Do you know the difference between a Security Professional and a Locksmith?

Jack and I continue to share our industry concern with both the influx and numbers of unqualified companies that call themselves locksmiths. Most of them are out of business within a year or 2 but not before ripping you off and leaving you vulnerable with poor security.

Sixty years ago there were about eight locksmith companies in the entire San Fernando Valley and we all had brick and mortar shops, not just mobile services. We learned a highly skilled trade by apprenticing ( now an unknown term) for 3 to 5 years. We specialized in commercial and residential, not automotive. There was no internet to advertise 'fake' address's. We learned the skill of master keying by hand and brain, not computer programs, so that today we can still look at a computerized system, see the flaws and perfect it.

Today there are over 800 listings, mostly mobile, not properly credentialed and doing automotive lockouts 90% of the time. Why? Because the generation of the last 15 years want to make money out the door instead of taking the time to apprentice and learn this respectable trade. Making matters worse is the local locksmith school that takes their money, trains them for 3 months and tells them they can open their open their own business. Nary a moment with any practical experience in a trade that takes at least one year to learn JUST the basics.

BUT THE SCARIEST THING OF ALL is that the consumer does not know the difference!
So here are a few common sense tips before my next blog. These are not guarantees of honesty or knowledge, but better than nothing and apply to most trades:

1. Start by asking for referrals, verify on the internet but don't start looking on the internet. General rule of  thumb, if you hear 3 good things about the same company they are usually true, same with 3 bad things.
2. Know the required credentials and ASK them to email or fax them to you. If they have them they will proud to send them. Also be aware that our industry requires a State Contractors License in addition to our consumer affairs license so just saying 'licensed' is not enough. Same thing applies for asking for proof of insurance and checking the limits.
3. A company with a brick and mortar location and more than one locksmith is less likely to be here today and gone tomorrow. They will also have more product solutions than what will just fit into a van and more brain power to problem solve. They may 'appear' to cost a bit more but the bottom line is less.
4. Even when you have done all of the above still go with your gut instincts, they are right 100% of the time.

Yours in Security,
Jack and Vikki