Texas Showdown – Locksmith License Reform Opportunity

7/18/2012

In recent months someone in NY State attempted to sneak through one of those "model" locksmith licensing bills. The same "models" that have caused damage to many hardworking locksmiths in other states. The excuses being used to push this agenda by a minority group are all over the map. The most recent excuses is that licensing will stop what has been reported as scams against the consumers.

The facts show that in the states where locksmiths have been licensed, that it has had zero impact on stopping any scams and has only served to harm the hardworking locksmiths who have done nothing wrong. The Society of Professional Locksmiths and other educated professionals intervened in the NY Assembly review of these model bills. The NYS Assembly killed these bills after being educated to the facts and hidden agendas of those supporting them.

During this intervention a proposal was presented that addressed a solution to the concerns of consumer protection and identifying the Good Actors (locksmiths) and the Bad Actors (undocumented foreign nationals posing as locksmith). The identity issue was presented since it was being used as the latest excuse of the day justifying the need for licensing and continued education requirements. I never understood how identifying a person had much to do with continuing education until I examined the source of the excuse, who has a financial stake in forcing such regulations. At the end of the day, and after listening to all the nonsense random excuses used to see which will stick, the only one that is relevant is the idea of identification.

Every Good Actor is willing to identify themselves. Bad Actors hide in the dark and those who hide in the dark do so for evil purposes. Ask any person who desires to be a locksmith or participate in this industry and they will be more then willing to come forward and identify themselves as such. Bad Actors won't do this. So the solution to all the craziness is pretty easy and cost effective. So much so that several NYS Assemblymen/women got it and backed off the damaging licensing act others were trying to pass. But as always the misinformed chest beaters are once again giving it a 3rd try.

Luckily, the proposal that the Society made to those educated individuals in NY seems to be getting traction and there are similar proposals surfacing around the country.

Texas Revolt?

Texas for example there is actually an opportunity for the locksmiths to make recommendations to change the existing law. Can you imagine? The Good Actors are being given a chance to change things only after they took a kick in the teeth and many suffered. But this is an opportunity so it should be taken and taken seriously. If the locksmiths of Texas do not participate and do not engage this shot at fixing the things that are harming them, then shame on them and they will deserve what they get.

A locksmith in Texas by the name of T.F. Stern has put out the word on such an opportunity. After receiving an email from a attorney with the Institute for Justice, he began to alert other locksmiths in the state. "T.F." is a retired City of Houston police officer, self-employed Texas Locksmith License B12254, and gifted political and social commentator. His popular and insightful blog, T.F. Sterns Rantings , has been up and at it since January of 2005. He is also the Senior Editor of the The Moral Liberal – www.moralliberal.com

The Society of Professional Locksmiths supports Mr. Stern’s observations and recommendations regarding costs, continuing education, and simplicity. In addition the SOPL supports his recommendation to participate in shaping future legislation as pertain to the locksmith industry. He suggests sending recommended changes in policies which regulate locksmith licensing in the State of Texas to The Texas Red Tape Challenge, a project arm of House Government Efficiency & Reform Committee, which will accept suggestions from all members of the locksmith industry until July 31, 2012.

The Society of Professional Locksmiths National Solution

The Society of Professional Locksmiths proposes a “registration” of companies and individuals engaged in the locksmith industry and or related sales/services. The Society does not endorse licensing or regulations that place undue burdens and/or unjustifiable requirements on members of the trade. We believe this solution provides a much more reasonable and effective solution for everyone.

It is our position that "registration" will be accepted by the locksmiths, particularly if it provides registration for anyone and everyone who possesses the tools and equipment, practices the skills, or are individuals involved in the locksmith industry, and those who provide related services. This requires everyone from a student in the craft, retirees, hobbyists to business owners, their staff, and other service and retail companies to come forward and register with State Consumer Protection agencies and be identified and listed in an accessible database. No exception or exemptions. A reasonable fee can be included for this registry to cover the cost of maintaining these records not to exceed the current charges applied for individuals applying for a driver’s license or renewal of a driver’s license.

