Posted February 17th, 2011 | No Comments
When you chose a Locksmith to carry out work at your home or work premisses, in effect you could be giving them the key to your life!
Sound dramatic? Maybe but who would you trust with your life?
Anyone changing locks or fitting security to your premises literally holds the key to your home and your life.
Over the last 22 years I have owned and operated Authorized Access Security Centre in Bury and for a large percentage of that time been recognised as a Master Locksmith’s Association ‘Approved Company’ and in more recent years a fully qualified Master Locksmith. My reason for choosing this route was from the word go to position myself and my company as a ‘trusted and reliable specialist’ in the field of security, forging relationships with local businesses and officials to add credibility to my business proposition.
However, just being a ‘great chap’ is not enough to set you apart in business, you also have to do a good job and deliver EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE. Then you begin to forge a reputation for reliability, honesty and trustworthiness, a reputation worthy of being recognised as a Master of your trade.
Everyone has to start somewhere and I’m not suggesting that new start-up businesses, whether locksmiths or other trades are anything less than honest and reliable but when you are dealing with something so sensitive as you families or your employees security then you really should do your homework!
All Master Locksmith’s Approved(MLA) companies are regularly audited for compliance with the MLA Code Of Conduct. They are subject to stringent checks and measures, appropriate to confirm their suitability to carry out this sensitive role. Can be struck off the register if found to be in contravention of the code of conduct.
So how would you choose the right Locksmith?
- Where possible always use a Master Locksmith’s Approved Company.
- Check their credentials. Do you know anyone who has used them before?
- Do they have a static base, i.e. a shop/workshop premises with a land line telephone number – be wary of any business operating purely from a mobile phone!
- How long have they been in business?
- Have they carried out similar work in the area?
- Do they have verifiable, positive testimonials from previously satisfied customers?
- Are they a member of any local organisations such as ‘thebestof’ in their town?
- Are they known by the Crime Reduction Officers at the local police station?
- Ask them to recommend an appropriate high security option for your locks, i.e. Restricted key locking systems, anti snap or anti bump cylinders. Don’t be fobbed off with stories that they are not available for domestic premises.
- Ask for a written quotation for the work being carried out, specifying the products intended to be used.
Authorized Access Ltd is a Master Locksmith’s Approved Company and has recently been voted ‘The Most Loved Security Company in the UK’ during the National 14 Days Of Love Campaign, voted for by Bury people through thebestof bury.
For more information, or for general advice on security related matters, please do not hesitate to contact Lee on 0161 762 9936 or at info@authorized-access.co.uk.
Tags: bestof bury, choose a locksmith, choosing a locksmith, Home security, Locksmith Bury, make your home safe, Master Locksmith Bury, Most Loved | Posted in Security Advice |
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Posted May 28th, 2010 | No Comments
‘People forget how fast you did a job – but they remember how well you did it…’ Howard Newton
I saw this quotation and it made me think. It’s absolutely right of course and any tradesman or service provider who values repeat or referral business must make sure that the work they carry out is of absolutely top quality if they hope to earn a referral or further business from that customer.
An adequate job is sufficient only to get paid but in these days of tight margins and increased competition no business should accept losing a customer through laziness or lack of attention to detail.
we should all be aiming for at least a referral or the knowledge that should our customer ever require services from a company such as our own, that they would make us their first port of call.
Remember that while a customer having been totally satisfied with a job completed by us may tell 3 other people, if they are not satisfied they are likely to tell between 7 and 9!!
It is everyone’s job within our company to ensure that our customers receive the best possible experience from their dealings with us, nobody should believe that their actions don’t matter!!
Never simply leave a job assuming your customer is happy, fluffing your feathers and feeling triumphant and thinking ‘I did a great job there’. Always ask the customer what they thought, after all, they are the ones paying your wages. Negative feedback may be uncomfortable but if embraced, dealt with and learned from can make the difference between a good company and a great company, after all it’s impossible to get everything right all of the time!
Even when a job hasn’t gone entirely smoothly, Authorized Access seeks customer testimonials and transparently displays them alongside others from jobs that went like a dream. This we believe gives our customers, old and new, a balanced view of what they can expect from us. Let’s face it when all you hear or see in testimonials is ‘glowing reports’, then one begins to doubt the authenticity of the whole thing.
A great way to gather and display testimonials from customers is to us the ‘Best Of’ response cards, which really are for use ‘any time anywhere’ and by returning them to the Best Of Bury have them posted onto their web site, where anyone searching for a supplier of our products or services can browse at their leisure.
To see what our customers think of Authorized Access, go to http://tiny.cc/y41v4
Tags: Business Advice, Business Analysis, Business Feedback, Business Growth, Business Testimonials, Locksmith Bury, Master Locksmith, Small Business Success | Posted in Business Advice |
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Posted April 12th, 2010 | No Comments
1st April 1989, so full of anticipation and expectation. New van, new uniform and new customers. This was going to be easy; I was going to single handedly secure the whole of Bury and beyond.
