Best Of St Louis Award - 8 Consecutive Years

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Master Key Systems America, LLC Receives 2015 St. Louis Award

St. Louis Award Program Honors the Achievement
ST. LOUIS March 4, 2015 -- Master Key Systems America, LLC has been selected for the 2015 St. Louis Award in the Locksmiths & Keys category by the St. Louis Award Program.
Each year, the St. Louis Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the St. Louis area a great place to live, work and play.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2015 St. Louis Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the St. Louis Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About St. Louis Award Program

The St. Louis Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the St. Louis area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.
The St. Louis Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. economy.
SOURCE: St. Louis Award Program

CONTACT:
St. Louis Award Program
Email: PublicRelations@local-best.com
URL: http://www.local-best.com


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Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Lock - Price Reduction

We decided today to temporarily reduce the price of this product. We have dropped it by $10 to $115 + shipping.

The reasons for this reduction are multiple:

First, the currency exchange rate has dropped which makes purchasing direct from Australian resellers more competitive with us.

Second, the manufacturer just announced that due to the increasing cost of raw materials, the large drop in the currency in the last few weeks and the increasing cost of manufacture in China, they will be instituting a 7% across the board price increase  November 1st 2015.

With international shipping costs with carriers like US Post or Fedex Or UPS, the average per unit shipping cost from Australia for this product, that weighs 3lbs bagged, is about $75.00. These costs often do not include customs duty, that will be the responsibility of the purchaser (often not noted on overseas merchants websites).

So when you see comparison prices from abroad that indicate AU$45.00 - AU$49.00 per unit (US$31.50 at exchange rate of AU$1 = US$0.70) and then add the average international shipping cost of US$75.00 (depending on carrier), this equals about US$105.50 for 1 unit. Expect to receive an invoice from your carrier for customs duties, broker fees and supplemental charges, sometimes up to 30 days after receiving your product. The amount of duties, fees and supplemental charges are unknown, because each shipper and customs officer can apply the correct customs code at their discretion. Dont forget that any change in the currency exchange rate can affect your cost at any time.

So....purchasing your product from abroad may seem like a method to save a few dollars however often you will be paying significantly more with unknown charges arriving after receipt of product.

Or simply purchase from us to avoid this whole mess.

August Smart Lock Reviews - Not so Smart II

We have mentioned about the August Smart lock numerous times over the last couple of years and finally have found a number of reviews about this product that we feel important to share.

Some of the reviews below are from multiple countries and experiences and may not be an accurate portrayal of the product, however often online reviews are helpful to convince a would be purchaser that they are making the correct decision about a product or service.


These first set of reviews are sourced from the Apple App Store. There are multiple pages of reviews there. We are including a selection from the first page... (click on the link above to read more)

The impetus here is not to denigrate the product offering, but more to provide our readers with more information about the product to assist with their personal research.

(reviews after the jump)

Heritage Locksmiths - Buffalo NY

Heritage Locksmiths, owned by a colleague and fellow member of The Society of Professional Locksmiths is a family owned and operated professional locksmith company servicing the greater Buffalo, New York region.

Heritage are also fellow Bilock distributors and are our recommended NY service center for all Bilock Extreme Security bump proof and virtually pick proof restricted key systems.

Many years experience and a penchant for continual learning, Hillel and his team are practised in the art and craft of locksmithing.

Specialising in Automotive, Commercial and Residential locksmith and security services, they are more than just another mobile service. they have a professional workshop and showroom and hold some inventory to meet the needs of their discerning clientelle.

If you reside in the greater Buffalo NY region, I highly recommend Heritage locksmiths as your first choice for reputable, knowledgeable and prompt service and expertise.

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Joystick Door Handle Concept

 Well it seems that many designers around the world are actively designing concepts aimed at making life easier for all of us.

Perhaps this concept designer is unaware about the fabulous Meroni handle collection, designed and produced in Milan Italy since the 1970's.

We are proud to be the North American distributor of the Serrature Meroni line of door locks, hardware, hinges, camlocks, padlocks, furniture locks,

This concept door handle may indeed appeal to the pilots among us and even to the amputees and others with disabilities, who may be looking for a unique concept.