When you analyze just how many locksmiths are in any given state, the cost to support actual licensing enforcement or compliance does not make sense, and is not self-supporting over the long run. This will become a burden on our already struggling state budgets. Registration, as the Society is presenting, would remedy this and encompass many more individuals who currently operate without oversight under current licensing exemptions. This type of registration can easily be implemented and accelerated through every state DMV that has already confirmed identity and photo identification.

Drivers Licenses can quickly be marked to provide such verification. A “code” included on that document, no different then a code for having correctional lenses or a code to indicate the ability to operate a motorcycle. This would save the states considerable expense and simplify implementation of this proposal while reducing paperwork.

The idea of demanding a certain level of education is subjective, and the state consumer protection agencies are more interested in knowing who is who, than trying to handle the broad spectrum of skill sets that the marketplace dictates. The registration can also serve as a resource for the residents of each state to locate a person in the craft by county and registered status. State consumer protection officials could then offer an actual webpage which identifies who is "registered" and it would become more relevant than the current gaming of the internet search engines, yellow pages, etc.

The Society of Professional Locksmiths has spoken with several locksmiths across the country and they agree that a reasonable "registration" is far more beneficial than licensing that has been proven to be a failure, and particularly when it has been shown that the existing “model” of legislation used in several states has had a negative effect on businesses and their bottom line.

31 Comments

Gene Ballew

7/18/2012 11:13:07

Thank You! Keep pushing!

Brian Kessler

7/18/2012 11:19:03

This sounds like a pretty common sense approach to me.

Donald Milton

7/18/2012 15:15:57

"Anything you can do, I can do better." lol. Two problems with the SOPL proposal; #1, The idiots in Washington have no business in our business. The proposal, in order to be acceptable to me, would have to be done with a consensus of locksmiths WITHIN a particular state. A state choice, #2, Based on my experience is lobbying the legislature for 10 years on behalf of Florida Prosecutor's legislative goals, objectives, and objections, IF YOU CAN KEEP THE CAMEL'S NOSE OUT OF THE TENT, that is the very best thing. Once government has it's nose under our tent, it's easier to stretch in and bring it down on top of us. Ask the average locksmith in Alabama and, apparently, in Texas.

The Society of Professional Locksmiths link

7/20/2012 02:35:01

The SOPL is not trying to do better in what others have screwed up.

This is a response to the questions asked by those who have been approached to pass licensing or who are now reviewing the mess they allowed to happen. They wish to know "what's the plan".

The minority group that is thrusting these regulatory measures on the unsuspecting locksmiths ( because they are not notified of these bills) do not have a plan other then to simply "say" licensing is needed. No impact studies are done, no facts are presented to show the benefits, harm or otherwise. It is simple whining and political pandering to restrain trade.

In other-words, these people are creating the drama with no substance.

They continue to make claims that licensing in "other" areas has stopped the "scammers". This is not true and is a blatant and deceptive lie. The SOPL does not support unreasonable regulation and this is not a regulatory proposal and no camels nose will be in anyone's tent, but I get your point.

Thanks for your post.

Danny Gurvis link

7/19/2012 08:46:26

The only licensing that works is where the trade polices itself. Sure using a PERC card or similar but without tye industry doing more to police itself....it is all moot.

The only licensing that should be brought in is restricting manufacturers and distributors from selling clearly locksmith tools and machinery to anyone other than a peer recognized locksmith.

You cannot license the individual. You must force the consumer to use licensed players. The only way to do this is to license the tools and parts, not the person. Anyone can use a screwdriver. Anyone can use a wrench. Anyone can wire up a plug. But only peer licensed tradespeople can get local government approval and sign off prior to occupancy.

For some reason this talk just keeps going in circles. Stop wasting resources on discussing about licensing people and start talking about licensing the suppliers only.

You want to protect the trade? Force the suppliers to comply. There really is no other choice.

7/20/2012 02:41:27

There are many choices that's the issue. The SOPL is not discussing licensing people, the opposite is true. We are openly presenting a solution which has broad benefits which we will also present shortly. You don't see those causing all these problems being transparent and open!

