Pentland Locksmiths in Edinburgh

Locksmith in Edinburgh and Midlothian

2010-10-10T02:19:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

September became a very interesting month with 3 main issues that came up time and time again in Locksmith Edinburgh. The number of Break-ins reported where a big feature for Pentland Locksmiths Services in Edinburgh and made headline news in the last few days of the month.

Break-ins in Edinburgh

To get so many Break-ins in such a short period of time was unprecedented for Pentland Locksmiths Services and kept us busy in Locksmith Edinburgh over the last few days off the month. Most of the break-ins we attended where opportunist where some horrible individuals would prowl the streets during the night looking for High value cars and then force entry to steal the keys and whatever else they could get their hands on.

In 2 cases the thieves didn’t even have to even break a lock to open a door because the owners had inadvertently left their doors unlocked.

This is not a victimless crime and the owners invariably are left to pick up the pieces and deal with some coward that has invaded their home. Pentland Locksmiths - Locksmith in Edinburgh can offer advice and make security upgrades, but the long-term scars are left with the home owner.

We would advise all our customers in locksmith Edinburgh and Midlothian to remain vigilant, always keep your doors locked not just at night, but also during the daytime. We would also urge all owners of cars to purchase and key safe and lock away their car keys when not in use.

Another attempted break-in was at Causewayside in locksmith Edinburgh and has become a common occurrence due to the ease with which the thieves have of gaining entry. They manage to get in through the communal door using the service button and check the flat doors to see which one doesn’t have a Mortice locks activated. They then force the Yale lock of the frame and enter the property. This is all done in a few minutes with little notice from the other residents. On this case the owner was actually in their flat at the time and the thief was scared off.

The simple way to protect you flat from this type of attack is to lock your Mortice lock at all times.

If you don’t have a Mortice lock or need an upgrade then click the picture left and go to our Mortice
Lock Page for further details.

Or give us a call for advise on 0131 224 0081

We at Pentland Locksmiths Services hope the Lothian and Borders Police will specifically target the minority of individuals are committing these crimes in Edinburgh and Midlothian.

Old Double Glazed Doors

Seems to Pentland Locksmiths - Locksmith in Edinburgh that there is a trend developing amongst door and window fitting companies that they are unwilling to offer a repair service to customers with Aluminium and Double Glazed door. We are getting more and more of this type of work because we are becoming well known for repairing ALL types of old style doors. We hear time and time again from customers that they have been told that the locks they have cannot be replaced and they will need a new door.

This of course is absolute RUBBISH!

Insurance Requirements

Pentland Locksmiths had a higher than normal number of Insurance upgrades over the month September in Edinburgh and Midlothian. With Insurance requirements becoming more strict in locksmith Edinburgh and Midlothian, customers are now upgrading locks and also getting additional security fitted to Sliding Patio Doors and Windows. The number of break-ins has also encourage customers into making changes that they had put off up until now.

If you would like to add additional security to your sliding patio door then click the photo Below.

Pentland Locksmiths lock upgrades and security options to meet all budgets and are happy to give advice on this. We would urge our customers in Edinburgh and the Lothian’s to check their insurance policy and if they are unsure whether they meet the requirements to give us a call.

We are here to help!

Don’t listen to what these salesman tell you and give Pentland Locksmiths Services a call. We can repair or replace ALL types of Old Style Aluminium and Double Glazed at a fraction of the price.
Click the photo right for further information.

Well that’s it for another month and thanks for reading.

Sorry if you were looking to read something a bit more controversial!

Pentland Locksmiths Services - Locksmith in Edinburgh and Midlothian

http://www.pentlandlocksmiths.co.uk/

2010-09-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

Sept 11th - A Day to Remember

While writing our blog we are conscious that today has become a symbolic day for remembering the dead in the worst terrorist atrocity of the modern era.
Its hard to believe that its nine years since the world stopped and witnessed the shocking events of Sept 11th 2001 when terrorists attacked the the World Trade Center in New York. It has become one of those dates in history that a modern generation will never forget and always look back in sheer disbelief at the number if victims that day.

Although we are thousands of miles away from Ground Zero, I don’t think there will be anyone in Locksmith Edinburgh who won’t take a moment to remember the thousands of victims who sadly passed away in the rubble of the towers.

What’s been happening with Pentland Locksmiths?

Well nothing of note to be perfectly honest!

