Congrats Guy!

We just got word that Key Guy owner Guy Tordjman is now Certified in Video System Technologies as well as a Level 1 Certified Alarm Technician! Both certifications are from the Electronic Security Association's National Training School. Guy joins a growing number of alarm technicians who have attained this esteemed professional designation.

At the Electronic Security Association National Training School, Guy underwent 24 hours of classroom training and passed the certification exam to become a Level 1 Certified Alarm Technician. Guy trained for 16 hours to complete the Video System Technologies course.

Congratulations Key Guy!

Should I replace or re-key the lock on my door?

Should I replace or re-key the lock on my door?

Off the top of my head, if your lock has one of these words written on it, REPLACE!

• Brinks
• EZset
• Defiant
• Kwikset
• Morning Industry
• Mountain Security
• ...and sometimes Master Lock and Schlage, too

I have seen Guy literally rip locks of this caliber in two without even grunting. Yes, he is unusually strong, but still, The Key Guy recommends replacing these locks if they are on a Front Door, Back Door, or other entry door if you don't want the baddies breaking them too easily. Is your security really worth the extra $40? As most of us have probably learned by this point in our lives, you get what you pay for.

Buying a lock is not like buying a cute dress for Friday night. You do not wear it once and forget about it in the back of your closet. A lock should be more like that great little black dress that you keep pulling out again and again for work, cocktails, dinner, and that piano recital. It has to perform! It has to keep working like it's new even when you've used it 40 times. It definitely can't fall apart when a man starts violently pulling at it. (See? a lock is just like a little black dress!)

So you know when to REPLACE. When do you REKEY? Well, in most instances you want to re-key because:

• it's greener (nothing to throw away)
• it's cleaner (less lock parts all over the place)
• it's cheaper (using what you already have vs buying a brand new hunk of metal)

Key Guy Buying Tip: Locks from Walmart, Kmart, and Home Depot are cheap. This does not mean they are good.

Do I have to replace my lock cylinders when the contractors are finished building?

Ask the Locksmith: "Do I have to replace my lock cylinders when the contractors are finished building?"

The Short Answer: No. Call a locksmith and get your locks re-keyed instead.

The Long Answer (for those who dare to read it):
Most manufacturers these days offer "contractor" cylinders, meaning that they come functioning with a contractor key out of the box. They come with another set of keys that, once inserted, will permanently void the contractor key. In essence you get to rekey the cylinder yourself, just by turning a key. We've found that the cost of these cylinders is usually more expensive than just calling a locksmith to re-key the cylinder, so we don't really believe in selling those products. For example, if a Mul-T-Lock cylinder costs about $100, the "contractor" version of that same cylinder usually costs around $300. It costs less than $200 for a locksmith to come out and do a re-key, although if you're looking for convenience and speed the contractor cylinder is the faster option for a re-key. I would much rather have to do the extra labor for a customer than to sell him something up front that's just not cost effective.

The cylinders that come with your locks are fine to be used permanently, even if you want to re-key them when the contractors pack up. You can save a lot of money by re-keying the cylinders you already have rather than replacing them with new ones. We can simply recombinate the pins in your cylinder so that the old keys no longer work, using all the original hardware (think green?). If you have a decent brand like Arrow or Sargent, this is a better option than replacement unless there is something wrong or broken (or if you want to upgrade). We create master key systems using the same method. By the way, we've had some recent complaints about some unscrupulous locksmiths going around telling folks that their locks are "so fancy" they are impossible to re-key, thereby selling people new hardware they don't really need, so it's always best to get a second opinion if someone tells you something like that.

If you are going to replace the cylinders, they can be used in another lock of the same type. Not all locks have removable cylinders. If they are interchangeable core cylinders then they can be moved from lock to lock with a special control key. IC cores come in two main formats, small format and large format, that are not interchangeable with each other. If your locks do have changeable cores, it might be worthwhile to upgrade to high-security cylinders instead of re-keying. The average commercial-grade cylinder costs about $60 to re-key, and the average high-security cylinder costs about $100.

