When to Consider Lock Replacement or a New Key?

Moving to a new house. This is a pretty obvious situation. You are moving into a home where copies of keys may have been distributed over the years and some copies may have been surreptitiously made – whether by family members for boyfriends or girlfriends or by unscrupulous people who had access to your home. Don’t think when you get a couple of pairs of keys from the old homeowner that you have anywhere even close to the whole universe of keys to the house.

A break-in. Most people will change out at least their keys, and often the entire locks, if they have been the victim of a burglary. That is particularly the case if the burglar got in without forced entry. Was the door open or did the intruder somehow have a key? Crime statistics show that a good portion of the nearly 40 percent of burglaries that gain entrance through a door do not involve forced entry.

Lost or stolen keys. If a set of keys to the house is lost, the first assumption should be that someone who wants to gain access to your home has the keys. Of course, that is often not the case. But security experts preach being prepared, and it makes no sense to take the risk that no one who may find the keys can even tie them to your home.

Why Choose Lock Replacement Over New Keys?

While experts say re-keyed locks provide the same security as new locks for much less money, there are situations when it makes sense to go with lock replacement instead of making new keys.

Upgrade locks. If you decide you want to go from a single cylinder to double cylinder lock or to switch out complete for a more secure mortise lock, that’s a situation where total lock replacement is the only way to go.

Fault locks. If you find that your key catches frequently in the lock and a locksmith is unable to clean the lock to solve the problem, or other difficulties arise with your current lock, then getting a new key isn’t going to help the problem. The source of the problem is the lock and only a lock replacement will ensure a fully-functioning lock for your door.

Arties Hardware & Locksmith

140 W 14th St,



New York, NY 10011

Locksmith NYC – Locksmith New York – Emergency Locksmith

Locksmith service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

www.locksmithnyc.com

Arties Hardware & Locksmith New York / NYC provides emergency locksmith services & advanced security solutions in New York for over 85 years.

We service Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Long Island & New Jersey.

The most common types of window locks are:

• sliding locks
• window latches
• padlocks
• hook locks
• keyed locks

The size and weight of the window you are securing will be a big factor is determining the size and strength of the window locks you use. For example, sash and casement windows will require a particular type of window lock because of the way they open. And keyed locks for windows are more discreet on a large picture window, for example, but are less convenient to operate because you must find the key every time you want to open the window.

Another consideration is the theft deterrent factor. While a large, visible lock may not be the look you’re going for, it also doesn’t look appealing to a burglar. If a thief approaches a window with a visible security measure in place, they are less likely to try to get in. Speed is of the essence for burglars so anything that slows them down gives you a higher level of security. They also won’t want the attention that would come from breaking a window. For extra security, window locks are available that prevent the window from being opened even if the glass is broken.

In addition to securing your windows against unwanted entry, window locks can also be an important safeguard when you have small children. Falling accidents in the home involving children are quite common, and falling out of a window is an even more common accident than falling down stairs. Properly securing windows with effective locks will help protect your children from this hazard.

To help you select the most appropriate means of securing your windows, as well as your doors, ask your local police department for a home security inspection, or contact a qualified locksmith.

Arties Hardware & Locksmith

140 W 14th St,



New York, NY 10011

Locksmith NYC – Locksmith New York – Emergency Locksmith

Locksmith service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

www.locksmithnyc.com

Arties Hardware & Locksmith New York / NYC provides emergency locksmith services & advanced security solutions in New York for over 85 years.

We service Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Long Island & New Jersey.

An hour or so of homework up front can have the number of a reputable locksmith in your wallet or purse. That way, when an emergency happens, you know who to call and you know the price will be reasonable.

Here are a few things to look for when looking for a dependable locksmith:

Professional Organizations – There are many professional locksmith organizations. Some are national, like the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA). There are also state-specific professional locksmith organizations. If your locksmith is a member of a professional organization you can call and find out if he is a member in good standing and if there have been any complaints made. You can also contact professional organizations to recommend a locksmith in your area.

