Surprised by a person’s trust in a stranger.

[Regular.Cyclist]

Maybe I am just used to living in reasonable sized cities but I had a new experience today.

I very recently moved into a new home in a town with a population of around 33,000. Typically I change locks on any new property, and this one was no different as it has a history of being rented out. I chose a somewhat obscure, but secure, lock manufacturer and thought nothing of until today.

I needed another key cut for it so headed to the only local option I could find, a Timpsons a mere 300 meters from my front door. I’ve not b in a Timpsons for many years and certainly not this one. The member of staff recognised the key as a security key but hadn’t heard of the brand. That then made it difficult to select the appropriate blank from which to cut the new key from. After examining around a dozen different ones he handed one to me to go home and check it would fit in the lock with minimal effort. It did and I returned to the shop to have the blank cut.

Once that was finished they handed me my original key and the freshly cut replica to go home and check it worked or need further work. I’d not paid anything by this point and, as the new key worked great, could simply have walked away. But, being the honest type, walked back and paid for the work.

 

[simongt]

Oh yes, there are still a lot of honest trusting folk about.

 

[wiggydiggy]

What could you have done with it, run off with a blank key that doesn't open anything?

I'll counter this with the time a key cutter gave me an old fiver back in my change, had to swap it at the bank to get my money lol.

 

[Regular.Cyclist]

What could you have done with it, run off with a blank key that doesn't open anything?

I'll counter this with the time a key cutter gave me an old fiver back in my change, had to swap it at the bank to get my money lol.

If you read the whole thing you’d see I returned and received a cut, and working key, to check at home before I had made any payment.

 

[wiggydiggy]

If you read the whole thing you’d see I returned and received a cut, and working key, to check at home before I had made any payment.

I did read it all, and misunderstood. That is some trust then.

 

[Regular.Cyclist]

I did read it all, and misunderstood. That is some trust then.

Sorry, what improvements do you suggest to make to OP clearer?

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Once that was finished they handed me my original key

Which he made a copy of whilst you were back at your house. Trusting strangers both ways.

 

[Regular.Cyclist]

Which he made a copy of whilst you were back at your house. Trusting strangers both ways.

I’d not told him my address, nor had he taken any form of ID, plus it’s only one of three keys needed to access my home. I guess I am somewhat less trusting 😂

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I’d not told him my address, nor had he taken any form of ID, plus it’s only one of three keys needed to access my home. I guess I am somewhat less trusting 😂

Less than 300m away. Would not take much to work out where you live.

 

[Regular.Cyclist]

Less than 300m away. Would not take much to work out where you live.

Ok, so where do I live? Answers on a postcard to the address.😂

Being less silly. A busy shop some random walks in for a key telling the staff member that they lived around 5 minutes away. In reality it’s a lot shorter. I was surprised by how much trust they put in a customer.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

People are generally great and return trust.

We once stayed in a B&B out in the sticks in Belgium that we thought did meals, on a cycle tour with three kids. Turned out they didn't, but offered to cook an omelette. "Or we could get a car for you for a restaurant"

We agreed on the car, assuming this meant a taxi, but at the alloted hour they just gave us their car keys!

 

[markemark]

Timpsons do great work in famously employing ex offenders. It’s possible the employee is showing trust as it has been shown to him.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Ok, so where do I live? Answers on a postcard to the address.😂

Not me, the key cutter obviously! 🙄

But SW Scotland , population 33,000 and Timpsons points me at Dumfries. Then I’d narrow down to within 400m of Timpsons. Then I’d search for recent property change of ownership in Dumfries and cross reference. Then cross reference that with …. You get the idea, if someone was so inclined.

 

[All uphill]

We live in a similar size town and this kind of thing is not too unusual in our experience.

Most recently I was at a local cafe and said to Ms AU that I'd forgotten my bicycle lock; a stranger who was leaving handed me her lock, gave me the code and asked me to leave the lock fixed to the rack when we left.

It's nice to live with a little trust.

 

[Gillstay]

I sold a cycle to a lady but suggested she had it for a week first and then if she wanted it she could pay me or bring it back.
She was not comfortable doing it until she had given me all her details. A week later she bought it.
This was prompted by a guy seeing me assess his Alfa which was for sale and he suggested the same. A two grand car. Trust is a good force.