Village of Experts, Worldwide Fools

Only after 30 concentrated and fruitless hours did I figure out my problem. In the age of the internet (excuse the triteness), the only age I've ever known, a certain faction of my generation has become too self-reliant. You probably expect to be able to find out everything you want about anything you want just by googling it hard enough. Then you probably figure you can save money by ordering it online from eBay or Amazon. I know I do. Heaven forbid if I ever have to pick up the phone, bother a real live person, and take up their precious time.

I do all my vain googling in spite of the fact that I'm an adamant opposer of people trying to play locksmith themselves. I get mad everytime they call The Key Guy after they've mail-ordered their cheap "defiant" locks and non-functioning "made in China" transponder keys. There are invariably problems. "You should have called us first!," I usually scold, "we could have sold you the real brand-name version of this key for less than what you paid for the knockoff!"

Yet I'm guilty of spending 30 hours looking for a product or a company or something, anything that could give me a non-bank-breaking, non-subscription-based auto attendant. (That's the phone thing whose claim to fame is "Press 1 for the locksmith, Press 2 for . . . ) I should tell you that I finally picked up the phone and called a local company who couldn't help me, but who gave me the websites of 3 other local companies who could. Doh!

Need another example? A friend of mine once lost his copy of a university laboratory key. The university was going to charge him $1000 to re-key the entire laboratory because of the risk of someone finding the key. Needless to say, he scoured the internet and decided to buy an entire box of key blanks that he hoped were the same, then file one key down himself to prevent anyone finding out he'd lost the original. He could have just gone to a local locksmith and had them duplicate his friend's key for a few dollars, but instead he became a novice expert in key googling and probably has a box of key blanks sitting around his apartment. I'm still not sure how he replicated the "Do Not Duplicate" stamp or the numbers imprinted on the key. Those stamps cost several hundred dollars. He could have just called a locksmith right there in his city . . . but no.

The next time you have a problem, what if you just picked up the phone and asked an expert? I keep telling myself that.

Do you have keys? Do you CONTROL them?

Do you have keys? Do you CONTROL them? Cut costs and increase security with key control! Key control is a cost-effective way to manage access to your locking mechanisms. Say what?

Let's play pretend:

Say you purchase some decent locks and give the keys to your 3 managers. There're 4 locks: a doorknob and deadbolt for the front door and back door, $400.

You fire Betsy after 4 months and request she return your keys. She grudgingly gives you back one copy, but who knows if she's made other copies? You re-key 4 locks for $125+.

A week later you see Max's girlfriend with a copy of the key...so that's why you've seen their car in the parking lot afterhours! Max made a duplicate ($2 cost to him) and gave it to his girlfriend so they could canoodle. You re-key again for $125+ and make your managers sign written agreements not to make key copies. You have the locksmith stamp the keys "Do Not Duplicate." Unbeknownst to you, Max's girlfriend steals his key, makes a copy at a locksmith shop, and does a 'sneak attack' on him in the office (the "do not duplicate" stamp is pretty much bogus where the law is concerned). The key falls from her pocket and is picked up by a random bum who wanders in the next day who uses the company bathroom at will from then on.

The very next weekend, your most trusted manager--yourself, silly!--loses his key somewhere on Diamond Head. After a good facepalm, you refuse to fork over another $125+ for rekeying and finally decide to get a grip on your security. You call The Key Guy and order 2 doorknobs and 2 deadbolts from Mul-T-Lock along with 4 keys $800. Total Cost: $1600+

Let's Re-wind and Re-Play Pretend:

Say you call The Key Guy and order 2 High Security 3-N-1 Mul-T-Lock Doorknobs and 2 High Security Mul-T-Lock Deadbolts along with 4 keys, $800.

You fire Betsy after 4 months and she returns her key, as per the contract you made her sign back when you issued the keys. She gives you back one copy, and you are secure in the knowledge that Betsy couldn't have made a copy even if she'd tried. Only you can make duplicates with your authorized signature and key code.

