I completly agree with the #Lockboss. I've seen to many of these locks mess up during rekey, and then you have to reset them. And once I touch the door, I own it. This is even true for any other problem with the door, even if I didn't cause it. So I make sure the door is working, and I charge for my time to do so.
That’s 100% what I do as well. Full charge. If there’s a bunch of standard pin tumbler locks that I rekeyed, I might discount a Smartkey if there’s 1 or 2, but depends on the situation. I’ve also found that “code cut” keys which I normally charge a little more for, are preferable than using “duplicated” keys when setting the Smartkey lock to the “new” key. Duplicated keys if they’re close to being out of spec can cause a lockout if you use them to set the lock as the new key. Learned that the hard way costing me a return call. Thanks for sharing! #lockboss
100% agree with code-cutting the keys. I've had customers locked out and got their worn keys working again with a "rekey" to the same key code, but using a code-cut key instead of their worn key.
Thanks that's why PJ and I do those videos to help you guys for what it's worth because I'm not always right it's just my opinion have a great day and thanks for your comment
I charge $20 per keyhole for a re-key... SmartKey or not. This is in addition to the trip charge. It's the same as when it takes 30 seconds to open a vehicle with the LRT - I'm charging for getting the vehicle open and getting the customer going as quickly as possible. Are some easier than others? Absolutely. Some are also more difficult than others. Good video, guys! #AccessLockKeyLLC #HaulinBrass #LockBoss
Being a new Locksmith, I get very uncomfortable asking people to pay a trip charge even though I tell them up front what the trip charge is and what the rate for the service is I usually end up just charging for the service because I freeze up when they ask what they owe. How do I overcome that?
I usually charge $50 to show up at your house. $20 to rekey a standard cylinder and $15 to rekey a smart lock. I always check alignment before I start and offer to fix it for a $75/hr labor rate. (If only one door then I prorate it.) I always ask how many keys they will want during the booking so I can cut them in my shop. #Lockboss #Lockfather
this was a really cool video I love when the lockfather always comes on I always charge full price because you have to pay your bills whether you are on your own or have techs I always find CLK videos very informative and educational for newbies #lockboss
We charge the same, we still remove the lock. Clean and lubricate the dead latch and clean and lubricate the the cylinder and make sure its clean and functioning properly. #lockboss
Wow! Besides the video there's a lot of good insight from the #lockboss comments as well. I have to say I've been charging half price for smart key re-keys. Now I have a different perspective on this service. I'm struggling with getting consistent work so my pricing can be hard to figure, but I am getting better at it each day thanks to the many seasoned Locksmiths who are very generous with their time and information. Thanks #lockfather and PJ!
That's what makes the lockboss community a great form locksmiths helping locksmiths trying to figure out things what you can't get if you're in a small town or in a big town in the other guys won't help you been there done that I'm always willing to help the guys even hate me I can help them I'm more than happy to Great comment
My first rekey was a Smartkey lock. The customer had bought the house but had a baggie of keys that didn’t open any of the locks. I disassembled the lock and rekeyed to the key of his choice, cleaned and reassembled. Everything worked when I left (8 locks in total in the house) I get a call the next day saying the lock had “fallen apart”. I went back out and sure enough, the thing was in pieces, screws and pins missing, so I buy them a new one, and lose all profit on the job. A few weeks later I see the guys wife at Home Depot telling the clerk how her husband took a Smartkey lock set apart and couldn’t get it back together after the locksmith had already been there… I stick to the institution where I work now and don’t mess with the public. Probably missing out on income, but I got burned pretty good on job #1. I’d be interested to hear if others have been scammed by customers and how to prevent (or reduce the chance) of it happening in the future. #Lockboss!
Unfortunately you'll find people like that you do work for hopefully not too many when I first started out it seemed like I always got them once we got established and got bigger I said we were too busy to help them or I jacked the price up so high and they still went for it but they're wrong to do that to us we did our job and then they think they can do it better sorry to hear it but it happens to all of us thanks for your comment
I charge the same as other locks. If there is a problem with the smart key, it takes much longer to correct as opposed to the standard cylinder. #Lockboss
I charge about the same as a regular rekey because I’m going to use code cut or factory cut keys for them and if they don’t have the original key or something goes wrong it’s going to be more difficult to fix than a regular pin tumbler. You start the job with that quote and it takes an hour instead of a couple mins that’s on you because you are responsible as the lockfather said. It might take a minute, might take much longer and the customer is charged the same. It took me far too long to realize that my time not just my knowledge is valuable and I need to charge accordingly. Sometimes I lose but much more often it works out for me. Striking a balance between being honest and fair to customers and getting paid what I should was difficult for me to work out initially because I was too nice and people took advantage of it. #LockBoss
Know your worth, don't sell yourself short. I learned that lesson early. I used to ask myself if I would pay what I was asking and I used to feel bad when I thought I was expensive, then I saw all the red In my books. A good #lockboss ain't cheap and a cheap lock newbie ain't good ... :)
I charge the same for a Regular Cylinder as a Smartkey unless the Smartkey has been Lost/Misplaced, then a bit more. If You're a #Lockboss you are getting paid for your KNOWLEDGE and MAKING SURE it is PROPERLY Done. I WOULD like to see a Video on Rekeying the Smartkey Locks without a Working Key. Thank You Lock Father and PJ.
