Locksmith Introductions Advice

[bushman4]

Looking for advice for approaching my local Locksmith for throwaway stuff he's willing to donate...

My current plan is to show up with a dozen donuts and a Toool flyer explaining the two commandments, and mention the fact that he is my employer's (of 24 years) locksmith, and ask them to just put a box in the shop/van for cores/padlock cut offs that they plan to put in the trash, and I'll stop by once a month for a donut resupply and pickup...

Anyone have anything else that has worked to sweeten the pot?

Thanks,

Bushman

[Wizer]

Go visit the man. Tell him of your ambition with locks, and where you come from. Ask for nothing.
Maybe on second visit bring the doughnuts, and ask for spare locks he might have for just a couple of bucks..
Don´t go to the shop as if you are supposed to get something for free. The things he might say or show will become more precious than the few locks you could score.
Happy pickin`anyway!

[Gantry]

Just as a quick side note, I would mention that this is just a hobby and that you NOT going into the business or becoming a lock smith.

[GWiens2001]

Go visit the man. Tell him of your ambition with locks, and where you come from. Ask for nothing.
Maybe on second visit bring the doughnuts, and ask for spare locks he might have for just a couple of bucks..
Don´t go to the shop as if you are supposed to get something for free. The things he might say or show will become more precious than the few locks you could score.
Happy pickin`anyway!

I agree with everything Wizer said. But I would add that on the first visit, buy a lock - even a small one. Don't ask for a discount. It might not be a good idea to say you want the locks for picking practice. Just that you are trying to learn more about locks (which is true).

Gordon

[bushman4]

Wow. Super great advice folks, thanks. I'm going to stop by tomorrow at lunch for just a general chat and to buy something. He's a medico dealer, and I'm super interested in those biaxial pins, so maybe he'll show me what's up in person (but I won't push it, that's for sure).

And that's why I asked... because y'all know more than I do!

Thanks again,

Bushman

[GWiens2001]

And that's why I asked... because y'all know more than I do!

Thanks again,

Bushman

Yet we all have plenty to learn.

And a small note - the name of that lock company is Medeco. Medico is a cigar company or a medical insurance company. Medeco comes from the company's name - MEchanical DEvelopment COmpany.

Gordon

[Squelchtone]

And that's why I asked... because y'all know more than I do!

Thanks again,

Bushman

Yet we all have plenty to learn.

And a small note - the name of that lock company is Medeco. Medico is a cigar company or a medical insurance company. Medeco comes from the company's name - MEchanical DEvelopment COmpany.

Gordon

We have Medeco (Meh Deh Coh) locks at work and all my uneducated co workers call them "Medco" and I correct them to the point it hurts.

[cledry]

How busy is the lock shop? If it is really busy you may not get a nice welcome. Usually mid morning or mid afternoon would be the best times.

[Squelchtone]

My take: I tried the look at me I can pick locks approach and locksmiths are turned off by that, they think you are either a criminal fishing for a free lesson or a wanna be locksmith looking to steal their local business.

Instead, I have found that being the nerdy lock collector who liked history and mechanical things and taking stuff apart to learn how it works and being really in awe of locks is a better way to approach a locksmith shop. In fact, bring in your coolest lock and show it off but not picking it, maybe even ask if they have anything old or unique behind the counter that you could buy for your lock collection. A month or two from now after you have popped in once a week to show off a new lock and also buy something from them, then you can say you found some youtube videos about hobby lock pickers and how you got a set and read all the ethics rules and managed to pick a couple of your locks and want to see if the locksmith will sell you or give you something harder from their spare parts bucket.

Hope this helps
Squelchtone