OUTDOOR SECURITY & PADLOCKS
Safe working
from home
» SINCE THE MARCH LOCKDOWN, A
huge number of people have made the
tremendous effort of transitioning work
from the office to the home. Despite
the gradual easing of restrictions, for a
significant number, this is going to be
a long-term change to a new “normal”.
Many customers have chosen to convert
previously underused space such as lofts,
spare/box rooms or even garages/sheds
into working office space. Although home
burglaries have fallen during lockdown,
the influx of additional computer
equipment, precious documentation and
in some cases valuable stock, has resulted
in many homeworkers to reconsider
their home security measures. Despite
a fall in boots on the street, this presents
locksmiths with an opportunity to sell a
vast array of security equipment; ranging
from modern “Smart” solutions such as
CCTV, alarms and video doorbells to more
traditional physical measures such as door
cylinders, window locks and safes.
A safe space to work
Still one of the most effective ways
of protecting valuables, Burg-Wächter
believes that safes should be the last
line of defence for any home (or office).
Locksmiths will already appreciate that
the demand for safes is as diverse as the
range of potential customers. Most of the
time it’s individual home owners looking
for a simple safe to lock away valuables
and important documents. Next up are
the local businesses handling cash; from
restaurants and retailers looking to secure
cash, to offices, accountants and solicitors
with a need to secure important data
and documents. Add to that the small
executive housing developer, local hotel
and even pharmacy all looking for advice
on safes, it’s easy to see why it’s important
to have access to a wide range of safe
solutions via a reliable and well-resourced
channel.
To realise the potential of this growing
marketplace, locksmiths need safes that
are easy to sell at a price that gives a
good return, to customers who are happy
with the product and its installation.
Before they seek your professional
advice, customers will often have a predetermined
idea about the size and cash/
valuables rating for the safe they need
to meet their insurer’s requirements.
However, it’s important to establish from
the outset what the customer is going to
put in the safe, and what they are seeking
to guard against before discussing the
most suitable options available. Doing
this will not only ensure customer’s needs
are met, but it also provides opportunities
for upselling features and protection
levels.
Customer service
In the current economic climate there
is a temptation for locksmiths to engage
in a race to the bottom, particularly if
safes are a new or experimental line for
their business. Ultimately this race will
lead to so called “safes” that are nothing
more than glorified cash boxes that fail to
meet customers’ needs. Independently
certified safes provide locksmiths with an
opportunity to upsell to a model that is not
only fit for purpose, but also offers higher
profits for locksmiths.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that most
burglars will take safes off site if they can,
where they have more time, tools and
privacy to break it open. Customers need
reminding that for insurance ratings to be
valid in the event of a claim, the safe must
be properly installed in accordance with
the manufacturer’s instructions, ideally by
a professional.
Contrary to popular misconception, a
high cash value rated safe isn’t necessarily
going to offer adequate protection
against fire and vice versa. Regardless
of which rating is the most relevant to
each particular customer, it is vital that
the advertised ratings for models with
cash ratings of £4,000 and above have
been properly tested and approved by an
independent body such as VdS and ECBs
and are recognised by the AiS.
Space is also an important
consideration, as is location and fixing
method. It is also worth discussing
the frequency and number of people
requiring access to the safe’s contents, as
this will help customers select the most
appropriate locking mechanism, whether
it’s timed, keyed, digital or biometric. For
the fashion conscious, modern safes can
be produced in any high gloss colour to
complement the décor.
As Europe’s largest manufacturer
of safes, Burg-Wächter is able offer
locksmiths not only the widest range of
AiS approved certified safes, but also
the training, support services and sales
materials needed to make the most of this
growing marketplace. Coinciding with
its 100yr anniversary, Burg-Wächter has
comprehensively reviewed and revised its
safe range with new models and features,
proving that it remains at the forefront of
innovation after all this time.
www.burg.biz
48
JUL/AUG 2020
locksmithjournal.co.uk
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