No rest for a Locksmith over Christmas

Dear Reader,

What we've been doing in November

Its been a very interesting month in West Lothian as we continue to get more and more work that most other locksmiths won't touch. I don't know why certain locksmiths won't repair Aluminium doors, but we take great pride in the fact we can offer this service to our customers.

Its even more enjoyable because there was a major UPVC Door and Window supplier in Scotland, who shall remain nameless for legal reasons, are not happy that Pentland Locksmiths Services are offering to repair Old Aluminium doors they fitted 20 years ago. By offering a repair service they believe we are taking away the potential of them selling more new doors to existing customers.

Maybe if they were so concerned with their customers needs, instead of badgering them into spending a £1000 on a new door, then maybe we wouldn't have to offer this service.

As long as they continue to ignore our customers needs then Pentland Locksmiths will be on hand to repair your Old Aluminium and Double Glazed Doors.

If you an Aluminium Door that is in need of repair then click the picture above that will take you to our website page.

Our New Website

Its been nearly 3 months since we launched our new website and the views we are getting from our customers have shown that the 6 months of hard work creating the site is now paying off. Our customers are finding that our website is easy to navigate, lots of information about door locks and other services we offer and more importantly they see Pentland Locksmiths as an Honest, Reliable and legitimate local locksmith service in Livingston, West Lothian.

It has also coincided with our position on Google Business Listings being reinstated and back to the top of the search listings were we belong. We did suffer quite a bit over a 6 week period as spammers took over our slot, but it gave us the time to rethink our strategy and promote our business in a different way.

We do not wish our competitors in Livingston, West Lothian any ill will as we feel that competition is good for business and it also allows customers with varied budgets and needs to get the best person for the type of work thats required. However, if you actively create false information about your business to get Top Listing on Google Business listings then you derserve what you get, if your listing is removed.

We are all at the mercy of Google and its crazy Algorythms, but if we all stick to the guidelines then all locksmith businesses currently listed will retain their place.

Crime in West Lothian

As the Festive period gets in to full swing and party goers go out to enjoy themselves the possibility of bag snatches becomes more frequent. There are individuals, usually couples targeting young women to steal their handbags while in Bars and Clubs in West Lothian and Edinburgh.

We would urge everyone to remain vigilant and never leave their bags and belongings unattended.

Don't let these horrible cretins spoil your Christmas by making it easy for them to steal your possessions.

Pentland Locksmiths will be available 24 hours a day over the Christmas and New Year period, so if the unthinkable happens then don't hesitate to give us a call.

Put our number in your phone as you never know when you might need our help.

Tel: 01506 680 002

The Cold Nights and UPVC doors

With the cold winter nights hits, it invariably brings an increase in the number of upvc and composite door repairs we attend. The cold weather can really affect a door and if its been difficult to lock over a period of time, then a cold weather snap can be the tipping point that breaks a door mechanism.

During the holiday period it may be more difficult to get repairs done if lock suppliers are closed for the holidays, so if you feel your door is not locking as it should, then give us a call and we can get it fixed before it breaks and leaves you with a much bigger problem and costly bill.

Pentland Locksmiths also carry dozens of Mechanisms and Gearbox units, so if your door fails during the holiday period then give us a call and we should be able to sort your door at the first visit. If we don't have the door mechanism in stock we will secure your door and return at the next available time to fit a replacement at NO additional cost.

Wishing our Customers a Merry Christmas

Pentland Locksmiths Services

http://www.pentlandlocksmiths.com/

Locksmiths in Livingston, West Lothian EH54 8JA Blog

Hi Reader,

Dark nights are once again upon us!

Its not my favourite time of year because daylight hours are shorter and driving conditions are much more difficult. No one ever seems to have external lights so trying to find the right house in the dark nights can be a bit tricky. Shining a big million candle torch out the van window at the doors as I travel down a street bring home owners to there windows, curious to know whats going on.

Getting called out to do lockouts in Livingston in the dark nights and with poor weather conditions makes it more difficult to do your job. But Pentland Locksmiths Services will always remain on hand to our customers in Livingston, West Lothian, EH54 whatever the conditions 24 hours a day.