1st April 2010, 21years later, still here (phew). Many lessons learned, not quite so ‘gung ho’ and needing to conquer the world. Some of those people from way back then, still loyal customers and many many new ones along the way. Realised early on that giving my customers the great service they deserved was the only way, forget that and your customers will let you know one way or another.
Ok, now for a giggle, do you remember when…
Mobile phones were rare in business and those that did have them needed a back pack to carry them round. I considered myself cutting edge though having a pager, available 24/7 to all who needed me. Hilarious to think that when this little gadget ‘went off’ all you got was a name, telephone number and a cryptic message, you then had to hot foot it to a working pay phone with your 2p and try and contact the person. Nothing like spontaneity and availability!
Communication…well you have heard of snail mail and it truly was! Not just a slur on Royal Mail’s performance, it was everything from typing the perfect letter (Oh and don’t forget the carbon so you can keep a copy!) with no spell or grammar check, to waiting for returned telephone calls or written orders to be received. Everything took so long! I remember my huge deliberation over whether the business actually needed a fax machine, it seemed so unnecessary.
Cash Is King… I smile when I receive letters stating that companies will no longer be accepting cheques as payment. How long will it be before we no longer accept cash in the same way? People always carried cash and a cheque book; hey you even had a lovely leather bound holder to stop your cheque book from creasing! Credit cards were for the rich and famous, you really knew you were dealing with someone of substance if they produced an American Express Card and you would run to get your manual swiper, rummage around to find the dockets and try to remember how it all worked!
In current times we have a world of instant communication. Mobile phones strapped to our ears, e-mails delivered in ways which I still don’t understand and no matter how much money is taken on credit card, if there is little cash in the till, I struggle to see it as a good day. Don’t get me wrong I am no dinosaur and at Authorized Access we have systems coming out of our ears to make business life more effective. But…..old habits DO die hard!
Were we any better off when the pace of business life was slower? I am not so sure and wouldn’t like to give up my modern goodies and go back to the old ways, even though I sometimes curse the intrusion of my mobile phone. I bet I am not alone having taken a business call on the beach.
Where will business be in another 21years!
Tags: Business, Business Life, Communications, Customer service, Locksmith Bury, Loyal Customers, Master Locksmith | Posted in Authorized Access News! |
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Posted April 5th, 2010 | No Comments
Customers, Friends and Colleagues
We would like to say a great big thank you to all those who came and supported us for our 21st birthday celebrations on Thursday 1st April, no it wasn’t an April fool and we did indeed give away free safes, a 3 course meal for two at the Metro Fish Bar and a whole host of other prizes. We were grateful to the Deputy Mayor who came along and said a few complimentary words and Radio Rossendale for proving some great sounds.
For those who didn’t manage to come along on the day we will be continuing our celebrations for the first 21 days of April, with all customers receiving a free gift from the ‘Lucky Dip’ bran tub! Gifts include Safes, Alarms, Free Labour and many novelty items.
As a side issue, we believe we may have upset a few people (not many but even only one would be too many!) Our email campaigns are designed to be informative, fun and providing added value to the reader. Some are selling product on special offer while others just want to share some good news or valuable information. We believe that by using email, we are able to reach people without interrupting their working day and these can be read (or deleted) at the reader’s convenience. However there has been an oversight and we have omitted to include an ‘opt out’ facility. Let me assure you, this was an oversight and never intended as a ‘back door’ way of forcing people to receive unwanted mail.
In today’s climate, like all businesses, we are simply trying to reach as many people as possible in the most cost effective way. We accept that a large percentage of what you receive may, at the time, not be relevant however we hope that the content will give you a flavour of what Authorized Access is about, its values and customer service ethos and come the time you or your business requires security then you will bear us in mind.
From here on in you will see a caption on all our e-mails with instructions on how to unsubscribe to our mailing lists. We hope you won’t but understand if you do.
Here’s looking forward to the next 21 years.
Tags: about local businesses, Business Success, Deputy Mayor of Bury, Growing Business, Locksmith Bury, Master Locksmith Bury, Master Locksmith's Association approved Company, Metro Fish Bar, Rossendale Radio, Safes | Posted in Authorized Access News! |
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Posted March 22nd, 2010 | No Comments
21st Birthday Party
Authorized Access cordially invites you to attend their 21st Birthday celebrations
Thursday 1st April 2010
Between 12pm and 2pm
RSVP
0161 762 9936
info@authorized-access.co.uk
50b Bolton St Bury BL9 0LL
As a thank you to our customers Authorized Access will be holding
21days of Celebrations starting on 1st April at our birthday Party.
At our party we will be giving away 21 safes
(£1000 cash rating worth over £65 each supported by Burton Safes)
through a variety of traditional party games.
Come along and have a go.
