Golf Tees Are Great When Filling In Stripped Screw Holes!

Golf tees make great hole fillers!

If you find that the strike plate or latch on your door will not stay "screwed in", that is because the screw holes have been stripped out.  This usually occurs when people use electric drills or screwdrivers to install locks.  Always use hand tools when doing installations.  Not only will that keep your screws from stripping out, it will also prevent you from marring the finish on your lock.

If you have a stripped hole in your door, or anywhere else, insert a golf tee into the hole.  You may want to put a little Elmer's Glue on it, but it is not necessary.  Gently tap the tee into the hole. Do not force it too much or you will split the wood.  Once the tee is nice and snug, break it off flush with the surface. Now, you have fresh wood into which you can drive your screw!

Locksmith Scams Abound On Pay-Per-Click Ads On Search Engines

If you are clicking on the paid advertisements for "locksmiths" on the major search listings, there is a better than average chance you are going to get burned.  Yes, when you click these "top-of-the-page" ads and go to the websites, they sure look professional.  Here are some things you should consider before calling them.

1.  Notice that these locksmiths are using 1-800 numbers.  That will tell you that this number is being provided for everybody in the United States as a toll-free number.  Do not suppose for a minute that there are any locksmith organizations large enough to have employees in every state and city in the U.S.  Although theses companies claim they do, be aware that these companies hire anybody with just a short phone call.  They do not test or train these "technicians". 

2.  Notice that there are no addresses on the website.  That's right!  Why? Because these companies do not want to be located.  One client of mine in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, called one of these companies a while back.  My client was charged $385 for an $85 job.  Once the bill was paid, the technician disappeared.  After my client realized she had been scammed, she tried to get her money back.  Without an address, how could she collect?  The company always gets half of the money collected by the "technician".  So, the "technician" jacks up the price of the job as high as he can; and he is usually an incompetent locksmith who may not even have a machine to make duplicate keys.

3.  Notice that there is a service call price of $14, $15, or $19.  That should be a red flag.  There are no service calls that low.  You can expect to pay a $45 to $75 service call in the Murfreesboro and Nashville, Tennessee areas.  Sometimes, however, A-Best Locksmith does not charge a service call.  This applies, however, when I am at the site and the customer is having volume work done.

4.  Notice also the general prices that are given for various services.  At first glance, you will think that they are reasonable; and some of the prices are!  However, they never charge that rate.  It always ends up being three or four times the amount; and the "technician" surprises you with a huge bill, tells you pay immediately, or be sued tomorrow.  At one childcare center on West Northfield Boulevard, the scam "technician" removed the locks from the doors at closing time because the manager did not have the cash in order to pay the bill.

5.  You should also know that there is a "technician" running around Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and Nashville, Tennessee who cannot do the work that is required by a real locksmith.  When he gets a call from the scam 1-800 center, he shows up, tells the customer he can't do it, and then asks for a $30 service call because he showed up.  Never, for any reason, pay a locksmith for not doing his job!  Also, before hiring a locksmith, you should always get the charges upfront and make sure they are solid!  A good locksmith knows what to charge for most jobs before he ever shows up.

6.  You will note that some of these paid search engine advertisements do not have a Tennessee Locksmith License number.  Although I think that you, as a consumer, should check out everybody who works for you, and that the locksmith license program is nonsense, you should ask for a locksmith license I.D. card.  If the locksmith doesn't have one when he arrives, ask him to leave.

Another reason you should never look for a locksmith on the paid advertising sections on the major search engines is because your local locksmiths are never in the top premium spots!  Google, Yahoo, and other search engines pride themselves in bringing to you RELEVANT search engine results based upon you inquiry.  Paid Internet ads circumvent the logarithms that ensure relevancy!  Basically, a locksmith goes to Google and says, "Well, I am not based in this geographical area, and my site is note relevant nor helpful. In fact, if left up to relevant search results, I will never be seen.  So, how about if Pay you $20 for every click?"  And the search engines agree to take the scam locksmith's money.  If you pay the search engine companies enough, they will sell anything to anybody.

Just remember to shop locally.  When I say "locally" I mean you should hire somebody who owns their own lock company within a 65 mile radius of where you live or run your business.  Also, if you are in doubt, call the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance and ask them about the locksmith you are using.  And, finally, never, never ask a locksmith to show up without getting some idea of what the ultimate bill will be; and never pay a dime if the bill he presents to you is not the same bill you agreed to before the work was begun.  If the locksmith threatens to sue you, call his bluff and refuse.  If he threatens to remove your locks, call the police immediately.

Just remember that there are thousands of people in the United States right now who would have loved to read this blog before they called a locksmith.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee Locksmith Cashes Check Not Belonging To Him!

Last week, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, a locksmith found in the phone book inadvertently recieved a check made out to another locksmith in the amount of $1350.00.  Instead of returning the check to the issuer, the locksmith cashed it.  This same individual has been accused of making false calls to emergency roadside assistant agencies in order to collect service calls for arriving at locations where the "customer" was no longer present.

Do your research and ask for references before hiring a locksmith in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.  I will assure you that there are more scam artists operating in this area than are real, bonafide locksmiths.  Do not hire a locksmith from the internet search engines who has paid for a "click" ad.  Paid advertisers with the big search engines pay to be seen.  The real locksmiths ads can be seen because they are relevant in the search inquiries.

