Anderson Lock printed this phrase in a recent Gazette newsletter. We’ve used it in other promotional materials and letters to new customers. Our intention was simply to assure customers that we have the experience and capability to manage big projects.

One long-time customer took offense. He complained to our estimator, Jim Didier, that if we say, “No job is too big,” we need to add, “or too small.” This customer calls us for relatively small projects and he was feeling that we didn’t value him as much as we value “the big guys.”

Ghostbusters™ Movie Logo

I don’t like hearing that a customer is unhappy with something I’ve written. I Googled the phrase to see if other service companies use it, and was surprised to learn that it comes from the 1984 Ghostbusters™ movie! The complete quote is: “Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, no job is too big. No fee is too big!”

It’s a funny line in the context of the sudden success of the three unemployed parapsychology professors who set up shop as a unique ghost removal service.

Anderson Lock does provide emergency locksmith service for our commercial customers twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, but we don’t stay open around the clock! And proclaiming, “No fee is too big!” would surely frighten our customers away!

While Googling, I found several locksmith companies called “Lockbusters,” and some called “Safe Busters.” They also use another bit of movie dialog, “Who you gonna call?”

But I digress. Anderson Lock provides security solutions, from cutting a single key, to installing thousands of cylinders for a multi-level, multi-building master key system. The customer is right. I should have written, “No job is too big or too small.” However, now that I know the origin of the line, I think I’ll come up with a completely new slogan!

The same issue of the Gazette that made the offensive (to at least one customer) claim also included several customer compliments. They were for all kinds of jobs, big and small.

Need a security solution? Big or small, we’ll help you out, and we’ll provide ongoing support beyond the point of sale. Call 1-800-LOCK!

Blog by Kathi Bradbury Frelk