Reputation and Experience – Make sure your locksmith is someone you want to call. Visit a few local locksmith shops and talk to the owner. Find out if he has employees and if they do emergency jobs 24-hours a day. Ask what they have expertise in and what jobs they do most often and see if they have any customers you can ask for a reference.

Pricing – Compare pricing on the most common services you may need. Your car locks, your home locks, and anything else you think you may need a locksmith for. Ask about costs for emergency service and how long it takes them to respond to an emergency call.

Arties Hardware & Locksmith

140 W 14th St,



New York, NY 10011

Locksmith NYC – Locksmith New York – Emergency Locksmith

Locksmith service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

www.locksmithnyc.com

Arties Hardware & Locksmith New York / NYC provides emergency locksmith services & advanced security solutions in New York for over 85 years.

We service Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Long Island & New Jersey.

Rekeying a lock is the process of changing the tumblers of a lock cylinder with tumblers of different sizes. When you rekey a lock the old key can be thrown away as it will no longer open the lock. The lock will require the new key that coincides with the new tumblers to operate. Local locksmiths can rekey locks at a significantly lower cost than full replacement of the lock. If the security grade of the lock has an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Grade 1 designation there should not be a need to replace the entire lock.

In addition to rekeying locks for security many homeowners choose to rekey locks for convenience. One way to reduce confusion and the weight of many keys on your key ring is to have all of your exterior locks rekeyed to use the same key. A locksmith can rekey an unlimited number of locks in your home to all work with the same key. For owners of rental property such as apartment buildings, or for condominium associations, it is often necessary to have a master key that will open multiple locks. These locks then each have a key that will open only that tenant’s lock. Locksmiths can perform master rekeying to almost any configuration to meet the needs of rental property owners, businesses, and homeowners.

There are several reasons you may choose to rekey the lock or locks on the doors in your home, place of business, or other secure location. Some of the more common ones include moving into a new place, losing a key, loaning out a key and not getting it back, or wanting to have different keys for your front, back and side door. While you may think that rekeying is a cost effective alternative to actually replacing the old lock sets, the process can still add up if an entire house needs to be done.

The decision to rekey or replace your locks may come down to the expense. But keep in mind that in many states you are required to rekey old locks between tenants if you own residential rental property.

Arties Hardware & Locksmith

140 W 14th St,



New York, NY 10011

Locksmith NYC – Locksmith New York – Emergency Locksmith

Locksmith service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

www.locksmithnyc.com

Arties Hardware & Locksmith New York / NYC provides emergency locksmith services & advanced security solutions in New York for over 85 years.

We service Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Long Island & New Jersey.

When “Local” Is Really Long-Distance

Consider this scenario: A company far away from your town chooses a name for its business that is very similar to the name used by a local locksmith. The company advertises in the phone book or on the Web using a local telephone number and local address. When you call the number, you’re actually connected to a call center in another city. What’s more, there’s no locksmith shop at the address listed.

You may be quoted a price on the phone, but when the locksmith arrives, often in an unmarked vehicle, he may want significantly more money. The locksmith also may accept only cash.

Some who claim to be “local locksmith” companies have multiple listings (sometimes 30 or more separate listings in a single phone book) with different names. But the calls to each of these numbers go back to the same central number in a distant city where operators dispatch untrained individuals to do the job.

Tips for Picking a Locksmith

What’s the best way to pick a reputable locksmith? Consider researching locksmiths before you need one, the same way you would a plumber, electrician, or other professional. That works well if you’re looking to have some security work done at your home, like installing deadbolts on the exterior doors of your house, or a safe in your bedroom.
But if you’re dealing with an emergency, like being locked out of your car, you really don’t have much time for thorough research.
Regardless of whether you are locked out of your car or home, you need new locks installed, or you require other security work, the FTC offers these tips to help you hire a legitimate, local locksmith.

