Do you think you have been ripped off? We can Help! FREE Invoice & Estimate Audit Available. What is www.LocksmithRipoffs.com? Locksmith Ripoffs is a consumer resource created to provide audit and review services of work proposed or already performed by locksmiths or other service providers installing security hardware products. Locksmith Ripoffs will assist the consumer in determining how to solve their security needs in a cost effective manner utilizing the proper products and applications which provide more value for their money. We act on your behalf to ensure you are not being ripped off. Why should you use Locksmith Ripoffs? There are many fraudulent scams from unskilled or under educated service providers who do not properly care for the consumers needs or understand how to provide solutions that apply to the consumers problem. In many cases there are reports of over charging, inferior workmanship or materials being sold or installed by unscrupulous contractors. Locksmith Ripoffs utilizes an educated pool of professional locksmiths and security experts from the Society of Professional Locksmiths organization who can quickly examine your situation and provide a solution that assists the consumer in either correcting the problem themselves or being better educated in the process of selecting a service provider.
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Calls to locksmiths from consumers regarding a lockout situation are often deemed "emergencies" by the customer. Those offering emergency service or divert normal service to accommodate an emergency call will often prioritize the call with an added charge to cover lost wages from other scheduled work. Some locksmith specialize only in emergency response calls while other "alleged locksmiths" pose as they do. Consumers are often overwhelmed by the idea they are locked out of their home, car or office. The loss of time, the embarrassment and unexpected cost often interferes with their judgment and willingness to listen to the advice many professional locksmiths provide them, and in many cases cost is the single most contributing factor in the acceptance or rejection of a service response. This error results very often in an unsatisfied experience. When a consumer contacts a locksmith during a lockout they should expect to be asked several questions, not just quoted a flat rate. They should also expect to be asked to provide some form of evidence that they have authority to enter or are who they claim to be. These questions are asked to develop an assessment for the locksmith to prepare and to convey both a best and worst case scenario for the consumers situation. This information is the best a locksmith can do without actually being on site to evaluate his/her response or methodology to service the call. Often the responses provided by the consumer do not coincide with the actual conditions found upon arrival by the locksmith and costs can change as a result. If the consumer is not asked for identification prior to any service, then you are not dealing with a professional and should refuse any further service. Your identification information should be included as part of the invoice and retained by the locksmith as a record of the incident should law enforcement inquire. If the consumer is intimidated or threatened in any way, they should contact the police and ask for assistance. The consumer also should ask the locksmith for their identification. A valid state drivers license is something every responding service provider would have. If a locksmith declines to provide the consumer valid identification, the consumer should decline service. If the locksmith is not provided identification when they request it from the consumer, they will decline offering service or ask for police assistance in verifying identity. To determine the difference between a locksmith and those "posing" as locksmith the consumer should ask, "Will you damage my lock?" or "What non-destructive methods of entry will you first attempt to use?." This single question will unfold a discovery process that will reveal the locksmith’s knowledge and intent. In many cases professional locksmiths will express to the consumer during the call for service that they will employ the use of non-destructive methods BEFORE having to drill. If drilling is the recommended method then remember to get a written quote. It is not uncommon for a locksmith to provide a reconditioned replacement part or spare used parts at no charge if a precision drilling procedure must be utilized. Drilling should not destroy the lockset, but may effect a small component which is easily replaced or repaired. In many cases, the cost to provide such parts is minimal and often built into the cost of the service.
