From locksport enthusiast to local locksmith… Why one-man service, reputation and a passion for doors, still drives his business sixteen years on.
For more than 16 years, Rick Corfield has built a reputation across Wolverhampton, Cannock and the surrounding area for honest locksmithing, specialist uPVC door repairs and a genuinely local service. Better known in some circles as ‘Rick the Pick’, he’s shaped a business that values reputation over rapid expansion.
It all started with a hobby
Like a lot of trading locksmiths, I actually started out by picking locks as a hobby before I ever considered making a career out of it. In the online locksport community I was known as Rick the Pick, where we’d spend hours trading unusual and exotic locks, stripping them down to understand how they worked and, of course, seeing who could pick them first.
Looking back, I didn’t realise it at the time, but those evenings taught me a huge amount about lock design, tolerances and mechanisms. It sparked the curiosity that eventually became my career. As fate would have it, my fiancée’s father worked as a locksmith for the local housing group. Once he realised I shared the same obsession with locks, he encouraged me to take a local locksmith course and give the trade a proper go.
Getting started wasn’t exactly easy. I sold my prized Escort Mexico to raise enough money for a van, tools and advertising. For the first few years I worked alongside my Royal Mail job until I was confident enough to go all in. I honestly don’t think I’d have made it through those early years without my father-in-law on speed dial. Whenever I came across a difficult job, he was always there to talk me through it.
Reputation before expansion
From day one I’ve always marketed myself as a genuine local tradesman. That might not sound revolutionary, but it was something I felt strongly about. Customers hear far too many horror stories involving large national call centres and middlemen, and I wanted people to know they were dealing with the person who would actually turn up at the door.
I’ve always wanted to be the one-man band that cares about reputation, charges fairly and who genuinely wants to help people rather than simply chasing the biggest invoice. I’ve always tried to be a good person in life, and that naturally carries over into the way I run my business.
Why I chose not to build a bigger company
One thing that surprises people is that I’ve deliberately avoided growing beyond a one-man operation. There have definitely been times when it would have made financial sense to employ staff or expand, especially during busy periods, but that was never really my ambition.
I have far too many hobbies and interests outside work, and I’ve always valued having a healthy work-life balance. I’m more than happy to pass work to other trusted local locksmiths when I’m fully booked. That relationship works both ways because they’ll often send work back when they’re busy too.
Some people think it’s strange when I say I don’t have any desire to become rich, but that’s the truth. I’m much happier running a business that fits around my life than building something that completely takes over it.
Sixteen years of constant change
The biggest challenge during my time has been staying relevant online. When I first started, advertising meant newspapers, phone books and flyers through letterboxes. Then everything moved towards websites, online reviews and social media recommendations. Now we’re talking about AI recommendations and whatever comes next.
On top of that you’ve got Google’s constantly changing algorithms! I could rant for hours about that. Over the years I’ve run local directories and online projects because I’ve always enjoyed that side of business just as much as turning up with the toolbox. Being visible online has become almost as important as being good with locks.
More than just locksmithing
Although locksmithing remains at the heart of what I do, door repairs have become an equally important part of the business. Over the years I’ve developed a real niche in diagnosing and repairing uPVC and composite door faults rather than simply replacing parts unnecessarily.
Customers often assume a complete replacement is needed, when in reality a careful adjustment, hinge repair or gearbox replacement is all that’s required. I enjoy solving those kinds of problems because every door has its own story, and understanding why something has failed is often more satisfying than simply fitting a new component.
Products I trust
Everyone has their favourite products, and mine has to be the Asec Vital Euro cylinder from Aldridge Security. I’ve fitted thousands of them over the years and genuinely can’t remember ever having to replace one because of a product failure.
Sometimes simple really is best. Providing five keys, solid anti-snap protection, reliable performance and excellent value for money. When you find a product that consistently performs without causing call-backs, it earns its place on the van.
The best & worst parts of the job
The freedom is definitely what I enjoy most. Being my own boss gives me the flexibility to work hard when I need to and book time off when I want to. That’s something I never take for granted. The part I dislike most is seeing vulnerable customers being ripped off by rogue operators. Elderly people being charged eye-watering amounts after responding to misleading adverts promising unrealistically cheap locksmith services. Most genuine locksmiths know exactly who the repeat offenders are, yet somehow, they’re still operating years later. It’s frustrating because it damages public confidence in the rest of us.
Does the industry need regulating?
It’s a difficult question. Part of me thinks some form of regulation could help. The other part worries it would simply become another expensive hurdle for honest independent locksmiths while doing very little to stop the people causing the problems. Personally, I don’t think another governing body acting as a middleman is necessarily the answer.
I’d much rather see better public awareness so customers understand how to identify a genuine local locksmith before they pick up the phone. Too many people still click on the first advert promising a £39 locksmith without questioning whether it’s genuine.
Looking ahead
Technology is obviously moving towards smart locks, and I’ll absolutely embrace them if they become affordable, reliable and straightforward enough for everyday domestic customers. Until then, I’ll continue focusing on what I’ve always done.
Being the reliable local locksmith people recommend when they need lock repairs, door repairs or honest advice. If people around Wolverhampton think of me as their go-to locksmith, then I’ll consider that a successful business.
A nod to fellow locksmiths
I’d like to give a shoutout to Neil at Carrier Locks in Willenhall. He’s always inviting me over to see the incredible locks he restores, and for someone who still gets excited about unusual mechanisms, it’s an absolute treat every time.
I’m also developing a new trade directory website and would genuinely welcome ideas and feedback from fellow locksmiths. It’s still very much a work in progress, but I’m hoping it’ll become another useful resource for the trade.
www.locksmith-in-wolverhampton.co.uk
07724 82 82 89
Placeboricks@gmail.com
More info
Rick’s Locksmith & Door Repairs is an independent family-run locksmith business serving Wolverhampton, Cannock and the surrounding areas. Established for more than 16 years, the business specialises in emergency locksmith services, uPVC and composite door repairs, lock upgrades, commercial locksmithing and security advice. By remaining a genuine one-man operation, Rick has built a strong local reputation based on honest pricing, specialist door repair expertise and personal service. Alongside locksmithing, he remains actively involved in online marketing projects supporting local trades and businesses.