In emergency situations:

• If you’re locked out of your car and have a roadside assistance service, call them first. These services sometimes are included with the purchase of a car, or as an add-on through your insurance company. You also can buy this service separately. Roadside assistance plans often have a list of pre-approved companies to perform services like unlocking cars, jump-starting batteries, changing flat tires, delivering gasoline, and towing.
• Call family or friends for recommendations.
• If you find a locksmith in the phone book, on the Internet, or through directory assistance, and a business address is given, confirm that the address belongs to that locksmith. Some disreputable companies list street addresses to give the impression that they’re local. But the addresses may belong to other businesses or vacant lots, if they exist at all. You can verify addresses through websites that allow you to match phone numbers with street addresses. Some legitimate locksmith companies may not include a street address in their listing either because they operate a “mobile” business or they operate their business out of their home and may be reluctant to list that address. If you call a locksmith who doesn’t list an address, ask why. If the answer is that it’s a “mobile” business, you will understand they have no storefront.
• Write down the names of several businesses, their phone numbers, and addresses for future reference, in case you don’t want to go with the first locksmith you call.
• If a company answers the phone with a generic phrase like “locksmith services,” rather than a company-specific name, be wary. Ask for the legal name of the business. If the person refuses, call another locksmith.
• Get an estimate for all work and replacement parts from the locksmith before work begins. In cases of “lock-outs” (being locked out of your car or home), most legitimate locksmiths will give you an estimate on the phone for the total cost of the work.
  • Ask about additional fees before you agree to have the locksmith perform the work. Companies may charge extra for responding to a call in the middle of the night. Ask if there is a charge for mileage, or a minimum fee for a service call.
  • If the price the locksmith provides when he arrives doesn’t jibe with the estimate you got on the telephone, do not allow the work to be done.
  • Never sign a blank form authorizing work.
• Find out if the locksmith is insured. If your property is damaged during a repair, or if faulty work leads to loss or damage, it’s important for the locksmith to have insurance to cover your losses.
• When the locksmith arrives, ask for identification, including a business card and, where applicable, a locksmith license. Nine states require locksmiths to be licensed: Alabama, California, Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. In addition to a business card, check to see if the invoice includes the company’s name, and whether the locksmith’s vehicle has a name that matches the business card, invoice, and/or bill.
• Expect the locksmith to ask you for identification, as well. A legitimate locksmith should confirm your identity and make sure you’re the property owner before doing any work.
• Some locksmiths will work out of a car for quick or emergency jobs, but most will arrive in a service vehicle that is clearly marked with their company’s name.
• In the case of a lock-out, be cautious if you’re told up front that the lock has to be drilled and replaced. An experienced legitimate locksmith has invested in the tools and education to provide quality service, and can unlock almost any door.
• After the work is completed, get an itemized invoice that covers parts, labor, mileage, and the price of the service call.
  In situations where you have more time, check out locksmiths with your state Attorney General (www.naag.org), local consumer protection agency (www.consumeraction.gov), and the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) to make sure there are no unresolved complaints on file. (You can get the phone numbers for these organizations in your phone book, through directory assistance, or through Web directories.) This is true whether you need a locksmith for a one-time job, or you want to hire someone to work for you on a continuing basis. You must be able to trust your locksmith. You don’t want to give access to the locks for your home, car, or place of business to just anyone.

In Case There’s a Next Time

Once you’ve found a reputable locksmith, keep the company’s name and contact information in your wallet and address book at home or at work. You also may want to program this information into your home and cell phones. This can save you time and trouble the next time you need these services.

Source: Federal Trade Commision

Arties Hardware & Locksmith

140 W 14th St,



New York, NY 10011

Locksmith NYC – Locksmith New York – Emergency Locksmith

Locksmith service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

www.locksmithnyc.com

Arties Hardware & Locksmith New York / NYC provides emergency locksmith services & advanced security solutions in New York for over 85 years.

We service Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Long Island & New Jersey.

