Comments The Locksmith Journals
- Thread starter day late
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day late
money? whats that?
Well, we have the weekly meeting tonight. This is a meeting where all thoughts are considered. Most of them are blown off in a heartbeat. Usually for good reason. I intend to make my point in the most unfair means possible. I'm going to use FACTS! I mean that in Gainesville I get maybe 4 or 5 child rescues a year. That is nothing, financially speaking. BUT the benefits we get from people seeing that while reading our reviews on-line before calling when they need a locksmith, can't be calculated with a computer. I mean REALLY, if you needed a locksmith and I'll be honest, some of them are deceitful greedy so and so's, so we sometimes have the reputation equal to used car salesmen. BUT if someone is looking for a locksmith and they see in our reviews that we actually care about the children and will do whatever we can at no charge, you CAN'T BUY that kind of advertising. It doesn't matter if a child is at risk or not. If we have that reputation people will call us. And the "investment" of giving away jobs like that is microscopic compared to the total number of calls we get in a year.
I don't plan on pulling my punches tonight. Let's hope I don't get fired because of it.
I don't plan on pulling my punches tonight. Let's hope I don't get fired because of it.
day late
money? whats that?
Not yet. I was going to bring up the subject at the end of the meeting, but since the meeting went on longer than usual my phone died. However all hope is not lost. I'm having problems with the new credit card app that they want us to use. The manager will be here tomorrow to get things straightened out. That will be my chance to bring it up and talk about it. Oddly enough I think the manager agrees with me. So once I lay it out with facts and figures I want to believe that he and I can convince the boss that this is a good idea.
day late
money? whats that?
I intend to hit him at the most basic level. Namely, "You are a parent. If you were not a locksmith and one of your children were locked inside of something, wouldn't you appreciate no bill for rescuing your child? I'm a parent and if that happened to me, the review I would write would be so bright it would glow in the dark. It doesn't matter if a child is involved or not. When someone needs a locksmith and they read that kind of review on-line, who do you think they are going to call? It isn't Ghost Busters." From there I plan on getting dirty and hitting low.
day late
money? whats that?
So I'm still employed. It turns out the manager thinks the same way I do. In fact he told me he had a rescue call last week. He went out, did the job and then canceled the call on the business app. I told him that I'm likely to need him to cover my back when I get the next one. I intend on doing the same. He assured me that he will.
day late
money? whats that?
There is a conversation going on at home that would affect everything. I spent part of this morning having a conversation with Social Security. I'm less than a year from getting full retirement. However, sitting at home all the time would drive me nuts. I found out that I can get either a brain-dead low paying job without all the stress, trauma and drama, or get my boss to just reduce my hours so I don't lose any benefits. The fun part is if I do either one of those I'd actually be making more money than I am now.
Decisions, decisions. What shall I do?
Decisions, decisions. What shall I do?
Somebody I know retired from the Post Office and started drawin' SocSec at 62. She said they told her that if she worked again and made more than 14 grand or so a year, they'd tax her a buck for every 2 she made.There is a conversation going on at home that would affect everything. I spent part of this morning having a conversation with Social Security. I'm less than a year from getting full retirement. However, sitting at home all the time would drive me nuts. I found out that I can get either a brain-dead low paying job without all the stress, trauma and drama, or get my boss to just reduce my hours so I don't lose any benefits. The fun part is if I do either one of those I'd actually be making more money than I am now.
Decisions, decisions. What shall I do?
day late
money? whats that?
She is actually doing quite well. I give her a quick tell over the phone on how to cut a certain type of lock. She did it with no damage to the door and has done a few more with the same result. And she is bright enough to call when she needs help. I think the worst problem she has right now is the way I've noticed the bosses son looking at her when she isn't looking. And he is certainly not her type. Good news for her is that she is tight with the bosses wife.
day late
money? whats that?
I said the girl was sharp. I had just gotten home from what turned out to be my last call for the day and suddenly she calls me. She was at a VERY upscale home, re-keying locks. All of them Smart Key locks. For most of them it went smooth as silk. BUT there was one she was having trouble with. She called me and asked if I could run out to where she was and lend a hand. I did, sort of. It turns out that door knob Smart Key locks are about 4mm longer than deadbolt Smart Key locks. They don't fit into the cradle we use to re-key them without the key. And there is no way to adjust the cradle to handle the longer lock. There was absolutely nothing either of us could do about it. The good thing is it was for an exterior door on the second floor. So even if a guy got the urge to climb up there to try to break in, he still wouldn't be able to pick the lock. And since that is not the only door up there the chances of being locked out are from zero to "Are you kidding me?"