A week later, Max tried in vain to make a duplicate at 6 different locksmiths only to find that even if they wanted to make his key, they couldn't. The Key Guy has the only Mul-T-Lock key machine in the state. Darn, Max really wanted to let his girlfriend surprise him in the office whenever she wanted. You do not have to re-key, and you didn't even have to make your manager sign written agreements not to make key copies. You don't bother having the keys stamped "Do Not Duplicate." Unbeknownst to you, Max's girlfriend steals his key, tries to make a copy, and fails. Ha ha!

The very next weekend, your most trusted manager--yourself, silly!--loses his key somewhere on Diamond Head. After a good facepalm, you insert one of your set of yellow keys and re-key the locks yourself, just by turning a key. The Mul-T-Lock "3 N 1" cylinders come with 3 sets of color-coded keys that you can use to re-key your locks yourself! Green, yellow, and red. For each re-key a locksmith has to do, you get three re-keys! Total Cost: $800

What, exactly, happened there?
If you issue keys to employees, this is a must-have that many businesses wish they had purchased at the outset. Don't wait until you have an 'incident.' A high-security key control system cuts costs and increases security. This is what happened in that story up there:

• Eliminate the need to re-key your locks, which you must do every time you let an employee go.
  
• Eliminates the risk that key holders will make unauthorized duplicates of keys. Only you will be able to make duplicates, and only at our shop. No other locksmith can duplicate the keys. You will always know exactly how many keys to each lock are floating around and who has them.
  
• You saved money. For the cost of regular commercial-grade locks and a re-key or two, you can buy a patened Mul-T-Lock key control system and not have to worry about security breaches down the road.
  

The Key Guy has high-security key blanks and locks from Mul-T-Lock, who has a functionality patent on their locks and keys (watch out for "patented" locks with design patents--which are purely decorative). Honestly, burglars will probably break your door itself before they break through a Mul-T-Lock. I'm not going to say it's 100% tamper-proof, because nothing is (hello, have you watched Mission Impossible or Oceans 11?), but let me tell you it would take a very sophisticated criminal to game this lock. Did I mention all Mul-T-Locks come with a 20-year warranty and come UL rated? Yup.

Other High-Security Locks: If you're considering, say, the Schlage Everest or Schlage Primus high-security locks, don't. Just go for something better right off the bat. The Schlage high-security keys can be duplicated on the same key machines that are in every hardware store in Honolulu. Sure, the blanks are a little harder to get, but any locksmith can find them easily at any locksmith supply distributor.

If you control keys, get them under your control. Ignorance is no longer your excuse. Consider getting a quote. It's free.

Locksmith's Security Tip of the Day

Don't leave notes for service people or family members on the door. These act as a welcome mat for burglars.

Heart Warmed

This warm fuzzy story is from yesterday, October 13 2010:

This is truly amazing! I had the car running to cool it down with the AC while strapping my baby girl in to her car seat. When I was done I closed the back door, and suddenly realized that all doors were locked and that my girl was locked in, with all my things including my phone. I ran up to the nearest home where I borrowed the phone to call a locksmith (just happened to be the Key Guy. Within 10 minutes they were there and opened the car for me. My baby was playing with some crayons during this time, do not think she realized at all what happened. I did not even have time to panic!

I am so happy with their response time it is unbelievable.

The locksmith (Shay Shaham) was very professional, and I was ready to pay Shay when he informs me that this is a free service part of their Child Protection initiative (not sure if that is exactly what he called it, but you get the point).

Thx for making my day Key Guy! I hope I do not need a locksmith any more, but if I do I will sure give Key Guy a call.

/Patrick

Thank you to Shay, our locksmith technician, and to Patrick for calling us in his time of need. I hope more people will take advantage of this free community service. (Once, Guy even arrived before the fire truck to unlock a baby in Kaimuki.) And if you've read The Key Guy's company history, you know that we get our name and our logo from locksmiths being a little like modern-day superheroes, stemming from the first time I saw Guy rescue a baby from a stuffy car at Hana'uma Bay.