24-Hour Locksmith
Several locksmiths offer or specialize in 24-hour locksmith services. These locksmiths usually don’t make locks but perform lock-picking, lock repair, and other urgent keying services. If the worst happens and someone does break into your home, your first call is going to be to the police, but it’s not a bad idea to call a 24-hour locksmith, either. They may be able to tell you exactly how the perpetrator entered your home. Plus, your locks probably need to be replaced, anyway. Better yet, if you’re unsure how secure your home is, you can hire a locksmith to test your entrances and give you an honest appraisal of your home’s security. If you do have to call a locksmith off hours, expect to pay a surcharge.

Modern Locksmith Services
Several locksmith companies offer services and technologies well beyond conventional lock-picking and replacement. Electronic and magnetic locks are becoming more accessible and affordable to homeowners. Comprehensive companies offer a combination of locksmith services and home security systems, including home safes, intercoms, secure doors, windows, and gates with the latest technologies such as fingerprint readers. Of course, no home security system is impenetrable, but you can get pretty close. The casual burglar won’t be able to get in, and the experienced burglar is probably going to pass over your home.

By Jon Nunan, a freelance writer who draws on his experience in construction, ranging from landscaping to log home building, for his articles on home improvement

Arties Hardware & Locksmith

140 W 14th St,



New York, NY 10011

Locksmith NYC – Locksmith New York – Emergency Locksmith

Locksmith service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

www.locksmithnyc.com

Arties Hardware & Locksmith New York / NYC provides emergency locksmith services & advanced security solutions in New York for over 85 years.

We service Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Long Island & New Jersey.

Locksmiths incorporate the skills of a carpenter, mechanic, machinist and security expert during the course of their work. There is a subset of locksmith skills that has always garnered a great deal of interest from the public at large: defeating locks! Locksmiths study how various locking devices work and, through that study, they learn how to defeat those locking mechanisms. These are the most closely-guarded trade secrets among locksmiths. The knowledge possessed by even apprentice locksmiths is enough to defeat most common security measures. For this reason, locksmiths are typically rigorously screened by their mentors before they’re offered an apprenticeship.

Locksmiths are somewhat defined by the clients for whom they work. Their specific skills, depending on their market, can vary greatly. Those locksmiths who specialize in residential service often spend a great deal of their time outfitting new construction with locking hardware and repairing and replacing aged and broken systems. Most residential locksmiths also offer at least some light automotive locksmithing services including cutting new keys and opening locked doors.

Commercial locksmiths provide their skills principally to corporate and government clients. Today’s commercial locksmiths are oftentimes trained and experienced in dealing with sophisticated electronic equipment. Those who specialize in electronic security are often employed maintaining large facilities where security is a great concern.

Among the most respected of locksmiths are those who work on safes. The locksmithing skills required working with safes and vaults take many years of study to master. These locksmiths are often called in when a safe, for some reason, is rendered unable to open. These individuals with skilled trades, given enough time, are able to open most any device without damaging the contents. Sometimes, they’re able to “crack” a safe without damaging the locking mechanism, as well. This skill doesn’t at all resemble the way it’s portrayed in films. Mastering the art of safe cracking requires knowledge of many different safes, metallurgy, the operation of very powerful and complex drilling equipment, electronic devices and much more.

Many locksmiths are self-employed and lead a very independent existence. Because the skill is so specialized, there are few opportunities for “staff” locksmiths. These independent locksmiths often work odd hours, opening doors in the middle of the night for stranded homeowners and drivers, as well as installing security systems during the hours when buildings are being used the least.

Locksmiths are required to obtain different types of licensing, depending on where they work. Locksmiths are also traditionally “bonded” which is a legal means of assuring their trustworthiness to their clients. Traditionally, locksmiths undergo an apprenticeship though many have received training through an employer or by attending a school specific to the trade.

Although a locksmith’s job seems very exciting and appealing to most people, there is a lot of skill, education, and experience involved.

