Comments The Locksmith Journals

day late

money? whats that?
Curiouser and curiouser said Alice. The guy running the store in Ocala just calls me out of the blue yesterday. Now this is the guy that left before with zero warning and then came back a year later. Since he and his wife live down there, and the boss was having trouble finding good people down there he gave this guy the job a couple of years ago. He's done well since then but when he calls me he is totally down on the boss. I mean to him the boss can do nothing right. But he still works for him. Ok, I guess we've all had bosses we couldn't stand but the money was good so we stayed as long as it was worth it. And honestly, every time this guy calls I feel like I'm being pumped for information. Let me explain how strange this all sounds to me.

He calls yesterday and first off wants to know how I'm enjoying my time off from work. My answers are now non-committal. He goes on to tell me that he and his wife are moving into a new home. (If business is bad, how can he afford that? For that matter, how was the boss able to do the same a few months ago?) Then announces that 1. He is getting some kind of offer from the boss about being his partner and taking over all ordering. He then starts talking about how he's not sure about it because the boss is "unreliable". After that he brings up that one of the local guys has turned in his notice. He and his lady are moving out of state. (I've known that was the plan for over a year but never said anything about it.) So there is an opening coming up, but no offer has been made to me. But the guy who distrusts the boss wants to know how I'm doing after months of never saying a word to me.

This just doesn't smell right. I'm thinking the boss didn't want to tip his hand and got this guy to call me to check out how badly I want to return to work. We'll see I guess. One thing I "casually" mentioned is that if they keep extending unemployment benefits for another year and a half I get full SS. AND the nice thing is that the house is paid off, same for the credit cards, so the only bills my wife and I have are those we make for ourselves.
 

Texican

Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
One thing I "casually" mentioned is that if they keep extending unemployment benefits for another year and a half I get full SS. AND the nice thing is that the house is paid off, same for the credit cards, so the only bills my wife and I have are those we make for ourselves.

DL,

It would be great if unemployment did go for another year and a half. May it happen for you and your DW, but don't bank on it.

Keep us informed of the Peyton Place that you currently live in.

Texican....
 

day late

money? whats that?
"And the beat goes on, and the beat goes on," I got a call from the boss's son a short time ago. Remember things are so bad right now that they can't bring me back. Even though the boss bought a new home. Even though the shop manager in Ocala bought a new home. AND NOW the boss's son tells me they just got a new van for the shop and they would like to have the magnetic signs that I used to use on the side of my SUV for advertising.

Why does the term "forked tongue" keep coming to mind? I really want to go back to work. I actually enjoy work. It makes me feel worthy knowing I'm doing something for others. And there is no shame in being paid for what you do. I've been a working man all of my life. Sitting at home collecting money while doing nothing just rubs me the wrong way. But being considered stupid is even worse. It has been decided. I'll take what they want to give for as long as it lasts. Just don't lie to me and say there is nothing you can do when you are spending this much money.
 

Sportsman

Veteran Member
Keep up with the unemployment or start looking for another job. I would never, ever go back to work for that company. Have them stop by for the signs, make an appointment, but don't be there, have someone else there to hand them over, or just leave them by the front door. If they want their other tools, that way they have to make a separate trip. Little irritations.
 

day late

money? whats that?
The boss's son said he'd be by in five minutes. He said that about 22 hours ago and still hasn't made it or another call to me. But, The Lord is good. I am in a position that IF I go back to work for them it would only be part time. If I'm not called back, it's up to them to pick up signs, tools, pieces and parts and all the rest of it. On a related note, my job is just like any other tradesman. I've picked up a thing or two along the way, so not all of the tools are his. I have enough to at least be of some use to others and then there is the most valuable tool I have. Knowledge. On the other hand, The Lord is good. If everything goes south after the election I can foresee a time when my skills will be in demand (both opening things and/or increasing security for people) and the government is going to be too busy to be interested in some guy who's working for himself under the table. And I truly believe Dimitru Duduman got it right. Russia, China and a few others are going to sit back and watch us beat each other senseless for a while. Then when we are weakened enough and distracted enough by the revolution, that's when they nuke us and invade. Assuming I've made it that far and haven't done so already, that's when I take up my former profession of grunt and go back to work that way.
 

Texican

Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
Definitely interesting times we are living in.

How many under the table agreements have the demoncraps made with America's adversaries?

Texican....
 

RememberGoliad

Veteran Member
Definitely interesting times we are living in.

How many under the table agreements have the demoncraps made with America's adversaries?

Texican....

