All locksmiths are not created equal.

Let me explain, when I first began my career in the locksmith trade I discovered the great thing about Ohio is that no special license was required.

The bad news for you, the consumer is that no license is required.

Fred decides he wants to be a locksmith.

Fred goes online and orders up some locksmith tools and a basic repair kit. He then goes to Kinko's and prints up some flyers and business cards. Next Fred purchases an ad in the yellow pages.

Viola' Fred is an overnight locksmith.

Fred however does not belong to a national trade organization that requires its members to receive mandatory training and testing to maintain their status.

Also, Fred does not network with other locksmiths who specialize in areas Fred doesn't. So if you have a need he can't fill, Fred is not your guy.

He doesn't have a background in physical security or law enforcement. He just likes to tinker with locks. Fred can't devise a complete security plan to secure your property.

He doesn't have access to suppliers who stock 1000s of kinds of security products. He just runs down to the hardware store and picks up whatever is on sale.

Fred doesn't belong to the Chamber of Commerce or the BBB. He doesn't invest his time and money into the community to make it better.

The moral is this: just hiring a locksmith usually isn't enough, you need a security consultant.

Take the time to ask your potential locksmith about some of the items above. Not all locksmiths are created equal.

Your FREE AGP Security Audit awaits, email your particulars to agplock@agplock.com.