Read more Key Guy reviews on YELP
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-key-guy-aiea

New Locks on the Cheap?

Are you thinking of replacing your locks? Do you want to save money by buying your locks online? If you do, you're not alone. Just don't make the same fatal mistake as two Key Guy customers this week.

We had one office manager purchase almost a dozen locks on the internet and call us to install them in her office. To our chagrin, the locks had latches that were so small they almost didn't exist, and all the specifications were incompatible with standard American doors and replacement parts. The keys that went with the locks were a blank we had never seen before and that definitely isn't distributed in Hawaii. If the customer were ever to need any key duplicates or replacement parts, she would be tough out of luck. For the locks she purchased, we actually refused to give her an estimate to do the work. Any sound locksmith would not put his name to the installation of such low-quality hardware. There is nothing wrong with ordering your own locks and calling a professional to install them, but be sure you do your research beforehand to make sure you're not buying a brand that will fall apart within a year. Email The Key Guy a link to the locks you're thinking about buying and we'll let you know.

A general rule of thumb is that you get what you pay for, and when it comes to your security, you are better off buying a good lock that will last for years and offers decent security than purchasing a cheap lock that will only last a year or two and that will come apart in an intruder's bare hands. It's not even a question of whether or not you think your safety is worth the extra dollars. In the long run, it is actually more cost-effective to buy a more expensive lock because you do not have to replace it every one or two years as you would a cheap one. Of course, it doesn't hurt that better locks are stronger and safer, either.

Planning On Getting Locked Out? Part II

Planning on getting locked out?

We still thought not.

But you should consider this true story from yesterday. Around daybreak, we got a call from a local DJ who went jogging in the Salt Lake area. A distressed young lady approached him. She beseeched, "Excuse me? Do you have a cell phone?"

He said, "Yes, why?"

"I just locked my phone inside my car! AND MY POOR BABY!"

Luckily, this DJ had The Key Guy's number programmed into his phone. We dispatched a locksmith and rescued the baby (and the mother) within minutes, free of charge.*

The moral of the story is even if you think YOU are not going to need a locksmith for some emergency someday in the future, a young damsel in distress and her even younger infant might need you, yes you, to be their knight(ess) in shining armor. 1-877-7KEYGUY or 808-377-4999

*The Key Guy will rescue any infant from a locked vehicle free of charge.

Planning On Getting Locked Out?

If you are thinking of locking your keys in your car...you aren't very smart.

How do you become smarter? Program The Key Guy's number into your phone instead! 377-4999 And yeah, you should do it BEFORE it happens. Because no one plans to lose their keys. Or lock them in the house. ETC.

And while it doesn't have to be The Key Guy's number you program into your phone, we would appreciate it if it was at least one of the certified Associated Locksmiths of America locksmiths, to be found at findalocksmith.com.

BBB Accredited The Key Guy!

We're proud to announce the Better Business Bureau has accredited us as of August 2010! Read the Better Business Bureau Report on The Key Guy. We have no complaints!

What is a BBB Accredited Business?

If a business has been accredited by BBB, it means BBB has determined that the business meets BBB accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints. BBB Accredited Businesses pay a fee for accreditation review/monitoring and for support of BBB services to the public.

BBB accreditation does not mean that the business' products or services have been evaluated or endorsed by BBB, or that BBB has made a determination as to the business' product quality or competency in performing services.

Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation.

The Key Guy's First Video

The Key Guy
24 Hour Locksmith in Honolulu, Hawaii

808-377-4999
http://www.keyguyhawaii.com

True or False? Key Control Policy Quiz

Are you in charge of keys? Are you in charge of whole bunches of keys? Take this quiz to see if your control of your keys is up to snuff!

True or False?
A facility should appoint a Key Control Authority or Manager to implement, execute, and enforce key control policies and procedures.

True or False?
A policy and method for the issuing and collecting of all keys should be implemented.

True or False?
Only cut keys need to be stored in a locked cabinet or container, in a secured area.