We have continued to work diligently against an increase in competition and what would also seem like a bit of a price war. We have stuck rigidly to our pricing structure over the last 4 years and will not under any circumstances start dropping our prices because someone feels the need to go out and do work for less than what the service is worth. Don’t know why anyone feels its right to undervalue what they are doing, because it just creates a bigger problem for all locksmiths operating on what is already a very tight market.

We would encourage all locksmiths to think about their own operating costs before going down the road of devaluing their business. In most cases it doesn’t make sense because it give customers a false understanding of what a locksmith should be charging.

Edinburgh Tram Network

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse in Locksmith Edinburgh the latest news on the Tram Network is all over the news again. God knows what these administrators are doing but the City of Edinburgh Council has become a laughing stock in the eyes of the Edinburgh residents.

You’ve got wonder if we will ever see a Tram running along Princes Street any time in the next decade. My guess is we will but it probably only run from East side of Prince Street to the West Side of Princes Street. The only thing is a total and utter disaster and should never been started in the first place. The fact we have a very good suburban line already in place makes it all the more galling that these individuals who waste millions of public money think they know better.

Since it doesn’t like like a Tram will ever make it far enough along to Haymarket, can we now have the Heart of Midlothian War memorial put back in its rightful place?

Customers thinking they are Locksmiths

Over the last couple of weeks we have attended two lock outs that the customers took it upon themselves to attack their locks with a drill in the hope of gaining entry without the need to call a locksmith. On both occasions they massacred the locks and failed to get in, so phoned Pentland Locksmith - Locksmith in Edinburgh. Giving the amount of rubbish you see on You Tube and various Internet forums, it hardly comes as a big surprise to find that a customer has tried to drill a door locks themselves. There is so much stuff available on the Net for any customer to feast their eyes on. Sadly most of the videos that are listed are posted by locksmiths

How to replace a Euro Lock
How to fix a broken PVC door
How to gain access to a home
How to open a vehicle

The lists are endless and the amount of information online is becoming ridiculously high. I can’t understand why any locksmith would want to show a potential customer how to change a UPVC lock or repair a broken mechanism. If they’ve been badly advised by some computer nerd that it will improve their Google rankings, then that’s not exactly the case. Looking at it from a pure locksmith business sense, every customer who decides to do the work themselves after looking at information on the Internet is a job that a locksmith in Edinburgh may have got.

If you want to illustrate what services you do on your Website, then just add good quality pictures that show the skills you have, but don’t give to much away.

And finally

When we thought about writing our September 11th Blog in Locksmith Edinburgh the intention was to be less controversial than in previous blogs. However, given the state of our Roads, Tram system and other issues relating to Edinburgh its hard not to be annoyed at the current way the Capital City of Scotland is being run.

The latest scheme from our trusted administrators is to make the Capital a 20 mph zone. Now I’m all for safety of children and commuters but the very idea of dropping the speed limit across Locksmith Edinburgh to 20 mph is ridiculous. Our customers will have to get used to the fact that most locksmiths don’t have ‘Rocket Ships’ and it might take that little bit longer to get to them when they are locked out.

We’ll just have to wait and see if this latest initiative gets off the ground.

Going by their track record - I doubt it!

Pentland Locksmiths

Pentland Locksmiths - Locksmith Edinburgh

2010-08-06T10:59:00.000-07:00

August is Festival Time

August is not the most favourable month of the year to be a Locksmith in Edinburgh. It can be very chaotic at the best of times in Edinburgh City Centre, but its so much worse when the Festival goers come to town. Parking in Edinburgh is a total nightmare and with the streets packed with revellers you have to keep your eyes wide open when driving through the City streets. But we welcome our visitors to Locksmith Edinburgh and wish them a safe and enjoyable visit.

Unfortunately, with so many tourists in Edinburgh at one time, its easy pickings for the low-lifes who prey on unsuspecting victims stealing their bags and other belongings. We would urge everyone who is attending the Edinburgh Festival to stay vigilant and don't leave any bags unattended for the thieves to steal. Keep safe and don't let these sumhumans ruin your day.

If you have been the unfortunate victim of a theft and had your keys stolen then visit the Pentland Locksmiths website for further information.

www.pentlandlocksmiths.co.uk

Crime in the Capital during July

There has been 2 noticable crimes that have been reported to Pentland Locksmiths during the month of July. Both are preventable with minimal security measures and a bit of common sense.

