Comment on locksmiths as a 'dying breed'.

Has anyone seen the new transponder recepticle in the '05 Toyota hybrid? There's no ignition switch whatsoever. Just a slot to insert your fob. And a large button on the dash you push that says 'START'. I heard Paul Harvey (news radio guy) refer to these types of less mechanical locking mechanisms as, making locksmiths "A dying breed", I dissagree. I feel I'm doing more and more in depth mechanic and electronic technician work than ever before as far as vehicles are concerned. That means locksmiths are adapting to the always changing need for better securety, and we will continue be called upon in the far future to service where the need applies. Sure the equipment needed probably wont pay itself off, but is it possible that the customer base added will suffice?

P.S. Hey Paul, if your lock failes after your long flight home or long day at work, don't call a locksmith. Find a stick or rock or something, and try to beat your door down yourself, then you'll reconsider who the dying breed is.

Reply to
Mac
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Mac,

Great post. Maybe the perception of a locksmith as a tobacco juice spitting tinkerer is dying, but my business has grown by over 20% a year for 9 straight years. I can't keep up with it. Yes, it has changed. I specialize in Access Control e-strikes, maglocks, electric latch devices and Grand Master Key systems (proprietary). I do about 80% commercial, 20% Residential and 0% Automotive. I work a 45 hour week and get paid well enough to run after hours that I don't mind a bit.

I see no end in sight for this particular locksmith's services. I'm a reproducing breed, having hired and trained others. Paul Harvey, less mechanical and more electronicial (sp) just means I get paid better. Not many typewriter repairmen anymore, but word processing specialists and computer geeks are certainly in demand. Let the "dying breed" die. Bring on the technology.

Bob

Reply to
Bob B.

there are 15? cars similar to that this year..

and I have asked 2 dealers ONE THING. both GM and Ford have similar models..

WHAT is the price of the FOB, when you lose it?? no answers YET.

--Shiva--

Reply to
--Shiva--

Good post, Bob!

I too, saw the writing on the wall years ago regarding automotive work. I haven't bought anything new for doing car work since 1999. Unless you are a big shop or specialize in automotive, it usually doesn't pay to keep up with the technology. I'll still make keys to the occasional older vehicle, and do car openings when I have the time, but it's rare.

I now do mostly safe and commercial work with a little bit of residential if time allows.

Where car work used to be my favorite type of work, it's now safework. Better money, more comfortable working conditions (usually), and while tools are an ongoing investment, it's more out of "bigger/better/the latest gadget", as opposed to obsolescence of the old.

In a few years, I probably won't be able to give away my VATS interrogator. My Strongarm Mini-Rig will never be obsolete.

And the best part....

I've never stood in the rain to open a safe.

I've never waded through ankle deep snow to open a safe.

And... I've never gone out to open a safe at 9:00 at night, only to find it _gone_ when I got there. :)

Bobby

Reply to
Bob DeWeese, CML

Good Post. dang-He needs to get off the typewriter.

"-The Ignorance....The Ignorance"(Like Brando in "Apocalypse Now")

Anybody who thinks that one product is going to put locksmiths out of business is someone who knows nothing about the business itself.

Just think-That thing on the dashboard that you put the card in?-That is a lock-Locks will never go away-there will always be a lock on something.

And somewhere, in some out of the way-off the street shop stacked with all kinds of equipment around him, A Locksmith will be tweaking it,taking it apart,etc.

Sometimes I get just a tad proturbed when somebody hears I am a locksmith-then they ask-"Oh,Do you make keys?????"

(ME)No shit!!!!-Damn--You are smart!!!-LOL

goma.

Reply to
goma865

The cute thing about some of the prototye fob-only systems is that they can operate while the fob is still in your pocket. Sit down in the car and push a button and it starts; no fumbling with the keychain.

I have no idea how they're handling the steering wheel lock in that case. I presume via a solenoid.

Of course at least one door still needs a physical key so you can get in when the battery has gone dead without having to wait for a tow truck. And there'll still be plenty of work dealing with lockouts. And presumably there'll be a need for people duplicating/registering fobs just as there is now with transponder keys.

The business changes. We change with it. We always have; we always will.

Reply to
Joe Kesselman (address as shown

Reply to
Bob B.

Bob,

I envy you getting to do a lot of safe work. I've get to do a little, maybe one or two jobs a month. I might sell a half dozen a year. Hey, don't tell anyone, but I would work on safes for free. I like it that much. Specialists make the bucks. And you know the old saying, the further from home you go, the more of an expert you are believed to be. In order to do much safe work, I'd have to go regional. I do know one smith here in town that specializes in luxury cars. He's about the only game in town in that niche and does a great business. I refer him work all the time.

Bob

Reply to
Bob B.

Haven't seen it, but I would think it may be Weigand technology. The fob would probably be worth about $8 or $10 bucks. The trick would be to get it programmed. It would be possible to equip the car with a special programming fob and the reader/computer would re-learn the new fob after the programming fob was presented, but I guess that's not about to happen. Not much money to be made there.

Bob

Reply to
Bob B.

Amen!

"Joe Kesselman (address as shown)" snipped-for-privacy@comcast.net wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@individual.net...

Reply to
Bob B.

its MY understanding there is NO mechanical locls ANYWHERE on the car.

people gonna scream when they start losing them...LOLOL

--Shiva--

Reply to
--Shiva--

agree !!!

Reply to
Key

correct from what I hear too...

Reply to
Key

There is a conventional lock too. Door and ignition. The keyless start is not prototype, it's been in service for 2 years. It speaks well for the quality of the product that none of the locksmiths here have any information on it yet.

Daniel (a Prius owner)

Reply to
dbs__usenet

the NEW, meaning 05 models, have NO keys..they are advertising that fact.. the OLD, right-they were working the bugs out, but a key is not needed at all.

--Shiva--

Reply to
--Shiva--

I'll have to take your word on that. I've not looked closely at the 2005, since the Toyota dealer assured me there were no changes from the 2004 model. I see nothing on the web to substantiate or refute what you said.

BTW, the Smart Key System is an option, so a key IS used for any model that does not have that extra installed. The 2004 transponder had a key embedded in the housing that could be used if necessary.

Daniel

Reply to
dbs__usenet

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Reply to
Key

Yep, I saw that, and it does not mention if the manual locks are removed at the factory when the smart entry system is installed. I did a cursory look (20 minutes) and did not see anything on the web that spoke to that particular question.

Some of the pictures do show what appers to be an ignition lock on the right side of the steering column, but there's nothing saying if that picture is of a car with or without the smart entry system.

I guess I have to hunt down a 2005. :) Darn!

Daniel

Reply to
dbs__usenet

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