I would agree. I did a house with 4 smart key locks, customer watched me do last one. I under charged and could tell he thought it should of been less after watching me do it. Charge the same, you just have to. #Lockboss
I think the better point the Lockfather makes about PJ (or 95% of all my customers) preferring to pay as opposed to doing it their self is that time is valued differently by different people. A customer saves the hassle of finding their reset tool, instructions plus a set of new keys and hands the responsibility off to a professional to be seen to efficiently. My customers prefer to pay me to do the job. Usually because their time is better spent elsewhere. Any door or lock issue encountered get addressed and if no labour is required beyond the
Smart key can either be a headache or a blessing. The earlier generations have a higher failure rate, but if keys are missing or "resetting" doesnt go correctly it can be a pain. Normal charge because they are rarely on a entire home.
I'm not a full time locksmith of any kind. I deal with locks at my job sometimes and I interned as a locksmith apprentice a while back but all that is to say I'm not a locksmith. However, in my time working on locks and security devices in general I have developed a good rule of thumb regarding situation you guys discussed about being responsible for something you touch. And one of my main rules is that you can't trust the customer to know what is wrong in the first place. Never take what they say at face value because they are not familiar with all of the possibilities or issues that can arise. Also, customers are often working off of their own experience or limited information.. I have found this to be true in so many areas from computer troubleshooting, locks and security hardware, automotive diagnostics, electrical issues, plumbing, etc. Long story short is that if you are a professional tradesman, trust your experience and not the customers. You're not really a #lockboss until you do.
I have always charged the same rekeying smart keys or normal pin tumblers. Most people don't even realize they are different than other residential locks. #LockBoss
What a great conversation and instructional video with the explanation of how to rekey the smart kwikset lock and the issues that may occur. Good to enlighten the public on the reasons why the jobs are priced the way they are. Also should have mentioned the professional equipment that a locksmith possess to resolve any situation that was created before touching the lock and as soon as the locksmith or the locksmiths employee touches the lock. Thank you for another great informative video. Always learn something watching your videos. And the amount of knowledge inside the mind of the lockfather is a treasure chest full of tips and tricks. #lockboss
I'd have 2 rekey prices. 1 with key, 1 without. If the key isn't available, then it's more invasive. With the key, it'd be like $5 cheaper due to it being so much less time to rekey. Assuming that the lock can be opened from inside. If it needs to use a decoder tool to make a new key (lockout situation), then it's an even higher price, due to now having to break out the truly specialty stuff. That's the price you pay for not being a #lockboss
I'm also going to be doing it as a side job primarily by appointment, so I'm not as worried about making tons of money right off the bat. But I'm keeping my prices on par with the local competition, so I don't overwhelm myself, or lose too much money
It's funny that you made this video on this topic because it's what I have been thinking about .. Y'all made so very , very good points !! Now I think I've made up my mind .. Thanks ..... #LOCKBOSS
Great video, I agree completely I've had a few customers call and say they had the lock rekeyed and it still doesn't work, After going there and checking it out, the door was no longer aligned with the frame correctly and the other shop never checked or realigned it. Them the customer didn't want to pay for me to correct it because they payed the other shop. #lockboss
And they're just going to keep having problems with that door because they're what I call Mickey mouse in it instead of fixing the door once and for all stick to your guns customers don't always like it but you're the professional locksmith not them love her to lose a job I understand but stick with it the ones who will take you up on it will appreciate it in the long run Steve
The thing is that your fees, if you do flat rate for services, should be an aggregate of the work that service requires on average. Your $30/rekey fee should take the really easy, 2 second smartkey rekeys into account just as much as the really challenging ones that require new top and bottom pins, seized up cores, etc. Once you reduce your fee for Smartkey, why not increase it for Corbin? Why not have a seperate price for Schlage F-style? It's a slippery slope with no end.
