Teach me...

[trinnyg]

Name on card

Name and fully business name and address probably was on the card. SC was proablably small time pawn / loan shark company. trying to dodge the law. Did not bother to actually read the law.

All the places I have see require all users of said break in tools to be bonded in order to use the tools. This includes The *Motor Association (AAA, CAA, AMA) As you need to be certified. If you break into a house it is considered breaking and entering and even when I worked for a rental company we still had to have someone there. Stating we did not steal it. We did have a few times where we actually were accompanied by city police.

[Locksmith_from_Hell]

lock pick tools arent illegal to own, at least not in california, but cops don't like it when you carry them around.

I don't think they're actually illegal to own anywhere, but almost everywhere you can be pulled up on carrying them.

I know that here in Australia, if you have them, without signage on your vehicle or a work shirt, you can be charged with going equipped to burgle.

[digilight]

lock pick tools arent illegal to own, at least not in california, but cops don't like it when you carry them around.

Really? I thought it was something like possesion of burglery tools or something along those lines. (If you are not a licensed Lock Smith or licensed for the tools).

But it wouldn't surprise me to be wrong either (speaking on cali only though)

[cawaker]

lock pick tools arent illegal to own, at least not in california, but cops don't like it when you carry them around.

[PepperElf]

RG: I work with banks doing foreclosures.

which means the bank better hire a pro to do the job, cos then they'll have the paperwork to back it up.
if they just go in and do it themselves the homeowner (eh) could have a legal case against the bank.

and who's to say he won't use those skills for some off-the-clock work too?

I'd say... "Sure... just let me call my 'associate' to have all the paperwork drawn up for breaking-and-entering lessons." ... then you call the police

[Locksmith_from_Hell]

I'd think they would hire a locksmith to change the locks if anything.

I don't know how it works over there in the states, but here in Aus the finance companies hire recovery companies, who then hire locksmiths.

It sucks, considering the season, but a large portion of our income is currently derived from repossession of houses.

Thankfully, the people being foreclosed on bitch at the sherriffs and the agent for the repo company, and not me.

There are also inexpensive videos available via mail order that SHOW the "tricks."

DH is a locksmith, and got one of the videos. I was shocked to find out that just anybody could order them!

There is also a site I know of that is selling the tools to the general public. Unfortunately, due to them being based in China, it's damn near impossible to get them to stop selling them.

[Primer]

Additionally what really makes him an idiot is that there is tons on info on the internet and in the lock library on how to pick locks.

Somehow my impression is people like this are not just stupid/dumb but also very lazy as if you do point them to the local library they will start to complain about how much work it it to do the needed reading and then practice on their own locks at home.

They almost always start asking you what the "TRICK" is to doing a job and refuse to believe you if you point out it took you lots of study and hard work.

There are also inexpensive videos available via mail order that SHOW the "tricks."

DH is a locksmith, and got one of the videos. I was shocked to find out that just anybody could order them!

[persephone]

If there's a foreclosure and eviction and the person living there absolutely refuses to leave, they call in some police officers to enforce the eviction order.

Exactly. And I don't see them having to use lock picks to break into a house when no ones home. When cops come in to enforce an order, they don't pick the lock. They knock and then sit there and wait until someone opens the door, even if it means sitting outside for hours.

This guy just wants someone to teach him how to break into a house.

[Chromatix]

That's probably an advantage of living in an apartment block. I can almost certainly go to the janitor, who knows who I am, if I were to accidentally lock myself out of my flat (hasn't happened yet).

I don't have a car to lock myself out of. Hmm...

[earl colby pottinger]

Lessons

Additionally what really makes him an idiot is that there is tons on info on the internet and in the lock library on how to pick locks.

Somehow my impression is people like this are not just stupid/dumb but also very lazy as if you do point them to the local library they will start to complain about how much work it it to do the needed reading and then practice on their own locks at home.

They almost always start asking you what the "TRICK" is to doing a job and refuse to believe you if you point out it took you lots of study and hard work.

[mscrybaby]

If you are offering lessons on how to pick locks please let me be your first customer. I am tired of paying to unlock my car because I forgot and locked the keys in it. I have to pay the locksmith $50.00 to come and unlock my car or my sister $30.00 to bring me my spare key.

[Hyndis]

I don't think that's evil. He wants someone to teach him how to break into houses. I've never done forclosures, obviously, but somehow, I don't think that's how the banks operate.

If there's a foreclosure and eviction and the person living there absolutely refuses to leave, they call in some police officers to enforce the eviction order.

The guy in the OP sounds extremely shady, such that I would very much consider making a report to the police.

[RayvenQ]

Me: Would you like to leave a message for the boss?
RG: Just show me real quick, hon!

This is where I'd over exxageratingly slowly would get a piece of paper and write down a message to leave for the boss.

[Nyoibo]

And I'm sure the fool's real name, address and phone number is on the phony card to aid the police!

It really wouldn't surprise me if was.

[BJD]

Random guy I've never seen before walks into locksmiths shop:
RG: I need to talk to a LOCKSMITH about tools and how to use them
(Side note: I'm female)
Me: I am able to help with that
RG: No, I need to talk to a LOCKSMITH!
Me: I AM a LOCKSMITH

Was he fully evolved and walking upright? Guys like that cheese me off... they make the rest of guys (who appreciate a smart & talented lady) seem stupid by association.

The first thing I thought of when I read that was this...

Me: "Do you see that sign on the wall there?"
* points to a blank spot on the wall behind the counter, close to the ceiling and to the side *
* CS looks *
CS: "What sign?"
Me: "Oh there's no sign... I just wanted to make sure the camera got a good picture..."

That's BRILLIANT! Maybe a little risky under certain circumstances but what a way to clear the SC out of the store in a heartbeat!

I'm evil like that, but I'd hand his "card" to the police and make a report.

I don't know about in the USA but here in Canada (at least in Ontario where I took a few locksmithing courses) a licensed locksmith would actually be legally required to report a conversation like that to the police!