Thanks for your post, keep it up. This is a good discussion.

Ken Bess

7/19/2012 09:29:18

I think that Tom's idea of using our driver license to register as a locksmith has merit. My state has no license requirement for locksmiths for which I am glad. I also have been in contact with my state legislator to try and get this done.
How would suppliers verify anyone as a locksmith when no state license is required? Scammers know how to get the supplies they need to do their dirty deeds.
There are too many regulations on businesses now and the added cost of making suppliers license tools and parts is not the answer.

Bob

7/19/2012 12:26:21

Thanks Tom for trying to combat the lunacy of Locksmith Licensing. I am an unlicensed locksmith who could (should) have been "Grandfathered" in when the legislation was introduced. However, I soon tired of the changes that were made to the original legislation which placed more requirements to what was originally proposed. Now it seems that the legislation has no teeth since there is no one who really enforces it.
Your proposal of Locksmith Registration makes more sense to me than the fiasco that has evolved in the state where I practice.

7/19/2012 12:58:49

I agree with the SOPL. It makes sense to me to be identified as a legitimate locksmith however that be. My concern is with ALOA being a part of the push for licensing and the "flaming hoops" that non ALOA members (and even some of their own) will have to go through to be considered legal. They're gonna cost everyone a lot of money to benefit them and the larger businesses. It's not good for the small mom and pop businesses.

Glenn Younger link

7/19/2012 13:09:39

Interesting ideas.
What we have currently in our state (CA)is just registration. Since there is no knowledge or training required, it amounts to only registration. Nothing wrong with that, but it will work as a case study of what will happen in other states.

Not much, since there is little to no enforcement, and there will be llittle change in the future without a major funding increase.

The only reason that the drivers license law works is that every law enforcement person in the country helps enforce it. The money generated by issuing the license does not come close to covering the cost of the overhead (remember this is a government agency we are talking about). So the cost of registering locks smith is going to need to be at least $110 a person, and also we'll need to register each and every business too.

The check off on the drivers license is a good idea but politically will be impossible to make happen. The DMV in every state is a major power that hates being told what to do. Good idea but not happening.

States requiring registration is a step in the right direction, and I like it.

I am confused about how the current licensing or registration has hurt any locksmith. Many people want to be able to call themselves a locksmith, but do not want regulation. Does not make sense to me at all.

After working as a locksmith since 1970, I became licensed by the state of California as a locksmith in 2005. I had to pay $50 fora 2 year license, give finger prints and not be a felon. Than is it.

If that is too much, then it may be that some people do not deserve the title "Locksmith" Just my opinion.

7/20/2012 03:48:18

Glad to see you return Glenn. We lost you in the field of crickets in the other blog post called - Are You A Professional.

California has for a long time pounded its chest that they have a "licenses", not a registration. To try to water it down now is interesting.

The registration proposed by the SOPL is not intended to be treated as California and others have treated "licensing". Why is it that California seems to think that everything that occurs elsewhere is the result of their actions? Are you implying that the New York based SOPL proposal to use state DMV offices for the purpose of registration is now California inspired?

So if there is no enforcement, why did California implement the license? If money is the issue why not increases the cost of the licenses you all have now? Maybe if California increased the cost to $10,000 each license that would help. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. But this is what this nonsense has created and it serves only the larger operations while stamping out smaller competition.

You say - The only reason that the drivers license law works is that every law enforcement person in the country helps enforce it.

I say – EXACTLY! Along with several other benefits.

As far as overhead – there is no overhead with this proposal and no additional cost beyond simple processing like any other amendment to a person’s drivers license. The only possible added step would be the idea of an online database for consumers. How did you come up with the $110? It is not a lot of money but I am just curious.

Now why do you think doing this would be impossible? It is not impossible for someone to have a code applied to indicate correctional lenses or motorcycle use. Why politically impossible?

I disagree and so does some of the NYS Assembly who have reviewed this proposal and like it. Remember – this is not California. :):):)

I am glad you like this proposal, there appears to be common ground developing and that’s a good thing. But seriously, how can you not understand what damage has been done? Before I lay out the damages, I will ask that you lay out the benefits and improvements. Deal?

