Zieh Fix: Video Review for The Ultimate Tool to Break a Lock
September 29, 2022
The world of locksmiths can be a competitive one. Plenty of companies and individuals out there advertising and competing for attention and a piece of the action. Unlike the corporate world; locksmiths compete differently. On another level.
They can be aggressive, loud and hard on it. The competition can be fierce. But this is another story for another time. Here I would like to tell a story happened just a couple a days ago. An interaction with my competition that was surprising and refreshing to me. This is how it goes.
It was a summer night deep into August in Amsterdam. I was off work and out to dinner with my girlfriend, Manon. We were on our way to the Jordaan to pick up Thai food. We were planning to walk with a blanket and our food to Westerpark to enjoy the rare, much needed, beautiful Amsterdam summer night. A call came through the office. A man and a woman were locked out of their home on the Herengracht. My brilliant boss had a great idea.
Zac, on his night off, is in the Jordaan. Not very far from the Herengracht. He has all the equipment in his car. Why not sending him, and his girlfriend that happened to be with him now, to do the job! Genius. So while me and my beautiful girlfriend walking care free in the Jordaan, my phone ring. “ahhh, how’s things?” My boss. “Was pretty good before you called.” I knew something is up. “What’s up?” “Ahhhh I have a job. It is really not far from you. It’s not going to take you long. ahhh. Please?” Nice one. “Send it through.” Whatever. I will try to be fast. “Great!! Im sending the address now. Hi to Manon for me!” In addition, he was off the line. Hi, to Manon my rear-end. She is not happy.
We were back in the car driving the twisty streets of Amsterdam. The sun was going down behind the city skyline painting the water in purple and pink. It’s not easy getting around the canal belt driving a car. Streets are full of tourists looking at the clouds, Dutch cyclists always on the edge of road rage, no one pay attention to road signs and no parking. Yep, parking in Amsterdam centre, good luck to us all. After a short round around the block, I found a spot blocking someone’s garage door. Not ideal I admit. Manon was kind enough to stay in the car. I will pay for this, for sure I will.
I kissed her, grabbed my tools from the back of the car and took off. 20 minutes from the time of call, I was at the address. Good job. An Irish man and woman were standing at a door clearly looking like my clients. I said hi and started spreading my tools. The Herengracht is a busy street full of people. Right on the water. While I was getting ready for the job I heard from the crowed; “They called two locksmiths!” Ahh?! I turned around to have a look at the speaker.
A person was standing not far from me. Looking like any other person. “They called two locksmiths.” He repeated. “Who?” I asked. “The people.” He said. Not very bright person I thought. “Where?” I asked again. “On this address.” He replied. Ok, maybe I am not making myself clear. I can accept that. “Where is the other locksmith?” I asked as clear as the sun. “Me. I am the other locksmith!” I took another look at the man. No uniform came on his bicycle, tiny toolbox.
Round figure. Ok, another locksmith. Maybe not very bright, but a lovely person he was. It happens. Some clients call more than one company to have a quicker resolution. Whoever gets there the quickest get the job. Not very ethical, very annoying, bu it happens. “So, what do you want to do?” I asked him. “You say.” He was very kind, the locksmith. “Let’s do the job together and split the pay”. I offered and he accepted.
As expected, it was a very old building in one of the oldest parts of Amsterdam. Heavy timber doors in red bricks, on the water. Moreover, the locks; the mean business. Me and the round guy got straight into it. I was hoping to be quick as I suddenly remembered off my girlfriend sitting in the can getting not happier by the moment. Quick quick quick. There were two doors.
We tried everything we could but they would not open. I was wedging the lock while the other locksmith pushing in, he was using my tools, I was using his, I was picking the lock while his advising me live in real time, he was getting me on his shoulders to check the window, I was pushing his over the fence to check the back door off the garden. Nothing. Still locked out. No progress, no advance. The Irish couple were ,for whatever reason, in a hurry. “Break the lock!” The girl said.
I, personally, don’t like breaking locks. It’s always more complicated than what you think. The door might chip, the frame might crack, the lock might get disabled, you never know. I prefer to have a clean way in. “Break it!!” The man repeated his girlfriend command. I very clearly saw a vision of Manon in the car loosing her patience. I knew it’s going to take long. I knew these wooden ancient doors will not give in easy. I knew the locks will put up a fight. I knew whats coming. I looked at the round guy. He looked back at me. “If it’s a lock drilling, it’s yours.” I said and packed my tools. I still need to make it to dinned and no money in the world is worth the trouble that will come my way if I miss that. Happy wife happy life. See you guys later .
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