Protec U / NC Locksmith Lic. #0968 / NC Electrical Lic. # 26995-SP-LV
 
Shop hours for "walk-in" work are Monday - Friday, 3 p.m. till 5:30 p.m.

The "Lock Shop" and the "Protec U Training Facility" are located at 200 S. Main St., Waynesville. Located adjacent to the entrance of the Oak Park Inn hotel.

 WHAT WE DO:

Protec U provides Locksmith Services and Firearms Training.

We are "Working Locksmiths".  We will only provide you with the services and products that you request.  We provide our services at a fair and honest prices. 

We are proud members of the Associated Locksmiths of America, Haywood Chamber of Commerce, Haywood County Board of Realtors, and Haywood Home Builders Association.

My background is in Security and Law Enforcement. I was formally trained as a Locksmith by a government agency. I also have been formally trained as a technician. I utilize my training and experience to deliver the highest standard of Professional Locksmith Service you should expect. Please visit the "About Us" section of this site for more information about me.

CONSUMER WARNING:

North Carolina Requires a State Locksmith License to Provide Locksmith Services. In Haywood County there are several UNLICENSED persons who are calling themselves LOCKSMITHS and providing Locksmith Services. Some of these individuals are convicted felons. These UNLICENSED individuals are not Bonded, Insured, or Trained. Do you want to TRUST one of these individuals with the keys to your Home, Business, or Car to save a few dollars???

Protec U Corporation / Robert V. MacCargar is Licensed, Bonded, and Insured.

LOCKSMITH SERVICES:

Mobile and In-Shop

Automotive and Residential Emergency Lock-Outs; Automotive Key Generation (lost key replacement) including Transponder Keys; Lock Re-Pinning; Lock Repair and Installations; Electronic (keyless) Access Systems.

The "Lock Shop" is open for "Walk-In" service Monday - Friday from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., but is subject to close for Emergency Calls. The "Lock Shop" may be open at other times of the day, depending upon scheduled service calls. Please call to verify, before making a long trip downtown. Parking is located on Main Street in front of the Shop.

We are available for service in Haywood County, North Carolina, 24 hours / 7 days a week, including: Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Clyde, Hazelwood, and Canton. We can provide service in other Counties by appointement only.

 TRAINING:

I currently teach the NRA Basic Pistol Course and the N.C. Concealed Carry Hangun Course. Private lessons are also available.

Classes are held monthly. Please view the "Firearms Training" / "Class Schedule" on the site tool bar for scheduled classes. Classes can also be scheduled upon request with a minimum of four students.

Before selecting any Locksmith, please review the following:

1) LICENSED. 

North Carolina Statute requires that:

No person shall perform or offer to perform locksmith services in this State unless the person has been licensed under the provisions of this Chapter (74F). Locksmith services – Repairing, rebuilding, rekeying, repinning, servicing, adjusting, or installing locks, mechanical or electronic locking devices, access control devices, egress control devices, vaults, and safe-deposit boxes for compensation or other consideration, including services performed by safe technicians.

Installation and or service of electronic locking devices, access control devices, and CCTV systems can require a state electrical contractor’s license.
 
Exemptions from licensing:  An employee of a towing service or an automotive repair business providing services in the normal course of its business, a repossessor, a taxi cab service, a motor vehicle dealer, or a motor club when opening automotive locks in the normal course of their duties, so long as the employee does not represent himself or herself as a locksmith.  *See Automotive Section for reasons you should still use a licensed locksmith for your automotive needs.

Each licensed locksmith is required to post his/her license number in all advertising and is issued a photo identification card.

FOR YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY, PLEASE VERIFY THAT YOUR LOCKSMITH IS LICENSED!

(You can verify if your locksmith has a locksmith license at: The North Carolina Locksmith Licensing Board) (You can verify if your locksmith has an electrical contractor’s license at: The NC Sate Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors)


2) BONDED. 

Being bonded is like an insurance policy for the customer. The state dictates which professions need to be bonded.  North Carolina does not require licensed locksmiths to be bonded, but a professional locksmith will be bonded.

There are lots of shady characters out there who would easily take advantage of some naive homeowners. For instance, they might collect a big down payment and disappear, or start the work and leave before it is finished. Bonding companies do not bond shady characters (normally) because they would be exposed to possible claims.

The whole idea of bonds is protection for the consumer. 

WHEN SELECTING A LOCKSMITH, ASK HIM/HER IF THEY ARE BONDED.

3) INSURED.

Any legitimate company or service provider will carry a valid liability insurance policy.  These policies will pay for any damages or injuries incurred as a result of the service provided. 

WHEN SELECTING A LOCKSMITH, ASK HIM/HER IF THEY HAVE A VALID/CURRENT LIABILITY INSURANCE POLICY

(Insurance Agents will verify policy status).

4) CERTIFIED.

A professional locksmith needs to keep educated on industry standards and technological advances.  To do this most professional locksmiths become members of trade associations

As an international trade association, the Associated Locksmith of America (ALOA) recognizes professionalism and proficiency among locksmiths by granting the designations Certified Registered Locksmith (CRL), Certified Professional Locksmith (CPL), Certified Master Locksmith (CML). Available to all locksmiths, the Proficiency Registration Program (PRP) evaluates, through participation tracking and testing, the educational and technical competence of dedicated individuals in a wide range of subjects including; Automotive locksmithing, General locksmithing, Electronic Access Control and Safe and Vault service.

The first level of locksmith certification is Certified Registered Locksmith (CRL). A Certified Registered Locksmith has passed the ten mandatory categories, as well as at least two specialized electives of his choice. A CRL has a good working knowledge of general locksmithing.

WHEN SELECTING A LOCKSMITH, ASK HIM/HER IF THEY ARE MEMBERS OF A TRADE ASSOCIATION AND IF THEY HAVE OBTAINED NATIONAL CERTIFICATION.

(You can verify if your locksmith is a member of or has obtained national certification from ALOA)