Meroni have already commercially produced a wide variety of simple to operate door handles in stylish designs and wide varying colors and finishes.

 The statistics pointed out in these pictures, I have not verified and cannot attest to their accuracy but i suggest that it may be correct, the very possibility that many disabled's or amputee's or even the less mobile among us are unaware of the many products that already exist aimed at maximizing their ability to interact with everyday items like door handles.

The drawings here are on the mark for some of the problems experienced by arthritis sufferers, amputees and even people with their arms full.

While I doubt that this concept will see the light of day, especially while companies like Serrature Meroni are already producing high quality and especially aesthetically pleasing, easy to install and operate handle hardware, locks and related products.

We are seeing increasing awareness and interest in the fabulous Serrature Meroni range of handles that include the original Nova - push button knob (available since 1972), the oval shaped Forma press button handle sets, the modern Combina cap-press handle sets and the especially simple to operate lever type version that comes in 3 distinct styles, the Pigio 1, 2 or 3.

While the Joystick handle looks like a novel approach that may appeal to some, I doubt the concept will be commercially viable, especially because there are already significant players across the world who already produce handle-sets aimed at helping the less privileged among us to still enjoy life simply.




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Okey - The Key Chain For Runners

A Kickstarter campaign that never received full funding, Okey is a novel concept that could aid fitness fanatics who are looking for that simple lightweight solution to enjoying their run while unencumbered by the jingling and dangling of keys on their body.

A concept that didnt generate enough interest through Kickstarter but may be produced by another entrepeneur who can see (even) a small select market.

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Loki - Hybrid Bike Helmet And Security Device For Bicycles

 The Loki is a concept hybrid bicycle helmet and lock system designed to minimize affordable bicycle locks and safety helmets.

Stylish in it's design, the helmet has an in-built reflector that can house a flashing light for extra visibility and a novel cam lock that is hidden while on your head but sports a retractable chain that conveniently allows you to lock the front wheel of your bicycle, making would-be thieves unable to ride away.

 Simply connect the helmet to your front wheel using the embedded lock system and secure with your personal key.

Having a built in reflector is an excellent added safety feature, but the battery powered rear light is also a step up in safety. Similar to head mounted tail lights seen on many cars and trucks on the roads today that increase visibility.


Safety and Security. A Concept that has real-world benefits.

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Folding Bike Zone is an informative site designed to help searchers find information about different bicycle products especially about folding bikes. Folding bikes are becoming a highly sought after product by the bicycling consumer for their obvious advantages. An article there in about How To Choose A Bicycle Helmet is a very worthwile introduction to anyone comparing products currently available. Check out their interesting site for additional details.

https://www.foldingbikezone.com/how-to-choose-a-bike-helmet/

Ovio - Concept Restricted Key Cylinder That Is Self Changing And Aimed At Eliminating Locksmiths

 The Ovio is a concept mechanical key cylinder aimed at eliminating the needs to call a locksmith to rekey your locks.

This uniquely designed concept allows you to alter the combination of your desired lock yourself, negating the need to call a locksmith to change your locks and provide you new keys.

 While self-changing lock cylinders are nothing new in the market, with the likes of Kwikset Smartkey and similar iterations already gracing the marketplace, this unique product could be a step up in terms of restricted keys and pick or bump resistant mechanisms.

The unique styling and ability to change your own locks, on the fly, make this concept quite intriguing, especially to locksmiths like me.

The ability to use your own key and adjust it to different combinations for different cylinders, makes this concept even more exciting.





Imagine a situation like an apartment complex for example. Every tenant, requires their own key to access their own door and often apartment managers will ask locksmiths to build complex master key systems that allow for individual keys to operate individual doors, while maintaining separation from each other and those same differing keys to operate communal doors (like the laundy or swimming pool access or parking lot gate etc).

The Ovio concept would allow each cylinder to be coded with an individual code and the user/keyholder would be able to adjust their individual key themselves, to access communal doors.

Will this concept see the light of day? It would depend on cost of course, but this is one concept that I suggest will be favorable to dwelling managers who use and operate master key systems today.

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