For the next 20 days, every Customer will be given the opportunity to take part in our ‘Lucky Dip’ and the chance to win anything from key cutting vouchers to a free safe.
A prize every time!
We will be ‘shaking the tin’ for Bury Hospice on the day, our nominated charity for this year
We will be welcoming the Deputy Mayor who opened our new premises in 2008 and Rossendale Radio a great new community radio station.
Come along to support us and join in the fun, what better way to start the Bank Holiday Weekend
For advice on the best solution for your business security,
contact Authorized Access
phone 0161 762 9936 or call into our showroom at
50b Bolton Street, Bury,BL9 0LL
and our helpful staff will advise and assist you
Tags: Business Success, Businesses in Bury, Key Cutting, Keys, Locks, Locksmith Bury, Locksmiths Bury, Master Locksmiths, Safes, Security Centre | Posted in Authorized Access News! |
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Posted November 17th, 2009 | No Comments
Authorized Access Comes Of Age
Keys cut free of charge and charity will benefit!!
Bury Hospice is to benefit from the anniversary year celebrations of a local company in its 21st year of trading.
Authorized Access Security Centre, established by Bury man David Ramsden in 1989, intends to carry out a number of special events over the coming year to celebrate it’s 21st anniversary of commencing trading and raise money for one it’s longest standing customers, Bury Hospice, in the process.
The first event will be a ‘Christmas FREE Key Cutting Opportunity’, to be held on Friday 11th December, at Authorized Access’s Security Centre on Bolton Street, Bury. Any customer will be able to have two standard keys cut free of charge, for a donation to the Bury Hospice collection.
The offer means that private or business customers could have 2 keys cut for whatever donation they felt appropriate to the charity. David Ramsden says “this is open to anyone we hope that many customers, new and old will take advantage of what really will be quite a saving, up to £12 and of course any donation at all would be welcomed for Bury Hospice and everyone will be a winner. Anyone knowing they are needing keys to be cut and can wait until Friday 11th December can simply come into our shop and have them cut, enjoying a nibble and a drink while they wait”.
Authorized Access can trace work done for the Hospice back into the 90’s, both at the Hospice Shop on the Rock and their main site on Dumers Lane. Says David “while also working with other charities in Bury, we feel that the Hospice was probably the first to have account status with us and we know they do valuable work within the community”.
Other events will take place in 2010, all of which will help to raise money for the very worthy service provided by the Bury Hospice.
To sign up to regular security updates from Authorized Access Ltd, a Master Locksmith’s Association Approved company with over 20 years experience in the field, follow the link below.
AUTHORIZED ACCESS SECURITY UPDATES
If you are interested to find out more about Authorized Access, the company, our products and our range of novelty Christmas Stocking Fillers, contact us by e-mail:
info@authorized-access.co.uk
or call on
0161 762 9936
or call into the Security Centre
50b Bolton Street
Bury
BL9 0LL
(up the side of Prontaprint)
Tags: Authorized Access, Bury Hospice, Hospice Bury, Key Cutting, Key Cutting Bury, Keys Cut, Locksmith Bury, Restricted keys | Posted in Authorized Access News! |
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Posted July 22nd, 2009 | No Comments
We wanted to share some of our success with you. In today’s climate of doom and gloom, with the feeling of no money, no business and little to look forward to, we really wanted to shout about some of the training success we have had within the company.
I can hear you saying “So why is he telling me this”. Well if you are a business owner then shouldn’t we stick together, share ideas and pass business around? To do this we need to have some idea of who it is we are recommending. It would be great if we never needed to do anything and business just fell into our lap, but I have been around long enough to know, that just doesn’t happen.
Aside from business, we are all people, looking for services at some time or other. Money is always precious and every penny counts, so when choosing tradesmen to do a job for you, you too need to know that you can trust the company you choose.
This Blog is part of our small attempt to show you who we are and what we believe in, to help you make the right choices.
We would love to hear from you if you think your business is great too. For anybody who just needs some advice around security matters then give us a call? Our advice cost nothing.
Please click on the link below to see our recent success.
Authorized Access Press Release
Security is a sensitive issue and affects us all in different ways. Stay one step ahead of the criminal by receiving the latest security update from Authorized Access. Click on the link below.
Free Security Updates From Authorized Access
Tags: Company success Bury, Customer Service Success, Locksmith Bury, Master Locksmith Bury, Master Locksmith's Association approved Company | Posted in Authorized Access News! |
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Posted July 10th, 2009 | No Comments
Change of opening hours:
In order to continue providing the level of service our customers demand our opening hours will be 8.30am-5.30pm, Monday to Friday with immediate effect.
Should anyone have a specific need to visit the shop on a Saturday we will be happy to accommodate this by appointment, so please do not hesitate to contact us.
Remember, your peace of mind is our business!!
Tags: Authorized Access, Locksmith Bolton, Locksmith Bury, Locksmith Manchester, Master Locksmith Bury | Posted in Authorized Access News! |
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