Tex, could be why the apparent indifference to the really NASTY stuff coming out about Biden & Son, Grifters. They know there's much more, much deeper, much uglier stuff spread around many many more people, stuff which could be found and brought to light during a 2nd term of a president who really really doesn't like America haters. Having B&S, Grifters as the lightning rod gives something of a scapegoat to focus on.

I don't think anyone with a sense of smell can walk past a Biden or Harris and not retch. But sometimes that takes attention off of worse things.
 

day late

money? whats that?
Well, the beat goes on, as they say. I got hired back in the end of June. I spent the last two weeks on vacation. (YEAH, I know I just get hired back and then go on vacation? The trip was planned before the re-hire so the boss couldn't say anything about that since I told him about the trip before I came back to work.) Things have changed a bit since I was laid off. Nothing major, but it takes getting used to. I'm beginning to believe the boss is REALLY greedy or stupid. I lean towards greedy. He is offering a $50 Amazon card to the tech who "up-sells" the most during the month. REALLY????? You have a half dozen people making money for you. Any one of them can and will "up-sell" anything at any time because it means more money for us. So you have at least six techs. up-selling and you are making hundreds in profits and in your generosity you are going to give a $50 card to the one who sells the most? Count me out.

On the other hand, we are back to the fun and joy of locksmithing. Just before the vaca, I got a call to go to a persons home and I was told I had to charge $120 just to drill the lock. (For those who have been following this, it was a smartkey lock.) That means replacing the lock, at $55 for the lock and a minimum of $60 an hour for the labor, plus the $120 to drill and get the customer in the home. So I get to the job and I get to pi**-off my boss. Turns out the smart-key lock was a door knob, not a dead bolt. I can by-pass door knobs so there is no need to drill. No need to replace the lock. Just by-pass it and the customer is happy because of reduced expenses. The boss is somewhat happy. He made money. Not as much as he wanted, but he made money. And I am happy because I get paid.
 

Texican

Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
dl,

You lead such an interesting life and dealing with the same boss again. Undoubtedly, you do love being a locksmith and helping people, but back in the cooking pot again.

I hear the stories coming again.

Please keep us informed of your trips thru the life of being a locksmith with the old boss.

Texican....
 

day late

money? whats that?
dl,

You lead such an interesting life and dealing with the same boss again. Undoubtedly, you do love being a locksmith and helping people, but back in the cooking pot again.

I hear the stories coming again.

Please keep us informed of your trips thru the life of being a locksmith with the old boss.

Texican....

There is no doubt. I love being a locksmith so much I wish I had started doing this thirty years ago. My main problem is that I like helping people. One of the changes is that we no longer help people with children in distress for free. The boss says now we charge for the work. His reasoning is that a kid in the car is the same as the keys in the car so we should charge for our service. To a point I agree with him. BUT I'm a parent and I would really appreciate it if someone rescued my child back in the day. I've told him that it doesn't matter how much you spend. You can't buy that kind of advertising. The kind where people tell others that children are more important to us than any amount of profit. He just see's lost money. Honestly at this point I'm glad that I'm only one year from full SS retirement. But I have to ride this pony for one more year and then it is done. I'll tell you a secret. I don't give a rat's backside about what he say's. I will follow The Lord and do as He say's. If that gets me fired, so be it. The Lord knows what I have done and why I did it. HE will repay me for what I have done. That's good enough for me.
 

9idrr

Veteran Member
So, in a year you can keep workin' by choice. Your decision if you open a car with a kid in it and not charge the parents. The boss don't like it you can tell him to kiss off.
 

20Gauge

TB Fanatic
There is no doubt. I love being a locksmith so much I wish I had started doing this thirty years ago. My main problem is that I like helping people. One of the changes is that we no longer help people with children in distress for free. The boss says now we charge for the work. His reasoning is that a kid in the car is the same as the keys in the car so we should charge for our service. To a point I agree with him. BUT I'm a parent and I would really appreciate it if someone rescued my child back in the day. I've told him that it doesn't matter how much you spend. You can't buy that kind of advertising. The kind where people tell others that children are more important to us than any amount of profit. He just see's lost money. Honestly at this point I'm glad that I'm only one year from full SS retirement. But I have to ride this pony for one more year and then it is done. I'll tell you a secret. I don't give a rat's backside about what he say's. I will follow The Lord and do as He say's. If that gets me fired, so be it. The Lord knows what I have done and why I did it. HE will repay me for what I have done. That's good enough for me.
From experience I would say the boss is wrong to charge. We do the same for our customers, zero cost for family members and we heavily discount seniors. It has been great for business. We are growing by 10% per year Year over Year.
 

