Lessons Learned

I have been with Kryptonite for almost 15 years, working in Customer Service. One of the unfortunate occurrences that Customer Service has to deal with is Bike Theft. Any type of theft is indeed a personal violation, and unfortunately it became all too personal to me last week.

I arrived home from work to find that my house had been broken into. Some small electronics were stolen. Ah, but let me talk about the jewelry….. My mother’s ring, which she inherited from my father’s mother….gone. That was the deepest cut of all. Also many other pieces of jewelry, jewelry received from my husband throughout our many years of marriage. My husband and daughter also lost jewelry. And no pictures and no receipts for that jewelry.

Other “things” were stolen; tote bags, a bike messenger bag, some antique sterling silver knick knacks that were also passed down from my parents. No receipts, no pictures…..no proof of ownership.

There is so much to be grateful for; no one was hurt, my “watch cats”, though ineffective, hid well and are safe.

My sense of security is gone. Thinking of my house as a safe haven….gone.

My advice to all: If you have any “thing” that is important to you or would be expensive to replace, take pictures of the items and the receipts. Keep them in a safe deposit box.

Security is my business. And I have to tell myself what I have told many before. We do the best we can to deter the thievery, but if someone wants something bad enough, they’re gonna get it!

Hmmm, I wonder how the watch cats would feel about a nice, big dog.

R.

New Home Security

by Jody Perewitz, Team Kryptonite



I recently bought a house with my boyfriend Kory. It is the first house for both of us. It is a great house with a big yard. The house was a bank forclosure so we don’t know anything about the house and wanted to change the locks ASAP. Also it has a big fenced in yard with an inground pool or as we call it a lagoon. The first thing we did was change the locks.



We put deadbolts on all the doors because they didn’t have any and changed the locks on the fence. I didn’t have a key to the locks on the fence so my brother and I thought that we were going to have to bring cable cutters. What were we thinking?? It’s not like they were Kryptonite locks. I hit the lock once with a hammer and it busted off! OK so I did hit it with all my might because I didn’t think it would be that easy but the second one I tapped it and the cheap lock popped open. So much for security!

Now we have keyed alike Kryptonite locks on the gates to assure that no one will get into the back yard.





I also installed a Schlage Keypad Deadbolt on the front door. It is just temporary till I get my matching door handle and keypad lock from Schlage. The keypad locks are one of the best things invented!



We have contractor’s coming in and out and it’s difficult to get to the house when we are working so instead I just give them the code and they let themselves in! When all the work is done we can change the code!

I feel safe knowing that no one will break into our house knowing that we don’t live there yet! When I get my new front door lock I will post a picture.

IPMBA Conference

by Eric Anastasia, Eastern Regional Manager


A couple of weeks ago I attended the International Mountain Bike Police Association Conference which was held in Indianapolis Indiana. We were asked to support one of their training seminars "Tackling Bike Theft".

I joined IPMBA instructors Liz and Steve both whom are officers at University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. We covered all kinds of topics including "Proper Lockup Techniques" and that is where I came in. This got a lot of the group up and out of their seats to see proper procedures when it comes to locking either their bikes, or teaching the community in which they serve.

Besides the presentation that I took part in, I also got to speak with a lot of other safety personnel. Everyone I spoke to was very appreciative that we were there educating them on the topic that we here all know so well.

I also learned some things that I didn’t know or never noticed. Like that in large cities, like L.A. (probably Boston too), they use bikes to deploy EMS personnel in crowded events and parades. These people can be riding with gear weighing over 35 pounds (that could change the handling of the bike a bit). Also all the intensive training the Public Safety workers that use bicycles as a means of transportation go through.

All and all is was great to be apart of this conference, to not only teach what I know but to learn what they know and do on a regular basis.

Kryptonite at the Tour of Britain

With all the shows and schedules what they are, we're just getting these photos up. Check 'em out. Kryptonite at Crystal Palace during the Tour of Britain. By all accounts, it was jam packed all day with bikes.

Do you think everyone knew we were there? Gotta love that screaming yellow, eh?

Thanks to our great partners at Madison for making this happen and sending along the photos!

Why We Do What We Do

Everyone has days where they sit in their office and wonder if what they do makes a difference. Ok, maybe it's just me....but then there are days when you know exactly why you do what you do...at least I do....

Here are two excellent examples of why everyone here at Kryptonite does what we do.

