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As the Lock Guy locksmith, I hear all kinds of widely believed myths about being a locksmith. Many of these are untrue and I thought it would be a good idea to put together a list of the most common myths that I have come across and whether they are true or not. So the following are some common Locksmith Myths Vs Reality:
You might think that as a locksmith is able to gain access into people’s homes, then this kind of trade should be highly regulated. But it is not. There is no official qualification or accreditation needed to trade as a locksmith. Therefore standards and levels of competence can vary greatly. My recent blog on How to Identify and select a good locksmith explains more about what to look out for when employing the services of a locksmith.
As per the point above, anyone can call themselves a locksmith and start trading.
However, due the vast amount of product knowledge required, a locksmith needs experience, expert training, all the right tools and lots of practice to be an effective locksmith.
Many people think a locksmith spends all day rescuing people that are locked out. Whilst this is a common job for a locksmith, actually this is usually not the most common reason to request the services of a locksmith.
There are many other lock-related services that a locksmith will do. Check out the Lock Guy Services as an example.
It depends! If you have ever seen a movie or TV drama where someone takes out some lock pick looking implements (or even something like a hair pin or paperclip), and gains entry easily and quickly – then you would be forgiven for thinking that it is always easy and quick. But, as we know, not everything in the movies or on TV is accurate!
Whilst it is possible in some situations to gain entry in seconds, if a lock needs to be picked, then it can take time (depending on the quality of the lock). Other destructive methods of entry can also be quick, but the skill is gaining entry without causing any lasting damage to the door and therefore in some situations, this can take much longer.
Gaining entry to a failed lock is normally a longer job as the mechanism has broken in some way.
There are a very limited number of very basic locks that you might be able to bypass with a credit card.
But, on the whole, it is not possible and would probably cause your credit card to break as it cannot go around corners. So now you’re faced with being locked out and potentially no payment card for your added inconvenience!
With no regulation in the industry means no commonality on pricing.
Prices are driven by the normal laws of economics. If there are a lot of locksmiths in an area competing for work, then you can expect that pricing levels would find a general equilibrium. But you can still expect to pay a premium for out-of-hours emergency call-outs.
There are many locksmiths that charge a call-out fee. This may seem like a low cost, but this is just the price to get a locksmith to attend. Then the bill can increase sharply once they are on site. It is always better to select a locksmith with no call-out fee and then get them to state their rates in advance.
My recent articles on How to identify a rogue locksmith and How to identify and select a good locksmith will hopefully give you some good advice when choosing a locksmith.
Again, it depends. Lockpicking is an important part of a locksmith’s toolkit, but it is only one of many entry methods that can be deployed.
There is a sizeable hobbyist community around lockpicking, but do not confuse a lockpicking enthusiast with a locksmith. A good locksmith will always identify the most efficient non-destructive method to utilise and that may not be lock picking. However, sometimes it is necessary/advisable to opt for a destructive entry technique.
Locksmiths have had to adapt to work on the associated parts around locks and therefore can help with doors, windows, hinges, handles, multipoint mechanisms, keys, door furniture, security products, alarms, doorbells, automotive applications, safes and many other related products.
A good locksmith will offer a range of services that are connected to home security, not just locks.
There are a number of national and regional companies that use a network of sub-contractors. These companies try hard to appear local with specific website landing pages for each local area. They also purchase telephone numbers with a local code.
The problem with these companies is that they often are not able to verify the competence and professionalism of their locksmiths. Check out this article on why should use a local locksmith for further information.
A lock is not just a lock. There are many types and many standards.
There is a lock to suit every budget and every application.
Contact your local reputable locksmith for advice. You can contact me here.
YouTube can be a source of lots of useful information, hints and tips. Some locksmiths have channels and post videos of the jobs they complete and these can be very useful.
However, there is of course no quality control and some ‘locksmith’ related videos are simply incorrect. Be careful as sometimes you can do more harm and damage than good. An incorrectly fitted lock may not be secure! If you are not sure, always contact your local reputable locksmith.
Some locksmiths do offer a guarantee, some do not.
Normally, if new parts are suppled, then a locksmith will provide a guarantee (it is your statutory right anyway). However, if for example, an old lock is repaired, then it is unlikely to come with a guarantee.
As already stated, costs can vary greatly. It can be expensive (for example if you are locked out on Christmas Day) and there are a lack of locksmiths willing to answer/attend your call.
The locksmith profession is unfortunately littered with examples of so-called locksmiths charging huge prices and taking advantage of people in vulnerable situations. Select a local locksmith that relies on their reputation as they will not over-charge.
It is simply not possible for a locksmith to carry parts for every eventuality that they may face. He/She would need a huge vehicle and a lot of spare cash to carry all the inventory ever needed.
However, a local locksmith will get an understanding of the most commonly used items in the area they operate and will ensure that they have spares of these most frequently used parts. Therefore, it is usually possible to complete a job in one visit.
This is not correct and would compromise the security of a property.
Only the owner, tenant or authorised user should have keys.
Locksmiths do have a range of lock picks and certain picks will open certain locks.
But, again, one would need to have a massive stock of picks to cater for every lock and this would be an extremely expensive undertaking.
For whatever reason, there is definitely a difference in the locks used around the country.
Looking at various national locksmith forums, it is always surprising to see pictures of locks that are just not seen in the area I operate. That being said, if I come across a lock that is unusual to the area I should always be able to source the relevant parts.
A good locksmith can make a home very difficult to break into, but nothing is impossible and there are some very determined and resourceful criminals out there.
Remember, a burglar will want an easy, quick and quiet entry. So any product that makes it as difficult as possible, will deter them.
Some lock manufacturers are very confident in their products that they back-up their beliefs with a guarantee (e.g. of £5000 for some 3 star high security euro cylinders). But none of them claim that it is impossible to get through one of their locks.
I hope this article on Locksmith Myths Vs Reality has been useful to you. If you have any questions, any locksmith requirements in Essex or would like to discuss any of my services, please get in contact.
Got a question about a lock issue you may have? Why not have a look at the FAQ page or one of the helpful advice videos on the Media page.