Arties Hardware & Locksmith

140 W 14th St,



New York, NY 10011

Locksmith NYC – Locksmith New York – Emergency Locksmith

Locksmith service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

www.locksmithnyc.com

Arties Hardware & Locksmith New York / NYC provides emergency locksmith services & advanced security solutions in New York for over 85 years.

We service Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Long Island & New Jersey.

Faster or shortly, most of us will find ourselves needing a locksmith. Whether the job is bigger or smaller, it’s imperative to do your home work. A locksmith will have complete access to your car, home or business and organization, leaving you vulnerable if the job is not done right.

It is wise to seek out a good locksmith before you really need one. If you rapidly find yourself in the middle of a crisis, you may not have time to thoroughly investigate your options. Using the above tips will help you find a dependable and qualified locksmith so you’ll be ready whenever you need one.

Arties Locksmith is New York City’s fastest growing locksmith because of our many valuable customers who belief us to handle any trouble, and tell their society to do the same. Our locksmiths are licensed, insured and bonded. We are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day and guarantee a quick response anywhere. You can help stop future break-ins or lockouts with the latest high protection technologies. Set up an meeting now to have a technician evaluate your existing office or home security system and then give you expert recommendation for upgrade and new installations.

CCTV methods are installed to record and deter criminal behavior and unwanted intruders in place of business. Just the attendance of a CCTV security system acts as an successful restriction for wrong behavior, and also allows for a potential means of classification if a crime is committed.

As with all of our product and service, we guarantee our work, and will does the job correct from create to finish. You can choose from a variety of systems, we will take mind of the electrical and wiring system in your building, from basic designs to high-end manufacturers, old or new provides you with a signal system you can count on!

Locksmith New York installing in your business or home, an alarm system agreement a quick response in case of a break in, but more significantly, it helps stop the crime from happening in the first places. Most illegal person are looking for an easy and quick way to break in, and it’s a known fact that the mere presence of an alarm system will likely start them off. Without an effective business or home alarm security system, your business or your family’s safety can be compromised. Most people only look into buying an alarm system after they’ve experienced a crime.

For extra security you may choose additional item such as defense bars (J-Bars) which are fitted on the door hinge protection bolts, frame, high security locks, spy holes, heavy duty hinges and letterbox guards.

We service and sell Fire Safe and Valuable-Protection Systems that help keep your property secure. We also carry combination and key safe systems, so call us today for more information, and let us assist you with buying a safe that matches your needs.

So if you are looking for any time locksmiths service, Visit Arties locksmith NYC. They offer 24/7 hours locksmith service.

Arties Hardware & Locksmith

140 W 14th St,



New York, NY 10011

Locksmith NYC – Locksmith New York – Emergency Locksmith

Locksmith service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

www.locksmithnyc.com

Arties Hardware & Locksmith New York / NYC provides emergency locksmith services & advanced security solutions in New York for over 85 years.

We service Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Long Island & New Jersey.

Okay, fine. Yeah, I’ll admit it. I recently experienced an unfortunate incident wherein I required the assistance of a locksmith.

Again.

Oh stop. Don’t mock. I had my keys. Both times. Okay?

So here’s what happened:

As we all know, I am in no way “hip and up-and-coming.” We’ve established this, am I wrong? Combine that with being exhausted from NaNoWriMo, December weather, and the fact that the beginning of the month has involved a lot of travel, and it makes no sense that I feel the need to go out on this Saturday night. In fact, I’ve planned to spend the day home, doing nothing except for breathe and maybe blink a few times. I’ve even skipped Shabbat services, or, as I confess to my mother later that day, I’ve “cut shul.”

Point is I’m tired (more than I usually am), and it’s cold.

But it’s also the second night of Hanukkah, and I’m in a mood (more than I usually am). One can’t live a life of work and sleep, right? And it’s the first night of the Sephardic Music Festival, and Galeet Dardashti is playing, and she has a new album coming out, and it just seems wrong for me to be home during such an event.

Besides, it’s only three subway stops away. No big deal, right?

