Lockout Specialist Course from lockpickshop.com??

[brand0n]

I'm pretty new to this site, and I've looked over a ton of threads here about starting out... I've noticed that many members seem to steer new comers away from paying for Foley-Belsaw and the lockout specialist course and other similar avenues to get going, and say just start off with a pick set or something. I just don't know what the deal is.

On the lockpickshop.com page for the lockout specialist thing it states:
"Within a very short period of time, as little as 30 days, you'll be able to start your own lockout service and earn between $60-$80 per hour!"
...Does anyone with more experience think that's reasonable? I mean, I've been unemployed for too long, and I'm just wondering if this is a pretty much a blatant lie.

im thinking i want to see what i get with this lockout specialist thing and in the near future do foley-belsaw.

input's greatly appreciated!

[Eyes_Only]

I wouldn't say that it is a "blatant lie" but compared to when that lockout course first came out and to the present, it could be tricky to make a decent living doing just lockouts. The two reasons I can think of is major competition from the large call center type locksmith businesses or roasdside assistant companies that pretty much owns that market. But of course this will depend from area to area and country to country. And honestly, everything contained in that Lockout Specialist Course can be learned for free here. Trust me, I've taken that "course" and it pales in comparison to this site.

But even if you are a full service locksmith doing more than just lockouts it can still be tough out there. Most locksmiths I know of are struggling to stay afloat because of the economy. A lot of people these days only call a locksmith as a last resort, after they have their boyfriends/cousins/uncles/"that guy that their ex co-worker knows that is really talented with a coathanger" try to unlock their vehicle or home first and fails.

In my opinion, locksmithing is a very specialized niche industry so it can be tough trying to make a decent living (depending on what you would consider decent) from it. But if you're really passionate about it and have a talent for it, then the Foley-Belsaw course is a ok start. Be warned though, cos the FB course isn't really all that in-depth of a course but compared to all the other correspondence courses out there, FB is the best one cos they're recognized by ALOA as legitimate.

[WolfSpring]

I have just recently completed Foley-Belsaw and I did most of the lessons while deployed in Iraq and I agree with Eyes. I'm not saying it is the best start out there but it seems to be a start and everything I learned from FB I went on youtube or here or some other sites out there and did some more in depth research and you can learn everything that the courses teach from somewhere else for free. But FB is structured and it gives you a good baseline.

I'm not anywhere near starting to be a Locksmith yet, I'm still full time military for at least 6 more years, but I wanted some part time options and some retirement job options when I get out and I figured this looked interesting. Everyone who is doing it will tell you there's no better way to learn than an apprentiship, which I fully understand why they say that. You can learn everything there is from a book, but what about the tricks, what about experience or newer locks. And if you are looking to go into buisness for yourself the start up is huge, even if you only plan on doing auto lockouts and you want to be legit and have a full kit you're looking at $500ish for tools, and that doesn't cout the references of all the cars out there, nor anything to do with transponders and alarms and such, plus a vehicle, licensing requirments for your state, tax type stuff, etc...

I'm not trying to discourage you at all, just trying to say, this is an expensive start up job unless you find someone to work for. And with all the scams out there you gotta be carefull you don't get caught up in that and end up fined for lack of proper credentials and what not.

[brand0n]

right on guys, thanks for the input. another thing that made me curious about the lockout specialist kit thing was the "How to make a tool for less than a dollar that will open up to 90% of all vehicles on the road today" ... Does anyone (maybe someone who's purchased this) know what they're talking about there?

[Eyes_Only]

It's similar to these two tools, http://www.locksmithtoolandsupply.com/C ... 4-0105.jpg and http://www.locksmithtoolandsupply.com/C ... 0-1273.jpg . From personal experience I can tell you that everyone has a different preference and style whe it comes to opening cars and that this secret tool that the course shows you how to make won't always work all the time. The creator of that course just uses this as kind of a advertising tactic.

[brand0n]

It's similar to these two tools, http://www.locksmithtoolandsupply.com/C ... 4-0105.jpg and http://www.locksmithtoolandsupply.com/C ... 0-1273.jpg . ...won't always work all the time. The creator of that course just uses this as kind of a advertising tactic.

yeah that's what i figured. just wondered what it was. thanks!

[inquisitor35]

I'm not anywhere near starting to be a Locksmith yet, I'm still full time military for at least 6 more years, but I wanted some part time options and some retirement job options when I get out and I figured this looked interesting. Everyone who is doing it will tell you there's no better way to learn than an apprentiship, which I fully understand why they say that. You can learn everything there is from a book, but what about the tricks, what about experience or newer locks. And if you are looking to go into buisness for yourself the start up is huge, even if you only plan on doing auto lockouts and you want to be legit and have a full kit you're looking at $500ish for tools, and that doesn't cout the references of all the cars out there, nor anything to do with transponders and alarms and such, plus a vehicle, licensing requirments for your state, tax type stuff, etc...

$500 is a low estimate, frankly. If you're stuck buying new a key dupe machine will cost you most of that.
My main question is this: what's your MOS? Some intel and (I believe) MPs can get courses on surreptitious and covert entry methods. Something you might want to look into.