Free Locks
Now that's a clickbait title if I ever saw one!
Friends, Family, Co-workers & Neighbors!
Everyone knows people, and most people either remodel the place they live or maybe move households once in a while. When moving into a new house, it is standard practice to change all the locks. Letting everyone around us know that we are looking for locks they are usually happy to hand over their old "Trash" as it comes along. Suggesting a better way to secure someone's prized possessions without breaking their bank is a good way to help everyone involved, since they are typically happy to give away their old "junk".
Maintenance Technicians
- Apartment complexes
- Condos
- StripMalls
- U-Stor-Its
- Laundro Mats
- Office parks
- etc.
The people working to maintain the spaces we live, work, and play,play can be a fantastic resource for a lockpicker. Groups like these can be a gold mine in practice locks for a club! Techs usually end up lots of cut or otherwise "useless-to-them" locks that they would normally throw in the trash. I have had the best luck by offering to help them personally with something as a trade, but the Pizza and bucket trick is always a good choice. (Don't forget to paint the bucket so they remember it's YOURS)
Locksmiths
This one is a bit harder since this is a business and they have no incentive to do anything for us. I tend begin with a little bribery, such as showing up with a hot meat lovers pizza and an empty bucket sometime before lunch... Sometimes we get lucky and the locksmith is happy to point to a trash can in the back room and say "Have at it", while others are completely unwilling to help in any way.
Fair Warning - It is really unfortunate, but some locksmiths I have approached reacted with fear\anger as if I was somehow taking money from them in some way... Personally, I simply Smile and Say "Thanks Anyway" then LEAVE THE PIZZA anyway. There is no point to antagonizing someone by trying to change their mind, and even less point if they are already angry!