True or False?
A dedicated computer key control management program should be used to track keys, key holders, locations and hardware.

True or False?
Keys should remain the property of the key holder that the keys were issued to.

True or False?
Keys should only be issued to individuals who have a legitimate and official requirement for the key.

True or False?
A requirement for access alone, when access can be accomplished by other means (such as unlocked doors, request for entry, intercoms, timers etc) should convey automatic entitlement to a key.

True or False?
Most keys should be returned and accounted for.

True or False?
Only managers should make sure that keys are safeguarded and properly used.

True or False?
Key deposits are an effective tool for enforcing key control policies.

True or False?
Individuals should store keys in unlocked desk drawers whenever possible.

True or False?
Violations of key control policies should not result in disciplinary action.

Did you know the answers? Did this quiz get you thinking? Call The Key Guy 377-4999 for free consultation, guidance, and solutions for your keys!

$720 To Unlock Your Car???

Don't let it happen to you!

A locksmith was recently ordered to provide written estimates BEFORE he did any work by an Anapolis judge. He was using tactics like refusing to give customers' car keys back until they signed the receipt, and charging their credit card BEFORE they knew how much he was charge. And how much was he charging? Sometimes $720 for a simple car lockout.

DO NOT TRUST ANY LOCKSMITH. Make sure they provide you with a written estimate BEFORE you let them touch your property.

And make sure they are a licensed business in Hawaii, because you will have almost NO recourse against them if they scam you. Ask for the legal business name, a business card, and make sure the company name on the invoice matches all of the above!

What's the best way to get scammed? Do you research---and please, please, please find a decent locksmith and program the number into your phone BEFORE you need one!

2010 ALOA Best Locksmith Website in the World

Why yes, that is The Key Guy :)

http://www.keyguyhawaii.com

Victim? Been Scammed?

Are you a victim of "locksmith" scammers?

Click Here!

ALOA has created a 10-point locksmith scam check-list for detecting a locksmith company that may be engaging in this scheme. Many of the items in this checklist are legal by themselves, however, if several are used together, you may be dealing with a con artist:

• Not Familiar with Your Area . To ensure that the company is local, make sure that they are familiar with your area of town .

• "Locksmith Service." Unscrupulous individuals often operate under many business names/aliases. Thus, they must answer the phone with a generic phrase like, "locksmith service." If the call is answered this way, ask, "What is the legal name of your business."

• ALOA Logo. Does the Yellow Pages ad contain a logo that makes them appear to belong to ALOA? While many locksmiths do belong to the Association, some unscrupulous individuals trick the consumer by falsely using the ALOA logo. You can always check to see if in fact these businesses are members by calling ALOA, (800) 532-2562 or www.findalocksmith.com .

• Unclear Business Name. Look closely at the ad(s). Is the specific name of the business clearly identified? Does it appear that the dealer actually operates under several names? If a Web address is listed, does the name on the Web site match the name on the ad?

• "Under Same Ownership" This confusing statement, often found in small print at the bottom of a full-page ad in phone directories, give consumers a sense that the firm has been in business for awhile. The statement itself may be a warning sign that the company operates under several aliases. Also, the ad sometimes lists association memberships for organizations that do not exist, (i.e. American Locksmith Association).

• Service Vehicle. Some legitimate locksmiths will work out of a car or unmarked van for quick jobs, but most will arrive in a service vehicle – a van or truck that is clearly marked.

• Identity. A legitimate locksmith should ask for identity and some form of proof that you have the authority to allow the unlocking to be done. You have the right to ask for the locksmith's identification as well. Does he have a business card? Does he have an invoice or bill with the company name printed on it? Does it match the name on the service vehicle?

• Estimate. Find out what the work will cost before you authorize it. Never sign a blank form authorizing work.

• Invoice. Insist on an itemized invoice. You can't dispute a charge without proof of how much you paid and what the payment was for .

• Refuse. If you are not comfortable with the service provider, you can, and should, refuse to work with the locksmith.

