I’ve noticed the trend for years; but this week’s update which landed in my email only backed up something that’s been bothering me, the Associated Locksmiths of America no longer represents the locksmith industry. The ALOA needs to update; maybe call their group, Alarm Specialists and Surveillance Camera Installers; but they don’t even bother to mention locksmith work anymore in articles sent out to locksmiths.
What would you think if your newsletter contained the following articles? The Legal Side: Alarm Licensing Questions, Security Cameras Can “See” a lot More These Days, Security-softwear Market Shrugs Off Economy, Banks Fight Robberies with New Policies Camera Positions, Survey: Most Small Businesses Expect to Grow in 09 and Small Business Road to Recovery: Choosing a Location. There was mention of a contest to see which locksmith had the best looking mobile shop and a sign up form for the next locksmith convention.
Several years ago I wrote my thoughts on what was happening to the locksmith industry, What’s a Locksmith , the change from mechanical operations to electronic. I never imagined the locksmith industry would become overly weighed down by alarm servicing, remote camera installations and computer access systems which, if you consider the word “Locksmith”, a key part of the definition of this industry; then none of the other branches really fall within the scope of locksmith work.
I knew a fellow here in Houston a long time ago with a shop on the north side of town outside a major shopping mall. He’d cut duplicate keys for folks and every now and again he’d rekey a dead bolt or knob if the customer brought it in; but he was an all purpose handy man business in actuality. He sharpened knives, scissors, saw blades and lawnmower blades most of the time since that’s what folks paid him to do; but he called himself a locksmith because it looked or sounded better than “blade sharpener”.
I’ve another friend who really is a locksmith; does all aspects of the business to include light industrial, residential and automotive on occasion. I talked with him not too long ago, mostly to see how the company he works for was doing in this sluggish economy; he works for a shop where there are several “outside locksmiths”. There was a hesitation in his response, a marked disappointment regarding the type of work which filled most of his days. He no longer was servicing locks; instead he was running wire for control systems and remote cameras. It paid well; but it wasn’t what he’d “signed up for”, as he put it.
I guess it boils down to priorities; the Associated Locksmiths of America no longer has locksmith work at the top of their list. That spot’s being held by the more general and all encompassing “Security” industry. I’ve nothing against folks who enjoy installing wiring for cameras, hook up security systems to computers and the like; but pardon me for bringing up, the glaring fact is none of that is locksmith work. Maybe they could be the Associated Security Specialists; but who wants to pay their dues to ASS; that would be asinine.
Here’s a picture of me hand filing an impression key at the back of my service truck; taken a few years back, before I shaved off my facial hair. I don’t claim to have the “Best Locksmith Truck”, not by any stretch of the imagination; but it works well for me, everything is laid out in such a way as to be accessible from the outside.
What would you think if your newsletter contained the following articles? The Legal Side: Alarm Licensing Questions, Security Cameras Can “See” a lot More These Days, Security-softwear Market Shrugs Off Economy, Banks Fight Robberies with New Policies Camera Positions, Survey: Most Small Businesses Expect to Grow in 09 and Small Business Road to Recovery: Choosing a Location. There was mention of a contest to see which locksmith had the best looking mobile shop and a sign up form for the next locksmith convention.
Several years ago I wrote my thoughts on what was happening to the locksmith industry, What’s a Locksmith , the change from mechanical operations to electronic. I never imagined the locksmith industry would become overly weighed down by alarm servicing, remote camera installations and computer access systems which, if you consider the word “Locksmith”, a key part of the definition of this industry; then none of the other branches really fall within the scope of locksmith work.
I knew a fellow here in Houston a long time ago with a shop on the north side of town outside a major shopping mall. He’d cut duplicate keys for folks and every now and again he’d rekey a dead bolt or knob if the customer brought it in; but he was an all purpose handy man business in actuality. He sharpened knives, scissors, saw blades and lawnmower blades most of the time since that’s what folks paid him to do; but he called himself a locksmith because it looked or sounded better than “blade sharpener”.
I’ve another friend who really is a locksmith; does all aspects of the business to include light industrial, residential and automotive on occasion. I talked with him not too long ago, mostly to see how the company he works for was doing in this sluggish economy; he works for a shop where there are several “outside locksmiths”. There was a hesitation in his response, a marked disappointment regarding the type of work which filled most of his days. He no longer was servicing locks; instead he was running wire for control systems and remote cameras. It paid well; but it wasn’t what he’d “signed up for”, as he put it.
I guess it boils down to priorities; the Associated Locksmiths of America no longer has locksmith work at the top of their list. That spot’s being held by the more general and all encompassing “Security” industry. I’ve nothing against folks who enjoy installing wiring for cameras, hook up security systems to computers and the like; but pardon me for bringing up, the glaring fact is none of that is locksmith work. Maybe they could be the Associated Security Specialists; but who wants to pay their dues to ASS; that would be asinine.
Here’s a picture of me hand filing an impression key at the back of my service truck; taken a few years back, before I shaved off my facial hair. I don’t claim to have the “Best Locksmith Truck”, not by any stretch of the imagination; but it works well for me, everything is laid out in such a way as to be accessible from the outside.
1 comment:
I have 2011 M3 and it's driver door lock isn't working well.Where should i go either to the dealer or to the locksmith.Any suggestions must appreciated ? ?
Post a Comment