Local longstanding locksmiths are becoming more organized in response to a recent influx of what they say is bad locksmithing that becomes harder to understand even as more information is discovered.
The new Dex and Yellow Book telephone books contain multiple listings for locksmith companies that are shadowy at best — with nonexistent addresses listed, no Tucson business licenses and management that won't speak on the record about where the companies are based.
"If they were practicing good business practice, then we wouldn't have any problem with them," said Justin Ashler, an employee of Al's Locksmith and Security Hardware Inc. who has been coordinating weekly meetings since last month for some of Tucson's longtime locksmiths.
The group meets to discuss what their customers have experienced and to begin looking for solutions to the drain on business that the shadowy companies have become.
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"If it can happen to locksmiths, it can happen to other trade professions," said Sandra Harding, who has been in the business for 30 years as owner of C & S Locksmiths Inc.
● Read more in tomorrow's Arizona Daily Star or at www.AzStarBiz.com.