Check for a valid state license number (NOT IN HAWAII). The states that have licensing for locksmith services ( AL,CA, IL, LA, NJ, NC, OK, TN and TX ) may require the licensed locksmith company to include a state license number on their vehicles, advertising, and all paperwork. If your state requires licensing, then the technician must show you his/her identity card, which is a good indicator of legitimacy. These licensed locksmiths and their companies have been investigated by the state and found free of criminal activity in their past, and are required to have current valid liability insurance policies in force. States with a licensing law typically have a consumer protection hotline number to call and a mailing address for complaints to be sent to. Do not pay anyone that will not provide you with this information. If your state does not have a licensing law to protect you, ask your legislator for that protection. The Associated Locksmiths Of America (ALOA) supports state licensing for the purpose of protecting the consumer and can assist your legislator in drafting laws to protect consumers from locksmith scams.

My car's locks and/or the ignition was damaged. Should I call a locksmith?

Locksmiths specialize in locking mechanisms and keys. The technicians at car dealers usually carry more generalized automotive specialties. If the problem is with any of the locking mechanisms on your vehicle, it is usually best to call a mobile service. They will come to your location for much less than it costs to tow your car to a dealer. Locksmiths can also do fine work with the lock's cylinders that most technicians cannot do. Many locksmiths also work 24 hours a day. If yo are going to call a locksmith, it is recommended that you call one with automotive training, because vehicle locks are slightly different than house or commercial locks.

Real-Life Example: There was something wrong with a pickup truck ignition. The man's key wouldn't turn and he had no way of starting his truck. He towed his truck to the dealer for several hundred dollars. The auto technicians completely took apart the ignition before announcing that the entire steering column had to be replaced. And he would have to use a different key for his ignition and doors. Total cost: $900+

The man didn't want to pay that much, so he decided to eat the cost of towing and call a locksmith (he called The Key Guy). When we arrived at the dealer and assessed the situation, we said we could have driven to the man's house and done the work there for mere tens of dollars instead of making him tow the truck for hundreds of dollars. We also could have simply replaced the cylinder in the ignition instead of replacing the entire steering column. He would have been able to keep his same original keys. We didn't charge him anything for driving out to the car dealer, and he said next time he would definitely call a locksmith first.

read the rest of The Key Guy FAQ at http://www.keyguyhawaii.com/Pricing.html

------
Don't worry, just PROGRAM 377-4999 INTO YOUR PHONE NOW! Don't wait for it to happen to you!

Winning Best Van Entry

The Key Guy, 2nd Place, Best Locksmith Van in the World, ALOA 2010, Orlando Florida

Planning to Remodel/Renovate/Build?

Hire a LICENSED contractor! We've seen far too many people get scammed because they didn't check to see if their "contractor" was actually licensed--they just took his word for it. Unfortunately, the locksmith industry remains unregulated in the state of Hawaii. For other types of construction, painting, flooring, etc, ask yourself these questions: Have you .. .

Gotten at least three written estimates for the job?
Verified the licenses of the contractors and any subcontractors
by calling 587-3222?
Checked with the Regulated Industries Complaints Office
for any prior complaints about the contractor by calling
587-3222 (press 1)?
Asked the contractor for references?
Requested a list of subcontractors if any are to be used?
Drawn up a written contract?
Read the entire contract and understood all of its terms and
conditions?
Purchased performance, material and completion bonds through
the contractor?
Obtained the appropriate building permits?
Seen and understood any plans and blueprints before approving
them?
Periodically checked on the progress of the work?
Gotten lien releases from subcontractors and material suppliers?
Kept copies of all documents and correspondence?
Published a notice of completion in the newspaper once the job
was done?
(This printed material can be made available for individuals with
special needs in braille, large print or audiotape. Please submit your
request to the Complaints and Enforcement Officer at 587-2666)

