I’m a licensed locksmith and was thinking about walking down neighborhood streets with a portable key cutting machine, offering to make duplicate house keys. Kind of like an ice cream truck, but for keys. Do you think people would find it convenient, or would it seem strange?
Just a heads up, this forum is for asking and answering questions about small businesses. If you ask about starting or growing a business, the community will respond. Posts that don’t follow the rules will be removed, and you may get banned. This message doesn’t mean your post was removed automatically.
I’m a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators if you have any questions.
You’d probably make more money as an actual ice cream man.
Jonah said:
You’d probably make more money as an actual ice cream man.
Haha, for real!
No kidding… you can get keys from a vending machine at the grocery store for only $1.59.
They might think you’re just making copies for yourself.
Greer said:
They might think you’re just making copies for yourself.
That’s a good point. But if I make the keys right in front of them, what do you think?
Greer said:
They might think you’re just making copies for yourself.
That’s a good point. But if I make the keys right in front of them, what do you think?
Yeah, you can do it right in front of the door they’re getting a key for.
I can count on one hand the times I’ve needed a duplicate key. The odds that you’d be around when I need one seem really low.
Are you planning to knock on doors or just walk around with a sign?
I don’t trust door-knockers. I know it’s not all scams, but everything is so easy these days, and I just don’t think anyone knocking on my door could offer me anything I need.
@Drew
Thanks for the feedback! I didn’t really think about it that way. I was just trying to be creative with earning extra money as a locksmith. But I get it, door-to-door might not be the best way to go, and signs could be awkward.
There are key cutting kiosks in a lot of stores near me, and they’re cheap. It might be hard to make much money competing with those. I’d say about half of people would probably think you’re up to something shady. But older people might be persuaded.
I’d say think about using your time differently, but this idea is still better than waiting for calls.
@Ben
Good point, thanks for the advice!
We guarantee our keys work, and it’s super convenient since we’re already at the door. But I think you’re right, people might question it.
What have you got to lose? I think it’s a great idea! If you play it right, you might even get free news coverage. Keep that fire alive!
Good luck!
Wait, so you’d know the exact location of the house where you just made a key?
It’s not weird, but you should probably have a street vendor permit. People will think you’re up to something, and they might call the cops. You’d have to be really careful with that.
I find it funny how little awareness there is about how this could look to others. I’d like to see the police cam footage posted online.
@Marlow
You’re right! I do have a business license as a mobile locksmith, and I have a state license too. Once, I was making a car key, and the cops showed up because someone thought I was stealing the car. I showed them my license and insurance, and they were fine with it.
@Hayden
People come up with ideas here and sometimes you wonder if they thought it through. This could have been leaf raking or power washing… anything you could move from house to house.
Knocking on doors is just brute force—no thinking, just knock.
You’d probably have more luck at a farmers market.
Basil said:
You’d probably have more luck at a farmers market.
That’s a great idea! I actually do that already. 
I think it could be a great idea! It’s convenient and could catch people off guard in a good way. If you market it as a ‘neighborhood service,’ I bet people will like the convenience.
Nico said:
I think it could be a great idea! It’s convenient and could catch people off guard in a good way. If you market it as a ‘neighborhood service,’ I bet people will like the convenience.
Thanks so much! I’ll definitely keep that in mind.