Livingston Monthly Crime Spot

Thankfully, nothing much to report this month in Livingston or the wider West Lothian areas. Most notable crimes have been opportunist thefts of handbags and belongings left in cars. Most jobs we have attended have been related to this type of crime with worried customers having their locks changed to ensure security and piece of mind. We would urge all our customers to careful as we head into the darker nights not to leave bags or belongings unattended while out in Bars, Clubs or just out for the day in the car. Thieves will target cars left in beauty spots as the occupants go out for a walk.

It is also worthwhile leaving a light on when you go out for the evening and if you plan to go away for a few days, let a neighbour you know and trust to look after your property while you are away.

Door Multipoint Locking Mechanisms

The colder night brings its own problems with many types of external door systems, especially UPVC doors with Multipoint Locking Systems. UPVC doors in Livingston, that may appear to be difficult to lock or to even put the handles up, may just need to be adjusted to work the way they should. Depending on how warm or cold it is, will affect your door.

Your upvc or composite door will expand and retract each day depending on the weather. If your door is already difficult to lock or close then extreme cold can be enough to break your locking system.

If your Locking mechanism breaks then your'e not able to use your door and it will cost at least 3 times the amount to get it repaired.

So if feel it is difficult to lock your door get Pentland Locksmiths Services Livingston, West Lothian EH54 8JA to service and adjust you door and locking system before its too late.

Picture above shows a typical problem with a multipoint locking system after part of the spindle section had broken. Our Customer from Bankton Avenue, Livingston could not open his door because it failed after it had been forcefully locked for a period of time.

Here is a link to our webpage on Multipoint Locking Systems that will give you more information on what you need to do to get your door lockins system repaired.

http://www.pentlandlocksmiths.com/upvc-door-window-repairs.html

Locksmith Industry

There has been some fierce debate on the UK locksmiths forums over the last few months about the amount of new start-up locksmiths and the level of training that's on offer. Most honest indivuduals who want to become locksmiths are unaware of the pitfalls to learning this trade and what happens after they hand over there hard earned cash or redundancy to a locksmith trainer. The vast majority of courses on offer to do not cover a fraction of what you need to know to get even started. Once you have handed over your £1000 for your basic 2/3 day course you then have to find a minimum of £2000 for basic tools and some locks.

So you've spent your redundancy and you think your ready to get going as a locksmith, where is your work coming from?

No existing locksmith business will give you a job because there is a possibility you will go it alone after a short period of time and become a competitor. So the biggest mistake most start-ups make is that they don't find out the level of training they need, how to fund their tools/stock, and how to get work one they have got that far.

So if you are planning to start up as a locksmith then make sure you check out everything before you take the plunge because you will lose your hard earned cash and end up with no job.

So here is a few pointers when starting a locksmith business.

• Train with a registered Locksmith Organisation (ICL or MLA)


• Most honest Locksmith trainers will not accept individuals with a criminal background


• Make sure you have sufficient funds to buy tools and stock


• Always ensure you have a guaranteed outlet for work before you start up


• Check to see if your area needs and can sustain another locksmith Service


• And be prepared to pay yourself a minimum wage for at least 2 years before you become established

Alternatively, you could just do locksmith work at night, while continuing to do your day job as a Plumber, Care Worker or Taxi Driver during the daytime.

Seems to be a popular practise in Livingston, West Lothian, EH54.

I was hoping to do quite a bit on Google Adwords and Google Business listings in this months blog, but unfortunately I don't have enough space to say everything I want to.

I would like to say that I'm glad Google are now cleansing the business listings of the many spammers out there. It has been a wake up call for my own business and led me to rethink my business listings. Google are continually changing their Algorythms at the moment as they tweak their listings and get rid of the scumbags that spam the listings and prevent honest local businesses to take their rightfull place. There is a sea change of movement and it looks like it will continue until all the spammers are eventually gone. If Matt Cutts (Head of Google online Spam) is true to his word then there will be a lot of local locksmiths who advertise in West Lothian who are taking up more than one position will be systematically removed.