I like the lock father’s philosophy on charging the same amount for rekey for these types of locks. There’s always a possibility that you may have to pull the whole thing out and manually reset it, like if the wafers or sidebar gets possibly misaligned or stuck, then you’re still pulling things apart similar to a regular lock. #lockboss
Good conversation and I want to agree, however I’m in a small town, but 25 miles away from a major city with several lock shops that will charge less (cut throat) so it’s hard to get especially repeat business if I charge the same for a five minute rekey on a smart lock as I would a lock with pins. Yes I agree you should charge since the customer couldn’t do the job themselves, but when they see how quick it was for me to do it they feel ripped off and won’t call me again. I also know sometimes a smart key can take longer if there’s a issue so it does equal out in the end by charging the full price, but it is hard sometimes. Thanks for this video, I want to hear more about the Lockfathers experience. #Lockboss
Good Conversation -- Any #lockboss needs to make a profit to be successful in the long term. If you want to give it all away, then you won't be around long. So do the math -- there will always be the "fly by night" folks that do it cheaper (occurs in ALL professions), but they won't survive. Perhaps they are not covering all their bases, like Insurance, licenses, etc., and certainly employee (or self) labor and benefits. I can re-key "Crapset" super fast with a drill, but the customer doesn't like having to buy a new lock from me, of course -- ha, ha -- did I mention #lockboss
I charge a healthy trip charge. And then $15 per lock per rekey. Some locks you have to take off the door to do some locks like Schlage you don't have to take off the door and Kwikset smart key just falls into the mix at the same price as everything else. No one really complains.#Lockboss
Smart key, the user key does not always work and then you need to take it off the door and use a better resetter or cradle. Most locksmiths in the field spend more time fixing the door than fixing the lock. I can totally see charging the same. #LockBoss
I'm a one-man operation but I charge the same for smart key as everything else because I would say at least 30% of the time they screw up and I have to put them in the stupid little reset tool to get them to work to begin with. Then I'm always paranoid that they're going to screw up after that because let's face it, they're not a very well made product. But the idea that if you can do it yourself then why didn't you do it? Like Lock father was saying, considering the fact that you're responsible for everything you touch I don't see any reason not to charge the same price. I'll give free advice occasionally but if I roll to your location or I put my hands on it, generally that's going to cost you something. #Lockboss
I run into that all the time when making quotes and estimates and giving a time frame on completion. As a professional and knowledgeable person, it doesn't mean I should charge any less because I can get the job done more quickly but just as satisfactory as the next person. #Lockboss
I agree with the Lock Father. Simplify the fee structures upfront, or else you'll be left with a voluminous catalog of price breakdowns and no business. On a side note, any update on the new Ilco Catalog PJ? #Lockboss
Excellent conversation that a lot of folks may not have understood before. This is where the life experience he has gained is shared with the ones coming up behind him. The Lockfather is helping us all to be a better #Lockboss!
Great #lockboss #lockfather information video! I also charge the same for Smartkey vs pin/spring for the very reason he mentioned. Most may go smoothly, but I’ve had many fail to the point where I’ve had to disassemble and use the reset cradle.
Definitely need to charge full price for smart keys! If the person can't figure it out, they need to pay you for your knowledge ...and travel! You can't stay in business doing things for free! #Lockboss
Noting wrong with paying someone to do stuff. I pay too, i just want it done although i could be capable of doing some stuff. Sometimes i just flat out don't wanna do it and would rather hire someone, nothing wrong it that PJ!
As my employees tell me what my hobby is is collecting projects cuz I always have two or three going every day or week but what the heck I enjoy it I'm not knocking anybody who wants to pay somebody to do it I'm just one of these guys got to keep busy all the time sitting out here beside the pool reading all these comments going man I need to just relax a little bit more so I should have hide somebody to clean it why am I cleaning it thanks for your comment 😂🤣😂🤣😂
@@countrylockandkeycountrylo2034 lol yes! sometimes you just wanna relax but i too do get that bug where i start dooing something and cant stop and ruins my day haha
Hello lockfather and pj absolutely great subject 👍 just remember and never forget you can't make it up..you have to charge for it,and you have too warnty it,,thanks for the video #lockboss
I think I am charging too little to rekey locks thanks for the info I charge a trip charge then a rekey charge If the lock is brought to me I have been charging very little not thinking of the time involved the local hardware store is charging $5.00 to rekey locks and it is hard to compete with that. #lockboss
You got to remember you're not a hardware store you're not selling a zillion things you're a locksmith working on locks and keys only so never put your price down because of that because theirs is low and on the trip charge remember trip charge pays for you and your vehicle to get there repairs tires gas the customer brings it in then you just charge it for a rekey in the key just trying to help the community understand that thanks for your comment appreciate it so we can all learn I learn everyday still
Same here. Retired in small community. I had a government job, so 90% of my work was commercial. I’m learning a lot about residential and how junkie it is. Lol
I normally charge full rate except when it comes to the elderly. Big house, nice car, full price. Widow, widower struggling on social security, minimal to free. # Lockbox
I agree with you Dale if people are having a hard time and you're in a position where you're able to help him God bless you I wish people would do that more often cuz we all find the time in our life where we all need a little help once in awhile thanks for your comment I love it 🤠
I'm totally with the #Lockfather. If it were that easy the home owner could have done it themselves and you're going to get blamed if it fails in a month. Plus you have to schedule that extra time either way because you don't really know what you're going to get. 😂 #Lockboss
They are getting charged if they aren't family or a close friend. If I was an actual, registered locksmith in CA. I think I would not have a problem if I was an actual locksmith in CA. I would not charge family and friends if I did the work outside of business hours, and they paid for the materials. Like a friend who wants to change all the locks and needs some work on doors. #LockBoss
I think it’s mainly just the way most people are programmed to think, at least in the US. Most people are paid by the hour, weekly, biweekly, annual salary for 40 hours of work per week, etc. People think you should be paid based on how long you spent working on something, not the value provided. Who cares how long it took me to solve your problem, it’s done right? Would you rather I be at your house all day long?