As to my own adventures tonight, I got a call to open a car and as is my custom, I called the customer to inform her I was on my way and would be there within 15 or 20 minutes, depending on traffic. I got no answer and she hadn't set up her voice mailbox. I am used to customers not answering an unknown caller. It happens all the time. But usually since they are looking for me, after the second or third call they do answer. Not this time. So I get to the apartment complex, which is so dark I can't see the number on the door and I'm cruising slowly looking for the place. I was about to give up and cancel the call when a woman comes out into the street, waving at me. So I ask;
"Are you looking for a locksmith?"
Turns out she was the customer and apologized to me.
"My two year old daughter hid the phone under a chair and I didn't see you messages."
Ah kids. They add so much adventure to my job.
As to my own adventures tonight, I got a call to open a car and as is my custom, I called the customer to inform her I was on my way and would be there within 15 or 20 minutes, depending on traffic. I got no answer and she hadn't set up her voice mailbox. I am used to customers not answering an unknown caller. It happens all the time. But usually since they are looking for me, after the second or third call they do answer. Not this time. So I get to the apartment complex, which is so dark I can't see the number on the door and I'm cruising slowly looking for the place. I was about to give up and cancel the call when a woman comes out into the street, waving at me. So I ask;
"Are you looking for a locksmith?"
Turns out she was the customer and apologized to me.
"My two year old daughter hid the phone under a chair and I didn't see you messages."
Ah kids. They add so much adventure to my job.
GB Appling
Contributing Member
Well I read all 9 pages in 3 "sittings". 
Enjoyed reading about all of your adventures. I also appreciate your witness.
Enjoyed reading about all of your adventures. I also appreciate your witness.
day late
money? whats that?
Here's hoping today, which is a game day, isn't like yesterday. At least not all of it. The bright spot was a call to go to Wally World and open a car for a lady. On the phone she told me that AAA worked on getting it open for about half an hour and couldn't do it. That will get your attention. So I arrive expecting a BMW or something. It was a Caddy. It took me less than a minute to have it open. Two down jobs I had went like this.
The first one the lady had one of those door handles that you push down on the button with your thumb to open it. It wasn't working right. I took it off the door and everything just fell to pieces as it came off. So I'm off to Home Depot to get a replacement. Next thing I know, I'm spending 45 minutes shopping, taking and texting pictures to the lady before she finally makes up her mind. I get back to her house and the job is finished in less than 10 minutes.
The next bad one was later that evening. I have to open an apartment. The lady says she lost her keys while biking. Of course it is a smart key lock and I'm looking at drilling it. BUT there is a chance that it's one of those where the hole in the frame wasn't drilled deeply enough. I take the chance and check. Sure enough, I lever back the bolt and get her in. Now understand, I DID lever back the bolt, but the keys were inside. So how did the bolt get locked? My guess is the dog jumped against the door and partially locked it. That's why she couldn't get in. But once she found the keys she starts telling me the door wasn't actually locked and I've ripped her off. Then she leave a nasty review about me on the net. Some people you just can't reason with.
The first one the lady had one of those door handles that you push down on the button with your thumb to open it. It wasn't working right. I took it off the door and everything just fell to pieces as it came off. So I'm off to Home Depot to get a replacement. Next thing I know, I'm spending 45 minutes shopping, taking and texting pictures to the lady before she finally makes up her mind. I get back to her house and the job is finished in less than 10 minutes.
The next bad one was later that evening. I have to open an apartment. The lady says she lost her keys while biking. Of course it is a smart key lock and I'm looking at drilling it. BUT there is a chance that it's one of those where the hole in the frame wasn't drilled deeply enough. I take the chance and check. Sure enough, I lever back the bolt and get her in. Now understand, I DID lever back the bolt, but the keys were inside. So how did the bolt get locked? My guess is the dog jumped against the door and partially locked it. That's why she couldn't get in. But once she found the keys she starts telling me the door wasn't actually locked and I've ripped her off. Then she leave a nasty review about me on the net. Some people you just can't reason with.
Let's see, here. She calls for help.
Help arrives and fixes problem.
She tells the world that there wasn't a problem but the help she called to fix the problem she didn't have, did the job of fixin' the problem that didn't really exist, but she wasn't happy about the fix for the problem that wasn't really a problem...
Was this the Kamala Harris household by any chance?
Help arrives and fixes problem.
She tells the world that there wasn't a problem but the help she called to fix the problem she didn't have, did the job of fixin' the problem that didn't really exist, but she wasn't happy about the fix for the problem that wasn't really a problem...