So if you fall into this category you may want to make your changes now before its too late.

You know who you are!

Google listings update

Google have reviewed ther Business listing guidelines and the following updates will now take place. If your business doesn't comply with this then you will be penalised and more than likely have your listing(s) removed at some point

• Represent your business exactly as it appears in the offline world. The name on Google Maps should match the business name, as should the address, phone number and website.
• Do not attempt to manipulate search results by adding extraneous keywords or a description of your business into the business name.
• Do not include phone numbers or URLs in the business name.

With all this in mind I decided to remove all my own listings from Livingston, West Lothian EH54 8JA until our new Website was uploaded. This has now been completed and can be viewed if you follow the link at the bottom of this post. Pentland Locksmiths Services has now re-firmed its comittment to our customers in Livingston and will be promoting our services on a much bigger scale in the coming months.

Thanks for reading

Chris

Pentland Locksmiths Services - Est. 2006

http://www.pentlandlocksmiths.com/

Livingston Lock and Door Service

Dear Reader

The is the first of many Blogs that will give you information of the latest lock and door security products available to ensure your home remains secure when at home or away on holiday. We will also keep you up to date with the latest crime figures in Locksmiths Livingston and other towns in West Lothian. We will also be discussing the locksmith industry and making you aware of the growing number of unscrupulous individuals who are operating as locksmiths but have no official training or affiliation to an official police vetted locksmith organisation. With the Credit Crunch hitting most people quite hard, local crime has increased with opportunist break-ins becoming more common in new build housing estates. We will give you advice on the best way to protect your home by adding low cost devices to your Locks and doors.

Crime over the summer months

During the summer months there was an increase in opportunist thefts form garages and houses in new developments around Livingston, Broxburn and Linlithgow areas. Its your day off and you decide to open the garage to clean the car and have a general clean out. This is where the opportunist will take advantage while you are in your home taking a break, thieves will take whatever items are sellable from your garage. If your cleaning your car and you leave the keys in the ignition for a few moments while you go inside, then the opportunist thief will be off with your pride and joy. So remain vigilant about who’s around your estate and don’t spoil a nice day by making it easy for the thieves to steal your belongings.

Picture left is the Garalock (additional security) that can be fitted to most up-and-over garage door.

Opportunist burglaries have also been common during the summer as most people go about their daily business in Livingston, West Lothian while gangs target new build housing estates looking for homes to steal from. However, they don’t break windows or force doors they will walk round the back of your home and check for un-locked doors. Once inside the will grab whatever you have of value, normally a laptop or electronic equipment and will be off without you knowing that someone has even been in your home. So, even if you are spending all day at home, make sure you lock all your doors.

And put a bolt and padlock on your gate if you don’t already have one.

The Cost of Getting a Locksmith near Livingston.

Most people when they phone up for a locksmith they have no idea what its going to cost and more importantly the credentials of the person at the other end of the phone. Prices vary from place to place and locksmith to locksmith, but there is a general figure for standard jobs, like lock changes in Livingston, Lock and Door Repairs in Livingston and general Lock outs. The cost during normal working hours will be cheaper than after 6pm or 9pm. So here is a rough guide on what price you should be to get a locksmith to do a standard lock change or Lock and Door repairs.

Labour Charge Monday - Friday

8am -6pm £45-£55
6pm - 9m £65 - £85
9pm - onwards £85 - £120

Yale Cylinder change - £65 - £85

UPVC Lock Change - £65 - £85

If you are quoted a lot less than the prices stated then you will probably have phoned someone that is so desperate for work that the will do it for practically nothing. Beware of these people as they are probably not Members of a Locksmith organisation or even Police Vetted. They are probably Plumbers,Carpet Fitters or just part-timer care workers who are just looking for some extra cash with no guarantee. You may save yourself a few pounds in the short term but you’ll probably end up phoning another genuine locksmith to fix the mistakes the first con man has made.

Chris

Click the web link to go back to the Pentland Locksmiths Services Website

http://www.pentlandlocksmiths.com/