When we quote them a price for the whole job we are thinking it's a rekey job. Service Call, rekey, keys and labor. We charge a flat rate for rekey which doesn't included labor. This is due to a door knob verses a decorative lock the labor involved to disassemble and reassemble the lock. If we show up and they have all Smart Key we charge the service call and hourly labor rate it took to do the job which ever is lower. But and this is the big but we show them how to do it for next time and leave them a Smart Key set. If it's a mixed set of Locks and Smart Locks we discount our labor rate since we will finish the job sooner hence lower labor. I would rather them see my company as a fair and honest company. We do tell them if they mess up the lock isn't ruined but will need to be reset. They made a mistake and didn't know what they had. I can understand charge a quoted price but also we deal with a lot of small town and word of mouth has been our biggest advertisement. #LockBoss
I agree I think they're a piece of junk but when you buy a new house and that's what they got in it it's been spend $300 to $400,000 it makes it tough heard enough to buy a house stay long enough new locks when you just got a house thanks for your comments
Somewhere along the video I missed the actual charge for a Rekey! I must be ignorant. But a long drawn out video of 14 minutes for something that could have been explained in 3 minutes at worst.
I do have a question I just thought about, have you or any locksmiths in the comments had any experience with the new Kwikset Smart Key SC1 keyway? #Lockboss
Thanks Jimmy at least somebody agrees with me but it was probably my fault cuz I bought PJ golf cart at 6 years old to drive around and then I built them a five hole put and Chip course at the house with real greens with bent grass the whole bit and now he has kids and asked me when are you going to fix that back up so it's too much work I did it for you then he lost interest but now he's back into a big time I think I spoiled the kid too much when he was younger now all he wants to do is go out fun fun no he works hard I just like give him a hard time 🤣😂🤣😂🤣 thanks for your comment
If there locked out it’s a whole other project unless your the lockpicking lawyer of course that dude I one BA LOCKPICKER They can be a pain and a blessing on a really hot day 😂 #Lockboss 🤘🏼💵🤘🏼 P.S. get the locktech tooL from PJ!
Charge what you always do. I didn't even watch the vid before leaving this comment. Customers don't know or care what they are, so just do your job and leave.
![How to play THE JOKER by Steve Miller Band Guitar Lesson Tutorial [ FUN RIFF for any guitar player!]](/img/1.gif)
Agree thanks PJ for sharing lockboss
I completly agree with the #Lockboss. I've seen to many of these locks mess up during rekey, and then you have to reset them. And once I touch the door, I own it. This is even true for any other problem with the door, even if I didn't cause it. So I make sure the door is working, and I charge for my time to do so.
That’s 100% what I do as well. Full charge. If there’s a bunch of standard pin tumbler locks that I rekeyed, I might discount a Smartkey if there’s 1 or 2, but depends on the situation.
I’ve also found that “code cut” keys which I normally charge a little more for, are preferable than using “duplicated” keys when setting the Smartkey lock to the “new” key.
Duplicated keys if they’re close to being out of spec can cause a lockout if you use them to set the lock as the new key. Learned that the hard way costing me a return call. Thanks for sharing! #lockboss
Thanks for sharing-PJ
100% agree with code-cutting the keys. I've had customers locked out and got their worn keys working again with a "rekey" to the same key code, but using a code-cut key instead of their worn key.
I love it when the Lock Father is on. I learn so much from him. This information is going to come in so handy to building my business. #LOCKBOSS.
Thanks that's why PJ and I do those videos to help you guys for what it's worth because I'm not always right it's just my opinion have a great day and thanks for your comment
Basically know your worth. Your Client has to pay for your knowledge. # lockboss
Agree
They help even out the difficult ones#lockboss
More wisdom from the Lockfather. Thanks for the insight. #Lockboss
Thank you for this discussion. It definitely helps me determine what to charge in the future. #Lockboss
Very informational, thanks for sharing this #LockBoss
Great point on charging for new hardware keying. #lockboss
Agreed with the locksfather, we charge the same as the regular rekey. Thank you for sharing #Lockboss
Great discussion #lockboss
I charge $20 per keyhole for a re-key... SmartKey or not. This is in addition to the trip charge. It's the same as when it takes 30 seconds to open a vehicle with the LRT - I'm charging for getting the vehicle open and getting the customer going as quickly as possible. Are some easier than others? Absolutely. Some are also more difficult than others. Good video, guys! #AccessLockKeyLLC #HaulinBrass #LockBoss
Being a new Locksmith, I get very uncomfortable asking people to pay a trip charge even though I tell them up front what the trip charge is and what the rate for the service is I usually end up just charging for the service because I freeze up when they ask what they owe. How do I overcome that?
This is perfect. Customer calls for a service, you give a price and do the service. Charge accordingly. #LockBoss
I usually charge $50 to show up at your house. $20 to rekey a standard cylinder and $15 to rekey a smart lock.
