Locksmith

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Ask for references. Don't look for the cheapest provider, you may get what you pay for. Check for complaints with the Better Business Bureau.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. How to take better care of my locks. People neglect them and then wonder why they break keys in their locks, or their locks won't work. A squirt of Silicon spray in the key hole and on the latch saves many a locksmith visit. Stay away from products like WD-40. It stays wet and then catches dirt and gums up the lock. WD-40 is a good product, but not for locks.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. How long has your company been in business?
Do you guarantee your work?

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Know what brand of lock you have. Count how many cylinders you have (every key hole is a cylinder). Know if you have keys that work all the locks.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I take each job personally. I am not satisfied until my customer is satisfied.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I am a lockaholic. I love locks, I love my job. I enjoy re-keying locks and some of the "problem children" locks. I love the challenge.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. How much do you charge. I am not the "cheapest" nor the
the "most expensive locksmith. I try to keep my rates competitive, but not give away my talent. Some of the "cheaper" locksmiths aren't even legitamate businesses. They don't have a city business license, or even a business account. They are flying under the radar. Many do not have liability insurance or bonding. Goldy Locks is a respectable business.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. I came to unlock a car and found that the passenger side was open! My poor customer was so embarassed.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. People have many peculiar ideas about locksmiths. Most locksmiths are very reputable and trustworthy. We aren 't magicians, but skilled tradesmen and women. I believe as a trade group we are under valued.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. I learned how to re-key locks at Home Depot. I really enjoyed it. I went on to start my own small business part time. I furthered my training at AZ School of Locksmithing in Phoenix AZ. It was totally hands-on training. It gave me more skills and confidence to jump into the business full time.

Q. What are your most common types of jobs?

A. Commercial re-keying and master keying. Residential re-keying and lockout services and lock repairs. The sale of door hardware and safes.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. We had an emergency situation where a tennant's keys were stolen. we had to re-key his locks before he left for work. We were able to complete the job in time for the tennant to go to work!

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. Education is an ongoing process. There are always new developments in this field. Training is available at trade shows, and from vendors. We keep up with education with trade journals, news from ALOA (Associated Locksmiths of America, and we learn from other locksmiths.

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. There are some new cabinet locks on the market that are easy to install and work by remote control. We are a generation that love our remotes!

Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.

A. We master-keyed an office suite that had 15 doors. All the locks had to be picked first because they did not have any keys! We made it so that one Master Key worked all the locks and each office worked their own office and the front door. We also provided some new door hardware. The cost was under $800 and took about 2 days.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. We try to kceep it simple. Most locksmiths use the same criteria. A trip charge of $50.00 depending on location. Our charge for re-keying a cylinder is $10.00. Lock picking is $10.00 per cylinder. Master Keying is $15.00 per cylinder.

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. If you are mechanically inclined and enjoy working with your hands , then go for it. It is not a high paying job, so go into because you will enjoy it. Get some hands on traing. There are several schools out there. Some locksmiths will take on an apprentice.

Q. What is your greatest strength?

A. TENNACITY! I stick with a job until it is right. If I need help I am willling to ask another professional for advice.

Q. What are you currently working on improving?

A. Improving my speed without compromising accuracy. I am always looking for ways to be more organized so I can do a job faster and better.