Thieves are now actively targetting parked cars in park areas in the outskirts of Edinburgh where Dog walkers are known to spend time. They hid in bushes waiting for there unsuspecting victim to leave their car to take their dogs for a walk and then break into their cars stealing whatever they can get their hands on. Don't make it easy for these scumbags by leaving bags and belongings in the car in full view. Lock them in the boot or better still leave them at home. We are aware that parks in Morningside, Braids, inverleith and other concentrated areas of trees are being targetted.
As reported before on many occasions flats in the North East of Edinburgh Locksmith are being continually targetted during the daytime by thieves. They don't seem to care how long it takes to open a door and what damage they cause as they know there are NO occupants around to call the Police. Don't make it easy for them by not locking your mortice deadlock. If you don't have a mortice deadlock or a chubb deadlock then click on the link below and visit the Pentland Locksmiths Services website for futher information

http://www.pentlandlocksmiths.co.uk/home_security_in_edinburgh.html

July Holidays

Most of our regular customers will know that we closed for 2 weeks in July. Every locksmith needs a break from the rigours of being a Locksmith in Edinburgh and we as a business felt that there was NO point aswering calls from another country when the purpose of the trip was to take a break. However, Pentland Locksmiths Services still offered an aswering service to customers who didn't need an emergency locksmith. We were pleasantly suprised on our return to find that many of our customers who phoned during the first 2 weeks of July waited until our return to acquire our services. This is testament to the Quality of Service Pentland Locksmiths - Locksmith Edinburgh gives to our customer base and we thank our customers for the faith showed in us.

And finally - Google Adwords

Google Adwords can be a good method of getting work if used correctly and has a good website to back it up. However, it also can be a method for your competitors to show their total distane by Fraudulantly clicking your paid listing and giving you unneccesary costs. Google prefer to call it 'Invalid Clicks' but Pentland Locksmiths Services would rather call it 'FRAUD' because thats exactly what it is. When some horrible cretin sets out to deliberately remove a business from a paid listing then its a criminal act and should be treated as such.

We have just experienced this for the fourth time this year and it would have cost Pentland Locksmiths Services quite a lot of money if we didn't have measures in place to prevent and report it. We don't think the scumbags who click our paid listings will be aware that we monitor our traffic on a daily basis and any suspicious activity is reported to Google's Click Fraud Team. Each time we have been taragtted we have been refunded by Google. We also exclude all suspicious IP addresses from clicking our Paid listings. Here are the 4 ip addresses that have targetted our Paid Adwords this year.

67.212.185.94
78.154.110.24
81.154.200.177
92.233.157.167

If you are reading this and one of the ip addresses belongs to you then you really need to have a good look at yourself. The top listed ip address is the latest one to target our business and we have asked a computer specialist to locate the owner of the address. We really don't know why anyone finds the need to click on another competitors listing, but we can only assume that its another locksmith who is so frustrated by the lack of work they go crazy while waiting on the phone ringing that they decide to take it out on there competitors. There can be no other explanation.

Anyway, on a brighter note Pentland Locksmiths services are as busy as ever with nearly 40% of our work coming from regular customers and recomendations.

We are now looking forward to the BT book coming out and seeing what they have to offer.

Pentland Lockmiths Services

Pentland Locksmiths in Edinburgh - Edinburgh Locksmith

2010-05-09T11:57:00.000-07:00

Dear Reader

Whats been happening with Pentland Locksmiths

Its been a very interesting few weeks since our last Blog with some of our debates on the Locksmith industry generating a lot of interest amongst other local locksmiths and most notably, many of our customers we meet on a daily basis. We would like to make it clear that our views on the locksmith industry are not meant to insult any of our fellow (Independent) locksmiths, but merely to express our concern at the way the wider locksmith industry is heading.

Many of our customers who take the time to read our blog and see what we have to say are finding our views very informative when selecting a suitable locksmith business to do their work. The fact our customers are telling us this and then using Pentland Locksmiths Services to do their work is vindication that our views although unpalatable to some are totally justified.

Burglaries in North Edinburgh

Over the last couple of weeks we have had an increase in the number of customers calling us about their Home Security and are very scared about the high number of break-ins in this part of the city. This is not the first time we have mentioned the number of break-ins in North Edinburgh but there was a period of time when Lothian & Borders Police looked like they had got a grip on the crimewave. Unfortunately, it looks like the break-ins have now restarted and is worrying our customers enough for them to arrange addtional security and Free Security Assessments.

If you are worried about the current burglary situation then please visit our Home Security webpage that will give you information on the best way to secure your home.