If you are seriously considering a home remodeling job or thinking of
installing a swimming pool, then you will probably hire a contractor to
do the work.
As licensed contractors have met experience and examination
requirements, and are required to maintain worker’s compensation
insurance and liability insurance, it is wise to insist that the contractor
you hire be licensed. However, because you may be undertaking a
substantial investment, you should do your homework, and enter into
any contract in a “buyer beware” manner.
For inquiries regarding license status, contact:
Phone: 587-3222, (press 1)
For filing complaints against licensed or unlicensed
contractors, contact:
Regulated Industries Complaints Office
Consumer Resource Center
235 S. Beretania Street, 9th Floor
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone:
Oahu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 587-3222 (press 2)
Kauai . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274-3200
Maui . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243-5808
Hilo, Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 933-8846
Kona, Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329-6684

For complete brochure, go here

The Key Guy Wins Nationally

ALOA Best Website & Van Awarded to The Key Guy!

The Key Guy, a local Honolulu locksmith, won “Best Locksmith Website in the World” (1st Place) and “Best Locksmith Van in the World” (2nd Place) awards at the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) Convention August 7, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. Owners Kimberly and Guy “The Key Guy” Tordjman entered their company after seeing the coincidentally named Key Guyz (notice the “z”) from Minneapolis take home the best van award last year.

“People ask us all the time if The Key Guy is a franchise when they see our beautiful vans,” says Kimberly, “each van is a high-tech locksmith workshop on wheels, equipped with the latest technology and an impressive selection of keys and door hardware. However, when customers see keyguyhawaii.com, they instantly recognize they’re dealing with a true family-operated, kama’aina company.” Kimberly created the website and van signage herself. Guy remarks, “I am proud of The Key Guy because we’re branded like a large company but we have the boutique-quality service and expertise of true specialists. I can’t believe we won a national contest!”

Working as a husband and wife team, Guy and Kimberly founded The Key Guy in 2008. Their first van, nicknamed “The Big Green Monster,” was painted green because when Kimberly first met Guy, he was a green-shirted man with green eyes living on Green Street in Makiki. The Key Guy’s mascot is a modern-day superhero bearing a bit of resemblance to Guy, based on the time Kimberly saw him rescue a suffocating baby from inside a locked car at Hanauma Bay.
The Key Guy’s new locksmith shop in Aiea’s Harbor Center complements its award-winning vans. In addition to locksmithing, The Key Guy is also certified in CCTV Cameras, Burglar Alarms, Proximity Card Readers, Access Control, Intercoms, Keypad Locks, Security Systems, Door Operators, and Master Key Systems.

For the contest, The Key Guy competed against locksmiths from across North America and as far away as Japan. The competitors ranged from one-man mobile locksmiths to multi-company corporations. All ALOA members at the convention were invited to vote in the contest. ALOA is the largest and most respected locksmith association in the world.

Associated Locksmiths of America website: http://www.aloa.org
The Key Guy website: http://www.keyguyhawaii.com
The Key Guy offers 24 Hour Service, Island Wide. Call (808) 377-4999 or toll free 1-877-7KEYGUY

The Life of a Locksmith

Accidentally left one of my three phones in the store overnight and guess what?

Seventy-one (71) missed calls!

You're only a professional contractor if...

Funny thought of the day:

You're only a professional contractor if your butt-crack is clearly visible at all times. If your pants fail to display your butt-crack, you are obviously not a professional!

Look for this (but not too hard!?) next time you call a contractor, locksmith, plumber, electrician, or other repairperson.

OW! We're growing!

The Key Guy is growing up in an exciting new direction! We don't want to spoil the secret yet, but it has to do with the expansion of our sister company, The Security Center (securitycenterhawaii.com) in a joint venture with The Key Guy. Hey, the owners are the same....

So watch out! Here comes a bigger, better solution for all your security, access control, and locksmith needs!

Locksmiths've Got Codes...

Fun fringe benefit of being a locksmith: knowing your codes! We've got key codes, zip codes, and area codes down by heart.