I always check alignment before I start and offer to fix it for a $75/hr labor rate. (If only one door then I prorate it.)
I always ask how many keys they will want during the booking so I can cut them in my shop.
#Lockboss #Lockfather
great info and video thanks for the insight #lockboss
I always charge the same as any other standard residential lock
Great question and answers.
#Lockboss 🐈⬛🐾🐈🐾👍👍👍👍
I haven't run into these here at the hospital but it's good to know for when I get out there in the real world #lockboss
As always the LockFather and his Excellent Wisdom, Experience and Knowledge... #lockboss
Thanks Doug just years of experience I appreciate it always trying to help the community not have to stumble like I had you thanks again
#Lockboss. Yes I charge the same for smart lock. I totally agree with #Lockfather .
this was a really cool video I love when the lockfather always comes on I always charge full price because you have to pay your bills whether you are on your own or have techs I always find CLK videos very informative and educational for newbies #lockboss
Since I quote most rekeys before I go to a job, I charge the same as any other residential rekey. #Lockboss
We charge the same, we still remove the lock. Clean and lubricate the dead latch and clean and lubricate the the cylinder and make sure its clean and functioning properly. #lockboss
Added value to the customer!
Good stuff!-PJ
Wow! Besides the video there's a lot of good insight from the #lockboss comments as well. I have to say I've been charging half price for smart key re-keys. Now I have a different perspective on this service. I'm struggling with getting consistent work so my pricing can be hard to figure, but I am getting better at it each day thanks to the many seasoned Locksmiths who are very generous with their time and information. Thanks #lockfather and PJ!
Agreed, comments are great-PJ
That's what makes the lockboss community a great form locksmiths helping locksmiths trying to figure out things what you can't get if you're in a small town or in a big town in the other guys won't help you been there done that I'm always willing to help the guys even hate me I can help them I'm more than happy to Great comment
My first rekey was a Smartkey lock. The customer had bought the house but had a baggie of keys that didn’t open any of the locks. I disassembled the lock and rekeyed to the key of his choice, cleaned and reassembled. Everything worked when I left (8 locks in total in the house) I get a call the next day saying the lock had “fallen apart”. I went back out and sure enough, the thing was in pieces, screws and pins missing, so I buy them a new one, and lose all profit on the job. A few weeks later I see the guys wife at Home Depot telling the clerk how her husband took a Smartkey lock set apart and couldn’t get it back together after the locksmith had already been there…
I stick to the institution where I work now and don’t mess with the public. Probably missing out on income, but I got burned pretty good on job #1. I’d be interested to hear if others have been scammed by customers and how to prevent (or reduce the chance) of it happening in the future. #Lockboss!
Unfortunately you'll find people like that you do work for hopefully not too many when I first started out it seemed like I always got them once we got established and got bigger I said we were too busy to help them or I jacked the price up so high and they still went for it but they're wrong to do that to us we did our job and then they think they can do it better sorry to hear it but it happens to all of us thanks for your comment
This is something you have to live with. Do whats right.
# lockboss
Will said Ed
15.00 for rekey. #lockboss
I charge the same as other locks. If there is a problem with the smart key, it takes much longer to correct as opposed to the standard cylinder. #Lockboss
True-PJ
I charge about the same as a regular rekey because I’m going to use code cut or factory cut keys for them and if they don’t have the original key or something goes wrong it’s going to be more difficult to fix than a regular pin tumbler. You start the job with that quote and it takes an hour instead of a couple mins that’s on you because you are responsible as the lockfather said. It might take a minute, might take much longer and the customer is charged the same. It took me far too long to realize that my time not just my knowledge is valuable and I need to charge accordingly. Sometimes I lose but much more often it works out for me. Striking a balance between being honest and fair to customers and getting paid what I should was difficult for me to work out initially because I was too nice and people took advantage of it. #LockBoss
At my job a customer claimed that m3 keys are a buck a copy.
It s all sort of the locksmith service people
Call you to do the rekey. Thanks Pj. #LOCKBOSS
Know your worth, don't sell yourself short. I learned that lesson early. I used to ask myself if I would pay what I was asking and I used to feel bad when I thought I was expensive, then I saw all the red In my books. A good #lockboss ain't cheap and a cheap lock newbie ain't good ... :)
I charge the same for a Regular Cylinder as a Smartkey unless the Smartkey has been Lost/Misplaced, then a bit more. If You're a #Lockboss you are getting paid for your KNOWLEDGE and MAKING SURE it is PROPERLY Done. I WOULD like to see a Video on Rekeying the Smartkey Locks without a Working Key. Thank You Lock Father and PJ.
I agree with the lockfather.. #lockboss
I would agree. I did a house with 4 smart key locks, customer watched me do last one. I under charged and could tell he thought it should of been less after watching me do it. Charge the same, you just have to. #Lockboss
I think the better point the Lockfather makes about PJ (or 95% of all my customers) preferring to pay as opposed to doing it their self is that time is valued differently by different people. A customer saves the hassle of finding their reset tool, instructions plus a set of new keys and hands the responsibility off to a professional to be seen to efficiently.
