I have a fairly open policy on my Skype and IM programs. I tend to allow the requests to join my list, and then work out who it is afterwards. Sometimes they won’t say, so I de-list them, and I’m careful to mark “untrusted” names so I don’t wind up with too many, uh… weirdos?
There’s a reason for this. I’ll not name names, but I just had a message pop up from a chap who totally thought I was someone else, with the same name, in China. He added me months ago, and, as usual, I allowed and marked as unknown. So I was a little suprised when he just asked a question about a large and probably secret trade deal to me, without any preamble or opening. So now I know a secret. While I didn’t do anything silly, like lead the guy on, I know enough people who would do that sort of thing, and there are actually quite a few websites devoted to things like social engineering attacks, where people use small items of information to gain credibility and then exploit the person they are dealing with. I’m guessing that if I was after info on this rather large deal, I could have easily lead the guy on, since he already thought I was someone else.
I’ve also had a similar thing happen on Hotmail, back in the days when the internet was young, as IT useage policy was “Don’t eat or drink at the computers.” I somehow ended up on this list of joke emails and occassional non-joke messages from someone in the US military. I’m fairly sure it was a shared surname and initial. The jokes were good, so I did nothing, until one day a report marked “Confidential” arrived! I can only imagine the high jinks that could cause today!
Be sure who you send things to on the internet!
ICL What a load a self indulged self checked unorganised bullshitters. Ive been doing this for 25 yrs and you silly short minded lack of businessmen seem to just want to tuin a good trade with your silly 60 all in 3 locks crap..You WILL NOT be in business long.. I can tell you. !!
Its just a load of hype then yu turn up and say 2 SORRY LOVE” These cant be picked and charge fucked up silly costs.. I KNOW FACT !!
Why not be a proper locksmith.. go try fitting locks on alli doors n wood doors. learn a bit about DDA access control stuff and earn a proper locksmiths living.. ICL Laughable.. same as BLA. NNAL. UKLA.. How many permatations can the real MLA have suffered.. Idiots.. !!
Well, micky (mouse?), I deleted your fake email address, but I decided not to delete or alter your comment.
If you have been going 25 years, well done. I’m sure you have drilled plenty of locks in your time. You say you know FACT, but I’m sure you are confused.
I don’t know of any Institute of Certified Locksmiths member who has turned up at a door and said the lock would have to be drilled as a first resort. It doesn’t happen. Yes, sometimes the lock has to die a horrible death, but, in general these are very much the exception. I’m still in single digits for locks drilled in 2 years of trading, and these skills are how Discreet Security Solutions / Lancashire Locksmiths can offer a free replacement lock if we drill your working lock – the occassional freebie to a customer is well worth it for the good will we feel it generates.
I have no idea what “your silly 60 all in 3 locks crap” even means? And I can’t see how picking, rather than drilling, can harm our business? Ruin a good trade? By not ripping off the customer by charging £60 for a deadlock rather than £3 for a copy of the working key hanging up inside? I hardly think the customer is heartbroken by the saving!
As for mortises & aluminium doors, I’ve fitted over 10 in the last 6 months. By hand. Hard work, but well paid. And putting a mortise into aluminium really makes you apprieciate a sharp chisel! Makes anything made of even hardwood look like cardboard.
Charge a fair, upfront price, stop relying on your drill to earn your profits, and use your years of skill instead. Times are changing.