs where it has very low overhead and start up costs but I am a bit skeptical because they don't sound very professional.I have an online locksmith course diploma and am going to be taking the ALOA CRL test in May but there is no apprenticeship program in my part of Canada to train further.Being in Vancouver you seem to need to be a locksmith shop grunt for a few years before you can get enough experience to go out on your own.
I am 42 and love what I have learned to date,and am still reading and learning and lockpicking.I heard about a guy who wanted to specialize in this area and he learned by practicing on Hertz rental cars.I was thinking unconventional but at least it's experience.Plus, I don't see a locksmith shop hiring a 42 yr old to learn the trade.
I would appreciate any feedback on this subject and what tools are needed.

Thanks,
Roger

sorry I put this posting in the wrong forum

[thelockoutguys]

Well, Get your your self a good airbag/ longreach tool set. Hi tech tool makes a good set as well as a bunch other companies...Also get your self a good master set of window tools..Practice on everyones car you know taht will let you..Get a good opening manual if your not that experienced. Once you get comfortable on opening up all types of vehicles get some insurance and business licenses together. Get signage for you vehicle and get lots of cards...There are already lots of posts on the business end of it here by alot of experienced people...Check this post out as well......viewtopic.php?t=16296&start=15

[maintenanceguy]

1) Lots of cash for advertising and marketing. And a good marketing plan.

2) The ability to shake hands and introduce yourself to everyone who might bring you business. Hotels, garages, tow companies, mall security, etc. etc.

I've had a few businesses over the years. Some did well, some did not. The biggest challenge is always getting people to know you exist and to get them to call you instead of the other guy.

[Engineer]

Just for sheer practise, you can ask your local scrapyard if they mind you practising on their stuff. Most won't mind, especially if you give them a few tips and/or a 12-pack of beer...

One thing I have heard of doing is that Police will not do lock-outs anymore, but they still often get calls from desperate motorists. You could try visiting a few stations, introducing yourself and leaving a few business cards with the people who answer the phones perhaps?

Thelockoutguys are right though, most cars can be opened that way and it is excelent advice from them.

[mongo]

Just for sheer practise, you can ask your local scrapyard if they mind you practising on their stuff. Most won't mind, especially if you give them a few tips and/or a 12-pack of beer...

One thing I have heard of doing is that Police will not do lock-outs anymore, but they still often get calls from desperate motorists. You could try visiting a few stations, introducing yourself and leaving a few business cards with the people who answer the phones perhaps?

Thelockoutguys are right though, most cars can be opened that way and it is excelent advice from them.

I agree with Engineer, Go to the scrapyard, bring cash and dog biscuits, ask for an hour to roam around and you should be okay. And this is important, go to the local cop shop and discuss your new hobby with the boy and girls in blue. Show them what your doing and what your able to do. Have any course scrolls and licenses with you. All you realy want is less hassle if you ever get pulled over with opening equipment.
As for your age, you gotta start at the bottom in any trade. You said you have the online course and are moving to more serious courses and thats great. But your not going to be given the sweet jobs until you have 'paid' your dues and proven your ability to trade in this one. I am not a locky yet either but I am a licensed mechanic, having that background adds some credence to me having a wedge and a long reach tool, rockers and some picks and my Foley Belsaw student number. Even after I finish the course I am pretty sure that I will take it slow and continue to learn as much as I can. Locks and doors are expensive, I dont want to learn as I go, could cost you some glass if the drill slips etc good luck

[mattman]

Even after I finish the course I am pretty sure that I will take it slow and continue to learn as much as I can. Locks and doors are expensive, I dont want to learn as I go, could cost you some glass if the drill slips etc good luck

Going slow is good advice. I have just opened up a part-time auto and residential lockout business, and even though I know how to do things such as make keys and re-key locks, I'm not going to offer those services until I feel completely comfortable with them.

-Matt

[butterboy]

Get in your local phone book.
A good store front will bring you some buisness and haveing a van with some good advertizing on it should help, thats some thing I need to do is paint my van,hand out cards and talk to all your local mechanics cause they usually dont like to mess with locks at least the ones I deal with.
Tools Tools Tools you can never have enough.
There is huge potential in all the things you can learn in this trade.

[Eyes_Only]

Lockpicks and auto lockout tools are great to have but you're gonna need to know how to generate keys on site in some cases even if it is still just a lockout call. EEZ Readers/Kobra Readers, Determinators, code machines and a good sized stock of key blanks.

If the keys are locked in the trunk of cars like BMW and Mercedes and they are in mechanical deadlock, making a key is more effective than trying to pick the trunk lock. Believe me I've tried, all you'll end up with in most cases are broken tools.

Sometimes you arrive to the job site and by the time you get there the customer and his friends may have been trying to unlock the car themselves and gotten tools stuck in the door or in some cases dropped inside the door cavity and if you go at the car with similar tools they're already tried you might be blamed later on for damages you didn't cause.

And know a good lawyer. People these days are getting crazy with this crummy economy and looking for ways to not have to pay us for the services we offer.

[mongo]

And know a good lawyer. People these days are getting crazy with this crummy economy and looking for ways to not have to pay us for the services we offer.

I second that. Get a lawyer who can make things happen.

[mattman]

In addition to the tools and advice that have been mentioned above, I would like to add another thing, which is that it is very useful to learn other locksmithing skills also besides just lockouts. When you are called on a lockout, many times you will be asked to provide other services also, such as re-keying, lock servicing, key making, etc.

I opened my lockout business over a month ago, and about a third of my calls have included other services besides just the lockout. In fact, I was planning on just limiting my services to lockouts, and then expanding into other services later on. But my customers have had other ideas about what services that I need to offer. LOL!

-Matt

[globallockytoo]

In addition to the tools and advice that have been mentioned above, I would like to add another thing, which is that it is very useful to learn other locksmithing skills also besides just lockouts. When you are called on a lockout, many times you will be asked to provide other services also, such as re-keying, lock servicing, key making, etc.

I opened my lockout business over a month ago, and about a third of my calls have included other services besides just the lockout. In fact, I was planning on just limiting my services to lockouts, and then expanding into other services later on. But my customers have had other ideas about what services that I need to offer. LOL!

-Matt

This is a good point. Lockouts is such a small part of the locksmithing business, you need to add more to your repertoire.

One more point. Many of the US lockies dont know the first thing about the trade. They are mostly retirees from other professions attempting to stave off retirement. (IMHO)

vancouver has VERY strict laws about the locksmith trade. Make sure you are licensed and well trained. I know a locky there who has been doing the trade for over 20 years and AFAIK is one of the best. Auto work there is somewhat different to USA and knowledge and experience are the two most important qualities to succeed in your market.
You cannot live on lockouts alone. I know a guy there who regularly makes $1500-2000 a day because he is known as the best. He has paid his dues and developed his business correctly.

The online courses are a reasonable grounding but practise makes perfect.

Screw the phone book....unless you want to have the baby boomers who havent found the internet.

Develop online marketing and provide top notch service and always ask for referrals.

Many locksmiths in the USA, would have no idea about the truth of the trade. Concentrate on locals who know their stuff. Laws are different there and you will be better off listening to locals rather than US locky's!