I agree that those who are engaged in the craft do wish to be identified and not have regulation. So what does not make sense??

You ran for 35 years and there was no problem.

As far as the title using the phrase “locksmith”, it appears those who caused all this mess with licensing are now running away from using the phrase to describe their organization. Go figure!

Once again Glenn….welcome back to the blog, hopefully your post will not be a hit and run.

Your post and viewpoints are appreciated.

Mike

7/19/2012 17:23:16

As of 2004 we are licensed in New Jersey. That is the biggest joke going. We are supposed to be self policing, yeah right. I have reported two locksmiths who are not licenced and they continue to work and ride around with their marked vans. Why am I paying for a license, getting a background check and having to classes to get 36 credit hours every three years? They don't so why should I?

I told the state in a phone conversation that I should just let my license expire and work as an unlicensed locksmith. They said you can't do that you will be subject to fine. See once you are licensed and then your not they got a record of you. Those who never were just go on their merry way.

So my phone is not ringing because other two guys are taking jobs away from me and their not even supposed to be working in the field.
This state sucks.

7/19/2012 17:53:39

Licensing is here to stay for those who have already gotten their license. If you havent applied for a license....there is no record of you, so you are not subjected to the same rules as those who are licensed.

Try letting your license expire....I dare you!

For the few companies or customers who care enough to demand their professional be licensed....there are multitudes of thousands who dont care.

This is the express reason that if licensing was to occur and be useful in any way....it should be as a requirement to purchase the tools of the trade. Without the tools you cannot ply the trade....simple as that.

This is the principal reason I suggest that licensing needs to be peer approved and regulated and force the suppliers to only sell industry tools and machinery to peer licensed professionals. That includes all institutional locksmiths as well.

I am not interested in having one license for a company and also individual licenses for every tradesperson. It should be the tradesperson only that needs the license. If a company wants to add locksmithing toi their inventory of services, then to be able to purchase the necessary tools of trade, they should be required to employ a licensed locksmith. Then and only then is a supplier allowed to sell those tools to that company.

David R. Hamman

7/21/2012 17:34:35

Your idea is circular in reasoning. Who is going to control suppliers? It is a unrealistic mirage. Suppliers permeate the internet, etc. It goes back to the initial issue. Who is going to oversee and enforce regulations relating to locksmiths? Realistic Answer: No one Who is going to enforce regulations relating to suppliers? Realistic Answer: No one Do you see serious enforcement of any kind of laws these days? Even the Federal government has made it clear that it refuses to enforce immigration laws which are a far more serious threat to national security. You need to find a way for natural consequences to over rule [ie. public to be more educated, natural causes that make it less desirable for the scammers to operate, etc.]

7/22/2012 02:11:28

The initial issue was and continues to be "identity", that's it.

This is what was initially and continues to be broadcast as the concern. Everything else is being used as a smoke screen to push licensing. Forget enforcement, there will be no centralized enforcement and you are 100% correct.

You make great points. I like the "natural consequences" thing. This is what the registration proposal alternative offers. By natural consequence anyone who engaged by any authority at anytime would be identified as a person engaged in this trade. This could happen from a cop on a traffic stop who sees bypass tools to a building inspector....who knows. But the identity issue is resolved and it is done without unreasonable regulatory interference.

Please understand this proposal was born are a result of needing to respond with an "alternative" to those pimping the unreasonable licensing agendas. It is not intended to be a licensing or regulatory hammer.

Educating the consumer is valuable but as we see in all the news media reporting, there is intentional manipulation to claim that only certain locksmiths should be contacted who belong to certain organizations. The news reports such are AARP article "Locksmith Scams on the Rise" are intentionally misleading or ignorant and do not serve the locksmith industry as a whole well.

http://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-06-2012/locksmith-scams-on-the-rise.html

The provided news report intended to educate the consumers resulted in further damage as seen in the Sacramento Bee -

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/07/01/4602519/public-eye-locksmith-scam-preys.html

The result of the consumer education from advocates pushing the licensing and control agenda towards their organization (ALOA) has now resulted in the consumers being told that if you as a professional locksmith needs to drill a lock (which is a skillset taught as a locksmith and often needed) you are a scammer and should be dismissed.