Practical applications of this skill? We're fun at trivia parties. And our friends call us when they need to punch the ZIP into the GPS before the street name. And how is your friendly neighborhood locksmith like a cab driver? He can find you based on very little information! Handy to know us when you're locked out of your vehicle at an unidentified address, like a small business, when parked on the street, or a friend's house.

So program The Key Guy 377-4999 into your phone for that special time in your life when maybe, just maybe, you find yourself locked out AND don't know where you are!

Locksmiths Hit New Low

http://www.hometownglenburnie.com/news/Business/2010/04/10-12/State+censures+Pasadena+locksmith%0A.html

This guy is a new low and a low blow for locksmiths. He gives an estimate of of $200 then charges $1000+ after getting the customer's credit card information. $200 is a ridiculous price to open a car to begin with! It is sad for consumers that so few avenues for real recourse exist.

Guy a Bonded ALOA Member

Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) finally sent Guy Tordjman his new "Bonded Member" ID.
Note to the public: just because someone says he's bonded and insured on his website...well, are you going to take his word for it? And if someone says they're "licensed," you might want to ask what they're licensed for, since there is no Locksmith Licensing Board in Hawaii.

At the very least, check out the ALOA Locksmith Search at Findalocksmith.com to see if your locksmith is an ALOA member. ALOA requires stiff FBI background checks, professional references, and at least two years experience for membership. No scammers there!

Hawaii Locksmith Licensure Bill

Say Hey! A Hawaii locksmith licensure bill has been drafted. You can find a PDF and bill history here http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2009/lists/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=344.

It'll be a good thing for real locksmiths (aka not the scammers). But what with all the hoopla on the internet with so-called "licensed" plumbers and electricians...

Introducing The KeyDog 24 Hours!

Drumroll, please, for the newest Key Dog 24 Hours On Call!
Perhaps you will be one of the customers lucky enough to meet Spock the Cocker Spaniel puppy! Weighing in at 16 pounds, he is an expert in the locksmith profession of cuting, also known as being cute, better known as distracting the customers whilst putting on a puppy face.


Also provides belly for belly rubs, and gives a good palm-licking to those lucky enough to have him as their Key Dog.

Call today for the chance to experience the best of locksmith key dogs!

Go Florida!

We're glad to see that someone is finally pushing some legislation through to force locksmiths to have licenses...too bad it's in Florida and not Hawaii. As we at The Key Guy have learned recently from personal experience, there are all kinds of whack plumbers and electricians who are *supposed* to have state licenses and who *claim* to have state licenses but don't. They screw over their customers and lie blatantly about being licensed contractors up to the point of being criminals. They do crappy work and cause accidents that unwitting customers have to pay for out of pocket--including frying the wires in entire buildings and causing major floods. But that doesn't mean locksmiths shouldn't have to be licensed, too.

The competition is stiff in the locksmith industry, and work locksmiths do is just as important as an electrician or plumber. It's security, for crying out loud. As it stands, there is no recourse for the hundreds of people we've met who've called scammer locksmiths. And the scammers are running rampant what with their unbelievably low advertised rates and astronomically high actual prices. Not to mention the shoddy work they do that has to be fixed by a real professional. Do I sound bitter? I think I deserve it. At least give legitimate locksmiths a fighting chance, eh?

Bad Copies

It has come to my attention that too many key duplicates are bad ones. Too often, we get customers complaining that their duplicates from the hardware store don't work when they get home. How do you avoid this? Go to a locksmith! Hardware stores are convenient, but they don't carry a wide selection of specialized key blanks, nor do the personnel have the specialized training of a locksmith.

If you call The Key Guy for a mobile service at your home, ask your locksmith technician if he'll make a few duplicates of your house/car/mailbox key for you. Most single-cut keys are under $5, and the locksmith can just tack it onto your bill, saving you a trip to the store! Plus, you can try out your new duplicate on the spot, just to make sure it works.

And hey, if you need your car key duplicated, call us and find out if it's a transponder key or a laser-cut key (or any other type of high-security key). If it's high security, you either need to go to your car dealer or find an automotive locksmith (hint hint The Key Guy).