If you would like to upgrade your external door security by adding additional Chubb Deadlocks then click on the following link or the photo (right)

http://www.pentlandlocksmiths.co.uk/edinburgh_chubb_deadlocks.html

Ripped off by the Nationals

We had a disturbing conversation with a customer recently while attending a standard Yale lock-out in Edinburgh City Centre. What is widely regarded as a relatively simple entry amongst Honest Independent locksmiths - a customer locked out with a Yale Cylinder should not be taking to the cleaners by a National Contractor who sole intention in life is to prey on vulnerable individuals and fleece them of all the money they have. Our customers told us that she had been locked out a few weeks back and the company that let her in to the flat charged her £200.

Now its not surprising that some scumbag National would charge this for a lock-out, but whats more worrying is that the local locksmith who attended on their behalf would have been fully aware of the amount she was being charged.

Its an absolute disgrace that someone could be charged this amount for a Yale lockout and absolutely disgusting that there is a locksmith operating in Edinburgh happy to accept this and be complicite in the abuse of a vulnerable customer.

The customer gave us the paperwork of the job and we will be handing it to trading standards.

Not all doom and Gloom

Each month we discuss issues that may be seen as negative and a bit doom and gloom, but being a locksmith can also be exciting, fun and very unusual on most days. Its one of those jobs that you never know whats going to happen and whether its going to be a good or a bad day. When a locksmith has a bad day then its usually a very bad day. But you take the good with the bad and we wouldn't swap it for anything else.

New Products

Pentland Locksmiths Services - Edinburgh Locksmith are now supplying custom fitted security gates and bars to external door and windows. This has been in the pipeline for a while as we increase our product range to client base. If you would like further information on security gates and bars then click the follwing link or the picture (right) to visit our webpage

http://www.pentlandlocksmiths.co.uk/edinburgh_gates_grilles-and_security_bars.html

Thanks for reading.

Pentland Locksmiths Services - www.pentlandlocksmiths.co.uk/

Pentland Locksmiths In Edinburgh

2010-04-05T10:50:00.000-07:00

Dear Reader,

Its been an interesting fews weeks since Pentland Locksmiths Services in Edinburgh last posted. Work has continued to be steady even though our competitors are now following our example by embracing the latest online technology to market their business.

We also attended the Institute of Certified Locksmiths (ICL) exhibition in Nottingham in March and the whole day was an excellent experience. The show was a great success with many Independent locksmiths saying that it was bigger and better than the MLA show a year earlier.

It proved to be so popular that even the Rip-off Nationals sent along their locksmiths to see what was going on.
Hopefully, they learned a valuable lesson that the ICL do not condone anyone who over charges customers with high prices and poor quality work.

If you are interested in joining the ICL and furthering your career as a locksmith then follow the link for further information.

http://theinstituteofcertifiedlocksmiths.org/

CHUBB Deadlocks

Although the CHUBB brand is about to disappear for good their deadlocks still seem to be a popular as ever with our Edinburgh customers. Fitting CHUBB deadlocks continues to be an excellent way to secure your door from thieves who specifially target tenement flats in Edinburgh City Centre. There are still reports of Break-ins in the Gorgie area where some lowlife is deliberately targetting flats that only have the Yale lock activated. We would urge all customers to lock your CHUBB deadlock when you go out or last thing at night

Do you need a CHUBB lock fitted then visit the CHUBB deadlock page on the Pentland Locksmiths Website.

http://www.pentlandlocksmiths.co.uk/edinburgh_chubb_deadlocks.html

New Locksmiths

It looks like everytime Pentland Locksmiths Services do a general search for Locksmiths in Edinburgh and the Lothian's on Google there is another new locksmith advertising in some guise or another. The sad thing about it is that most newly trained locksmiths have been sold a dream by some rip-off training school that being a locksmith is a 'get quick rich' scheme and all their future paths will be paved with gold.

The only thing that is certain is that the locksmith trainer has fleeced the new locksmith with part of there redundancy or savings and the Trainee will be left high and dry to find work once there 2 day is course is complete. The sad reality is that most new locksmith don't last 6 months because the find out quickly that what they have been taught is nothing and there is no way of finding work

Unfortunately, no one will take heed of anything Pentland Locksmiths or anyone else will say as the conveyor belt of new locksmiths continue to be churned out.

The only good we can see that will come out of all the newby locksmiths is that existing locksmiths who have been around for a couple of years and rely heavily on the nationals for work will be dumped at the first opportunity for the new cheaper locksmiths available.

So let that be a warning!

Incidentally, on the subject of the nationals it looks like they are struggling to get work from their Yellow Pages ads that they are now targetting Google adwords to make up the shortfall. Sadly, it only takes one locksmith who is so desperate for work that will gladly help these companies that rip-off customers before they themselves get dumped for someone cheaper.

