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Question
I cannot get my safe open. Can you recommend a service person in the fairfield
County area of CT. Thanks.
Ken,
First, things first. You don't have a LaGard safe, LaGard is a lock manufacture.
Next, what is the problem with your safe? Many times I can diagnose the problem and assist you in getting the safe open, which could save you a bunch of money by having the safe company open it.
If we can't figure out what the problem is then it is probably a good idea to call in the local guys.
I have included a number of potential safe companies for you, in your area.
Allied Safe And Lock Co Inc
2412 Main St
Bridgeport, CT 06606 Map
203) 332-7233
Precision Safe & Lock
771 Main St
Monroe, CT 06468 Map
(203) 261-2634
Custom Vault Corp.
162 Danbury Rd
Ridgefield, CT 06877 Map
(800) 948-2858
Empire Safe Co
6 E 39 5th Ave
New York, NY 10001
(212) 684-2255
Before choosing one, or even price shopping there are several things that you need to be able to accurately describe to them.
Name of the safe manufacture
Type of safe: Burglary, Fire, or Composite
Rating of safe: B, C, TL15, TL30, 1hr fire, 2hr fire, 4hr fire, data safe, etc.
What is the exact problem:
1. The dial doesn't turn, or is bent, or missing, is stiff,
2. I've lost the keys to my safe
3. The door drags,
4. The hinges are worn,
5. I've lost the combination,
6. The combo isn't engaging
How large is the safe: HxWxD, weight
Is the safe on wheels, or sitting on blocks, or flat on the floor?
Where is it located: in the middle of the room, in a closet, built into the wall?
Is the safe door round or square?
This is a sampling of some of the questions that you need to be ready to answer. If you don't have most of the answers then the estimates you get from the safe companies will be the equivilant to comparing apples and oranges.
If the safe man doesn't have an idea of the safe and problem, he will estimate high, and even if the problem is simple he may stick to the estimate that he quoted. This means that you could get charged an exhorbant rate for a simple problem.
Pricing should include the mobile service charge, the cost to open the safe and the cost to repair the safe, plus any necessary parts.
Many locksmiths will charge extra $$$$ because they really don't know what they are doing and they want to make sure they will get paid for the extra time required while they are "LEARNING" on your safe.
After you have discussed the problem and potential charges with one or more of the safe companies, if you have any questions feel free to run it by me.
Andy
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Answers by Expert:
Terry V. Andreasen (Andy)
Expertise
Safe and Vault related Questions; Antique Safe Repair and Restoration; With over 38 years in the Safe & Vault industry, if I can't answer your question I know where to get the answer. Current Project: Restoration of two Tilton & McFarland safes from the 1860's. Will answer Safe & Vault related questions concerning age, value, restoration, moving, opening & repairing, parts, operation and history. Note: It is not my intention to teach you to open safes or to provide information which may aid in the unlawful opening of a safe. I will not give out drill points or information which I deem inappropriate.
Experience
38 years in the Safe & Vault Industry. Service Manager for one of the largest Safe & Vault companies on the West Coast. Graduate of Lockmasters Safe Lock Servicing, Safe lock Manipulation and Safe Deposit Lock Courses. Graduate of Locksmith Institute.
Certified Instructor for the California Locksmith Association teaching Basic and Advanced Lock Servicing, Basic Safe opening and Repairing.
Factory Trained by AMSEC, LORD Safes, LeFebure, Mosler, KabaMas, LaGard and Sargent & Greenleaf
Organizations
SafeCrackers International and the
National Antique Safe Association
ClearStar
Education/Credentials
Graduate of Locksmith Institute 1972
Graduate Lockmasters Safe Lock Servicing 1974
Graduate Lockmasters Safe Lock Manipulation 1975
Graduate Lockmasters Safe Deposit Lock Servicing 1985
Instructor Certified - California Locksmith Association - 1985
Factory trained by AMSEC, MAJOR, STAR, Johnson-Pacific, Kaba-MAS, Allied-Gary, ISM, Lord, Brown Safe, EXL, Mosler, Diebold.
Awards and Honors
2009 & 2010 - Listed in AllExperts Top 50 Experts. All Expert Categories - Safes & Security Containers, Locksmithing, Antique Safes.
Retired US Army Reserve Chief Warrant Officer (CW3), with 32 years of total service. With numerous awards from Vietnam, Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
US Navy - 1971-1981
US Army Reserve 1984-2006
US Army Retired Reserve 2006-present
Past/Present Clients
US Secret Service, FBI, BATF, Local Law enforcment agencies, Diebold, Hamilton Pacific, Red Hawk Int., Chubb International, Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank, Mechanics Bank, El Dorado Savings Bank, many Credit unions and smaller banks. McDonalds, Togos, BurgerKing, TacoBell, Carls Jr. FoodMaxx, SaveMart, Lucky's, Albertson's, Raley's, Safeway, NobHill, Bell Markets, PW Markets. Great America, Century Theatres, Cinemark Theatres, UA Cinemas, and many homeowners and small businesses.
Provide warranty service for lock and safe manufactures.
Service Area is Northern California (Fresno to Oregon and Western Nevada)
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