My customers prefer to pay me to do the job. Usually because their time is better spent elsewhere. Any door or lock issue encountered get addressed and if no labour is required beyond the
Thanks for sharing -PJ
I’m down with the Lockfather. #Lockboss
Smart key can either be a headache or a blessing. The earlier generations have a higher failure rate, but if keys are missing or "resetting" doesnt go correctly it can be a pain. Normal charge because they are rarely on a entire home.
How to charge for kwikset smart key I agree with the old man and always have. Thanks James estep locksmith n tennessee. #lockboss#lockboss
Lockfather is in the know, he makes a lot of sense. I’m going to change my way of thinking.#Lockboss
Thanks Phil but I'm not always right either appreciate it
I'm not a full time locksmith of any kind. I deal with locks at my job sometimes and I interned as a locksmith apprentice a while back but all that is to say I'm not a locksmith. However, in my time working on locks and security devices in general I have developed a good rule of thumb regarding situation you guys discussed about being responsible for something you touch. And one of my main rules is that you can't trust the customer to know what is wrong in the first place. Never take what they say at face value because they are not familiar with all of the possibilities or issues that can arise. Also, customers are often working off of their own experience or limited information.. I have found this to be true in so many areas from computer troubleshooting, locks and security hardware, automotive diagnostics, electrical issues, plumbing, etc.
Long story short is that if you are a professional tradesman, trust your experience and not the customers. You're not really a #lockboss until you do.
Well said!
Agreed-PJ
Great show guys. Agree same pricing,👍 making sure the setup works correctly is time and energy to⏱⚡. #lockboss
Great #Lockboss info !!!!
Have a great day
I have always charged the same rekeying smart keys or normal pin tumblers.
Most people don't even realize they are different than other residential locks. #LockBoss
What a great conversation and instructional video with the explanation of how to rekey the smart kwikset lock and the issues that may occur. Good to enlighten the public on the reasons why the jobs are priced the way they are. Also should have mentioned the professional equipment that a locksmith possess to resolve any situation that was created before touching the lock and as soon as the locksmith or the locksmiths employee touches the lock. Thank you for another great informative video. Always learn something watching your videos. And the amount of knowledge inside the mind of the lockfather is a treasure chest full of tips and tricks.
#lockboss
Great conversation! #Lockboss
I'd have 2 rekey prices. 1 with key, 1 without. If the key isn't available, then it's more invasive. With the key, it'd be like $5 cheaper due to it being so much less time to rekey. Assuming that the lock can be opened from inside.
If it needs to use a decoder tool to make a new key (lockout situation), then it's an even higher price, due to now having to break out the truly specialty stuff.
That's the price you pay for not being a #lockboss
I'm also going to be doing it as a side job primarily by appointment, so I'm not as worried about making tons of money right off the bat. But I'm keeping my prices on par with the local competition, so I don't overwhelm myself, or lose too much money
I agree you charge them same. Because if it stops working the customer is going to call you. #LockBoss.
So true-PJ
Charge same amount for Smartkey as pin tumbler. #Lockboss
You have to pay for your knowledge and your time which starts as soon as get in your vehicle.
#Lockboss
It's funny that you made this video on this topic because it's what I have been thinking about .. Y'all made so very , very good points !! Now I think I've made up my mind .. Thanks ..... #LOCKBOSS
Love the video. Beating around the bush too much though. A lock is a lock. Do you want me to fix it or not?
Lol-PJ
Great video, I agree completely I've had a few customers call and say they had the lock rekeyed and it still doesn't work, After going there and checking it out, the door was no longer aligned with the frame correctly and the other shop never checked or realigned it. Them the customer didn't want to pay for me to correct it because they payed the other shop. #lockboss
And they're just going to keep having problems with that door because they're what I call Mickey mouse in it instead of fixing the door once and for all stick to your guns customers don't always like it but you're the professional locksmith not them love her to lose a job I understand but stick with it the ones who will take you up on it will appreciate it in the long run Steve
Steve it's supposed to say hate to lose a job but that's life
The thing is that your fees, if you do flat rate for services, should be an aggregate of the work that service requires on average. Your $30/rekey fee should take the really easy, 2 second smartkey rekeys into account just as much as the really challenging ones that require new top and bottom pins, seized up cores, etc. Once you reduce your fee for Smartkey, why not increase it for Corbin? Why not have a seperate price for Schlage F-style? It's a slippery slope with no end.
Well put-PJ
Great Information Same Price Either Way. #lockboss
I like the lock father’s philosophy on charging the same amount for rekey for these types of locks. There’s always a possibility that you may have to pull the whole thing out and manually reset it, like if the wafers or sidebar gets possibly misaligned or stuck, then you’re still pulling things apart similar to a regular lock. #lockboss
Very true-PJ
Good conversation and I want to agree, however I’m in a small town, but 25 miles away from a major city with several lock shops that will charge less (cut throat) so it’s hard to get especially repeat business if I charge the same for a five minute rekey on a smart lock as I would a lock with pins. Yes I agree you should charge since the customer couldn’t do the job themselves, but when they see how quick it was for me to do it they feel ripped off and won’t call me again.
