Kenmore Merchants Undressed

--> Sep
28

Kenmore’s New Locksmith – A Welcome Addition to our Business Community

Wise Locksmith – Keys, Locks, Safes

7018 NE Bothell Way

Kenmore, WA  98028

425.877.1729

www.wiselocks.com

Chris Weissman, the owner of Kenmore’s new locksmith shop, Wise Locksmith, made me want to fly down to the locksmith school in Texas and learn the trade! Who would have thought that keys and door locks could be so interesting? Chris told me, “Being a locksmith has as much to do with handling all sorts of difficult situations and people as it does simply changing a lock. When people are moving in or out of a home, they always schedule ALL the contractors to show up on the same day (the movers, the plumbers, the carpenters, etc.) and everyone goes through the door I’m changing the lock on!”

A Service We All Need

Let’s face it: everyone will need a key cut or a lock changed at one time or another. As a Realtor® I’ve had to employee the services of locksmiths many times: re-keying a home after a sale, opening a door that owners didn’t leave a key for, or simply obtaining a key so I could list a house. As a home owner I’ve had my share of changed locks and getting new keys made.

Chris has been a locksmith for 20 years having cut his teeth in NYC with his father who has been in the business over 40 years. Chris takes his profession very seriously. As we discussed his business I could tell he is passionate about the service he provides and the level of professionalism he expects from the industry. I came away from our conversation with some important information:

1) The Locksmith industry, like so many services, has experienced a race to the bottom. There are a huge number of locksmiths in the business who will undercut the competition to get business. Because consumers don’t think a lot about “quality” when it comes to the trade, this can have negative consequences……

2) There are a lot of scam artists and “phony lock smiths” who, after arriving at your home will perform all sorts of repairs and part replacements that are tacked-on to your bill. These scammers may tell you what a job will cost on the phone, but beware once they show up. Chris indicated that there are huge rings of these pseudo-locksmiths who will try to up-sell consumers on hardwood floors, painting, etc. while they are fixing your lock.

I asked Chris to explain to the public what one should be aware of when dealing with a locksmith. He had several suggestions:

1) Ask the locksmith how long he/she has been in the business. Not all locksmiths are created equal and experience counts for a lot. It may be the difference between a locksmith being able to pick a lock or drilling into the lock which can cost you time, money and aggravation.

2) Is the locksmith licensed with the WA State L&I? Get their ID number to ensure this is the case.

3) Does the locksmith have a local store front? There’s nothing fundamentally wrong with a mobile locksmith; however, having a shop means you have somewhere to go if you have issues.

4) Ask if the locksmith is a member of the Associated Locksmiths of America which is a national trade organization that reputable locksmiths join. They attend conferences and receive education/certification on the trade. Chris showed me a very sophisticated industrial lock that can be programmed to allow certain individuals to enter at certain times. He said it’s important that your locksmith is trained to properly install these devices:

5) Will the locksmith honor the quote they give you? Chris stated that a reputable locksmith will honor his/her quotes. After the job is done, the locksmith should warrant the parts and service for at least 30 day. Chris said this is a constant problem in the industry as many consumers complain that they feel they’re being “shaken down” when a locksmith lays a huge bill on them after quoting a much lower price.

Service and “Giving Something Extra”

What was really cool about Chris was his willingness to talk with me about what he does for a living. “I grew up working with my father as a locksmith. I was bred to be up in the middle of the night.” Even though working in the Northwest isn’t anything like NYC where being on the job all the time was common, he’s looking forward to growing his business here in Kenmore. He even took me in the back of the shop to show me how a lock works (I’ve always wondered how they work!):

As a resident and business owner here in Kenmore, WA I would encourage you to bring your business to the Wise Locksmith. Why go to Lowes or Home Depot? Support this enthusiastic, local businessman.

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--> Mar
14

Maser’s Grooming and Pet Boutique – 38 Years in Kenmore and Still Going Strong

Maser’s Grooming & Pet Boutique

6515 NE 181st – Kenmore, WA 98028
(425) 485-1500

Far too many retailers in this country have turned into nothing more than enormous, generic warehouses stocked with the same old brand-name products, sold by employees who have little or no passion for the customers and whose profits end up in corporate headquarters located far away in some other state. Let’s face it, we all patronize these big stores because they are convenient and they do carry products we can use. Well, I have news for all you animal lovers out there. If you are committed to shopping locally and receiving the highest quality attention from a knowledgeable and friendly staff, then you should visit Maser’s Grooming and Pet Boutique in Kenmore, WA.  If I were your dog or cat, I would DEMAND it!

Denise McDonald, the current owner, and her son Wesley were gracious enough to allow me to spend a couple of hours at their wonderful shop and my visit turned out to be a real education into the workings of this fascinating business. Maser’s has been in Kenmore for 38 years- a real institution.  Denise’s parents owned the shop before her and you can see how proud she is that Wesley will continue on as a third-generation owner of the store. As I spoke with him it’s obvious that he has a real passion for the business.

When I asked Denise how business is going these days, she said the shop is doing well considering the difficulties with the economy. One interesting thing she mentioned is that when times are tough, people don’t travel or go out as much. As a result, they stay home with their pets. People are willing to invest in their pets rather than go out. Her parents told her that during the Great Depression, their pet shop did very well.

Two Businesses – Retail & Grooming

One of the first things you realize when you enter Maser’s is the inventory of every conceivable pet product out there: foods, toys and cages, beds, aquariums, leashes, bowls, scratching posts and a myriad of other things. It’s amazing:

Click on the picture below for a slide show of Maser’s:

It’s a Hairy Job, But Someone’s Got to Do It!

A large part of Maser’s business is pet grooming. This will blow you away: Maser’s grooms over 10,000 dogs and cats every year! It was amazing how many dogs were being processed when I was there:

Maser’s is also a Certified Grooming School that turns out about 12 graduates a year. It’s interesting to note that earning a certificate takes 670 hours over 85 days. The graduates usually end up working at other salons, pet shops, kennels and at veterinarian offices. All of the graduates know how to properly groom the various breeds. Now, if I could only get my cat over there for a trim!

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Don’t these dogs look happy? I can’t begin to describe how utterly crazy it was standing in the middle of the grooming room. Hair flying, razors buzzing, dogs barking……it was amazing. The thing that impressed me was the love and dedication the stylists showed to the animals even though this is a difficult job.

I highly encourage you to visit Maser’s Grooming and Pet Boutique. It’s a great local merchant with a long history and a commitment to excellence.

For more information about Maser’s Grooming and Pet Boutique, just click on the picture below:

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