If you read the articles more closely you will also see that "price fixing" is being expressed as well as a complete lie that scams are generated by 1-800 toll free numbers which even members of the ALOA Scammer Task Force admit is not accurate.

The point is that consumer education to date by the media and others has been as shamefully deceptive and unethical as the scams themselves. the consumers have a responsibility of their own and it is called - Caveat Emptor.

The consumer also has the power of Caveat Venditor. Look it up.

The bottom line is that the media coverage is being manipulated by those pushing the licensing agenda and they do it dishonestly and to put it bluntly, they are stupid.

I challenge those who expressed to the media that if a locksmith wants to drill a lock he is a scammer. I also challenge them to pick a lock (my choice of locks) in the field anytime or after hours in real conditions and do so without the need for drilling and not to exceed $100 as they have now claimed to be the price ceiling,

By nature of their idea of educating the consumer, all their members are actually scammers since no locksmith can pick every lock and strategic drilling is needed at times. All their members must also be scammers since ALOA utilizes a 1-800 number, and now their members cannot charge more than $100 for a service no matter what the situation.

I don't think this is the kind of consumer education this industry needs and not be those who are doing it.

Great posting David, please continue to contribute!

7/22/2012 02:50:03

By the way...in order to keep things upfront, the SOPL did have a conversation with Sid Kirchheimer regarding the AARP article and in the Sacramento BEE article there were some adjustments to address the hardworking Good Actors and pricing, although pricing should never be reported since it is subjective the to the situation at the time of service.

Sid was a reasonable and approachable person and understood the position of the SOPL and regretted not seeking input from this source prior to article release.

Glenn Younger

7/20/2012 12:38:14

Here is what my state is doing, not saying that it is right or wrong, just what is happening. The limitation on only being able to regulate those who are registered or licensed has gone away. That ability to enforce only those who were licensed has been updated to give the enforcement power over anyone who SHOULD be licensed.

We are beginning to see some enforcement of scam locksmiths, but often the toughest laws are ones that can be enforced by the Employment Department, the State Contractors License Board, the Workers Compensation Board, the sales tax dept, the income tax dept and others. There is a joint task force that can cross enforce and get the same outlaw with several different violations. Turns out that people who don't register as locksmiths, also don't;
have workers comp, pay their sales tax, withhold income taxes, have a contractors license, have auto insurance, have drivers licenses, etc. So when they find someone who does not do the minimum required to become a registered trades person, there are lots of other laws they break too.

Since we have all of the stuff required by the state and federal government, and I've paid out the money for it, I'd like to compete with others who have done so as well.

We still need better enforcement; the question is: How to we write better laws, or enforce the ones we have already?

What we have is not working very well. I can give up and do nothing, whine about what we have, or work to make it better. I'll keep trying to improve things. Make it easy for the good guys, and harder for the bad guys. That is what I want to do.

I still don't see where it has gotten hard for good, law abiding, honest and hard working people to be registered or licensed.

7/20/2012 12:38:20

7/20/2012 12:44:11

On the drivers license check off idea:
I think that this is a great idea. I totally support!

I just know how hard it was to get organ donor check off enacted at the state level in Colorado. That was worked on that for over 10 years, and it was not until every other state around us did it, that it got even a hearing.

The DMV in most states are tough. they are a politically powerful dept. They can do anything if they think it's their idea. So hopefully some progressive state will take up the cause, and we'll all benefit. Who can that this idea an make it happen?

Grantly

7/20/2012 14:39:58

Hi Tom
You need some control standard, If it open to anyone who has tools it open to scammers

We have great locksmith laws in Western Australia and no scammers

7/20/2012 15:09:52

Keep in mind Grant, identity of the registrants would be exposed and identity is what the true issue is.