Was this the Kamala Harris household by any chance?
day late
money? whats that?
Two of the things you learn quickly in this business is FIRST, it is not for the thin skinned. SECOND it is not for the thin skinned because there are people out there (and I know we have all met them) who believe that nothing is their fault. ESPECIALLY when it is. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. Let me ask the question. If you thought you were locked out of your home because you didn't have the key, wouldn't you check the door to see if just maybe you left the key inside and didn't lock it on the way out? Some people. I think she was trying to get her money back by claiming I ripped her off.
By the way, the original post for today was interrupted at least three times by calls before I could post it. I wonder if the Gators won today. I haven't had a chance to find out.
In answer to your question, I'd damned sure exhaust all other options before spendin' money on a locksmith. Then again, if'n you looked up "cheap SOB" in the dictionary, you'd probably see my picture.
Spare house keys have been a high priority, with lots of places on the thirteen acres to stash a couple, plus one left with a trusted neighbor and also at the landlord's.
I've been sure to have at least a pair of spare vehicle keys (even for the lockin' gas caps) in the house. Down to one old truck right now but one of the first things after our fire was to go get another couple of sets of keys cut from the original. Since Ford used separate door and ignition keys for that year, there's also a hike-a-key for the door in a hard-to-get-to spot and an ignition key stashed in the cab.
I ain't sayin' I ain't been that guy in other circumstances than bein' locked out.
Spare house keys have been a high priority, with lots of places on the thirteen acres to stash a couple, plus one left with a trusted neighbor and also at the landlord's.
I've been sure to have at least a pair of spare vehicle keys (even for the lockin' gas caps) in the house. Down to one old truck right now but one of the first things after our fire was to go get another couple of sets of keys cut from the original. Since Ford used separate door and ignition keys for that year, there's also a hike-a-key for the door in a hard-to-get-to spot and an ignition key stashed in the cab.
I ain't sayin' I ain't been that guy in other circumstances than bein' locked out.
Texican
Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
hike-a-key
Ok 9, will bite. Just what is hike-a-key?
I have used hide-a-key and have found them not to be forgiving of heavy thuds, large potholes and jumping hills. Started putting them in the cross member of the hitch and still lost a couple. Always carry a spare in my billfold to go with the two sets of keys in my pocket.
The new van doesn't use keys except for a little key in the fob to get one into the vehicle.
Texican....
Ok 9, will bite. Just what is hike-a-key?
I have used hide-a-key and have found them not to be forgiving of heavy thuds, large potholes and jumping hills. Started putting them in the cross member of the hitch and still lost a couple. Always carry a spare in my billfold to go with the two sets of keys in my pocket.
The new van doesn't use keys except for a little key in the fob to get one into the vehicle.
Texican....
day late
money? whats that?
As a locksmith I offer a suggestion about hiding a key or keys. The fact is those magnetic hide-a-key boxes can fall off when you hit a bump. That much has already been spoken of on this thread. What I recommend to people is take your house key to the back end of your vehicle, no matter what it may be, then take out one of the screws that hold on your license plate, put the key behind the plate and put the screw back in, through the hole in the key made for your key ring. That box may fall off, but that key WILL NOT fall off that screw. MOST vehicles today have a computer chip in the plastic on the key. Without that chip the vehicle WILL NOT start. You can get what is called a valet key. It does not have the chip, it will not start your vehicle. It WILL unlock the door. SO use one screw on your plate to hold your house key, use the other for the valet key. You never get locked out of anything. The only other suggestion I have is if you have Phillips head screws, you know those cross looking screws, change them for the straight blade screws. That way, if you have to, you can unscrew them with a penny. Say you are at Wally World, a gas station, the grocery store, whatever. EVERYTHING is locked in the car. You know there is going to be a penny in the parking lot somewhere. You pick up the penny, unscrew the screw, the key falls out and there is no need to call someone like me.
Thanks, DL. The holster that's always hangin' on my belt for my flip phone also contains a cheap multi-tool. Most of the implements on the tool are marginal at best, but they haven't failed me yet.
The hide-a-key box I use was the one the owner and his family have at the local lock-and-key shop and they use 'em on their own vehicles. Whenever I buy parts and equipment for the long term, I try to go with whatever the pros recommend and use themselves. Under my truck, there's a square tube steel cross member into which I stick the key holder, about 4 inches back. The couple of times I've pulled it out, it has usually required a small knife blade to pry the magnet loose. I also put enough of a dent in the top that makes it so it can't easily slide open to let the key pop out. May not be perfect, but it's worked so far.