I also know sometimes a smart key can take longer if there’s a issue so it does equal out in the end by charging the full price, but it is hard sometimes.
Thanks for this video, I want to hear more about the Lockfathers experience. #Lockboss
Smart key or not, always rekey in your van. Avoid the customer deciding they suddenly know something.
@@VashTS02 That is a option. Thank you.
Good Conversation -- Any #lockboss needs to make a profit to be successful in the long term. If you want to give it all away, then you won't be around long. So do the math -- there will always be the "fly by night" folks that do it cheaper (occurs in ALL professions), but they won't survive. Perhaps they are not covering all their bases, like Insurance, licenses, etc., and certainly employee (or self) labor and benefits. I can re-key "Crapset" super fast with a drill, but the customer doesn't like having to buy a new lock from me, of course -- ha, ha -- did I mention #lockboss
I charge a healthy trip charge. And then $15 per lock per rekey. Some locks you have to take off the door to do some locks like Schlage you don't have to take off the door and Kwikset smart key just falls into the mix at the same price as everything else. No one really complains.#Lockboss
I don’t charge for that but what you said makes sense. #Locboss
Smart key, the user key does not always work and then you need to take it off the door and use a better resetter or cradle.
Most locksmiths in the field spend more time fixing the door than fixing the lock. I can totally see charging the same. #LockBoss
True-PJ
I'm a one-man operation but I charge the same for smart key as everything else because I would say at least 30% of the time they screw up and I have to put them in the stupid little reset tool to get them to work to begin with. Then I'm always paranoid that they're going to screw up after that because let's face it, they're not a very well made product. But the idea that if you can do it yourself then why didn't you do it? Like Lock father was saying, considering the fact that you're responsible for everything you touch I don't see any reason not to charge the same price. I'll give free advice occasionally but if I roll to your location or I put my hands on it, generally that's going to cost you something.
#Lockboss
Thanks for the comment, good stuff-PJ
I run into that all the time when making quotes and estimates and giving a time frame on completion. As a professional and knowledgeable person, it doesn't mean I should charge any less because I can get the job done more quickly but just as satisfactory as the next person. #Lockboss
I charge the same no matter if its a smart key or not, what if it locks up? Do you eat it if its half price? And so on. #lockboss.
This is really good and important both for running a business and being a consumer! #lockfather! #lockson! #lockholygh... I mean #lockboss!
Haha-PJ
I agree with the Lock Father. Simplify the fee structures upfront, or else you'll be left with a voluminous catalog of price breakdowns and no business. On a side note, any update on the new Ilco Catalog PJ? #Lockboss
Yes, digital version will be out at the end of this month!-PJ
Excellent conversation that a lot of folks may not have understood before. This is where the life experience he has gained is shared with the ones coming up behind him. The Lockfather is helping us all to be a better #Lockboss!
Great #lockboss #lockfather information video!
I also charge the same for Smartkey vs pin/spring for the very reason he mentioned. Most may go smoothly, but I’ve had many fail to the point where I’ve had to disassemble and use the reset cradle.
Definitely need to charge full price for smart keys! If the person can't figure it out, they need to pay you for your knowledge ...and travel! You can't stay in business doing things for free! #Lockboss
Noting wrong with paying someone to do stuff. I pay too, i just want it done although i could be capable of doing some stuff. Sometimes i just flat out don't wanna do it and would rather hire someone, nothing wrong it that PJ!
Haha, agreed. I do many things myself, the #lockfather just thinks I golf too much lol-PJ
@@clksupplies 😂 domes you just wanna enjoy your time not waste it fiddling with crap
@@pouncerminned863 haha yep! -PJ
As my employees tell me what my hobby is is collecting projects cuz I always have two or three going every day or week but what the heck I enjoy it I'm not knocking anybody who wants to pay somebody to do it I'm just one of these guys got to keep busy all the time sitting out here beside the pool reading all these comments going man I need to just relax a little bit more so I should have hide somebody to clean it why am I cleaning it thanks for your comment 😂🤣😂🤣😂
@@countrylockandkeycountrylo2034 lol yes! sometimes you just wanna relax but i too do get that bug where i start dooing something and cant stop and ruins my day haha
Hello lockfather and pj absolutely great subject 👍 just remember and never forget you can't make it up..you have to charge for it,and you have too warnty it,,thanks for the video #lockboss
I think I am charging too little to rekey locks thanks for the info I charge a trip charge then a rekey charge If the lock is brought to me I have been charging very little not thinking of the time involved the local hardware store is charging $5.00 to rekey locks and it is hard to compete with that. #lockboss
You got to remember you're not a hardware store you're not selling a zillion things you're a locksmith working on locks and keys only so never put your price down because of that because theirs is low and on the trip charge remember trip charge pays for you and your vehicle to get there repairs tires gas the customer brings it in then you just charge it for a rekey in the key just trying to help the community understand that thanks for your comment appreciate it so we can all learn I learn everyday still
Charge the same if not more. 😂 I always say it’s gonna be 29-89 per lock and shoot for the middle
True, super easy to break the lock. Customers should pay for professional work. I charge the same. #lockboss
Half for a rekey twice for a lockout?