Members of he Society of Professional Locksmiths participate in continuing education and professional development programs to provide the consumer the best possible service. Call your local SOPL Locksmith to receive professional advice and service. http://www.locksmithripoffs.com/index.html Being a part of the Society of Professional Locksmiths has been a tremendous help to expanding my business, and my knowledge as a locksmith. There are quite a few points to that, not just one or two things that have helped. I have been able to establish connections with fellow locksmiths all across the country, and from time to time ran into unusual situations that they have helped me with. The forums have been a great way that we have been able to share information on everything from new products, security concerns, tips and tricks, and unique work a rounds from unusual situations that members have come across. When I was first starting, I traveled from Indiana to New York, and met up with Tom Lynch the Founder of the society, and had a great time learning all kinds of tiny tricks that have helped in the field, as well as a giant leap forward when he gave me all kinds of tools, parts and even a key code cutting machine and he asked for nothing in return. With his help I launch my business. If it had not been for that, I would have had a much more difficult time getting started. I have also had the pleasure of working with Barry Campbell in Indianapolis on several jobs and developing a solid friendship. There has been several times that I have been able to reach out and touch base with them on questions, and have even gotten calls from other locksmiths asking me questions about how to do unusual fixes. There have been lots of leads on new products that I am able to now carry, which I would not have known of if it had not been for the SOPL. Chris Chambers - Columbus Key Picking a lock is not as simple as many may think. It is not Hollywood where something is simply inserted into a lock and it magically opens. Picking is an acquired skill set that takes much practice and very often can still be unsuccessful for a variety of reasons. It is one of many options when faced with a "lockout" situation. The addition of specialized "top pins" can make a low cost residential lock very difficult to pick. Certain locks require specialty picks or other associated devices that are prohibitive in cost for many local locksmiths. Most locksmiths will cease picking attempts beyond 5-15 minutes and resort to alternative methods. Skills in "bypassing" a lock vary and very often one locksmith may possess a technique others do not. Such knowledge is simply discovered through time, experience or networking within their peer group. Bypassing a lockset in some cases is faster then picking or drilling. The choice to drill a lock open is an accepted trade practice and one that is taught in the industry. Drilling a lock open requires "strategic" drill points which are designed to prevent the least amount of damage possible to the lockset and mostly focuses on the cylinder alone. In many cases this method can result in a low cost corrective repair, in some cases replacement of the hardware is required. Those who resort to drilling without troubleshooting or applying alternative options such as bypassing or picking first may lack access to the proper tools through supply distribution and may not even be practicing locksmiths although they are attempting to be. Suppliers or Distributors require certain information and references from locksmiths who require such tools or training and many of the staff within the distribution channels were active locksmiths involved in their local network and know who is credible and competent. They will block access to possession of lock or bypass tools at their discretion. As a consumer, should your locksmith recommend drilling your lockset to gain entry if you are locked out of your home or business, make sure you ask the following questions -
Is there an alternative bypass method? Can you check other points of entry first? Will it damage the lockset or lock body? Is it repairable? What is the cost of replacement? Another question a consumer can ask is - Will you use non-destructive methods of entry? This sounds like an odd question when we speak of drilling something, but the question is something every professional locksmith understands. Strategic drilling, reduces or eliminates damage to the locket to such a degree that it can be consider non-destructive and which is either repairable or allows for parts replacement at a controlled cost, which the consumer is informed of prior to any drilling. Professional locksmiths who understand consumer protection, customer care and door hardware will explain to the consumers all options and costs prior to any drilling. Members of he Society of Professional Locksmiths participate in continuing education and professional development programs to provide the consumer the best possible service. Call your local SOPL Locksmith to receive professional advice and service. What questions do think should be asked? Door hardware and locks have a life cycle, and depending upon the type, grade and application, may or may not be repairable. It is often more cost effective to replace then to repair. Higher grade hardware often is repairable, however repair parts can often be costly and it becomes more cost effective to replace with a new lock. Each scenario is different and must be examined.