And, bein' as it's a mid-Eighties Ranger, there ain't no chipped fob to worry about.
The hide-a-key box I use was the one the owner and his family have at the local lock-and-key shop and they use 'em on their own vehicles. Whenever I buy parts and equipment for the long term, I try to go with whatever the pros recommend and use themselves. Under my truck, there's a square tube steel cross member into which I stick the key holder, about 4 inches back. The couple of times I've pulled it out, it has usually required a small knife blade to pry the magnet loose. I also put enough of a dent in the top that makes it so it can't easily slide open to let the key pop out. May not be perfect, but it's worked so far.
And, bein' as it's a mid-Eighties Ranger, there ain't no chipped fob to worry about.
day late
money? whats that?
May not be perfect, but it's worked so far.
And, bein' as it's a mid-Eighties Ranger, there ain't no chipped fob to worry about.
That works to your advantage. While Lowes, Home Depot and others have stopped making valet keys because people get stupid, I believe they still make keys for older vehicles. When I say stupid what I mean is that the key opens the door so they figure it will start the car and then snap it off in the ignition. Then they try to sue Lowes, Home Depot or whoever. They don't have a leg to stand on but these companies got tired of fighting the suits and quit making them.
day late
money? whats that?
A couple of interesting things recently. This past weekend was SO SLOW! I think I only got three jobs on Sat. and Sun. total. They turn off the phones at 10 P.M. So at 9:30 I get my second call for that Sunday, to open a house. The call is all the way on the other side of town, and actually a bit out of town. The customer has locked her phone in the house so I can't call her. She used a neighbors phone to call us. I'm on my way to the job and get maybe a third of the way there when the lady handling the phones for us calls back and tells me the customer had called back and canceled. She got in somehow. O.K. I'll just turn around and since it will be too late for another call by the time I get home, I'll just sit down and watch the rest of last night's game. So I thought. Then the dispatcher tell me there was another call for a house lockout that she had already given to the bosses son, but she could switch it over to me, if I want. That call was in the town of Hawthorne. That's 45 minutes from my house, one way. IF everything went right I would have gotten home somewhere around 11:30. She has already sent the other guy but wants to know if I want to take it. At 9:30, and the bosses son is about 15 minutes closer to the call than I am because of where he lives. No thanks. You already sent him, let him take it.
The fun one was this morning. I got to use a new tool for the first time. It's called an "under the door" tool. Basically an J shaped piece of metal with a wire attached to the long end. You slide it under the door and when you reach the crook in the J you rotate it upwards, there is a bend at the top where the wire is attached. When you hear the end of it hit the door you sort of lay it over and the wire slides behind the lever handle. You pull on the wire and the bend at the top pulls downward and pushes the lever handle down so you just push open the door. Since this was my first time using it I was very happy that the door had a great big pane of glass in it so I could actually see what I was doing. Neat toy. It may take some getting used to when you can't see the handle, but I know it works.
The fun one was this morning. I got to use a new tool for the first time. It's called an "under the door" tool. Basically an J shaped piece of metal with a wire attached to the long end. You slide it under the door and when you reach the crook in the J you rotate it upwards, there is a bend at the top where the wire is attached. When you hear the end of it hit the door you sort of lay it over and the wire slides behind the lever handle. You pull on the wire and the bend at the top pulls downward and pushes the lever handle down so you just push open the door. Since this was my first time using it I was very happy that the door had a great big pane of glass in it so I could actually see what I was doing. Neat toy. It may take some getting used to when you can't see the handle, but I know it works.
Sportsman
Veteran Member
Pick up a cheap cell phone based endoscope, or small inspection camera so you can see behind a solid door when using the UDT. Under $50 on Amazon and small enough to slip under the door.
day late
money? whats that?
You meet all kinds in this job. The jerks (mostly Karens) you can just blow off and forget about. Then you get the ones you kind of feel sorry for. I got called to inspect and possibly repair a doorknob. When I get there I'm met by a lady, I'd say in her mid-fifties, who has just moved here from Penn. She's nice enough but WAY too suspicious. It seems she had new locks installed on her front door today. The knob and deadbolt were both Smart Key locks. Whoever installed them did a sloppy job on the doorknob. It was flopping around like nobody's business. OK, a quick and easy fix. I take off the lever on the inside, remove the plate hiding the screws, tighten the screws and put it all back together. The job was finished in less than 15 minutes. But after that I spent half an hour learning that she has a VERY expensive dog (so I was informed) she is convinced that the guy who installed the locks took a spare key with him when he left so he could come back later, she has a VERY expensive dog, advising her on the best way to secure the sliding glass doors, and learned she has a VERY expensive dog, then as a courtesy to sooth her mind, I re-keyed the Smart Key locks with a different key that she had, I was also informed she has a VERY expensive dog, and then showed her how to re-key the locks at a later time if she feels the need. Oh, did I mention she has a VERY expensive dog? What can I say? All alone in a new town with only a VERY expensive dog for company, I can understand she has a need for a little human interaction. It was just a good thing I didn't have any other calls pressing me at the time. I might have kicked a VERY expensive dog if I'd stayed there much longer and all the pooch did was stand there and look at me. In a way his eyes seemed to be saying,
"PLEASE take me with you."