mikeabn

Finally not a lurker!
From experience I would say the boss is wrong to charge. We do the same for our customers, zero cost for family members and we heavily discount seniors. It has been great for business. We are growing by 10% per year Year over Year.
Or say, "Whatever you feel you can pay or can afford. "
 

day late

money? whats that?
Yesterday and today just go to show how odd things can get. Around 7 last night I had to go out of town to open an R.V. When I say out of town the trip was 45 minutes each way, and I'm picking the lock using a flashlight I wear on my head. Today I got a call to open a car and it was less than 5 minutes away. The lady was very happy when I called to let her know I was heading out the door and would be there so quickly. So happy she has promised to leave a good review on-line for which my boss gives me a $10 bonus. Then again the lady I helped last night promised the same thing and did appreciate that I would drive all that way to help her. She also promised a good review, but it hasn't shown up yet.
 

Texican

Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
DL,

If my memory remembers, didn't you on one trip meet with a nearly naked young lady that locked herself out of apt or house when she went outside and the door shut behind her? You did charge her full fare didn't you?

Texican....
 

day late

money? whats that?
DL,

If my memory remembers, didn't you on one trip meet with a nearly naked young lady that locked herself out of apt or house when she went outside and the door shut behind her? You did charge her full fare didn't you?

Texican....

There are so many things that happen. I believe you are talking about one of my more memorable trips. That was the one where I was called to a sorority house early one morning to open a room for a young lady who had locked herself out, and yes, she was wearing next to nothing. But then so were the other eight or ten young ladies who were fascinated by what I was doing and had to stand around and watch me work. It was before 7 A.M. and most of them were dressed the same, in skimpy night clothes. I do admit the situation was most distracting while I was working. I make no apologies. I may be an old man, but I am still a man. Such distractions do tend to slow down the work.
 

vestige

Deceased
There are so many things that happen. I believe you are talking about one of my more memorable trips. That was the one where I was called to a sorority house early one morning to open a room for a young lady who had locked herself out, and yes, she was wearing next to nothing. But then so were the other eight or ten young ladies who were fascinated by what I was doing and had to stand around and watch me work. It was before 7 A.M. and most of them were dressed the same, in skimpy night clothes. I do admit the situation was most distracting while I was working. I make no apologies. I may be an old man, but I am still a man. Such distractions do tend to slow down the work.
Understood. Been there myself.

Did you keep your sanity?
 

Texican

Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
It was before 7 A.M. and most of them were dressed the same, in skimpy night clothes. I do admit the situation was most distracting while I was working. I make no apologies. I may be an old man, but I am still a man. Such distractions do tend to slow down the work.

Years ago, I did a property assessment on an apartment in Georgia. One apartment I inspected had two pretty and young women dressed only in see thru nighties and they were drinking champagne. Offered me a glass and sadly had to decline. Was very distracting and difficult not to stare, but did take twice as long to inspect the apartment.

Still my secret till today.

Texican....
 

day late

money? whats that?
Okay, last night was a bit spooky. Not bad, just a bit. First of all I wasn't even supposed to be working. It seems the bosses son wanted the afternoon and evening off. He was also supposed to take a part to the manager who works in Ocala. Well, he didn't so they called me in. First thing I have to do is run the part which should have been there before lunch, down to Ocala around supper time. (Manager tells me he almost lost the job because he didn't get the part on time.) I get back to Gainesville and just as I get here I have to skip supper and run out to open a house. It was located in one of the "student ghettos' located around town. I got to the job and the customer was pleasant, but very nervous. I get the door open, he runs in to grab the card to pay me and then gets around to telling me that he is doing his best to get out of that area. He took me to the front end of his car and showed me the three bullet holes in it. One in the hood, one through the front grill that blew a hole through the radiator and a final one through the front bumper that took out his passenger side front brakes. Needless to say I didn't hang around and chat with the guy.
 

day late

money? whats that?
Must be one of the "student ghettos" near a Section 8 area. There are a bunch of them in Gainesville.

Near NW 9th and University.

But to balance that I had a job this A.M. For those who know, in the Haile Plantation area. For those who don't know it is a planned upscale community. Everything from multimillion dollar homes to pricy one bedroom apartments. They have a "village town center" with all kinds of shops, doctors offices, same for dentists, bars and so on. In this case a mid-thirtyish couple had locked themselves out and being in Haile I knew it was going to be 'smart key' locks. The one you can't pick but have to drill. Turns out it was the door knob, not the deadbolt. Door knobs can be by-passed. I told them;

"There's good news, bad news and then good news. First this type of lock is very secure. It can't be picked. The bad news is that these locks have to be drilled. The good news is it is the door knob, not the deadbolt and I can by-pass that."