A-Best Locksmith does work for General Mills, Pillsbury, Yoplait, Murfreesboro Medical Clinic, MPD, Arby's in two states, Discount Tire Middle Tennessee, and Titlemax in Middle Tennessee, Stones River Mall, The Salvation Army, and others.

Emergency Exit Signs Must Be Lit Up! Pre-Inspection Tips For Businesses.

Just because you have emergency exit signs placed above your emergency exit doors does not mean that you are in code compliance in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, or anywhere else, for that matter.  In the event you are inspected by the fire marshal, he or she will check to see if your emergency exit signs have bulbs that work!  Before your place of business is inspected, here are some things you need to check.

1. Do your emergency exit doors have lit signs above them?  If not, call your electrician.
2. Is access to these emergency exits hindered by trash cans, merchandise, boxes, or equipment? If your doors cannot be exited in an emergency, there is really no reason to have them to start with.
3. Can a person fleeing your building exit the emergency exit door in ONE MOTION?  That is what codes stipulate for emergency exits.  A person fleeing the building for whatever reason should not have to remove a security exit device, unlock a deadbolt, and then turn a lever in order to escape.  Such a sequence would take three motions.
4. Are your exit alarms (Detex or Alarm Lock) working properly?  These devices incorporate a deadbolt that is retracted when a person leaving the building hits a paddle on the device.  Some inspectors will cite you for a violation if this alarm does not sound. (Call A-Best Locksmith if you need a Detex EAX-500 or the exit paddle model - I can beat anybody's price and have it drop shipped to you!)
5. Is the door sticking because of corrosion or rust?
6. Is the door closer functioning properly? (If not, get the name on it and call me for a cost-effective replacemement.)

I hope this information has been helpful. In the event you need locks, levers, panic bars, exit devices, or closers, please call David at 615-308-6794 and let me beat everybody's prices!

In Order to be Code-Compliant, Replace Those Knobs With Levers!

If your business is not equipped with handicap access locks, door closers, and ramps, then you may be losing business.  It has been popularly believed, and studies conducted by US Lock have shown, that businesses who make their stores handicap-friendly can expect as much as a 30% increase in business traffic.

Think about it.  If your front door has a door knob, then you are limiting your clientele.  Older people with arthritis and handicap people cannot open door knobs very easily.  A lever, on the other hand, is easy to open with an elbow, a fist or forearm.  In fact, at home, I often find myself wishing I had levers!  Especially when I am bringing in an armload of groceries!

If you have church building, then the codes people will probably never bother you.  But, why would you subject your older and handicap members to the pain and discomfort of using knobs?  It does not make sense. 

When you consider installing levers on your building, shop carefully.  I would avoid Yale and Corbin Russwin because of quality issues, and Sargeant and Schlage because of pricing issues.  Now, you can indict me for being self-serving here; but I install the LSDA medium and heavy grade levers for clients like General Mills and Pillsbury.  If you have a medium-duty application, like an office or a church, choose the medium grade.  For industrial areas and high traffic situations, use the heavy duty grade.

Yes, I do sell LSDA levers and I do sell them very cheaply.  They come with a manufacturer's warranty against materials and workmanship.  This warranty is for 15 years.  Call me at 615-308-6794 after you have shopped and give me the name of the lock you would like to purchase and I will try to beat that price!  Do note that there are two back sets for the latches. Most residential doors are 2 3/8 inches and commercial are 2 3/4 inches.  Give me a call!

Door Closers Designed With A Door Hold-Open Feature Are Perfect For Churches and Organizations!

If you have a commercial business, church, or other organization that needs to have outside doors that stay opened, look no further than door closers that incorporate a hold-open feature.  It is generally not a good idea to use door kick stops that have the little rubber foot attached. Why? Because most of these cannot hold up to the abuse they will get when people kick them or otherwise impact them when hauling chairs and tables through the doorway. And, if your doors are made of thin metal, the screws will eventually strip out. It is also a bad idea to use any kind of device that anchors into the concrete sidewalk because people will inevitably trip over the device and hurt themselves.

If you need to have your doors in the hold-open position, install a heavy-duty door closer. LCN makes a wonderful product that has these following qualities.

1. Grade 1 industrial durability.
2. Back Check feature. This means the door has a cushion that keeps it from slamming open to the extreme position, thereby saving your door, closer, and jamb from possible damage. The back check function in adjustable.
3. Hold-open feature. Be sure that the model you order has this feature. Do know, however, that interior fire-rated doors cannot have these types of closers installed.
4. Closing and latching speed adjustments. Over time, and with the effects of cold and hot weather, the hydraulic fluids in the closer thicken or thin, thereby affecting the speed of the close.
5. Sizing adjustments. If you need to have your closer shutting against powerful wind, then you can adjust the spring tension in the closer. This is a simple thing to do.  Remember that, if your door is handicap accessible, as are all public access areas, then the pull force must not exceed 5 pounds. The size most often used for handicap entrances are number 3. Closer sizes, even on adjustable size closer, range from 2 to 6.