Wrong.

Fast forward to later that evening, when I’m lost and freezing on a dark, disgusting, deserted block of Chinatown and unable to find a cab. Fast forward to me sitting on a tall chair at the 92nd Street Y in TriBeCa, sipping a coke, and, despite the effort I’ve made to doll myself up, realizing that one Saturday night out on the town does not a hip and up-and-coming person make. Fast forward to me leaving before the third act, seeing as I have Creature to get home to and a bed that’s feeling neglected, and then to me dealing with the Little Engine That Couldn’t (technically known as the Q). And finally, you get to me standing at the bottom of my stoop, feeling relieved to be home.

It’s midnight, the hour at which the non hip among us should vanish into thin air and/or turn into pumpkins. I get to the front door of my building, and put the key in the lock. I turn the doorknob.

Nothing happens.

I try again.

Now, we all know that I don’t have the best track record with keys and locks, and we know about “Classic Melissa Stories.” So, it’s only natural that I jump to the conclusion that I am a klutz. All the Brownstones around here look the same. It’s dark. Maybe I’m at the wrong house. I refuse to believe that I am experiencing deja vu.

We also know that when all else fails, I call my mother.

I’m still blaming myself, and feeling pathetic. My mother reminds me that this same lock was broken the week I moved in, and that it was fixed, but not replaced. She also tells me to go over to a family friend’s house and sleep on her couch. I refuse, and start a pointless monologue about not having any contact lens solution with me. Besides, Creature is alone.

I try the key again, not wanting to call my landlord who lives on the first floor of the Brownstone because it’s after midnight and I know she has H1N1. But there’s nothing else I can do, so I call. Her phone is off. I ring her bell. Her dogs bark, but she doesn’t answer. On top of everything else, I’m worried about her. I try buzzing a neighbor and prepare to apologize profusely, but the buzzer system doesn’t work. This is, after all, a New York City apartment building. Oh, and the light on the stoop isn’t working.

Next, I call my super. No dice.

The streets are almost deserted, except for a few dog-walkers who are looking at me like I’m a criminal, a psycho, a drunk or all of the above. I’m tempted to flag one down and ask them to try my key and prove that I’m an idiotic klutz. But now that it’s getting later, and colder, there’s nobody around.

And that’s when I snap out of my denial and realize what’s happening. It’s the middle of the night, and I’m completely alone on a December night in New York City. My dog is upstairs. I know he’s safe, but I don’t like this one bit.

I should call a locksmith, I think. But I’ve been there and done that. It’s expensive, and they’ll probably show up, open my door as if nothing were wrong, and charge me over a $100.

Then I have an idea. I live less than a block away from a fire station. It’s not just any fire station. It was one of the first to show up at the World Trade Center on September 11th. Knowing this, I feel horrible for even thinking that I could go bother them with something so minor. Instead, I walk around aimlessly looking for a restaurant or store that’s still open. But I find nothing.

I make a list of all the reasons it’s okay to bother the firefighters:

1. I’m a woman alone wandering aimlessly in the middle of the night with no place to go, in New York City.

2. I’m freezing.

3. If I had a cat, and said cat was stuck in a tree, aren’t these the people I’d call?  (Are they? I don’t know.)

4. If I can’t get in because the lock is actually broken, the people inside may not be able to get out. I, unfortunately, know from being locked in. If there were a fire. . . I can’t bring myself to finish the thought.

It’s the fourth reason that seals the deal. I go to the fire station. It’s all closed up. I walk away, then walk back. I find a door, and a bell. I ring the bell. Nobody answers, I start running away in shame. Then somebody answers.

I go back. Two firefighters are standing in the doorway, in FDNY t-shirts and boxers. I feel like the protagonist in a Kristan Higgins novel. A million scenarios for my next novel spin around in my head.

I explain the problem, emphasizing the “my neighbors probably can’t get out.” They close the door, get dressed, and come meet me on the street. They follow me up the block, with axes over their shoulders. All my romance writer scenarios crash and burn as I realize the firemen are not happy about this midnight chore.