I'm retired so doing Lock work is just something I do for extra cash. But I doit for a set price, a fair price though.
#Lockboss
Same here. Retired in small community. I had a government job, so 90% of my work was commercial. I’m learning a lot about residential and how junkie it is. Lol
Great discussion between you and the Lockfather here PJ, love the back and forth, very helpful for any #lockboss thanks for sharing 😊🙏
Glad you liked it!-PJ
I normally charge full rate except when it comes to the elderly. Big house, nice car, full price. Widow, widower struggling on social security, minimal to free. # Lockbox
I agree with you Dale if people are having a hard time and you're in a position where you're able to help him God bless you I wish people would do that more often cuz we all find the time in our life where we all need a little help once in awhile thanks for your comment I love it 🤠
I'm totally with the #Lockfather. If it were that easy the home owner could have done it themselves and you're going to get blamed if it fails in a month. Plus you have to schedule that extra time either way because you don't really know what you're going to get. 😂
#Lockboss
They are getting charged if they aren't family or a close friend. If I was an actual, registered locksmith in CA. I think I would not have a problem if I was an actual locksmith in CA. I would not charge family and friends if I did the work outside of business hours, and they paid for the materials. Like a friend who wants to change all the locks and needs some work on doors. #LockBoss
We charge the same price as a normal rekey in-shop
forgot the #lockboss
I think it’s mainly just the way most people are programmed to think, at least in the US. Most people are paid by the hour, weekly, biweekly, annual salary for 40 hours of work per week, etc. People think you should be paid based on how long you spent working on something, not the value provided. Who cares how long it took me to solve your problem, it’s done right? Would you rather I be at your house all day long?
When we quote them a price for the whole job we are thinking it's a rekey job. Service Call, rekey, keys and labor. We charge a flat rate for rekey which doesn't included labor. This is due to a door knob verses a decorative lock the labor involved to disassemble and reassemble the lock. If we show up and they have all Smart Key we charge the service call and hourly labor rate it took to do the job which ever is lower. But and this is the big but we show them how to do it for next time and leave them a Smart Key set. If it's a mixed set of Locks and Smart Locks we discount our labor rate since we will finish the job sooner hence lower labor. I would rather them see my company as a fair and honest company. We do tell them if they mess up the lock isn't ruined but will need to be reset. They made a mistake and didn't know what they had. I can understand charge a quoted price but also we deal with a lot of small town and word of mouth has been our biggest advertisement. #LockBoss
A true #lockboss would sell them an actual quality lock 🤣
😯-PJ
I agree I think they're a piece of junk but when you buy a new house and that's what they got in it it's been spend $300 to $400,000 it makes it tough heard enough to buy a house stay long enough new locks when you just got a house thanks for your comments
#lockboss
Somewhere along the video I missed the actual charge for a Rekey! I must be ignorant. But a long drawn out video of 14 minutes for something that could have been explained in 3 minutes at worst.
Lol, $15-PJ
100% Same price here as well, I'm responsible for a poorly designed lock,so cover your @ss- luckily I do very little residential #lockboss
So what is the price per hour
I charge the same for a Smartkey rekey as I do a regular lock. Good information guys! #lockboss
$2
Can your father send me a copy of his price list. Thanks
I do have a question I just thought about, have you or any locksmiths in the comments had any experience with the new Kwikset Smart Key SC1 keyway? #Lockboss
LOL...just found out I'm more like #LOCKFATHER than #LOCKBOSS. I'd rather do stuff around the house than play golf...and I like golf btw.
Lol, that's funny-PJ
Thanks Jimmy at least somebody agrees with me but it was probably my fault cuz I bought PJ golf cart at 6 years old to drive around and then I built them a five hole put and Chip course at the house with real greens with bent grass the whole bit and now he has kids and asked me when are you going to fix that back up so it's too much work I did it for you then he lost interest but now he's back into a big time I think I spoiled the kid too much when he was younger now all he wants to do is go out fun fun no he works hard I just like give him a hard time 🤣😂🤣😂🤣 thanks for your comment
#Lockboss
They aren’t paying for the hour minimum, they’re paying for your years/decades of #LOCKBOSS experience
If there locked out it’s a whole other project unless your the lockpicking lawyer of course that dude I one BA LOCKPICKER
They can be a pain and a blessing on a really hot day 😂 #Lockboss 🤘🏼💵🤘🏼 P.S. get the locktech tooL from PJ!
Now we're talking! -PJ
Charge what you always do. I didn't even watch the vid before leaving this comment. Customers don't know or care what they are, so just do your job and leave.
Lol, great summary-PJ