Went to a Locksmith suppliers 'industry' roadshow / workshop this week. I could not believe the array of new fangled electronic machines & associated electronic & computerized tools. A multitude of transponder readers, computer engravers, code machines, electronic access control lock systems that could do everything but make coffee. The price for the cheapest code machine was more than what my van is worth, and I have a very nice van !. When one of the salesmen asked what sort of lock work I do, he quickly disappeared. Not interested in the average Locksmith that does the ordinary every day bread & butter type of locksmithing.
I was interested in purchasing a HPC 1200 Blitz machine. The special 'show price' was $5869.00, NO cutters, NO cards. I was informed that I could buy optional cutters, and buy the card making program for another $575.00. Then to print out the cards I would need to buy a good quality Laser printer, $$????. O.K. times are changing, but honestly, how many of you guys out there are making enough dollars out of transponder work to justify the cost of associated machinery / tools, or for that matter, justifying the purchase of a $25,000.00 electronic key machine / engraver ?. Most of the access control stuff looked like it belonged on the star ship Enterprise. The price, "ya don't want to know", ...... & I bet most customers wouldn't want to know either !!. I noted all the young Locksmiths buzzing around the expensive hi-tech stuff, and if they actually purchased some of these machines, they would have the arse out of their pants for quite a while before it pays for it's self, or worse, becomes obsolete 'before' it pays for it's self. ?? Maybe I'm just an old fart that's set in his ways. Do I look worried, .... :o)