A professional locksmith will ask several questions from the consumer prior to arriving at your location. Consumers should ask questions. A more educated estimate can be given and it allows the locksmith to be better prepared to resolve the problem quickly and educate the consumer as to their best solution. Any person who claims to be a locksmith, but will not spend the time to ask questions or listen to the consumers concerns, is probably not a good choice for service. Although a fair estimate can be given over the telephone, a final estimate should be given after the locksmith actually sees the door hardware, it's installation and condition. Ask your locksmith for a written estimate, but keep in mind that sometimes when a piece of door hardware is removed, there could be other problems found. Improper prior work or bad installations and missing parts must be corrected in order for a warranty to be honored. The "alleged locksmiths" referred to as "scammers" often are incapable of repairing a damaged lock since they do not know how to make repairs, obtain proper replacement parts or have access to purchase them through the supply houses or distribution channels. They also don't engage the consumers as described above. Professional locksmiths who understand consumer protection, customer care and door hardware want to talk to the consumers. Like retail clothing chain store legend Sy Sym's slogan said, “An Educated Consumer is our Best Customer.” As a consumer you should ask your professional locksmith any of the following questions: What are my options? Is there alternatives? What is the cost comparison? What is the cost of ownership? What Grade is the product? Is there a warranty on the product? Is there a warranty on the installation? Is it repairable? Is it cost effective? What is the best value? Members of he Society of Professional Locksmiths participate in continuing education and professional development programs to provide the consumer the best possible service. Call your local SOPL Locksmith to receive professional advice and service. What questions do you think should be asked? I am a Maintenance Mechanic/ Locksmith. I am currently in the process of starting my own business. Besides enjoying the locksmith trade, I have had extensive experience and training in all processes and procedures of welding and machining; including CNC. I am HVAC Certified, Universal and Automotive and also have have Diplomas in other fields such as Plumbing, Appliance Repair. I am a Member of the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers Union (Local 176 IAMAW) and also served in The US Army. I am also a proud member of the Society of Professional Locksmiths. "SOPL is probably one of the best resources I have in the world of Locksmithing. It's because of the SOPL that I even have a Locksmith Business. I appreciate all the members that share the "Tricks of the Trade" here. I used to go it alone because it seems most other Locksmiths are not willing to share their knowledge. I have never had a problem here. I really appreciate all the hard work that Tom Lynch, Harvey Arkawy, Barry Campbell and all there others behind the scenes have put into making this a true Locksmith Association" The Society of Professional Locksmiths - Real Training - Real Benefits - Real Organization The Security Technical Institute (STI) offers educational programs with a blended learning environment utilizing the power of the Internet to deliver lesson plans, testing, interactive chat, forums, presentations, and much more. Learner participation is archived along with historical proficiency performance for all your accreditation needs. STI is a depository for the delivery of educational material developed for you to succeed in your career. STI is the online training vessel of the Society of Professional Locksmiths and it host a large locksmiths dictionary and more; with credit to be given to the Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council for their contribution. This glossary will provide the learners participating in STI the opportunity to quickly locate definitions within any written text on the site. If you notice, throughout the site there will be gray highlighted text in sentences. By clicking your mouse on these areas, a pop up will open and provide the definition of the term. This helps the student to quickly learn words they are not familiar with in a relaxed environment. Courses are offered ala carte (individually) or as a package. Locksmiths who join the Society of Professional Locksmiths receive as a member benefit; the Locksmith Training Program (LTP), which consists of the following testing and certificates of achievement at no additional cost. Locksets occupy a prominent place on almost every door in the world. A lockset keeps a door in a closed position. It can also grant or deny access to a building, room, closet, or hallway. Billions of locksets are in use. Abuse, vandalism, and just normal wear can prevent a lock from functioning properly. A locksmiths role often has three parts: • detective, • physician, and • mechanic. As a detective, they discover what is causing the lock to malfunction. As a physician, they prescribe a course of action to “heal” the lock. And finally, as a mechanic, they physically repair the lock, returning it to a useful state. Webster’s Dictionary defines a locksmith as a person whose work is making and repairing locks and keys. Understanding what can go wrong with a lock and how to repair it is one of the most important skills a locksmith can possess. Mastering lock servicing is a lifetime journey. With literally hundreds of different locksets in use, it would be impossible to learn how to service all of them. However, there are core behaviors associated with all locksets that a professional locksmith is able to recognize and think through a unique situation to resolve. Some locksets are