Also keep in mind that here in the U.S. there are so many exemptions given to other groups, retailers, and more that at the end of the day, the only persons being regulated are the Good Actors (Locksmiths) who have done nothing wrong. Try to think of it in this way....at the end of the day the only individuals considered not to be trust worthy are the Good Actors! All others are exempt.

Large retailers and others are not being given a wide berth to steam roll right over the hardworking Mom & Pops. We have institutional locksmiths doing "side work" in the domain of the entrepreneur without reciprocity. Students are being prevented from growing into our field due to regulatory barriers that are too high or restrictive.

A local NJ Police Office who had a contractors license, was prevented from obtaining a locksmith license because he was told he must work for a locksmith for a period of time (years among other requirements he already had as a law enforcement officer). He pointed out something I never even considered and it was valid. What if the locksmiths "use" these people and cut them loose before the required requirement in order to control competition. He would then be in a perpetual holding pattern and restrained from growing into a mature self sufficient entrepreneur.

The list goes on. This proposal we offer has benefit which I will articulate shortly. Glenn Younger pointed out one such benefit.

If everyone stays focused on the "identity" and the inclusion of all those previously granted exemptions, then the registration numbers would be much larger and individuals more transparent.

Would Bad Actors do this? Maybe not, but if they do, then the main concern of the issue wouldn't be an issue anymore and if they conduct themselves as Bad Actors then they can be identified. Easy stuff!

Scammers have been identified as "undocumented foreign nationals". If they are undocumented, then they wouldn't get passed DMV.

Yes, I am aware of your licensing but here in the U.S. we have plenty of laws to address issues and we do not need another tax or crazy regulatory burden to crush the hardworking entrepreneurs.

Thank you for your post, keep them coming!

Carl Fleming

7/20/2012 16:42:47

I am for the idea of idenity so that things can be controlled and the scammers eliminated. Keep up the good work, if I can help, give me a shout

7/20/2012 16:53:03

Consider joining the Society!

7/21/2012 17:49:02

Okay, so you have a registered name. So who is going to verify that it is correct and legitimate, and how is that going to protect someone who gets scammed by a registered name? Look at Barack Obama. He was inaugurated to the position of President of the United States of America, and no one in authority is willing to check to to see if he has a legitimate birth certificate verifying he was actually born in Honolulu. If it actually existed, we could send experts to view it, but it obviously doesn't exist, and no one in authority seems to care. So if they don't care about verifying the identity of the POTUS, why would they care about the identity of a peon locksmith?

7/22/2012 02:41:23

The Department of Motor Vehicle requires several forms of identification as with any transaction. If the forms of identification someone presents to them is not legitimate it is considered identity fraud and it is actionable. In addition the reporting process of such a thing if you believe this has happened is resolved by submitting a simple form to DMV to investigate.

How will this protect someone who gets scammed? Good Question.

It won't! Can you point out where licensing has protected someone who gets scammed? No, you cannot because if someone "got" scammed it is after the fact and someone scamming is going to do no matter what. Nothing can stop someone from getting scammed other then the consumer themselves.

But let's assume someone who is registered as you ask is "perceived" to have scammed someone. All it takes is to review the list of registered Good Actors (which has a photo image from DMV) and the consumer can "IDENTIFY" the person to address the issue.

Simple stuff.

If a consumer wants to see who they are calling out to do a job, they go to the registry and look at them. If another person shows up they can ask for their ID and look to see if they have the proper code on it. If not, say good bye and get someone else.

But we all know the consumer or the majority don't take the effort. So who is to blame? I do my research before hiring a contractor, and I also tell service providers to get lost when I think they are trying to hustle me or scam me - don't you?

If the failed licensing laws and continued agenda to force them on the locksmiths who have done nothing wrong did not exist then this proposal would not exist since it would not be needed. But now that those who are misleading everyone continue to harm the industry, an alternative has been presented.

Which choice seems better to you? Licensing or Registration, they are not the same thing.

Great discussions going on, keep it up! your voice and your opinion matter and minds can change as well as proposals!

Thanks David!