First up, Jorge is putting on an alleycat in a couple of weeks to honor a friend of his who died this spring, way too soon. His friend did a lot of charity work and the proceeds of the race will go to his favorite charities. Nice tribute, Jorge. We gladly gave a prize and Jorge wrote about it on his blog. Only he did one better - he talked about what's protected his bike for six years on the streets of a couple of different cities. Protecting Jorge's bike is what it's all about for us.

Then, today Roberta, our customer service supervisor, forwarded an email to me from Seth. Seems like some thief (or thieves) tried to steal his bike yesterday. He/She/They didn't get it. HA! Protecting Seth's bike is what it's all about for us, too.

Protecting what is yours, so it stays yours...that's what it's all about for us.

Thanks for reminding me of that guys....makes me work harder. Makes us all work harder.

Kryptonite Addresses Customer Concerns Regarding ITV Show (UK)

Kryptonite sent a comment to Alex Nott, Producer of tonight’s ITV show “Gone in 60 Seconds – The Bike Crime Wave” last week. But, we wanted to talk to our customers because we are confident in our products (we use them every day) and want our customers to feel confident as well.

We weren’t offered the opportunity to participate in, attend or view an unedited version of this “test”. What we did see was a clearly edited video performed by a competitor whose products, we are told, are not used in this show.

Kryptonite takes the security of its customers’ property very seriously and does not condone or support any form of media that publicly educates or encourages criminal or other illegal activity on any brand of lock. We also don’t condone or support product demonstrations that do not fully educate the viewer on the types of tools used and the conditions in which such tools would be used.

This televised demonstration leads viewers to believe that 42-inch bolt cutters are common tools used by thieves. They are not. The 42-inch bolt cutters used in the show are large in size, expensive to purchase and difficult to obtain (according to our research).

Please note that the price of this 42 inch bolt cutter, like the one used in the show, retails for approximately £291-360 ($600-742 U.S. Dollars), and replacement jaws retail for approximately £100.00 ($206 U.S. Dollars). Unfortunately, there will always be people who think it is necessary to publicize ways to perform criminal or other illegal activity. We recognize that and are committed to constantly evaluating technologies and methods for providing products that guard against these most common methods.

The methods described on this show are not common methods currently in use in the UK or elsewhere. The New York Fahgettaboudit chain is covered by Kryptonite’s anti-theft protection offer. In the last two years, in the UK, there have been no claims of property being stolen that was secured with a New York Fahgettaboudit chain. Zero.

Our high end security products, including the New York Fahgettaboudit chain, meet or exceed industry testing standards and are also tested by internal and external professionals in a variety of ways to guard against methods commonly and uncommonly used by thieves. Kryptonite has manufactured and sold high quality products for 35 years and has been testing the products for just as long. As a matter of fact, Kryptonite team members who test the products have an impressive combined testing knowledge of 46 years.

Our internal tests involve a variety of tools used by thieves, such as bolt cutters (including 42 inch bolt cutters), hack saws, hammers, pry bars, grinders, hydraulic devices and a host of other common and uncommon methods. The products are tested to the point of failure in order to understand the limitations and the environments for which the products are best suited. If a new method is heard of by Kryptonite, the products will be retested against that method as well.

Despite the internal testing done by Kryptonite employees, we do not ask that our current or future customers just take our word for it. We rely on independent, third party testing to expertly attack the chains and locks. We submit our high end locks to industry respected testing agencies such as Sold Secure (UK), ART (NL), VdS (DE), N.F. (FRA), Classe SRA (FRA) and SSF (Sweden). In total, Kryptonite has received over 70 approvals from these agencies for a variety of its products. The New York Fahgettaboudit chain received the highest ratings of Gold and 4+ from both Sold Secure and ART.

Another highly respected third party tester, Cycling Plus Magazine, tested the New York Fahgettaboudit chain in its annual lock test this spring and it fared very well over the other chains submitted, receiving a coveted “recommend.” The chain held up over one minute to power tools after it was already attacked for 5 minutes with more common street tools, such as bolt cutters.

We understand and respect the fact that people are passionate about the brand of lock they choose. We are not interested in a back and forth with our competitors or their supporters; we’ve said our peace and will leave it at that. If you have a question or concern about one of your own Kryptonite locks, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service at letters@irco.com

We offer a broad range of products so customers can select products to create security levels specific to their unique needs and environments. The products are and will be continuously tested, both internally and externally, to provide customers with products that will protect their property in a variety of environments and give them general piece of mind.

