Is it just me? I put in a landlord locks system probably 20 yrs ago and replaced over time, all my locks.

I am finding more and more that I am having issues with the locks. Either keys don't want to turn right or the cylinders don't want to go in correctly. Also issues with the locksets being in there correctly.

I can't really go to another system, due to the huge set up cost and the locksmith in my rental city is close to retiring due to health issues, etc.

Is anyone else having issues? I have a tenant who called me that he was having trouble locking his door. I was going to change out the whole lockset because I thought I had one left in the trunk. It was just the box with leftover parts that I probably did after changing the last lockset. My eyesight is not very good these days and it is extremely difficult for me to see the directions anymore, even with magnifying glass.

I put a new cylinder in the lock and had a heck of a time with it. It would not go in correctly. Put the old one back in and then it locked and I could not get it unlocked or remove the cylinder or anything.

Is it just me having problems/ I have to order more now as I told the tenant I would install as soon as I got the new ones. His other door has a new lock as well but I did not put a LL locks in there. Gave him the only key I have to that lock temporarily and told him he had to take the keys with him every time because if he loses them, I don't have an extra one.

I have to order yet more entire lockset and more cylinders. I had two extras before but had to use both within the last year replacing messed up ones. This is getting so expensive.. Shipping alone is like $20. My last order was around $300.

Any other recommendations of someone I could switch too and order online. I don't want to try to track down someone out of my area as there is nothing nearby.

Thanks.

Meant to say locksets NOT going in there correctly. I did try just changing the lockset but it got worse and so I put the old one back in and then it locked up and I could not get it to unlock. Hope I explained that well enough.

I've been using the Landlord Locks iCore locks for about 3 years now, and while there have been a few problems in general they are working well.

They can be a pain to install initially when the bolts don't line up precisely as on an older house, but once they are in place the swappable cores make rekeying a breeze.

I had an issue with new icore cores not working with keys. I hope they have their QC back on the straight and narrow.

I've been using LLLocks for almost two decades. Service from Ernie was second to none. And one of the most knowledgeable guys in the business.

Things have changed. Service is poor. Billing is poor. Last year i got a new lockset with a damaged part. They said they would give me the new part for free but I had to pay shipping? What the??? It's your damaged part. I squawked and got free shipping. Shouldn't have had to ask.

Damaged part: they changed the design to something cheaper. So it fails faster now.

Last order had one item backordered. They didn't ship anything. Three weeks later I asked why, they are waiting for that one part. Sheesh.

I've actually looked for another supplier of those same locks because that's all I have.

I've been using LLLocks for almost two decades. Service from Ernie was second to none. And one of the most knowledgeable guys in the business.

Things have changed. Service is poor. Billing is poor. Last year i got a new lockset with a damaged part. They said they would give me the new part for free but I had to pay shipping? What the??? It's your damaged part. I squawked and got free shipping. Shouldn't have had to ask.

Damaged part: they changed the design to something cheaper. So it fails faster now.

Last order had one item backordered. They didn't ship anything. Three weeks later I asked why, they are waiting for that one part. Sheesh.

I've actually looked for another supplier of those same locks because that's all I have.

I had a shipping issue about nine months ago. If your order is over $500, they will require a signature to get the package delivered.

Kwikset moved to China when the jobs went overseas, and the quality dropped instantly. That’s why Ernie told me to shift to iCore years ago.

Never an ounce of trouble with a ton of iCores.

Newer Kwiksets don’t last forever but my old ones keep ticking.

We lube every cylinder with HOUDINI (silicone?) spray before re-using. Nice citrus scent! Bought thru LLlocks at Ernie’s advice. Helps a lot.

Ernie taught me to never use WD40 because it is sticky and collects dust, gumming up the works.

I cannot imagine anything metal lasting in beautiful seaside fresh salt air.

I started shifting to iCore earlier this year. I agree that the Kwikset has gotten worse and worse.

The iCore is not always perfect either. I've had 2 out of the last few where the core won't come out.

I'm frustrated enough that I'm considering learning how to take them apart and re-pin them. Can't be that hard.

I have one property the front door locks on which I need to be disassemble every year, spray with cleaner (I use brake cleaner from the auto parts store) and then lubricate with silicone spray (also from the auto parts store). Due to the wind direction and building configuration, dust gets blown into the lock, so annual cleaning is needed.

I have a couple of metal security doors that the two sides of which are not exactly parallel, so getting the bolts to line up is a pain in the neck.

I've had the thin metal piece that holds the pins in place come off several times, but I have been able to repair it.

Quality was better 20 years ago, but that is true for everything. I am still generally happy with Landlord Locks.

Did something happen to Ernie? I am sorry at the suggestion, I always enjoyed talking with him.

Cat, won't your local guy sell his shop to someone else?

Have been using icore for about 11 years, only one minor issue and they sent me a new core quickly.

Put an order in the other day because I’ve added a few more to the herd.

Don’t remember who it was that I talked to but as soon as I gave them my name, they pulled my file and knew exactly what I wanted. A little bit after the call my phone rang (have Landlord Locks saved as a contact), thought awww man something is wrong.....no she was just calling me back because she noticed that I usually order 5 keys with every core so that I have spares. She realized I didn’t ask for them and wanted to know if I wanted the spare keys. Saved me a call and extra shipping when I would have realized my mistake.

Part of my order is on back order, can’t blame them though COVID has messed up supply chains for many businesses.

I will add that any moving part in a property must be maintained and serviced and do not last forever. Metal mechanical parts must be kept lubricated.

Exterior locks are exposed to the elements 24/7/365 - dust, rain, ice, kids poking stuff in the keyway...

And used/operated 24/7/365 often by a number of people.

We're spoiled by so many mechanical items now using self lubricating or sealed bearings, like furnace fans, refrigerator motors, and AC motors that we are out of the habit of carrying an oil squirt can.

At a storage garage with a particularly exposed door we mounted a 6" flap of rubber roofing material over the deadbolt. Saved a lot of headaches esp after ice storms put a glaze over everything and from passers by jamming gum in the keyway.