Join the SOPL Today!

Barbara Haiss Martin, The Locksmith Investigator

7/24/2012 10:39:05

Wow! What wonderful back and forth dialog on such an important issue. I think I read just about every post.

It’s been more than a year since I wrote anything for my The Locksmith Investigator blog and two years since my 3-part investigative series exposed how the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) tried to force locksmith regulations in the state of Florida for their own benefit.

Things have been pretty quiet here in Florida, especially since the citizens elected a pro-business governor and representatives. My family is no longer in the locksmithing business – sons are on to other careers and my husband, John, retired from locksmithing some time ago.

Even though I may not be writing about locksmithing right now, I did want to share a couple of items I remember from interviews with locksmiths and others that might add to the conversation – things I don’t think I included when I was writing the blog.
1. I interviewed a locksmith from Nebraska who said that they are required to go to the local police department (or county sheriff’s office) and just register as a locksmith at a cost of $5. I remember thinking that was reasonable. Law enforcement would then know who was operating in their community and it didn’t cost an arm and a leg to register. I believe the $5 was for processing fingerprints. I thought it was a great alternative to licensing but didn’t promote it because shortly after that I had interviewed John Berlau, policy analyst with the Competitive Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C. and he advocated against any kind of licensing or registration and he was pretty convincing. You can read that article here: http://locksmithinvestigator.blogspot.com/2010/03/national-policy-expert-gives-pending.html

2. The idea about regulating suppliers would probably not work because one source I interviewed stated that these large organized “locksmith-posing” syndicates had already started their own supply houses so they already had access to locksmith tools years ago.

Keep up the good work, Tom. Your idea has great merit. Maybe give some consideration to how it might work on the local instead of state level. Some locksmiths would have to register in more than one county, but most don’t go out of a 30-mile radius. If you have time, call Berlau and bounce your ideas off of him. He analyzes these types of issues daily and may have some additional input that would benefit the locksmith community. You can contact him at the institute at 202-331-1010.

Steve Phillips

7/25/2012 12:03:05

does this include, Monday's, Burn's, Diebold, builders supply companies???

Jim Rich link

8/26/2012 06:45:29

Licensing and registration appear to be very limited in their effectiveness to deter scammers.
Taking into account the abysmal enforcement of licensing, education of the public to their benefits would be imperative. That would take an incredible amount of money to educate the public to the need and the danger. Think the advertising budget of McDonalds.
In our state the Florist had the same type of problem. Ten years ago the State passed a law forbidding the use of remote call forward numbers if the location being called was not local.
Now when you look for a Florist in a phone book or on the internet only local Florists are listed with local numbers. The "scam" Florists must use 800 numbers not local numbers.
If a consumer is dumb enough to contract work with a “Locksmith” that has only a 800 number then they are just asking to be scammed.
I submit that this type of legislation may be effective, at least until the scam artists come up with a way around it.

8/26/2012 06:56:15

So you are saying that the legitimate and professional company 1-800-UNLOCKS are a scammer company, right?

I suggest you be a little more careful with your choice of words , Mr Akin!

8/26/2012 06:56:26

8/26/2012 10:13:57

I have done an internet search; we do not have any representatives of 1-800-UNLOCKS in our area so I do not have any knowledge of the company or of those that dispatch under their identity.
Many hundreds of sites that represent themselves in the same manner ARE scam artists. That is unfortunate that the business model has been hijacked by the scammers.
Our government is unwilling or unable to protect citizens from this type of fraud therefore the remedies that may work become more draconian. For the overall welfare of the innocent citizens something must be done that may not be to everyone’s best interest. The good of the many outweighs the interest of the few.
Please come up with an effective way to curb the scam artists, I said effective, I will be happy to sign on. In the mean time I haven't seen any proposal yet that makes a dent in their enterprise.
I was not aware there were ANY legitimate Locksmiths that were operating under a nationwide dispatch. If that is a legitimate company then I apologize, but look objectively on the net and see how many are similar that are scam sites.

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Texas Showdown – Locksmith License Reform Opportunity

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