I give them my key, absolutely convinced that they’ll open the door on the first try, I’ll blush from embarrassment, and run upstairs to my dog. That’d be Classic Mel, right? Oh yeah, and I plan to leave them a bottle of wine the next day.

However.

The door still doesn’t open. They go to my landlord’s apartment and lean on the bell. Again, the dogs bark but we don’t hear anybody get up. They offer to break the door down with their axes, but make it clear that these Brownstone doors are historic and my landlord most likely wouldn’t appreciate it.

They also make a comment about the lack of light and the broken buzzer system.

“It’s your choice,” they say.

I can’t let them do it. They leave me standing on the stoop.

I know these are important, busy firemen with better things to do. And dissing the FDNY seems sacrilegious. But they just leave me there, freezing on my stoop. They don’t even offer to help me call a locksmith or a police officer. I decide they’re so not getting wine.

Then, like a mirage, I see some hip and up-and-coming girls enter the garden apartment. I haven’t met them, so they don’t recognize me. I explain the problem and they say they can’t help. I understand that they don’t want to let me use their entrance, but I mentally make a list of other ways they could’ve helped.

Left with no other choice, I open the Google app on my phone and look for a local locksmith. I’m good at this, you may remember. After a few tries to places that are closed, I reach some guy named Roger, who seems annoyed with me and wants to know who’s going to pay. He says he’ll send a guy out in half an hour and that I have to go to an ATM and get $160 in cash.

Which is what I do. The fact that I’m all alone in an ATM vestibule after 1 a.m. with a light shining on me so the whole world can see that I’m withdrawing money is not lost on me. I go back to my stoop with a wallet full of cash, and wait. At least I know I’m not imagining this. I try my landlord and super again just in case I can prevent the locksmith from having to ruin the lock. The super finally calls back, and gives his blessing for the lock destruction.

My phone rings again. It’s my new friend and savior Roger. He informs me that Noah is on his way.

Noah? Huh. Possible “Nice Jewish Guy?” I wonder. You never know. I wait for Noah, plotting another novel wherein the hero is a locksmith and the heroine is. . . I don’t know. Freezing? Tired? Edgy?

Noah finally arrives. He’s a sweetheart with the sexiest Brooklyn accent ever, and my age, but unfortunately not my type. Although I do realize that with my luck, marrying a locksmith might not be such a bad idea. Apparently, he was sitting in front of the T.V. with a beer and about to go to bed when Roger informed him that there was a girl stranded on her stoop and he was afraid I’d freeze.

G-d bless Roger. And G-d bless Noah for not getting a D.U.I.

There’s no light, but he has a flashlight he can attach to his head. He tries to pick the lock, and he explains that this happens all the time. That doesn’t make me feel any better. Neither does his comment that this is the worst he’s seen, or his confirmation that the door can’t open from the other side. Then he needs to break out the drill.

Sorry neighbors, I think. Creature’s about to howl his brains out.

Then the door opens. Noah lets me through so I can run up the stairs and get the dog. I open the door to my apartment, thrilled and a bit surprised that it opens without incident, and get Creature.

Noah takes one look at the cocker spaniel in front of him and is clearly shocked that such a small, adorable thing could make such a racket. But the two men hit it off so well I’m tempted to send Creature home with him.

A few minutes after that, I climb into bed. Not that I could fall asleep, but at least I’m warm.

The lessons from all this?

When in doubt, just call the locksmith. If they destroy the lock, who cares. If you’re living in an old New York building, the lock is probably a hundred years past its prime. Time to let it go.

More importantly — there’s something to be said for staying home. I still love Galeet Dardashti, but I love her most when I’m watching her on YouTube (thank you http://shemspeed.com), from the comfort of my bedroom.