Pentland Locksmiths won't name them because they don't deserve the recognition on our Blog.

Sash Window Locks

Insurance companies are now stating that all wooden Sash Windows must be fitted with locks. If your wndows do not comply then visit our Sash Windows web page to views the locks we are able to fit that will comply with your insurance requirements.

http://www.pentlandlocksmiths.co.uk/edinburgh_sash_window_locks.html

Aluminium Door Repairs

Pentland Locksmiths Services continue to specialise in the repair of ALL types of Aluminium and Double Glazed doors even though the large door fitting comapnies are now stating that they will also repair doors they wouldn't have touch with a barge-pole just a few months ago. Pentland Locksmiths take great pride in the fact that specific door companies have recognised our work and now look to take it from us. Sadly they have failed because there promise to our customers to repair there door has been a lie and they continue to browbeat customer into spending a £1000+ on a new door.

We continue to get calls on a weekly basis from customers who have been through this but have not succumed to the heavy handed sales tactics of the large door fitting companies. If you have any type of of Aluminium or Double glazed door and need it repaired then follow the link to our web page.

http://www.pentlandlocksmiths.co.uk/edinburgh-aluminium-door-repairs.html

http://www.pentlandlocksmiths.co.uk/edinburgh-upvc-doors-repairs.html

http://www.pentlandlocksmiths.co.uk/edinburgh-fire-exit-hardware.html

http://www.pentlandlocksmiths.co.uk/edinburgh-window-patio-locks.html

Thanks for reading

Chris

www.pentlandlocksmiths.co.uk

Pentland Locksmiths Services 2010 - Locksmiths in Edinburgh

2010-01-18T12:16:00.000-08:00

Dear Reader,

Pentland Locksmiths Services would like to take this opportunity to thank all our Domestic and Commercial customers for their support during the last 12 months and wish everyone a prosperous 2010.

We have been exceptionally busy since our last Blog at the start of December with Domestic lock outs and UPVC door repairs being the main source of work. Pentland Locksmiths has also been reviewing its website status and visual content over the last few weeks to meet the challenges that the future brings. We have now updated the new generation website that will incorporate other areas that we operate.

Break-ins

Thankfully, we attended very few lock changes and door repairs over the Christmas period due to Break-ins in Edinburgh. There is nothing worse than having to visit a ransacked family home prior to Christmas.

The jobs we did attend seemed to be all in the same area around Gorgie Road where some horrible scrote was specifically targeting flats that had NO deadlocks activated.

We would warn all our customers to remain vigilant and to always locks their mortice lock when leaving their home.If you do not have a mortice lock fitted or would like to upgrade then give is a call and we will be happy to check your door security and advise you on the best course of action.

You can see what Mortice locks we fit by clicking the photo above.

However, bag snatches are still common in the City Centre as gangs continue to target women who leave their bags unattended while out in Bars and Night Clubs.

Commercial Van Deadlocks

Pentland Locksmiths are now able to offer the fitting of Van Deadlocks in Edinburgh, Midlothian EH193LE. Van security has become very important because thieves are deliberately targetting vans with Tools stored inside.

Without extra security locks its easy pickings for the thieves who are becoming more sophisticated and are buying lock picks on the internet. This is a major problem for the Police and Insurance companies who continually advise that van with tools should have additional security

Pentland Locksmiths only fits High Security Deadlocks and Cylinders that will prevent anyone from forcing entry. Fitting High Security deadlocks will certainly make any thief think twice about targetting your van.

If you would like Pentland Locksmiths, Edinburgh, Midlothian to fit deadlocks to your van then click the above photo where you can find all the neccesary details.

Google Business Listings

The curse of the Google Spammers continues to blight the Business Listings with NO action by the normally efficient Google Spam team. With over 7000 complaints to Google everyday it must be a mammoth task to remove all those fraudulant accounts that take up spaces that should be reserved for honest, local Independent locksmiths.

However, I'm confident that once the Google Spam team get through their lists of spammers the numerous fraudulant listings will start to disappear.

If your own Business listings area are taken up with Spam listings then you can complain to Google direct and eventually they will remove the offending spam. There are clear guidelines about listings and google will remove anyone who contravene's it.

