A recent Locksmith Ledger newsletter designated five very general procedures which the public usually connects with locksmithing. In no specific order they are: 1)key duplication, 2)lock repair, 3)hardware installation, 4)vehicle lock servicing and 5)electronic access control. Readers were requested to E-mail a reply to Locksmith Ledger with the five numbers listed in the order of importance for their particular locksmith business. As example, if a locksmith business featured automotive locksmithing, their number list may have been 41235.
Before revealing to you the results of reader replies, a little background is in order. Beginning about twenty years ago the locksmith industry began to be pressured by three primary events. First, big box stores such as Home Depot emerged and began selling security hardware at competitive prices. Not only could consumers purchase a lockset, but during the same visit they could conveniently purchase many other items not available at most locksmith stores. Second, the electronic security era began at about the same time. Two decades ago electric strikes were almost the only way to electrify a doorway. Finally, a few entrepreneurs began enlisting untrained immigrants and furnished them with car-opening tools and battery drills. Phone books are now stuffed with hundreds of phone numbers listed under locksmith headings which often lead to a few phone banks somewhere. By the sheer volume of phone numbers, a vulnerable public often calls these phone banks when needing the services of a locksmith.
The three locksmith industry events mentioned here are factual. The question of how to compete with changes in the locksmith industry has engendered dozens of different opinions. As example, a Locksmith Ledger article printed ni this issue by SHDA describes expensive legal efforts by one locksmith to combat the phone banks issue.
Locksmith Ledger believes that one event within our control is the emergence of electronic security. There are millions of existing residential and commercial doors in this country, each of which can be a possible electronic lock retrofit sale. Untrained phone bank amateurs cannot compete. However, big box stores and alarm installers are edging into this field. Electronics has already far surpassed mechanical keys as the system of choice in the automotive industry. Smart cell phones open up a new horizon of opportunities for operating locks of all kinds.
Now for the results of our E-mail poll. Very few of the answers had the five numbers in the same exact order. Answers totaled 29 different types of number combinations. A 'weight' was given to each number depending on whether it was listed 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th. The final tally provided an overall number of 21345. Reporting readers viewed traditional locksmith subjects as most important while automotive lock servicing was in 4th place and access control was in 5th place.
We are at the junction point in the locksmith supply/ demand curve. At this moment locksmiths can profitably exist by supplying the demand for traditional locksmith services. My prediction is that demand topics (public requests) will rapidly change, forcing the supply (locksmith services) to also change. Subsequent E-mail polls will have a completely different arrangement of the five numbers.
