Notes from the Editor: Buyer Beware

Oct. 15, 2014

Parts begin to wear as soon as any mechanical lock cylinder is installed and the lock can never be considered new again.  Springs can weaken with age; ends of tumblers tend to flatten out and keyways can lose their original shape.  While some parts of the cylinder can be replaced, keyway and pin chamber wear cannot be brought back to new without replacing the whole cylinder unit. Mechanical wear is a fact of life and mechanical locks can be either new or used. There is no middle ground.

Selling prices are usually a good barometer of the remaining value of a product.  Buyers expect to pay list price for a new product.  A used product usually becomes less valuable to a purchaser and the price must be reduced in order to make a sale.  

Electronics became a strong contender in the security field about fifteen years ago. One of the most noticeable electronic security items is vehicle remotes.  Foreign suppliers recognized the profit which could be made by making replacement remotes but many of these less expensive remotes have been found to be unreliable.  One alternative has been for locksmiths to stock original factory remotes and compete with dealers at approximately the same price point.         

Vehicle remotes and vehicle keys with remote buttons located in the keybow contain a small circuit board.  There is no noticeable wear in the circuit board because there are no moving parts.  Newly formed companies have now developed methods for collecting used remotes, refurbishing the circuit boards, setting electronics back to factory-original specifications  and replacing the outer shells. 

An increasing amount of companies are now in the business of selling remotes. Locksmith Ledger has received phone calls and E-mails from locksmiths who have been solicited by various companies who are offering remotes at very low prices in comparison to dealer list prices.  There is nothing wrong with this practice.  However, before making a purchase from any source, ask the salesman if the company is selling  factory-fresh originals, refurbished factory originals, or imported replacements.  Caveat emptor.  You should be aware of what you are buying and what you are selling to your customers.