Notice Board
challenging . It ’ s worrying when national firms mislead customers by claiming to link them with local locksmiths , but the companies aren ’ t even local or vetted . This tactic can lead to subpar work and overcharging , which negatively affects the reputation of locksmiths .
Don ’ t get caught out : be extra vigilant
One time , I nearly got caught in a tricky situation . I parked my car on a pub car park , near to a house where I was asked to change the locks . There was some confusion over who owned the house , and the landlady of the nearby pub gratefully alerted me that the house I was working on had been vacant for two years and was about to be auctioned . It turned out someone else claimed to own it and the person who asked me to change the locks had bad intentions . Always ask for ID ; it ’ s crucial .
Advice to new locksmiths My advice to anyone entering this field is to not expect to make a fortune immediately . The market is flooded with competitors and national firms that dominate with advertising . Building a client base and getting good reviews is essential . Also , be prepared to invest upfront in a van and tools .
Completing jobs to a high standard and giving customers value for money is essential . Also , people remember a friendly face and value the advice I give to them . Ensuring that customers have a positive experience is crucial for encouraging repeat business .
My favourite cylinder brands to supply and fit are Chubb Locks , Yale , Ultion , Era , and Union . I ’ ve found it ’ s best to stick with reliable makes that consistently perform and never let my customers down .
Marketing advice
I find social media , especially Facebook , to be an excellent and costfree way to promote my business and advertise my services . These days , social media is often more important than a website , as people tend to visit your Facebook page or Google Business
More information Crosskeys Carpentry & Locksmiths cover all aspects of carpentry and offer a 24 / 7 emergency locksmith callout service . With over 15 years of experience and a full DBS check , customers can rest-assured that they ’ re in safe hands . Replacing and maintaining all types of locks , they offer security upgrades for homes and businesses , everything fully compliant with British Standard BS3261 regulations . Crosskeys is also a registered member of the Master Locksmiths Association .
profile instead . I ’ d certainly advise against spending a lot of money on a website ; a simple , basic one is more than enough to do the job .
www . crosskeys-locksmiths . co . uk dpulley @ hotmail . co . uk 07775 791761
JANUARY 2025
7 locksmithjournal . co . uk