Having said all that, as we go forward on this blog, we’d like to ask that everyone refer to our very first post in the blogosphere. It requests, “that people be respectful with their comments. Constructive criticism is welcome, slander is not. Profanity is not. Basically, please don’t say something here that you wouldn’t say in one of our living rooms. We would appreciate that.” This is a common request in the blogosphere and we don’t find it unreasonable. We will ask again that everyone please keep that in mind.

Thanks for your time. Now we suggest you turn off the computer and go out for a nice ride. You can feel confident that Kryptonite will continue to meet the challenges of the street.

Road Trip

I spent the majority of last week visiting Bicycle and Powersport dealers with our 2 new Regional Sales Managers(Don - West Coast and Craig - Central) and our National Sales Manager (Roby). It was great to pound the pavement with the troops, speak with the dealers and really get a sense of what is happening in the marketplace. I spent Tuesday in Portland with Don and Roby visiting all of the major dealers - Shout outs to Mark, Dave and crew at Rivercity - what an awesome set up - expecially the test track upstairs. Got a lot of cool product ideas that we are excited about - keep em coming. Also got an idea for my oldest daughters 8th birthday gift (Specialized HotRock 20). We also spent some time out at establishments notorious for bike theft activity and was proud of the fact that a Kryptonite lock was the lock of choice. They are pretty serious about their bikes in Portland - seeing a multiple lock setup(cable and Ulock) wasn't uncommon and the Evolution ulock or New York Fahgettaboudit were everywhere.

Headed to Dallas for the second leg of the trip on Wednesday and spent Thursday with Craig and Roby visiting Powersport and Bicycle dealers. Being a former sportbike rider it was like being a kid in a candy store. I spent as much time talking to managers and store personnel about security as I did about the bikes. Thanks to the folks at Central Yamaha I now have my eye on a 04-05 Yamaha Vmax preferably black on black ( any sellers out there???) Psyched about the opportuntity to work more closely with many of the dealers in Dallas and Craig will be working hard to support them with some cool promotions and displays.

Being out interacting with customers and dealers is what its all about. Looking forward to hitting the East Coast next so look out for me I might just be in a bike or powersport dealer near you.

Thanks Rapid Transit!

We’ve got some of the best dealers in the world. We really do. They are knowledgeable, passionate and down right fun. Rapid Transit Cycleshop in Chicago is one of those dealers. They’ve carried Kryptonite for years and our reps love visiting their store when they are in town.

They’ve recently written a kick butt post on their blog about avoiding bike theft. This is a great service for all their customers and internet readers. Not only do they talk about great locks, but they give terrific proper lock up advice. Read it. You will be glad you did!

And...if you check out their blog further, you'll see that they are offering a coupon for 10% off a u-lock, u-lock w/cable or u-lock and skewer set. No brand is specified so go get your favorite - just get a lock! If you live in the area, print the coupon and bring it in. It's valid until Sunday, May 20, 2007.

Thanks for the plug, Rapid Transit, but more importantly, thanks for giving your customers such great proper lock up advice!

Rumor Patrol

We hear lots of rumors as we are out and about on the road and cruising through the internet. Some make us just laugh out loud, shake our head or roll our eyes. Others we take a little more seriously. Over the last couple of months, we’ve noticed that one particular video on YouTube has been getting conversations going about security chains.

Recently, our friend Fritz, asked us if we’d seen the video yet and added his comments to a blog that posted the video. Since you asked, we’ll be more than happy to address this, Fritz!

Yes, we have seen the video of a competitor breaking security chains. It’s one that doesn’t have us laughing out loud, but it does have us rolling our eyes a little bit. Listen to the woman as she introduces the last two chains, of which the supposed New York Fahgettaboudit is one. She plainly states that the last two chains “aren’t brand new. They were kindly donated by Visadown users.” (I may have that name wrong)

The Kryptonite ‘lock’ does not have a lock on it at all. It’s a length of chain in a Kryptonite sleeve that even the women from our competitor can not say is a length of Kryptonite chain because she didn’t purchase it from a dealer. However, that’s neither here nor there - when the gentleman shows the link after he’s cut it, check it out, pause the video like we did (7:07 into the video). It doesn’t look like a 6-sided Fahgettaboudit link, more like a 4-sided link. Hmmm…if that’s not right, what else isn’t right with that video?

We are much more apt to trust truly non-biased testers who have honest to goodness Kryptonite products to test, like Cycling Plus. We also submit our products to test with independent testing agencies like Sold Secure, ART and a host of others. They aren’t competitors, testing is what they do for insurance companies. They are unbiased parties testing the products for a living. They are good at it, just like the guys at Cycling Plus.