Note:

My first locksmith story was so much fun to write. It’s my favorite post to date. Even though I was trapped inside, it didn’t feel quite as dangerous. It was funny. I hope to tell the story at a Moth story slam someday. Based on that, I was looking forward to writing the sequel. The thing is, I’m having trouble finding the humor in this story. My mother was upset for days. She wants me to own a place so I can have control over things like locks and lights. When I told this story to another teacher at work who has a daughter my age, she said that if it had been her daughter, she would have been beside herself.

There’s a new lock on the front door now, and the landlord has paid me back for the locksmith and promised to get an electrician to fix the lights. I’m grateful that I’m fine, and my neighbors are fine, and that it wasn’t snowing or even colder than it was.

Meanwhile, I’m off to JDate. It’s enough already. It’s time to start looking for an eligible Jewish locksmith.

Locksmith NYC – Locksmith New York – Emergency Locksmith
Locksmith service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

www.locksmithnyc.com

Arties Hardware & Locksmith New York / NYC provides emergency locksmith services & advanced security solutions in New York for over 85 years. We service Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Long Island & New Jersey.

Arties Hardware & Locksmith

140 W 14th St,



New York, NY 10011

Locksmith NYC – Locksmith New York – Emergency Locksmith

Locksmith service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

www.locksmithnyc.com

Arties Hardware & Locksmith New York / NYC provides emergency locksmith services & advanced security solutions in New York for over 85 years.

We service Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Long Island & New Jersey.

Even that didn’t work every time. I picked a lock for one young man who promptly produced mail with his name on it corroborated by his identification once inside. Then his girlfriend showed up and was angry because she had kicked him out the week before. She threatened to call the police and implied that I was to blame, too.

“I think you should call the police,” I said. “But as far as I’m concerned, you might as well arrest one of my screwdrivers.”

When she asked me what I meant, I said, “I’m just your boyfriend’s tool, here. He produced satisfactory identification and I let him in. If he does not belong here you should call the police. I will be happy to wait here for them to come.”

She said that that would not be necessary. I gave her a business card, the boyfriend paid me and I left. In a few days she called me back and had me change her locks.

Lockouts are not a very good business. They are not conveniently scheduled, but happen at completely random times. The person who is locked out will sometimes call several locksmiths and hire the first one who shows up, leaving the others to waste their time. Locksmiths do not like this. More than once I arrived at a lockout to find two different competitors’ trucks already there, and we agreed that we would all leave and leave the inconsiderate lockout victim stranded. While we were wasting our time on behalf of this lockout, we could have been doing our scheduled work instead and making real money.

There are a few disreputable locksmiths who specialize in lockouts. A person who is locked out after hours can expect to pay one of these sharks several hundred dollars to get them back in, and may end up with ruined hardware and a damaged door besides. Consumers need to be careful whom they hire. The police may have someone to recommend. Otherwise a neighborhood locksmith from a good neighborhood might be a wise choice. Unfortunately when you are locked out you are in many ways at the mercy of fate and the locksmith.

A locksmith might be disreputable if:

• Their company vehicle is a pink Cadillac
• They arrive dressed in formal attire
• Their primary tool for gaining entry is a large pair of pliers

So have a good look at the company truck, the locksmith, and the locksmith’s tools.

Perhaps you can go to a friend’s house and see if there are any locksmith reviews online for your town, or ask your landlord, your neighbors or your friends to see if they can recommend a reputable locksmith.

Locksmith NYC – Locksmith New York – Emergency Locksmith
Locksmith service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

www.locksmithnyc.com

Arties Hardware & Locksmith New York / NYC provides emergency locksmith services & advanced security solutions in New York for over 85 years. We service Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Long Island & New Jersey.

Arties Hardware & Locksmith

140 W 14th St,



New York, NY 10011

Locksmith NYC – Locksmith New York – Emergency Locksmith

Locksmith service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

www.locksmithnyc.com

Arties Hardware & Locksmith New York / NYC provides emergency locksmith services & advanced security solutions in New York for over 85 years.

We service Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Long Island & New Jersey.