Thinking of purchasing need advice???

[chubrock70]

Hello everyone @ lockpicking 101 I am a newcomer to this site and to the lockpicking field I am about to take the Locksmith video school course and I am considering buying some tools from a local part time locksmith and I'm not sure if i need everything he is selling. also I dont know if this is a good price. He is selling


lot of access tools for lock bypassing:
southord lock picks, unipix lockpicks, southord tension wrenches, feather touch wrench, Mac automotive jigglers and picks, southord pick gun, guides and books, cases for picks. asking 200 o.b.o.

I talked him down to 150.00 over the phone site unseen. but my big question is do i need everything as a beginer I do plan on starting a mobil locksmith business up after i get certified but is this something I should be buying right now considering I have never even picked a lock in my life? PLEASE ALL THE FEEDBACK I CAN GET IS GREATLY APPRECEIATED?

[MrScruff]

For what it's worth, I think you should try picking some locks just to know what you can/can't do.

Also bear in mind that locksmithing isn't just about opening car doors and picking locks, there's a lot of other stuff involved. And I hope someone more qualified than me fills in that blank....

[chubrock70]

Belive me i understand their is alot more in being a locksmith than opening car doors and picking some locks I have done alot of research of what is demanded the tools the guy is selling are on craigslist and i know they will be needed in this profession I guess what I'm really asking is this something i should consider investing in right now or am i just super excited about getting started and making a bad decision on inpulse. but I do thank you for your feedback I'm just not sure your reply really answers my question.

[MrScruff]

No, I'm not sure I answered your question either. You can thank a baby who decided staying up all night was a great idea....

[camelgd]

I have a large case of picking tools for those customers who want to be impressed, and then 99% of the time I reach into my shirt pocket and pull out one hook pick and one tension wrench(HPC lpx-12 and tr-4). That should partially answer your question...
camelgd

[Hollywoodpick]

I started a few months back and the cost to get started is way more then what i first expected.

The more you lear the more you will see the need more and more if you are going to be able to work and deal with most things.

I am at around $8000 now and still buying more and more every week. And non of this included a HS ket cutter and any way to work with transponder auto keys this is all just for doing lockouts, home and business locks and service and starting the business.

You will need a good good key cutter and you will need a good code key cutter i have over $3500 just in the two cutters,

You will need a lot of supplys more then you think,
One you have a good code cutter and dun cutter it will do you no good unless you have all the key blanks for hundreds of keys you may run into so i am into over $600 for just key blanks to get started.

Get a good website that is how i am booking jobs and getting calls, Get business cards made.

I just ordered auto warpa for my car that i designed that will cover my back window and 4 side windows with my business name and info.

If you can design it yourself and order it wholsale and can install it your self it can cost very little under $200 for 5 windows all in full color.

You need to be able to take Credit cards on location. I am using GoPayment it is free to sign up for but you then need a cell phone or tablet with a data plan i am paying $30 a month for that plus i paid for a Samsong Tap 7 inch device to rub the cards with.

Check with your local yellow pages and make sure you do not miss getting in the next book other wise it will be another year. My add is costing over $1000 a year and will not be out till march of next year.
With this ad i am at over $9000 getting started not even counting the business cards and car wraps so i guess i am more at around $10.000 now.

So you better be commited to doing all this as it takes a lot of planning and marketing in advance if you plan on getting calls.

As soon as you can get accepeted you need to sign up with wholesale locksmith supplyers as you can then buy things at much better prices so much so i would not buy anything till you get signed up with some as many people are selling things used you can buy new once your are accepted for less then what others are selling it used for.
Key cutters you can save hundreds on and so on.
It all takes time a lot more time then i first expected but over this time you keep learning and what you first thought you needed changed to what you see you now really need that ends costing more if you want to do it right from the start.

I would say you need 10K to start with basic locksmithing and 30k if you want to include all the high end auto plus the cost of a van or auto that has space for you to work out of.

After you get a business licence and get accepted into some clubs on-line you will then be able to attend trainning that you will never know about any other way that can cost less and is all hand on tranning 1 2 and 3 day classes but you have to drive or fly to the class and that can cost you $1500 for each one you go to with motel rooms and travel cost but you will never learn this kind of stuff in a basic locksmith class at a school that i have seen.

A lot of tranning classes just went on this weekend i wish i could of went to in Tx and up north but i just got back from the coast of Fl doing i job i had to fly to.

Good luck i am finding it to be fun so far.