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

Do you really have a Do Not Duplicate Key?

Ok, scary stuff but true;

Fry's Electronics and Lowe's now have self service key duplicating machines.

We sent our daugther to a Lowe's with a Do Not Duplicate key to see what would happen and the young man told her he would help her put it through the machine if she brought it back with a key cover that hides the DND words.
INCREDBILE!
This ia another reason to invest in Medeco High Security Locks, because these places do not have access to these key blanks.
Also, even if you have a regular key, these places use cheap key blanks and if you have a worn key there is no one there to tell you that your duplicate may not work because of this.
Last, all locksmiths are required to have a "key duplicating" permit. Please help us understand why this should be required when there are machines like these?
How do you feel about all of this? Comments appreciated

Funniest cheap customer story

This week hit a new level for cheap!
A customer did not want to pay a service call to have us come out re-key his locks so we asked if he was handy and could take off the locks and bring them into our store.

One hour later we see 2 men carrying in the whole door and banging it against and chipping our newly painted walls in a narrow hallway. They said it was easier to take the door off the hinges than to remove the lock.
It cost them $20.00 to re-key the lock and $200.00 to have our wall repaired.

We all laughed and they took care of the damage with a laugh and a lesson learned.

Oh my Lord, someone brought in a bump key to dup

Yesterday was another first: Someone came into our shop with a 'bump key' and actually asked us to duplicate it. She said ":this a bump key, will you duplicate it?"
When we told her no she said she was a locksmith, like so what!

For my peace of mind I have to believe this could have been a sting because if not we have a potential crime waiting to happen.

I thought we should have gotten her drivers license and name but I was outvoted by my staff who opted for safety.

What would you have done?

RIP OFF ALERT-FLAM'S IS NEW VICTIM OF SCAM

PLEASE BE AWARE! ANOTHER LOCKSMITH HAS HACKED INTO GOOGLE MAPS AND CHANGED FLAM'S TELEPHONE NUMBER TO HIS. IF YOU SEE A NUMBER STARTING WITH 232---IT IS NOT FLAM'S.
OUR NUMBER IS 818-789-5024.
AS OF 8-6-2011 GOOGLE HAS NOT RESPONDED TO OUR EFFORTS TO REPORT IT OR CHANGE IT.

DO NOT GET TELEPHONE NUMBERS FROM THE GOOGLE MAP ICON.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF SCAMMERS-STEALING OUR BUSINESS AND LORD KNOWS ABOUT OUR REPUTATION.

THANKS,
JACK AND VIKKI FLAM

another scam victim

Flam's just re-keyed the locks for a wonderful person who called because she just felt scammed by another Valley locksmith (Another one starting with an A).

She called them for a simple re-key on a Weslock handle set and the locksmith told her she needed a new lock, that what she had was no longer made and proceeded to install a new deadbolt and knob in its place.

She realized shortly thereafter that they probably took advantage of her and her friend told her to call Flam's. We told her to call and get the lock back and they returned and reinstalled it and then we went and rekeyed it. The lock was not broken, it did not need replacing and they charged her almost $300.00 of which they are only refunding $97.00.

She also said the locksmith they sent out called her back yelling and calling her names and left her so scared that she wouldn't call the police or push for a larger refund.

Like she said, this was a very expensive and harrowing lesson.

Release of 6,500 felons and your security

Jack and I hope you are up to date on the recent decision of our Governor to release convicted felons onto the streets of our city.
Not only are they being released but they will not be on parole.

We at Flam's are genuily concerned, along with local law enforcement, about your security as the rate of recidivism in California is higher than any other state. This is because we spend the least on rehab in our prisons.
Add over 20% unemployment to this scenerio and it is clear our concerns are real.

With that said we urge our clients, more than ever, to upgrade to High Security Locks for your business, homes and offices and to also stay alert outside of these enviornments.

We would also like your feedback on the idea of Flam's offering a community seminar on the many ways you can secure your doors. Please send an email to www.flamskey@aol.com to express your vote and your questions.

Stay safe,
Jack and Vikki