"PLEASE take me with you."
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greysage
On The Level
Poor dog.
Many people nowadays own dogs (and cats) for all the wrong reasons. They're more like prisoners and props for shitty humans with self esteem and control issues. I still think it's wrong for medical professionals and lawyers to encourage and promote pet ownership (companion dog) for the depressed and mentally ill. Dogs deserve way better.
day late
money? whats that?
Well I can say that I took far longer than was necessary and I re-keyed the locks to ease her mind without telling the boss. (He would have wanted me to charge for it.) But I also have to admit this is one of the few times I have been grateful to the U.S. Army for giving me tinnitus. I didn't hear EVERYTHING she had to say and that was good. But I do feel sorry for the dog. He has no choice but to sit there and listen, and listen, and listen.
The great thing about dogs is they LOVE hearing us talk! But it sounds like they don't provide enough feedback for that lady...
Summerthyme
Summerthyme
day late
money? whats that?
Ooopppssss. Sometimes screwing up can be a good thing. I got a call this morning to do a commercial re-key. There is a certain government office downtown that needed a couple of locks re-keyed, mainly because they are taking over a part of the building they share with private companies and other government agencies. So I hop in the van and run down there. I arrive and the lady who called looked at me and said,
"I thought you were going to be here at 3:00."
I didn't look at the dispatch closely enough. She was right. So I offered to do it right then or come back later. Her attitude was, "Well, as long as you are here..." So I got in and the job was quite simple, it hardly took any time at all. I got finished and as we were settling the bill she told me. "This is the best thing that's happened to me today." It also turns out her husband is a banker dealing in real estate. She had asked him which locksmith to call and his answer was, "I don't know." By the time I left she wanted some of our business cards for herself and her husband.
"I thought you were going to be here at 3:00."
I didn't look at the dispatch closely enough. She was right. So I offered to do it right then or come back later. Her attitude was, "Well, as long as you are here..." So I got in and the job was quite simple, it hardly took any time at all. I got finished and as we were settling the bill she told me. "This is the best thing that's happened to me today." It also turns out her husband is a banker dealing in real estate. She had asked him which locksmith to call and his answer was, "I don't know." By the time I left she wanted some of our business cards for herself and her husband.
Texican
Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
Rekeying can be a problem.
All of our locks are keyed alike.
Have to add couple more lock sets due to the new addition and hopefully Home Depot can rekey. Will have to see when I go there.
Thanks dl for spending the time to bring us your life.
Texican....
All of our locks are keyed alike.
Have to add couple more lock sets due to the new addition and hopefully Home Depot can rekey. Will have to see when I go there.
Thanks dl for spending the time to bring us your life.
Texican....
day late
money? whats that?
Sorry for the delay, I spent the last few days with a bow and arrow looking for Bambi. Didn't find him, but I was looking. Home Depot should be able to re-key your locks. I once had a salesman there offer to do that for me, before he read what was written on my shirt. After he did read it the "helpful" suggestions stopped. I wonder why.
Texican
Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
Decades ago we were headed to the Del Rio area to the deer lease and stopped at a Walmart to buy some additional supplies, when my wife was accosted by a karen about hunting for Bambi. My wife replied "Not going to kill Bambi, but Bambi's mother and skin and eat her."
The karen ran away and I laughed so hard that I nearly fell on the floor.
Some times in life just hang in there giving more and more to us.
Texican....
Several years ago we went to see my wife's uncle in Daytona for Biketober fest. Walking back from parking and saw some small tracks. Thought maybe a yearling then remembered being in Florida and thought that it could a locally trophy buck.
So it could be understandable of not seeing one of those little things.
So it could be understandable of not seeing one of those little things.
day late
money? whats that?
No doubt about it, the deer in Florida are smaller than they are elsewhere. However I do know that over the years people would bring in other species of deer for one reason or another. I believe some of them are called Samber deer. I've never seen one but understand they are either about the same size or smaller than our white tails.