How to Report Spam Business Listings

http://maps.google.com/support/bin/request.py?contact_type=maps_spam

Crazy customers and the Timewasters

Each month we get some weird and time wasting calls from customers and non-customers who simply can't tell you what they want or from others who have NO intention of using your services, but are only interested in finding out how much you charge. Thankfully the former is down to customers not knowing what type of door they have and what locks they need, but the latter is just bored locksmiths who are so desperate for work they get their relatives to call you to find out how much you charge for a specific job. In the 3 years we have been trading we have never phoned up another locksmith business to find out what they charge.

We don't know and we don't really care!

We can't fathom why anyone needs to know what someone else is charging, because if you are not getting calls then its all irrelevant. If you can't get work its because you simply don't advertise enough or your adverts don't have the effect on the customers that other adverts may have.

Its as simple as that!

Anyhow, we must tell you about a funny lock-out call we got a couple of weeks ago from a women who told us she was locked out in Penicuik. We told her not to worry as we would have someone with her within the hour. She then told us not to rush because she was now in her home. A little confused we asked her were she got our number and how did she get back in to her house. It turns out the women had closed the door on the Yale lock and left the keys inside. She then went to the local Police office who have her the number of Pentland Locksmith. She then went back to her home armed with our number smashed a small window, opened the door and the phoned us up to see if we could recomend a Glazier.

Well thats about it for this month and we will try our best to keep up with things and right the Pentland Locksmiths Services - Edinburgh blog on a monthly basis.

But before we go just a final word for the sad gits who like to spend their afternoon clicking our Paid Google ads. We have been running Weblog software on our websites to recognise IP addresses that Fraudulantly click our sponsored listing adverts. Thankfully it doesn't happen that often, but when it does we can now identify the IP address and location of the offending person clicking our adverts. All suspected fraudulant clicks are then passed to Google Adwords who view this type of activity as a criminal offence and will take action against anyone doing it.

Thanks for reading
Pentland Locksmiths Services
http://www.pentlandlocksmiths.co.uk/

Christmas in Edinburgh with Pentland Locksmiths

2009-12-03T09:26:00.000-08:00

Dear Reader,

Its been a bit of a rollercoaster month with the level of work coming our way. Competition is becoming fierce and we have some competitors doing anything to make sure they get a job. Life as a locksmith would be rather dull if we didn't have these challenges to overcome and it also gives Pentland Lockmiths Services the opportunity to let you know what we've been doing over the last month and what our competitors are up too.

Going by the statistics on our weblogs there has been a lot of interest in what we have to say with traffic to our Blog increasing by the month.

Our New Website

Our New look website has also been a big hit with our customers and we take great pride when someone lets us know that they think our website for appearance, content and information is by far the best website amongst all the locksmiths in our area. Its taken a few months to get it to this stage and we are exceptionally pleased that NOT a penny was given to some dodgy marketting company to build a website on our behalf.

Our website is developing all the time with more customer related information and images added each week. Its also interesting to note that our competitors have been looking at us with envy and are now trying to get websites put together that will compete with us on the online stage.

We will continues to evolve to meet our customers needs and hope to do this with our new generation website going live sometime next year that will have new enhanced features and other services we will be making available in the future.

So watch this space!

Christmas in Edinburgh

Firstly, the people of Edinburgh will be relieved to see that our main thoroughfare Princes Street has reopened to Buses, Taxis and Cyclists over the Christmas and New Year period.

It allows everyone the opportunity to sample the world renowned festivities in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh.

But don't get too excited because as soon as the last Hogmanay Tourist has left the road will once again be filled with Road Closures, giant holes and heavy machinary.

So make the most of it while it lasts!

Crime in the Capital

I'm glad to say that we were not called out to many jobs that were caused by criminal acts over the month of November. However, there are still many new build flats around the Leith, Granton and Shore areas of Edinburgh being targetted in daytime raids. We would urge all our readers to review their door security and get additional deadlocks fitted if required.

Lothian and Borders Police have targeted certain individuals who are involved in this type of criminal activity and it has been successful in reducing the number of daytime break-ins. However, over the Festive period everyone needs to remain vigilant and call the Police if they hear any suspicious activity.

The Christmas Party season has already started and we would encourage all partygoers especially women to keep their belongings with them at all times. There are many gangs targeting easy pickings in pubs and clubs in the Capital. Don't let these horrible individuals spoil your christmas by giving them an invitation to take your bag.

Yellow Pages 09/10

Got my copy yesterday and not really had time yet to have good lock through, but at first glance we are pleased with our position and the quality of our advert. Looking through at our competitors its obvious that some are cutting back and others have disappeared. Time will tell if it produces what it should but what we are certain about is that phonebook advertising will soon be a thing of the past as new online advertising becomes the main focus of ways to get work.

