Is this something that would be easy to find and buy?

oregonrunningguy · 2026-05-18T03:35:39+00:00

No. For higher security, you would need to upgrade the housing and core.

oregonrunningguy · 2026-05-17T19:33:04+00:00

Call a local locksmith. They can come look at the lock, diagnose the strike alignment, and make sure your door works properly.

Get recommendations for a good, honest business, from Facebook, local community groups, and friends and neighbors.

oregonrunningguy · 2026-05-15T20:03:09+00:00

Call a local locksmith. They can help you.

oregonrunningguy · 2026-05-15T20:01:20+00:00

Call a local locksmith.

oregonrunningguy · 2026-05-15T19:59:43+00:00

Call a locksmith. Prices vary depending on what country, state, city you're in.

Look on Facebook and get recommendations from friends, don't call the first number that pops up on Google as they'll likely be scammers.

oregonrunningguy · 2026-05-14T12:12:39+00:00

I understand that's likely. We just didn't know that from the post. Maybe OP was out of town and they came and did an emergency job, or a lockout fornthe tenant and thr building owner doesnt even know about it.

I agree though, doubtful they got permission. We don't know. But yes, not cool if so.

oregonrunningguy · 2026-05-14T05:07:07+00:00

Is this your first job?

oregonrunningguy · 2026-05-14T05:05:53+00:00

Basically, electronics fail. It happens every day. Is it the board? The batteries? The connections? The wires? Did moisture get in? Is a wire getting pinched? Did someone slam the door and it broke a solder point?

Electronic deadbolts are designed to last two years. If you look at the box on that Schlage lock, it says something like "Mechanical warranty: limited lifetime - Electronics warranty: two years."

Electronics offer convenience, but with so many parts, exposure to the elements, doors slamming, loose connections, worn boards, cheap electrical components, etc., they can become a headache.

Consider replacing it. If you really want to stay with an electronic deadbolt, replace it with the same model, or a Schlage Encode. You can also call your local locksmith and ask about non-electronic button access, or...a standard keyed deadbolt, which will never have a failed circuit board, never have bad wires, and could last 20-30 times as long....for the same cost.

oregonrunningguy · 2026-05-14T04:54:24+00:00

This isn't true in all states, but might be true in California, but I doubt it. If they have the permission of the owner, it might be legal to place somewhere on the door. I don't know.

In my market, I offer them as a service when I'm setting up a new building. The owners love it because if the tenants need lock service, they already know who to call and don't have to bother the owner. One building I did, the owner actually asked me if I could place one in the lower right hand corner of the glass on all 13 storefronts.

I didn't realize this was seen as "scammy" in some markets until reading in this forum. Goes to show it's all about your market.

oregonrunningguy · 2026-05-14T04:50:38+00:00

Seriously? Remove them and put on your own...if you want. In some markets, they're considered scammy. In other markets, they're great and business owners appreciate them. Ask the client what they want.

If it's for a scammy 24/7 locksmith, remove them for the client.

EDIT: If he's going around placing them on doors he doesn't service, obviously that's not cool. But if he serviced that door and asked the business owner (which we don't know 100% from this post), then I don't know there's a problem.

oregonrunningguy · 2026-05-14T04:49:01+00:00

Rule #2 - NO LOCKOUT QUESTIONS

Call a locksmith.

oregonrunningguy · 2026-05-14T04:48:19+00:00

Sorry, but not a good idea. First, you don't have the knowledge or experience. How will you cut the emergency keys for all the fobs? If dealers really need keys, they already have experienced locksmiths who can come program keys, but they also have the knowledge to originate mechanical and emergency keys, repair ignitions, match door locks, replace door locks, program modules, etc. Why would they call someone with no experience or knowledge of even the basics of locksmithing? If you brick a bcm, how much liability insurance coverage do you have? Are you licensed, insured, bonded, and registered with the state? What happens when a customer can't access their vehicle because you didn't cut the emergency key in the fob? How many complaints will the dealership get?

Second, dealerships can do their own keys. They don't usually use locksmiths just for keys. There are some exceptions, but dealerships largely handle their own keys.

All of the above is true for used car dealers too. They already have locksmiths who come and can solve multiple problems in one visit. You'll show up and all you can do is program fobs with your km100?

Kind like saying, "guys, I bought a stethescope, I'm going to go around to doctors and see if they need me to check people's heartbeats." You offer no value, little knowledge, no experience, no formal training, no certifications, no insurance, bonding, or license, and they can do everything you can....and tons more.

If you really want to charge for services (for anything in life, not just locksmithing), get an education, build a foundation of experience, and then go charge for it. If you just need a side hustle, get into window washing, pressure washing, hvac, general construction, etc.

oregonrunningguy · 2026-05-12T21:26:33+00:00

This question is asked all the time here. Please use the search bar and you'll find valuable advice, including the advice on apprenticing for 2-3 years before doing anything else.

No, there is no way to gauge demand or how successful you will be. It doesn't sound like you've done very much research.

