Locksmith Directory | Locks Changed | Locksmith Blog

The Locks-Changed directory

I'm always on the lookout for new locksmith directories for local locksmiths to submit their details.

Another good free one that has caught my attention is http://www.locks-changed.co.uk/directory.html

It's currently under construction but looks like another good source for local locksmiths to submit to for free.

It is run by the owner of http://www.doors-repaired.co.uk so should rank nicely in the search engines.

UPVC Store

A new supplier has popped up in the West Midlands, previously a web based business, now has a shop front for passing locksmiths to drop in.

Prices are very reasonable to trading locksmiths and these guys have a good list of contacts when it comes to sourcing older parts.

I've heard that they supply a lot of the main locksmith suppliers around the UK so you should be able to get best prices here!

Featured Locksmiths | Locksmith Blog

I promised a few local locksmiths recently that I would give them a feature on the blog with their contact information should anyone be searching for a local locksmith. It can be difficult for the public to find a genuine local locksmith firm that they can trust so I am always willing to help improve their web presence even if it's just in a small blog post on the locksmith blog. Customers find our numbers in weird and mysterious ways sometimes and you gotta be in it to win it.

The first feature is of a local locksmith in Southampton, Tim Guille of Interlocks Ltd.
Tim covers the entire area of Hampshire on a 24 hour basis for all locksmith and upvc related work, commercial and domestic for homeowners and local Southampton businesses.

Arvco Locksmiths

http://www.locksmith-in-oldbury.co.uk

Interlock Locksmiths Ltd
74 Chapel Road
West End
Southampton
Hampshire
SO303GN
Tel: 07887512272

 
My second feature goes to a new kid on the block Paul Clarke, locksmith in Liverpool trading as Impact Locksmiths. I promised Paul a feature as Liverpool is a seriously competitive area to be advertising in and it can be difficult to be seen amongst all those national franchises and call centres that advertise in Liverpool. Paul is a genuine local locksmith in Liverpool so you know you'll be receiving the best service at the right price when using Impact Locksmiths Liverpool.

Impact Locksmiths
50 Riviera Drive
Croxteth
Liverpool
L114US
Tel: 07590208096

Thirdly, an established locksmith in the West Midlands based in Tamworth, Adrian Bryant aka Lockaid 24/7 has made the break away from that notorious nationwide locksmith franchise and gone solo, a good move in my opinion! If you're looking for a genuine local locksmith in Tamworth with plenty of hands on experience and a long list of satisfied customers across Staffordshire then it's really a no brainer, get Adrian on the phone right away!

Lockaid 24/7
59 Briar
Amington
Tamworth
Staffordshire
B774DY
Tel: 07909186487

Locksmith Directories | Locksmith Blog

There are so many locksmith directories out there now that it's difficult to know which ones are worth adding your locksmith business to.

Well the answer is simple really: As many free listings as you can.
If a site is insisting you pay to list your locksmith business the general rule of thumb would suggest that it's not worth investing in. If they are really as great as the claim then they would surely offer a free  trial to prove so.

There are a couple of directories aimed at promoting the small local locksmiths that I would recommend that are entirely free. They do offer a paid feature but it's not mandatory like most of the paid locksmith directories.

Firstly: http://www.locksmith-directory.org.uk is the original 'No nationals' directory that are lot of people are now trying to re-create. This directory ranks no.1 for the term locksmith directory so is a good way to be found online for customers searching for a directory. All entries are vetted and checked so there are no national and spam firms listed here.

Second one worth mentioning is http://www.doors-repaired.co.uk a similar directory built on the back of a locksmiths site that lists all genuine local door repair firms in the UK. Again the same No National locksmiths ethics apply.

A lot of the magazine publications are also creating online local locksmith directories that you may want to add to, just be warned that they will cold call you and try to get you to subscribe to the magazines in return (which we all get free anyway).

Then there are also a lot of seo and web companies with similar themed locksmith directories all looking for paid entries and making a lot of promises. In my experience these are best avoided if giving the hard sell on the phone. This includes Yell.com and Thomson local who both offer free listings but will pester you to death with cold calls afterwards.

Why Are Locksmiths So Expensive? | Locksmith Blog

Q:
Why are locksmiths so expensive?

A: 
It really depends on who you are calling.

A national locksmith franchise or call center type operation often appear to be local businesses since they tend to use redirect local landlines to their call center and also display fake locations in their adverts.

National locksmith companies have enormous advertising costs due to the fierce nature of their advertising campaigns, taking up the majority of space in physical telephone directories and the expensive top listing positions in Google Adwords. This has to be made back somewhere and a large portion of the customers bill is made up of this advertising cost.

You will find that these companies sub contract work to the nearest locksmith on their books which could be anywhere up to 50 miles away, these traveling costs bump up your bill enormously. It could also mean you are waiting a ridiculous length of time for your locksmith to arrive.

Solution:

Use local tradesmen!

As a result of the nationals invading the country locksmiths have been labelled expensive emergency services when in fact the majority of real local locksmith business are reasonably priced and offer a fantastic service.

Using a local locksmith business ensures you are getting a quick response and a reliable, trustworthy tradesman who works hard to uphold his good reputation. National locksmith chains are far less likely to honor part guarantees and fix future problems since it is often difficult to send the same 'engineer' out again.

Spotting a genuine local business can be difficult with the misleading adverts put out by national locksmith companies.

If you go straight through to a receptionist wanting to know all your details before issuing a quotation you are more than likely speaking to a call center. A real local locksmith will be more than familiar with the area you tell them.

Always shop around, get a few quotations! The real local ones will be far cheaper than the nationals so never go for the first quote, no matter how desperate you are to get in.

About Turn Locks, Surrey

Most secure Lock | Locks too secure? | Locksmith Blog

I recently read an article written by Ricks Locksmith in Wolverhampton and how the local housing association managing that area have stopped fitting high security locks to the doors they service.

This was due to the carpenters and handmen responsible for the out of hours service for lock outs and lock changes not being able to open them sufficiently.

What used to be simple lock jobs were now drawn out battles with what sound like very secure doors with all the optional extras.

The question was asked on their blog: Can a door be too secure?

I recently attended a job where an elderly woman was locked out in Sheffield from her apartment on the third floor of the building due to someone messing with her lock.

She had recently purchased a new secured by design door with letterbox guard, anti-snap cylinder made by Yale and secured by design door handles.

The lock seemed to have had something pushed inside it but i was unable to fish anything out of the lock.

Can a door be too secure?

In this scenario.. YES!

What followed was pretty much professional lock butchering, removing the handles and drilling the cylinder was tough work, much tougher than it needs to be!

Its great to see locks evolving to be more secure with new designs to combat the latest flaws in security, however it might be time for a rethink to make these locks more managable for professionals with the correct tools as opposed to manufacturing invincible door setups that keep everyone out.

Thanks for reading

Locksmith Sheffield | 07917-421-482