Also worth noting that a good quality advert can be more affective than a larger, more expensive advert that strains your eyes when you look at it. So we're hopeful that this years investment will be worthwhile and what our potential customers are looking for?

The Curse of the Google Spammers

The level of Google spam is reaching epidemic proportions and the lengths some locksmiths will go to get Pole Position on the Google business listings never ceases to amaze us at Pentland Locksmiths Services.

Fraudulant Information

Its not just the low prices they advertise its the false information they give when they sign up to Google Business listings. Google up date their listings every month and if you don't comply with their requirements you are binned. This includes: false addresse, false business names and fake websites that have NO relation to their offline business. You may also have Pole Position at the moment but in a month you may be gone for good. Lets hope so!

Its much harder to get back listed once you have been redcarded so take the opportunity to change back to your correct buisness information before its too late.

Here is the new amendments to Google Business listings that you want to read before you contemplate making adjustments to your fraudulant business listings.

Otherwise Best of Luck!

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.

To view the full Google Business listings Guidelines click the link.

http://maps.google.co.uk/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en-uk&answer=107528

Thanks

For Reading

Pentland locksmiths

http://www.pentlandlocksmiths.co.uk/

Edinburgh Locksmith Blog

2009-10-31T11:23:00.000-07:00

Hi Reader

Its been a busy couple of months since I wrote my last blog and in that time there has been a lot of frenzied activity on Google advertising side of our business. We have also had a remarkable increase in the number of Insurance upgrades we have being doing to properties in Edinburgh City Centre and the greater Midlothian area.

We have also been developing the new Pentland Locksmiths Website to meet the needs of our Domestic and commercial customers, We've had high expectations for the new website and this is now proving its value as more and more people are finding there way to the home of Pentland Locksmiths Services and finding the information about security products our business a lot more informative than any other Edinburgh Locksmith website online at the present moment.

Many customers have told us that they visit a few Edinburgh locksmith websites, but when they get to www.pentlandlocksmiths.co.uk they don't go anywhere else.

We take great pride in our Quality of Service to our customers and the new website illustrates the level of work we put into our online activity, knowing that our customers are finally finding what they are looking for.

Crime in the Capital

There seems to be a major problem at the moment in the North and East sides of Edinburgh with New-build flats being targetted by gangs who smash down doors during the daytime to get in and steal laptops and other belongings that are easily sellable. In one recent instance in commercial street, 2 flats together on the 3rd floor where targetted with both doors being smashed in to gain entry. The occupants where out at work, but no one heard anything or if they did they just thought someone was getting some work done.

http://www.pentlandlocksmiths.co.uk/edinburgh_chubb_deadlocks.html

Here are a few pointers to prevent your flat from being targetted

Why not add a CHUBB Deadlock to your door or 2 deadlocks if possible
Fit an Eye Viewer and door chain as additional security

Make sure the communal entry system is working during the daytime

If you hear loud noises coming from a neighbours flat then call the Police

Setup a watch system with your neighbours and report any suspicious activity

Unfortunately, most home owners only get additional security once someone else has been targetted. If you are worried about your security then please give us a call and we will be happy to discuss your home security needs with you.

We are hearing more and more from our customers that unsellable flats are being bought on the cheap and unscrupulous landlords are renting out their properties to undesirables. These individuals are then believed to be tragetting other flats while the occupants are out at work. If you suspect criminal activity by someone in another flat then contact your local police or you can contact crimestoppers in total confidence.

Crimestopper: Call 0800 555 111 or visit there website at: http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/
Call us now: 0131 224 0081

Google Adwords

There is an ever increasing change to the advertising of a Locksmith Business and Google Adwards has become a prominent part in getting your business listed on the online stage. I remain to be convinced that Google Adwords is anything more than a Cash-Cow for the Global Google brand, but its an avenue to get additional work at very little cost if used correctly. So far its proving its worth to our business as most people who recognise the well known name of Pentland Locksmiths in Edinburgh and will click on our ad before someone else with a meaningless business name. We also know that when people search Edinburgh Locksmiths and get to our website from Google Adwords they will invariably find what they are looking for and therefore don't need to click on anyone else's Adwords ad.

However, with every new advertising system there is a stream of new marketing companies who think they can offer you the earth when it comes to Google advertising, but are usually trying to rip you off. Every week we get calls from these individuals offering to run Adwords campaigns and promise get me top listed on Google Adwords under the search listing Edinburgh locksmiths for the princely sum of £100 per month.

