Thursday, March 29, 2012

If You Choose the Low Bid, You May Be Getting Low Quality - Unless...

A recent competitor friend of mine relates to me how he lost a locksmith job because he was underbid by one of his competitors by $2000.   My friend went to bid on a large job in Murfreesboro, TN.  After he had bid the job, his competitor showed up.  My friend told me that, "As soon as I saw him drive up, I knew I would lose the bid."

The man who won the bid is the same man who inadvertently received a check meant for my company and then proceeded to cash it.  From personal experience, this man is a liar and a cheat.

The job that was being bid included a large number of commercial exit devices.  These devices were to be used in an industrial application.  When the unscrupulous locksmith was awarded the job, he proceeded to install low-quality panic devices on all of the clients doors.  He has since had to make many returns to maintain the poor quality products he installed.

If you are going to take the low bid on a lock installation project, ask other locksmiths, or call David at A-Best Locksmith, 615-308-6794, and ask for the wholesale cost of the locks that are being offered to you.  The locksmith who won the bid was installing outside trim for panic bars at $95 per piece.  That means he was buying them for $45.  Do you really want $45 locks on your commercial doors?  If so, you are acting foolishly and will live to regret your purchase.

Commercial door hardware of any quality cannot be had for under $500; and, even at that price, it will be a lighter duty than recommended for an industrial application.

The best devices on the market today are the Von Duprin products made by Ingersoll Rand.  The 99 Series Exit Device sells wholesale for between $450 and $575, depending upon whether or not the device is fire-rated, fire-rated being more expensive.

Ask your locksmith what he or she is paying for the product that is being installed.  Add 45% to that amount, and you will get a good idea of what a fair price should look like.

Go to www.a-bestlocksmith.com and check my list for prices that locksmiths are charged for the products they sell you!!  This is a free service.  Scroll to the bottom of the page.

Or check www.locksmithmurfreesboro.com!

Monday, March 12, 2012

When Will Locksmiths Unite and Turn Away "Locksmith Re-Sellers?"

Today, I received a package from Bass Security.  In it was a lock to be installed in a commercial establishment in the town of Decherd, Tennessee.  For those of you unfamiliar with Decherd, let me say that, in order to go to Decherd, you have to make plans.  For me, it would take one hour up and one hour back if I were to make a service call to this area.

Bass Security sent me a lock and work order and allowed a maximum charge for this job at only $95.  No wonder they didn't tell me on the phone what the job paid!  Of course, this would have been an okay price if the service was to a closer location; but this price was insufficient for a call to Decherd, Tennessee.  I called them up and told them what a huge insult their service call was.  I also asked them to send a UPS call-tag to pick up their lock.

What I would like to know from locksmiths in the United States is why we continue to accept jobs from Bass Security, Security Solutions, and other companies who are nothing more than middlemen who are marking up our services and selling us for a profit?  And why do we continue to allow companies like these to tell us how and when we will get paid?  None of these companies has ever paid me in under sixty days.  Yet, many of us are still content to give up a lock sale in exchange for a service call and labor.  But, if locksmiths band together, we can sell the hardware, the service call, and the labor!!

I would suggest that locksmiths unite and begin turning these "locksmith re-sellers" away when they call with any request.  Not only would we make more money by selling hardware, but we would also get paid on time and be able to set our own prices.

Come on, guys.  Let's just say no to those who are selling our services.  It all begins with you. Just say no.  Together, we can sink these "locksmith re-sellers" so that they can never again offer locksmith services!!!

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Your Deadbolts Aren't Fooling Anybody - Niether is Your Alarm.

Sorry! Your deadbolts are not going to keep anybody from smashing in your door.  Even if they are Medeco or Mul -T-Lock high security deadbolts.  In fact, most home builders do not install deadbolts properly in the first place.  Look at the hole in the jamb and determine if the deadbolt hole is one inch deep.  I will bet you lunch it isn't.  Now, look at the wood around you door. Grade 3 pine. Right?  It may have come from the factory with splits already in it.

So, what about door jamb armor?  This is a nice product but it is too pricey.  Even the door jamb armor product installed, you locks can still be attacked.

A-Best Locksmith has an answer to keeping your door closed when you are at home and your fear that you may be the victim of a home invasion.

I can install a door bolt on your door for $95.  For each additional bolt, add $39.  This price is good around the Middle Tennessee area.  The unit comes in white or gold.  The one shown is gold.

This device can withstand battering rams and up to 800 pounds of force.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Deadbolt Tailpiece Clips - What To Do When Cylinder Spins

If your residential deadbolt cylinder just spins around when you try to use your key, that can because of a number of factors.

If you have a Kwikset deadbolt, a spinning means
  1. The part of the the tailpiece where it is attached to the deadbolt and held on by the clip, has shattered.
  2. The clip that holds the tailpiece on has shattered.
  3. The clip has just come off slightly
Go to your local hardware store.  In the event you cannot find parts, a new Kwikset deadbolt is not very expensive.  Just use the parts in the box and retain your existing keyed cylinder.

If you have a Callin deadbolt, s spinning cylinder means
  1. The deadbolt mechanism that retracts and inserts the actual bolt may have shattered.  In this case, the thumb turn or key will travel a partial distance without affecting the bolt.
  2. The tailpiece, which is held on by a threaded nut, has shattered.
Replace the parts by buying a new deadbolt.  These locks, though they look wonderful, are of extremely poor quality.

The newer Schlage deadbolts do not appear to me to be having any problems.  The tailpieces on these deadbolts are held onto the deadbolt be threaded nut.  In the event there is breakage, call you local locksmith or better hardware store.  Sometimes hardware stores have a parts box that may have the piece you are looking for.