I always check www.ripOffreport.com before doing business with a company. Believe me when I tell you that people do not hesitate to complain about bad business practices.
Foley-Belsaw has a good reputation from what I've heard. I have sent away for my Free Opportunity Kit as well. I also searched for them in www.ripoffreport.com. Nothing came up. I believe that they have years of good will behind them. Go for it! I am!
Good luck.
Niecie
of NY
@
Aug 08, 2009 01:00:41 AM
Locksmith Services
Locksmith opportunities are decline and the locksmith job market is not good and there is heavy competition.
www.usalocksmith.com
ram
of NJ
@
Jul 27, 2009 13:12:24 PM
Tgpjsyzh
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Tgpjsyzh
of WY
@
Jul 15, 2009 05:11:49 AM
Other Security Industry Sources
For electronic security work you may also want to check out resources at organizations such as National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA) and Security Industry Association (SIA).
Bob Dolph
of FL
@
May 07, 2009 09:44:25 AM
fire alarm certified tech
I have been in the security trade for 30 years in the Miami area and there is no shortage of work. I would have to say that the burglar alarm industry is getting diluted ( Home Depot Alarm systems anyone)but the fire side is the way to go, and being certified (NICET)is the way to work nation wide.With the depressed economy, anything that is life safety related will be the way to go
k upham
of FL
@
Apr 01, 2009 13:31:46 PM
locksmithing
i am 65 years old and i still get on my knees to remove a car door panel and generate a key. i some times get up at all hours to unlock a car...and i love it.
ric castro
of CO
@
Feb 11, 2009 19:57:25 PM
Locksmith Career
I was a locksmith for about 12 years. Started as a technician for a locksmith company and ran the calls that were assigned to me. Pros: very interesting, never knowing what the next job will present, always learning. Cons: Long days, always feeling rushed.
Final nine years worked as an institutional locksmith. Pros: Good pay and benefits, the satisfaction of always being the "good guy". It is a good feeling to see the direct results on peoples faces when you do something that helps them (and you don't even give them a bill!). Cons: narrower focus, you tend to learn your facility very well but there is less variety than the "outside world".
Everybody is different. What started off for me as a dream job eventually began to feel like a dead end so I moved on.
Andy
of MD
@
Feb 03, 2009 01:28:50 AM
Solicitaion of Locksmith Certification
I recently received a "Notice of Eligibility" from Foley-Belsaw Company to indicate my interest in greatly enhancing my income by enrolling in a training program for a certification as a professional locksmith. They stated there is a tremendous demand for locksmiths in North Carolina, where I reside, and around the country. They also made it clear that I would be under no obligation of any kind: my response is simply to request a FREE Opportunity Kit with more information. Is this a SCAM!!?
Bruce Thome
of NC
@
Jan 09, 2009 17:54:03 PM
I disagree, Todd
Todd, while you make a hard case to argue (considering you're working directly in the locksmithing industry), I would argue that during a down economy the security and particularly the locksmithing industry will see an increase in business. There are clear patterns of increased crime rates during a down economy. Hence, best career opportunities in 2009 (and not now).
Some ideas would be to bump up your marketing efforts or to diversify your product offerings. Check out the Ultimate Lock (it's unique and the market has never seen anything like it). Because it's brand new, stores like Home Depot and Lowe's won't sell it until there are sales in the millions. The point is, if the economy continues to decline and crime rates increase (as it has in past down economies) than you should be happy to know you're business will grow in 2009.
Good luck!
Paul E.
of TX
@
Dec 16, 2008 19:19:47 PM
"Decline" Vs. "Change"
Todd, I think you are trying to reply on things continuing as they used to be.
My wife and I have owned and operated a small "mom & pop" mobile locksmith business in Baltimore for the last 20+ years. Over those years we have "adjusted" to continue to do well in an ever changing market.
I don't compete with Home Depot and Lowe's on price. I can't! I buy a certain type of lock one r two (maybe three) at a time. They buy them by the boxcar load.
Where I CAN compete with them (and will beat the every time) is knowledge and customer service.
We no longer do automotive locksmithing. With the cost of the equipment to do transponder work, it's just not cost effective, unless you specialize in cars or have a large business that can absorb the investment.
We also don't do very much residential work anymore. Frankly, there's just no money in it. People wonder why I sell a Kwikset knob lock for $21, while Home depot sells the same thing for close to half that. (See above)
There was a time that auto and residential made up 70% of my business. Not any more.
There there are the "Scammers" that have been all over the news for the last couple of years. They've over run the yellow pages and 411 systems. So emergency lockouts are almost a thing of the past.
Now we specialize in safe work (opening and repairing and a little "sales"), and commercial locksmithing. Much of my business is from repeat customers and referrals.
I will agree with you on this... There are many "out-of-work" locksmiths. And many owner operators fail in year or two. But that's mainly because everybody and his uncle thinks he cam be one with little to no investment in education and equipment. On top of that, they try to be "cheap", to get the work. But they cut corners to do it. Sooner or later they realize that they can't pay their bills and they go out of business. (Or go to work for a big company - taking their work ethic with them)
The industry isn't really "declining", as much as it is "changing".
Niecie of NY @ Aug 08, 2009 01:00:41 AM
ram of NJ @ Jul 27, 2009 13:12:24 PM
Tgpjsyzh of WY @ Jul 15, 2009 05:11:49 AM
Bob Dolph of FL @ May 07, 2009 09:44:25 AM
k upham of FL @ Apr 01, 2009 13:31:46 PM
ric castro of CO @ Feb 11, 2009 19:57:25 PM
Andy of MD @ Feb 03, 2009 01:28:50 AM
Bruce Thome of NC @ Jan 09, 2009 17:54:03 PM
Paul E. of TX @ Dec 16, 2008 19:19:47 PM
Bobby of MD @ Dec 13, 2008 12:01:47 PM
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