When I tell them I already run my own campaigns and do it at a third of the price they cut me off. They seem to think that all locksmiths are braindead and cannot build Website, do SEO's or set up Adwords campaigns. I'm sure that there a lot of guys out there who will pay handsomely for their help but Pentland Locksmiths Services do all their Website and Google activity themselves and don't have to pay some lazy marketing company a huge sum to do a simple task.

Just keep in mind if you are using one of these companies to do your adwords then you are probably wasting at least £70 per month more than you need to and also check that they are listing you in your local area, because most of them are that lazy they will just set you up with a UK wide coverage.

Google Business Listing

Google's Algorythms are doing strange things at the moment and are now identifying with most honest local businesses that have websites with excellent content. The multiple spammers who take up all the positions of legitimate local businesses are now being dropped from Google and not before time. Its no longer acceptable to create a false address or move your pointer to a false location because Google's spam filters are now removing anyone who breaks the ruless. Even today I did a search on Edinburgh Locksmiths and noticed that a well known business had vansihed from the listings. I can only assume that Google have now cracked down on any business that has PO Box as an address?

If you are wanting find out what the guidelines are for business listings are then you should take the time to visit google business listing guidelines webpage

http://maps.google.co.uk/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en-uk&answer=107528

Unfortunately, for every business thats pulled for false information there are 2 or 3 more spammers that need to face the same level of penalisation by Google's spam team. Once this has been done and all the spammers have finally gone then hopefully Pentland Locksmiths Services who operate of the outskirts of Edinburgh will find there rightful place.

Here's hoping!
Thanks for reading

Chris

Pentland Locksmiths Services -Est.2006

http://www.pentlandlocksmiths.co.uk/

Locksmith life in Edinburgh

2009-10-13T13:27:00.000-07:00

Hooray - British summertine has arrived!

Summer has finally arrived and I must admit I’m so glad to see the back of winter. While the vast majority of lock work we do remains indoors there are occasions when we have to endure the harsh weather while gaining access to properties. Its no fun trying to open a door when its freezing cold or pouring down with rain, but we put up with it to get our customers into their homes.
The Trams are finally back on track.

Amongst the doom and gloom of Edinburgh’s road chaos there has been some glimmer of hope with the re-commence of Tram works along Princes st. Driving and parking is still a nightmare but hopefully now we can see some real progress to get the Tram lines laid and the roads reopened. You can see how the Tram works are developing by visiting the Tram Network Website at the following link. http://www.edinburghtrams.com/

Latest Products
Yale have recently introduced their latest weapon in uPVC door protection. Its the British Standard kitemarked Euro cylinder and can be fitted to most doors that have a Multipoint Locking Mechanism. The lock cylinder comes with the following features that meets the MLA Vunerability test. Features include; Anti-bump, Anti-pick & Anti-extraction all these will make it a very good upgrade option to standard cylinders that do not have BS Kitemark rating.

Union have also introduced a range of locks that suit the needs of Elderly people who may find it difficult to use existing locks. Keys and nightlatch levers are fitted with rubber to allow much better handling and visibility. We will be highlighting these products on our website very soon.
Locksmith Training

With the Credit Crunch hitting most people hard and many business sectors laying off workers, more and more tradesman are now turning to locksmith work as a means to make money. They are lured by the many fly-by-night locksmiths out there who are starting to make a fast buck by offering quick 1 & 2 day courses. Trainees are falsely promised that there is rosey future in locksmith work and all the paths will lead to Gold. In truth the individuals offering training are just wanting them to part with their redundancy money. Hundreds of individuals a year follow this route into locksmith work but on most occasions they will not survive more than 6 months because the harsh reality of becoming a well established locksmith business is far removed from what the fly-by-nighters are offering. If you are considering starting a locksmith business then you need to make sure you check all the potential hazards once you have completed your training.

How will you pay for all your equipment, locks and then how will you get work? I already have an established locksmiths business, but it took me 3 years to get to this point and many thousands of pound of investment. I currently spend around £6000 per annum on advertising that gets me enough work to make a living and pay my bills.

If you are not willing to spend on advertising and have no other means of getting work then you will not survive. Don’t expect to get locksmith work by word-of-mouth when you are starting out as it won’t happen. It takes years for your name to get around and only if you offer a good, quality service. If you don’t train properly and follow it up with a serious level of investment then you are on a hiding to nothing and the money you got as a redundancy payoff will be gone. This is the harsh reality of becoming a locksmith.

Chris

http://www.pentlandlocksmiths.co.uk/