National locksmith association changes ethics code - almost

When the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) issued a press release Tuesday to explain a recent change in their Code of Ethics concerning deceptive advertising, I began to wonder exactly how many of their 8,000 national members were violating the code. The previous code stated that members should "abstain from using improper or questionable methods of soliciting patronage..."

According to the press release, the new language added directs all members to “advertise and conduct business in a non-deceptive manner.”

ALOA President Ken Kupferman said the association does receive a lot of complaints daily but not about members. He wasn’t certain if members were using deceptive advertising practices, but said the change puts any members doing so on notice.

“We don’t want to be associated with people like that,” Kupferman said. He suggested I speak to Attorney Tim McMullen, ALOA’s legislative manager who handles complaints.

McMullen could cite only one case – a woman in Washington, D.C. who called to complain that a member locksmith was using her address on his website and wanted it removed. McMullen said they notified the member and they are waiting on a response.

One out of 8,000 members. I’d say that’s a pretty good record in anyone’s book.

To see the entire code go to: http://aloa.org/pdf/ethicode.pdf, but wait a few days. The change hasn’t made it to the website yet.