considered "consumer expendables". These are typically locksets that are less expensive or equal to the cost of trying to service or repair them. In this case you locksmith will become your garbage man, because it make wiser sense to throw these out then waste time and money trying to make them work. Installing a new lockset is a consumers best option in this situation. If you are having trouble with your lockset and would like a professional locksmith to investigate, recommend and repair or replace, call your local SOPL Locksmith to receive professional advice and service. Always ask for a written estimate before the work commences and compare it with the final invoice. Make sure you inspect the finished work several times and get your warranty in writing before paying. Most quality lock brands come with a warranty and most locksmiths also give a warranty on their installation. Members of he Society of Professional Locksmiths participate in continuing education and professional development programs to provide the consumer the best possible service. A door closer is just what it sounds like. It closes the door. Modern door closers can do even more, some hold the door open, some open automatically and some even respond to fire alarms! The need to have doors remain closed has existed since doors were first invented. Before door closers were developed, we used devices made of springs and weights to help close doors and keep them closed. These devices were noisy and inconsistent in terms of closing speed. However, once inventors started to improve door closers, they got a lot more effective and efficient very quickly. Between 1873 and 1916, door closers went from being ugly, noisy, unreliable, and as likely to slam as not close at all to elegant and efficient devices similar to what we use today. The US Patent Office issued the first US patent for a door closing device to Francis Richards on November 25, 1873. It consisted of a tube that contained a spring and a screw that operated as a closing speed valve. On June 15, 1880, the Patent Office issued Lewis C. Norton a patent on a pneumatic door closer. This device built on Richards’ door closer by adding air pressure in the cylinder. The air pressure prevented the door from slamming closed. Then on January 3, 1882, the Patent Office issued Norton a second patent. The new closer had improved closing performance, speed control, and was more effective in closing the door. On June 17, 1882, Norton founded the Norton Door Check and Spring Company. On August 1, 1882, Edward Gillon and W.C. Clark of Boston were issued a variation patent to the Norton closer. These two inventors used an external torsion spring on the arm rather than inside the cylinder. Eugene Blount received the first US liquid door closer patent on July 9, 1889. The first US liquid door patent was issued to William Gilfillan on March 2, 1897. And on February 1, 1916, John Gerard of New Britain, Connecticut, invented the first concealed-in-the-door liquid closer. Today, every fire door must be self-latching. This requires a door closer. Apartment vestibule and hotel doors also need to lock behind people as they leave. So these doors also require door closers. Door closers play an important role in saving energy. They keep cooled or heated air from escaping and more doors than ever require closers due to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) If your door closer is leaking hydraulic oil, or if your door is closing too fast or slow you will need to take immediate action. If your door is hard to open or opens so fast you can't control it you will need take immediate action. These conditions indicate an unsafe condition which could lead to a lawsuit if anyone is injured and result in damage to the frame, lock and hinges/pivots. To test your door closer, open it a full 90 degrees. Let it go and count - 1 - One thousandths 2 - One thousandths 3 - One thousandths 4 - One thousandths 5 - One thousandths If your door closers without slamming and there is "positive latching", your closer is doing its job. If it slams sooner or closers later, Call your local SOPL Locksmith to receive professional advice and service to make the proper adjustments. Members of he Society of Professional Locksmiths participate in continuing education and professional development programs.
National and local news stories have described many consumers being taken advantage of by scam operations when they use Internet search engines or Yellow Page advertising to locate a locksmith to help them when locked out. The Society of Professional Locksmiths suggests consumers eliminate the use of at least one key operated lock on their home and replace it with a mechanical push button lock (PBL). Lose the keys and you lose weight! Consumers no longer need to carry a key ring, and will never need to use the Internet or yellow Pages in search of someone to get them in their homes. It's like shedding your clothes with a naked sense of freedom. So instead of having your fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages or pecking away at your smart phones, just let your fingers open your door! This simple solution guarantees consumers peace of mind that they will never be scammed or ripped off by those posing as professional locksmiths. These mechanical push button locks are a quick and easy upgrade to your existing doors and require no special add-on, power source or recurring costs. Reasonably priced, cost effective and durable, these PBL's are a consumers best option. If you would like to lose some weight and protect yourself from getting scammed, call your local SOPL Locksmith to receive professional advice and service, but please have your clothes on! Members of he Society of Professional Locksmiths participate in continuing education and professional development programs.
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