I had them inside in just a few minutes without causing damage or additional expense. They were quite happy about that.
 

day late

money? whats that?
It's game day in Gainesville. The Gators are in the swamp and it is worth your life to go anywhere within six blocks of the stadium, in any direction. If there was an empty piece of ground anywhere in that area, right now there is a vehicle parked on it and everyone is tailgating. On days like this, people with any size front yard that you can park a car on are making a fortune. I've seen houses with enough room for half a dozen cars or more, charging at minimum $30 a vehicle for the privilege of parking that close to the game. But on that call, the game hadn't even started yet. But this is one of those times that LEO's are certainly my friends. I got a call to open a car about two and 1/2 blocks from the stadium. EVERY road in the area was blocked off by GPD and only buses were allowed in. I pulled up to the road block at the intersection where I needed to turn and a female officer came over to find out what I was up to. Of course the van has all kinds of advertising on it and she asked where I was going. I gave her the address and told her that someone was locked out of their car. She looked at the van and then at me and said;

"I'll let you through. It look's like you are going to have a more miserable day than I am."
 

day late

money? whats that?
YEEESH! Newbies. At this time we are training a young lady on how to be a locksmith. To be honest she shows all the signs of becoming a really good locksmith. BUT she is still learning and the problem with that is she makes boo-boo's that affect the rest of us. Case in point, she and I have been swapping the van around between us. I have my tools, she has her tools and there are some tools that belong in the van for both of us to use. These tools belong to the boss and are supposed to remain in the van. I got a job earlier this evening and it was one where I had to drill the lock. So I go back to the van and the drill isn't there. I text her asking where did she put the drill. I'm told;

"It's in my tool bag. But you said you have one."

Well, yeah I do. But that is MY drill. It belongs to me and it stays at my house. The tools the boss provides stay in the van, not your tool bag. In short I had to call the only other tech in Gainesville to come to the place where I am and drill the lock. (This means I also have to split my profit with him.) Then we have another surprise. We had to drill a 'smart key' lock. When I turned the van over to her a few days ago there were two of them in the back. When I needed one there was nothing. So I have no drill and no lock to replace the one I'm supposed to drill. The other tech has the drill and a replacement lock (which I had to re-key before installing.) but I shouldn't have had to call him. The young lady not only kept the boss's tools for herself, but she failed to re-stock the van with the parts she had used. Okay, she's new and we all make mistakes. I get that. But being the guy explaining to the customer why I can't do the job RIGHT NOW is not a good position to be in.
 

Texican

Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
Would make a comment about females, but there would be hell to pay especially if the DW read this, but the young lady does need a lot more training.

Another task for DL...

Texican....
 

day late

money? whats that?
Day Late, do you have any experience with an under-the-door bypass tool? That might take care of your smartkey problem.

I have one in the van. It is designed for lever type handles. I do believe it would be impossible to hit the handle of a deadbolt with that thing. AND that assumes you have enough room under the door to get the thing inside in the first place. But if anyone has a youtube video of it being done I'd love to see it.
 

Freebirde

Senior Member
I can see it in my head and not sure if practical.

Slot that would fit knob. Turned by a ratchet. Spring loaded lever turn ratchet. Cord on end of lever to pull. All this compact enough to fit under the door.
 

day late

money? whats that?
All this compact enough to fit under the door.
AND that is the problem. It has to fit under the door. Business's have doors with that kind of gap. They can't have a door sticking so customers can't get in. Homes have tighter seals to keep the weather out. That gap makes all the difference.
 

day late

money? whats that?
A couple of things have happened that I just don't agree with, but it's not my company and I have less than a year to full SS retirement. Not so sure I should make a fuss, but I'm thinking about it. The boss has just raised prices across the board because of the plandemic. Okay, I can understand that to some extent. BUT it just rubs me the wrong way to take advantage of a situation like this bogus plandemic. If anything, to my mind, this is the time to keep prices the same as they were before. Before Covid we had customers who were pleased with the speed and efficiency of our service, complain about the cost. I once had a customer tell me after I opened his home at about midnight;

"You weren't working on that door for one minute. I'm not going to pay you $75 for that!"

I gave him a choice. Pay the $75 or I could relock the door and IF he could find a locksmith who was willing to come out there at that time of night, I wouldn't charge him a penny. He paid the $75.

Still at a time when a lot of people are finding it hard to make ends meet because of this whole Covid BS, I have a hard time justifying raising the prices. Showing restraint in a time like this seems to be much better in the long term than making a few extra bucks right now.
 
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