Are Locksmiths Trustworthy?

[Trip]

Was thinking it would be nice to ask this under another handle, but since that's against the rules, LOL, let's say "I have a friend with a problem." Let's say my friend lives in a condo that's not very old, but it's about that time in the warranties when things are starting to break, and since the neighbors are starting to see the same problems, you know it's just the poor quality of some of the materials builders use these days. Well, let's say my friend and her neighbors are starting to have problems with the locks on their doors because they are getting kinda stripped. Well, since my friend is a dunce when it comes to fixing things in her house (ala sinks, etc.), she needs to call someone to either fix the door, or change the lock.

How would my friend know whether to trust a locksmith, which is even worse than trusting some stranger fixing the plumbing? I mean, won't that person now have carte blanche if they happen to be a perv? Do those of you in law enforcement have any advice for my friend as to #1) how often (if at all) do locksmiths putting new locks on your door turn out to be criminal, and #2) what can you do ensure this person hasn't just kept a key for himself to your new door.

Sorry for such a long post. Theoretical questions can get long, lol. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

[retdetsgt]

Check either the BBB or Angie's List. And no, not all are trustworthy. I've found Angie's List to be great in finding people to do work for me. They don't take advertising money ( like Consumer Reports) and don't really charge that much for subscriptions. But they are rated by people who actually use their services. I've found a great computer guy, rug cleaner and a guy to lay some linoleum. All had excellent ratings and I found them to be very good, plus reasonable.

[Trip]

Thanks, RDS When you say not all are trustworthy, were you talking about from a theft standpoint, or assault standpoint? I would think my female friend is more concerned about her personal safety than even about losing her material things.

[QldCop]

I have never known any issues with Locksmiths... We call them out from time to time to help get into a house for work reasons.
Could be like anyone you have in your house to do work, plumber, electrician, etc... Most of the workers i have come across have been very good at their jobs and also with the way that they operate.
Like most things in today's society unfortunately, you just have to be mindful of anyone you have in your home.
With most good workers you can normally get some feedback on previous work done?
Well you can here that is!!

[Trip]

Thanks, QldCop. Good feedback. Actually the quality of work is always exceptional when I hire someone to fix something. It's just that I can't help but think if I were a perv, being a locksmith would be a great profession....or is that just my Patricia Cornwell mind running wild? I do have quite an imagination, lol.

Have a great day over there half way around the world MYYATE.

[QldCop]

Have a great day over there half way around the world MYYATE. [/QUOTE]

Nice Aussie verbals there Trip!!!
Be careful, other Aussie traits might rub off on ya...

[QldCop]

My BOSS, i mean wife, thinks the same way as you do with workers in the house...
And by the way, nice try with the accent!!! "MYYATE"

Good Day to you too...

[retdetsgt]

Thanks, RDS When you say not all are trustworthy, were you talking about from a theft standpoint, or assault standpoint? I would think my female friend is more concerned about her personal safety than even about losing her material things.

Theft. Anyone can go to locksmith school and few states have any standards for them operating.

The best thing is for her to get a friend that is a little handy to replace the locks. It's not that hard, you can do it with a screwdriver. And you can buy new locks at any hardware store. Home Depot has all sorts of them.

[Trip]

Theft. Anyone can go to locksmith school and few states have any standards for them operating.

The best thing is for her to get a friend that is a little handy to replace the locks. It's not that hard, you can do it with a screwdriver. And you can buy new locks at any hardware store. Home Depot has all sorts of them.

Well, actually, I know she's pretty good with a screwdriver cause she was telling me how she replaced her faucets, but that the screws are probably not as tight as they should be, which is why she didn't want to chance doing the lock herself, given how much more important it is to do the job 100% right on a lock. Also she's deployed elsewhere a lot so she really doesn't have any friends in the area, except for me, and I'm even worse with screwdrivers than she is.

[Trip]

Have a great day over there half way around the world MYYATE.

Nice Aussie verbals there Trip!!!
Be careful, other Aussie traits might rub off on ya... [/QUOTE]

That would be ok with me, QCop; I can't think of one thing I don't like about Aussies

My BOSS, i mean wife, thinks the same way as you do with workers in the house...
And by the way, nice try with the accent!!! "MYYATE"



Good Day to you too...

Your boss has a brilliant sense of intuition I know I've learned that if I don't listen to mine, it surely comes back to bite me.

[1depd]

Well, actually, I know she's pretty good with a screwdriver cause she was telling me how she replaced her faucets, but that the screws are probably not as tight as they should be, which is why she didn't want to chance doing the lock herself, given how much more important it is to do the job 100% right on a lock. Also she's deployed elsewhere a lot so she really doesn't have any friends in the area, except for me, and I'm even worse with screwdrivers than she is.

Replacing a lock is about the simplest fixes in a house. It is literally unscrew the old one and screw in the new one. If she thinks she can do it, but doesn't think she can get the screws tight enough, tell her to buy either an electric screwdriver or a variable speed drill. Neither are very expensive and will probably be cheaper than a locksmith. If she is unsure have her remove one of the door knobs inside her condo and reinstall it. They go in pretty much the same way as the ones on the exterior door.

[retdetsgt]

Replacing a lock is about the simplest fixes in a house. It is literally unscrew the old one and screw in the new one.

+1

Usually it's two screws holding the lock in the door. Take them out and the lock falls off into two halves. Get the two new halves, put one on the outside of the door, one on the inside and then screw them together.

They don't have to be super tight, just enough they won't work loose. If that's a big fear, buy some Lock-Tite and put on them.

That way no one comes to here house and she has the only keys.

[Trip]

Replacing a lock is about the simplest fixes in a house. It is literally unscrew the old one and screw in the new one. If she thinks she can do it, but doesn't think she can get the screws tight enough, tell her to buy either an electric screwdriver or a variable speed drill. Neither are very expensive and will probably be cheaper than a locksmith. If she is unsure have her remove one of the door knobs inside her condo and reinstall it. They go in pretty much the same way as the ones on the exterior door.

+1

Usually it's two screws holding the lock in the door. Take them out and the lock falls off into two halves. Get the two new halves, put one on the outside of the door, one on the inside and then screw them together.

They don't have to be super tight, just enough they won't work loose. If that's a big fear, buy some Lock-Tite and put on them.

That way no one comes to here house and she has the only keys.

Brilliant!! You guys are brilliant!! I will tell her that. That way only SHE has a copy of the keys, and there's no worry as to whether someone else MAY have a copy. Awesome you guys! Thanks.

[Trip]

Thanks, 1depd. I've never seen you on the forum, but I sure appreciate your being on the day I happened to ask this question~ Thank ya, sir.

[Joeyd6]

In most states you just can't go to school and call yourself a locksmith. You have to get licensed which is handled by the state. And in the northeast, you can't get a license if you have a criminal record. OPen the phone book and take a look for a shop that has been around with showroom/store you can visit. VISIT them and ask if they are licesned AND insured. Get proof if its not hanging on the wall. Then you can make a wise choice and I am sure you will be fine.