Gunvault customer service and locked safe ... grrrr

[wojownik]

Having misplaced the keys to a locked Gunvault Multi safe, I called customer service to get replacement keys. We recently moved, and the box containing keys to the safe (and some other stuff) got misplaced in the craziness.

No biggie, I thought. Just some HK P7 mags left in there (OK, those cost a bit, to be sure).

Explained the situation to the customer service rep (locked safe, lost keys). The CS rep said I just have to send in a letter with my name, address, phone number, and three digit code on the lock. No problem. Oh, and replacement keys cost $20. No problem either.

Oh, he says, and you also need to provide us with the serial number on the side of the box. I looking at the side of the box, I noted there is no SN.

Him: "No, its not on the outside. Is on the inside of the box, under the foam liner."

Me: "Um, the serial number is inside the locked box? So I need to open the box to give you the serial number so you can send me the keys that are needed to open the box?"

Him: "yes, that's what I said. Oh wait. You said it was locked. Well there's nothing we can do without the serial number. Maybe you could bring it to a locksmith."

Well, just dandy. And it doesn't look like they actually track anything with the product registration card I sent in when I first bought the safe ... they can't call up any info from that.

My own fault for losing the darn keys in the first place, of course. But maybe Gunvault could figure out a more useful way of handling lost key requests.

Until they do, maybe my lesson will help someone else, lest they lose their keys to a locked Gunvault unit. Don't lose your keys and/or write down the serial number somewhere outside the box. Doh!

Well, off to a locksmith, or to my garage for a crowbar and sledge hammer.

 

[1KPerDay]

Wow.

 

[Lee Roder]

Make a video for YouTube

 

[FAS1]

I second the video if you choose the garage option.

 

[wojownik]

Update, or lack thereof. Called Gunvault customer service a couple of more times. They asked me to fax in a copy of my receipt (from three years ago), which by a miracle I still had because it was part of an expense report. Anyways, after faxing it in, no response for 20 days now, despite repeated calls. Think hard before investing in any of their products ...

 

[FAS1]

Video Time? It would be nice to see how it holds up to a couple common hand tools like a hammer and screwdriver.

Kidding aside, is the lock a tubular lock? Look up picking them on youtube or maybe take it into a locksmith and they probably won't charge you much to open it if you bring it to them. These locks seem pretty easy to open if you have a tubular lock pick from what I have seen. Not sure about the bic pin method though. At least if you get it opened you will have the serial number.

 

[Telekinesis]

It's not a pin and tumbler lock, Gun Vault uses one of those round security keys. They're supposedly not too much more difficult to pick than your typical pin and tumbler lock, but require a bit different technique and knowledge. I would just take it to a lock smith and he should be able to open it. I would hesitate to try to force it open and ruin an otherwise good safe.

If you're interested in any of the lock picking stuff, I would definitely recommend it. It's very eye opening once you learn how to do it. About 30 minutes fooling around with a lock while watching TV and you'll be able to open the majority of basic locks like those found in most homes. I'm rather fond of the Bogata picks from Sere Pick. Excellent customer service as well!

 

[wojownik]

Yep, a tubular lock, and got it open via the locksmith last week. Took like 5 seconds for him to do it.

He was a "gun guy" as well, but did not have much good to say about the Multivault. Showed me how I could open it with a solid smack on the top (memories of Fonzie from Happy Days).

Still, would like to re-use it a "minimum security" device from prying toddler fingers. Still trying to get replacement keys - got the extension number of the CS head, who doesn't return seem to return phone calls either...

With all the griping, I feel like I need to say something positive at this point - any other recommendations for a more secure "multivault" type unit out there?

 

[dprice3844444]

file a complaint with the federal trade commission and then fax it to them.lock was prob an ace lock type that is used on soda machines

 

[Madcap_Magician]

Hate to rain on the parade, but I have had nothing but trouble with my Gunvault for the last eight months. I bought it because my wife and I had our first child and didn't want to leave guns lying around anymore, even on my nightstand.

For about two months it worked fine, then the batteries died. It's like eight freakin' AA batteries to replace.

Then about three months ago, it started randomly opening. It's sitting on top of a heavy wicker night table with three wicker drawers, and sometimes when I open one of the drawers (They're full of stuff), the safe would just pop open. Sometimes if I just tapped it, the safe would open. Sometimes I would come into the room after not touching it or anything near it, and the safe would be open.

Then about a month ago, the damn thing now has the opposite problem, too. Every now and then when you enter in the right keypad code... it doesn't open. You hear the latch try to open, but the door doesn't pop open.

I now keep my gun in the open on top of my useless and unreliable gunvault.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Your cable probably broke. Do some searches here and you will see some nicely done threads on how to fix the cable break.