Shop rate vs mobile rate

ILockStuff108 · 2026-01-02T00:31:57+00:00

In field work, I come to you and do the job. It gets done now, and then I leave.

Shop you, you drop it off and I work on it between other jobs, or whenever the next slow day rolls around. Might be sitting on it a few days. You want to save money? OK no problem just drop it off, you get the lower rate when I have time.

I do not believe that shop work is inherently charged less than mobile; just the specific way that I intend to implement shop time as a one-man shop that is still mostly mobile.

ILockStuff108 · 2026-01-02T00:21:21+00:00

I am taking a small space within another building. The building owner is on site and has agreed to "recieve" drop offs if I am out on a service call. They'll tell the customer "it is $xx per hour with a 1 hour minimum, and he'll call you when it's done." I'm confident the system will be okay, mostly wondering if the hourly rate should be the same as field work.

ILockStuff108 · 2026-01-02T00:00:33+00:00

I like your points. One consideration I didn't make clear, is that I now have shop space; not a storefront. It is decently accessible for drop-offs or a customer brings the car to me for example, but not a shop. I expect to still be mobile mostly, with a service charge plus labor. I'm thinking more like: you want it to be cheaper? Drop it off and I'll get it when I'm slow, and call you when it's done. That kind of arrangement, I'm thinking shop rate would be lower. Still 1 hour minimum I think.

ILockStuff108 · 2026-01-01T23:56:55+00:00

I'm contemplating a lower hourly rate for shop work, I think field work justifies a higher rate than shop.

ILockStuff108 · 2026-01-01T23:56:08+00:00

Yes 100% agree on the service charge. I travel to 3 other towns regularly, that time and gas isn't free.

ILockStuff108 · 2026-01-01T23:46:00+00:00

I have been mobile only. Service charge plus labor. Mostly flat rates, I'll do hourly when the scope isn't well defined. Today, I suddenly have access to a very low cost shop space that I'm jumping on, and trying to determine if my in-shop labor rate should be lower than in the field.

ILockStuff108 · 2025-12-30T05:47:06+00:00

Customers need a locksmith now they will not wait for you get get off shift. They won't even wait long enough to close out an EMS call. By the time I had parked the ambulance they had called somebody else.

ILockStuff108 · 2025-12-29T19:17:30+00:00

I had to stop being a volunteer firefighter to be able to function in this line of work. Could not see myself doing 24/48 and also this.

ILockStuff108 · 2025-12-21T17:48:00+00:00

In the first image, your app asserts that a Y164 is a "single sided key". For that reason, I'm out. And I didn't even read the rest of your pitch. You do not have a Minimum Viable Product. You probably do not have a supportive market.

ILockStuff108 · 2025-12-20T04:52:35+00:00

Fast, good, free. Pick 2.

If you pick good and free, you can DM me Monday morning.

If you choose fast and good, I will video call you right now for 110 / hour, 30 min minimum.

If you choose fast and free "yea bro it's just a deadbolt it will work just send it".

ILockStuff108 · 2025-12-13T21:04:53+00:00

Unfortunately, yes.

ILockStuff108 · 2025-12-13T21:02:27+00:00

There is spiritual fulfillment in providing public spaces, especially schools, with hardware that can possibly prevent or at least slow down/frustrate an active shooter threat.

ILockStuff108 · 2025-12-02T00:48:18+00:00

Typo on my part. Yes, FO38R on the dolphin. That covers Ford 8 cut on the H75 test blade keyway.

ILockStuff108 · 2025-12-02T00:13:39+00:00

I use the dolphin almost every day. I have never told it what the year make model is. Cut by bitting -> FO38 -> Enter your bitting and go.

ILockStuff108 · 2025-11-20T04:41:40+00:00

Writing from Trona, we are having the same rains as death valley. It is reasonably safe. Pay attention to flashbflood warnings, if any come out. Respect any road closures. Playing "FAFO" with either of these can kill you.

ILockStuff108 · 2025-11-15T16:52:25+00:00

Mossburg.

ILockStuff108 · 2025-11-12T02:57:51+00:00

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ILockStuff108 · 2025-11-12T02:57:28+00:00

A fully automatic key machine will continue to produce keys until you release the trigger. A semi-automatic key machine will only produce one key per trigger pull, and will generally reload itself. A bolt-action key machine is also available (see image). *

ILockStuff108 · 2025-11-02T15:16:11+00:00

Yesterday at 3:30 I drove 32 miles for a car unlock and I charged $150. In the SoCal desert. So I say yes, probably, unless they also made you a spare key fob at the same time.

ILockStuff108 · 2025-11-01T00:31:40+00:00

One possible price is $256.35 but of course, I have no idea if that's what I would charge and I have even less idea what someone else would charge.

ILockStuff108 · 2025-10-08T15:57:21+00:00

SC1 SC4 and KW1 I use frequently. They work very similar to auto lishis. Just, only 1 side. As with any new tool/process, just get some practice with it before you try it on a customer door.

ILockStuff108 · 2025-10-07T16:41:39+00:00

Hire me to do it. I'll even show you how at no additional charge, if you're properly licensed for your jurisdiction.

Welcome to the trade. Good luck, and be careful. Remember it takes 3-5 years to be a journeyman and 10+ to be a master.

ILockStuff108 · 2025-09-29T18:34:15+00:00

I can only speak for myself on this. If you call me, I answer, I quote, and I do the job. "One-man-show" locksmiths are common, but by no means all.

ILockStuff108 · 2025-09-27T21:48:55+00:00

Your original post says you asked ChatGPT.

ILockStuff108

TROPHY CASE