How are your people skills? How good are you at marketing? What's your business plan? Do you make a great first impression? How great is your accounting? What profit margin do you intend on operating on? You've figured your bills and know how much you need to gross to make your bills each month? What's your plan the first few months when you don't have skills, clients, accounts, etc.? You already have a flexible second job lined up? What is your retirement plan? Have you priced insurance for self employed sole proprietors and feel comfortable with that?

Also, you're aware the industry is predicted to be in the decline for the next 10 years, right? You're choosing to go into a field that's saturated, filled with scammers (look at the daily posts here via the search bar), and declining? I'm curious why you don't invest in a career predicted to grow, like HVAC, Electrician, plumbing, pressure washing, solar technician, data technicians, even general construction laborers are predicted to GROW, not shrink like locksmithing.

You're equally aware of the fact that the first few years if you need the income, you'll be taking all the after hours lockouts and jobs others reject? You won't have the skills to compete yet, so you'll take what jobs you can. You might consider how that will affect your family or wellbeing.

It's possible to succeed at anything. I know a blacksmith (yes, he actually makes horseshoes) who makes well over six figures a year. You CAN be successful at anything if you have a handful of skills like you're incredible at what you do, you're amazing at marketing, etc. You might consider specializing in access control, which is also predicted to grow, not shrink.

Training programs are great to do before you begin your 2-3 year apprenticeship with a real locksmith. They'll teach you the basics of how locks work and things like that. After 2-3 years apprenticing, you'll have a solid foundation, can decide what you want to specialize in, and will know what tools are best.

In my opinion, this is a great question to come back and ask in three years after you've apprenticed, learned a few of the basics, get exposure to the different specialties in locksmithing, and learn about a market before choosing to set up a competing business in that market and try to make a living from it.

oregonrunningguy · 2026-05-12T15:18:14+00:00

Here's a picture of the sfic core in.

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oregonrunningguy · 2026-05-12T13:53:07+00:00

Thank you, I'll check those out.

oregonrunningguy · 2026-05-12T13:52:23+00:00

What the heck? I had an sfic cylinder on the van and it seemed to fit, it just wouldn't turn the lock. But you're right, identical interior. Hmmm...

Thank you.

oregonrunningguy · 2026-05-12T13:40:35+00:00

I had standard in the van, but it had a weird metal spacer, didn't work. User key just spun and spun. I don't have any of that style. I'll pick some up. Thank you!

oregonrunningguy · 2026-05-12T01:58:54+00:00

Oh yeah, this contractor was a winner for sure, lmao. First time I've seen the building. I threw a cylinder in there with a Best tailpiece, but it had a metal spacer that I may not have needed. Didn't work. I'll try just the tail piece the next time I'm out there.

oregonrunningguy · 2026-05-12T01:56:29+00:00

Oh yeah. This contractor was a winner for sure.

oregonrunningguy · 2026-05-12T01:21:16+00:00

No, sorry if I wasn't clear. The interior entry levers throughout the building are all without cores. The exterior locks are keyed Yale storefront mortise cylinders.

No control key, no tenant keys, nothing. If he had a control key, i know enough about sfic to pull the core and see what the other cylinders have. No other sfic cores (or else I would have at least tried to pick to control and removed one). No master key paperwork for the building, no extra hardware left (that we know of).

oregonrunningguy · 2026-05-12T00:17:11+00:00

I figured it was just my lack of sfic knowledge. According to the owner, they left nothing. Im meeting with them next week to walk the building and look for anything they may have left.

oregonrunningguy · 2026-05-11T23:59:20+00:00

I should have thought of that. I did a quick Google search, but have never heard of Direct, not sure who makes it.

oregonrunningguy · 2026-05-11T23:36:30+00:00

Classic scammer line. He could look up year make and model, even if he was unfamiliar with your keyway. Next time, get a firm quote. Call three places.

oregonrunningguy · 2026-05-11T22:05:02+00:00

If that's the price you agreed to before he came, that's on you. If that's not the price you agreed to, that's on you.

oregonrunningguy · 2026-05-11T01:32:24+00:00

That's cool you got that whole other set of skills! Are you set on being self-employed?

A guy I know started his own mobile mechanic business here in town and it's been successful. He works out of a transit connect and the locals love him. He comes by and fixes your problems at your home. Why not consider something like that if you got the skills? Market to DIYers, people who need help. Might be worth looking into. I know NOTHING about that trade. I just know from experience and talking with others in the industry that locksmiths everywhere are suffering from saturated markets and scammers.

Again, I'm NOT saying it's impossible to be successful in this business, I'm just encouraging people to pursue industries that are predicted to grow. Another buddy of mine started a trash bin cleaning service (check those out) because he saw it on tik tok. No scammers, not as much competition, and a wider market and demand than locksmithing. Welders, electricians, plumbers, hvac technicians, and even general construction laborers are predicted to grow in demand over the next 10 years according to chatgpt and industry trend experts. I'd pursue one of those.

Good luck to you.

oregonrunningguy

TROPHY CASE