Saturday, March 26, 2011

Clutter Wars - Getting Unlocked





For years I've looked at these locks in the garage.  Local stores said they couldn't help.

But it's the age of the internet and so I thought I'd send Master Lock an email with pictures of the locks including the serial numbers on the back.


But they're way ahead of me.  They have an FAQ page on lost combinations. 

Question: I've forgotten the combination to my standard dial combination lock. How do I obtain the combination for personal use?
Answer: A) My lock does not have a serial number:
     To provide enhanced long–term security, Master Lock has discontinued imprinting a serial number on the lock body on combination locks sold through retail locations. For greater convenience, we encourage consumers to store their combination at our secure website, Masterlockvault.com, which is easy to use and offers 24/7 access. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide combinations for non–serialized locks, if the user did not register with Masterlockvault.com.

B) My lock has a serial number:
     Use current instructions (see below)
Due to increased security concerns nationwide, Master Lock recognizes the heightened need for additional safety measures. We no longer provide lock combinations in response to phone, fax, or email requests. Please follow the procedure outlined below to obtain the combination to your lock and submit your request to:


Master Lock Warehouse
1600 W. La Quinta Rd
Suite/WHSE # 1
Nogales, AZ 85621
Procedure:
  • Print out the Lost Combination Form from a printer friendly page, or download the PDF file.
  • Have your Lost Combination Form notarized by a Notary Public to prove that you are the owner of the lock (you can include up to 6 combinations on one notarized form).
    • Note: Inmates at a correctional facility - in addition to the lost combination form, you must submit your request on official prison letterhead. In lieu of notarization, the form must be signed by a prison official.
  • Photocopy the serial number on the back case of your combination lock. This copy MUST clearly show that the lock is not attached to anything. Be sure to hand write the serial number on the photocopy.
  • Mail the original completed, notarized Lost Combination Form and the photocopy of the back of your lock to the address above.
Note: It will take approximately 4 to 6 weeks to process your request for a combination.

Note: If the form is not fully completed and notarized with a raised seal or rubber stamped seal, or if the serial number is not legible on the photocopy, your request will not be honored. Master Lock does not reimburse for any Notary fees.

Store your combination at www.masterlockvault.com - a FREE service from Master Lock! The Master Lock Vault provides a safe & convenient place to store all of your confidential data for quick & easy access from your PC, iPhone, or any other mobile devices!

It's different if you live overseas, and if the lock is attached to something, they won't help out.  

I'm sure we have more than two of these, but I'll start with these two.

[UPDATE:  By May 1 I'd found four more locks and sent the info into Master Lock.  Eventually I got the combinations to them, lost them, then emailed them and got them again.]  

1 comment:

  1. Steve, you stopped googling too soon. You can open these locks within a minute, or find the combination within 10 minutes.

    http://www.wikihow.com/Crack-a-%22Master-Lock%22-Combination-Lock
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHXgOxSGznE
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVlArw7_cz4

    ReplyDelete

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