Questions and Comments on UK Lockie Business

[Marcus_uk]

Interesting thread.

Received our new Yellow pages last week. They have made it smaller in our area I dont know if that is a nationwide thing.

It used to be roughly A4 size now roughly A5 size. The Locksmith section has certainly grown. I have a few old yellow pages from 2003 + 2004. The growth in the number of locksmiths is worrying.....

[Rickthepick]

i heard they got rid of all the free line ads?

[EmCee]

YP is smaller now, but then it's the same size as other directories. Claim is that the A5(ish) sizes are 'easier to put on a shelf than A4'.

Not sure if the free listings have been binned but there are not many 'one liners' and most seem also to have display ads. Oh, and the display ads are not in alphabetical order so all the AAAAAAAA111111111 Locksmith companies may as well change their trading names.

Cheers...

[Rickthepick]

thomson local is shrinking too, i reckon its just cost cutting

[lockgenie126]

hi guys
the Lockie Business is getting harder and more watered Down,in the sea side town where i live there is 6 locksmiths, and plus the Nationals as well, I have spent 6k and still spending,on tools ,van stock as well, "PINKY" is right what hes says, your cant think your a fully City & guilds Lockie in 2 Days, NDE is the way forward,driller Killers are out.
I have been a Lockie for 3 years,and still consider myself a novice, I know "PINKY"
from other forms a good sound Guy,and a top Lockie, you Learn new stuff every time you go out on a job,and never stop learning thats whats "Great" about being a "Lockie" I must add-mitt there is times when i have felt like jack-in but then the phone rings, my website works for me, the yellow pages is S**t ,But its what ever works for you,best add is word of mouth so don't rip people off ,in my small town word soon gets around,Don't take the P**s do a good job,all ways use dust Sheets when fitting a Lock respect other peoples property.
If you naff a job up or Drill a Lock replace it for free.
Good Luck all
lockgeine126

[geraldhornsby]

Roger that.

Doing the biz in the local area can be a bit draining on the wallet but that's how it is if you plan to service those in the area.

I don't have a 9 to 5 job. In fact I'm one of those [EDIT - removed your link as it looks a bit spammy] that can pretty much work all hours of the day (and night).

Good thing the wifey understands I'm not doing anything fishy!

[PBL]

you Learn new stuff every time you go out on a job,and never stop learning thats whats "Great" about being a "Lockie" I must add-mitt there is times when i have felt like jack-in but then the phone rings, my website works for me, the yellow pages is S**t ,But its what ever works for you,best add is word of mouth so don't rip people off ,in my small town word soon gets around,Don't take the P**s do a good job,all ways use dust Sheets when fitting a Lock respect other peoples property.
If you naff a job up or Drill a Lock replace it for free.
lockgeine126

Can't agree more lockgenie126, for me word of the mouth works best. One good and thankful client can refer to me 5 others. One of my "loyal fans" found me over 10 clients. I decided to show her my appreciation and did some minor repairs for her for free. I've been over 10 years in this biz now and I believe doing well in it depends on 50/50 - your professional skills/and your people skills.

[cowen70]

Interesting thread. I'm just thinking about getting into the trade, I've a few comments and questions:

1. One of the things that attracted me to the trade is the fact that it seems as much art and expertise than anything else. That there is a sharp learning curve and skills to master. That appeals to me. Is this the reasons others like the job? What is it that first got you interested in locksmithing?

2. Over the past few years every trade has been taking a hammering. My previous jobs include running a couple of pet shops(family business). There were countless amateurs soaking up a fair chunk of the money with their dirty smelly little shops and one or two quality retailers offering quality service, professional expert advice and keeping in a huge range of stock to make sure you almost always have what they need. The difference between success and failure is having the expertise and the superior service. In that regard I don't worry to much about getting clients where others fail or having to stack up against countless amateurs, so long as you aren't one of them and have a reasonable grasp of marketing and client retention then it is a one sided battle. Or at least it has been in other industries I've been involved in.

3. People seem to make a big deal about the home office particularly the computer side of things. I do come from a technical background (worked for Microsoft 3 years ago for a few years) and I'm relatively young I suppose but I can't believe people find this a chore. If there is any advice people could use on hardware, software or keeping it all organised and safe let me know. I also design websites, now I'm not here offering my services or selling my services, I am only offering free advice and comment as I would consider myself a competent amateur (wordpress/joomla CMS mainly).

4. I get the feeling that people on the forum are highly respectful towards the A1 training courses. It is a huge upfront investment, I do wonder if there is perhaps smaller courses that can break the investment down to make it less painful (than paying £3k upfront) or is it better to gain immersion straight away by doing it so intensively.

5. In terms of starting the business I am a taxi driver so I can work when I want as long or as short as I want so I have no issues with a slow start or having to reinvest whatever I earn but here is the thing. One of the things I am starting to gather is that the training is only half the battle it is the practice that is the key element. So is there anything I could be doing to get started on the practice? Should I be buying some locks in and some picks and getting my hand in?

[Rickthepick]

As locksmiths we like to think it is a highly skilled untouchable trade, when in fact the majority of modern day locksmithing is basic stuff anyone can do.

Lock picking makes up a small chunk of the trade. Its mostly upvc door repairs and lock fitting/changes.

Obviously warrant work and emergency work will alter those percentages somewhat.

Unless you are already well established it is going to be a fierce battle to establish yourself.

MARKETING Is now the single most important aspect of succeeding as a locksmith.

You can be the best in the world at opening locks, carpentry and whatever else you think is important, but if nobody can find your number you are dead in the water.