Buying a Locked Safe Is Almost Always a Waste

Who doesn’t love a good mystery, a treasure hunt, and the prospect of riches untold? If you run across an old, locked safe at a flea market or secondhand store, odds are good that it will rouse your curiosity and fire up your imagination. Before you take it home, though, come back to reality. It will likely cost you hundreds of dollars to open the safe, and the chances of finding anything inside, let alone anything valuable, are extremely remote. If you like the safe and plan to use it, and you are willing to part with the money to open it, go ahead. But if you’re expecting to find a lost fortune, back away slowly.

Stamping “Do Not Duplicate” on a Key Doesn’t Stop Duplication

A reputable locksmith will not duplicate a key that is marked in this manner, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Many “do no duplicate” keys are extremely easy to duplicate, and all it takes is an enterprising DIYer or an inattentive clerk at a big box store. Protect yourself by choosing high security locks that cannot be duplicated on standard hardware store equipment.

Common Safe Mistakes

If your safe doesn’t open, it could have a problem. Or you could be doing something wrong. The most common mistakes people make with their safes include trying to open the safe before it is unlocked, spinning the dial too quickly, and forcing it closed. Slow down, back up, and try again.