First Alert Gun Safe Locked shut

[racingfast]

OK so I just had my new safe delivered in the snow today and wrestled it inside... Get the book off the front and begin reading..... it has a combination lock, no key... to my dismay.... there is no combination!

FIRST ALERT customer service says.... via a push this for that crap-- ifyou need a combination for your safe, please fax a letter with name address model and serial number and testify that you ARE the owner of the safe and they will give you the combo.... REAAAAAAAALLY?

I have to pay a notory to verify I am who I am and I not have the combo?

I guess it makes sense... I break into your home and find your safe... quick call to the factory--- and I am in like Flynn..... but this pisses me off.

Any suggestions?

[Emptymag]

Ask for a pre-paid return shipping label and return it as defective?

[ungawa]

I'm not sure I followed all that but your bank probably provides notary services free of charge from my experience.

[Statkowski]

If I remember correctly, and it's been some 40 years, you might want to try 25-50-25 for the combination. That was what we put on all empty safes in storage when I played around as my unit's Security NCO (and was responsible for changing and maintaining all classified document safes).

I can't comment about civilian stuff, but in my unit all safe combinations were changed every six months, or when someone's access status changed (reassignment, different job requirement, etc.). Didn't matter if the lock mechanisms were Sergeant & Greenleaf or Mosler.

Strong recommendation for anyone concerned: When changing a safe's combination, make 100% certain it works, twice, before slamming the door shut.

[Manxdriver]

Yep, call them up and demand a refund. It is defective. Be firm and when they say they still need a faxed signature/note, tell them you need a FEW FREE UPGRADES: pistol storage unit for door, humidity control unit, interior lighting, so on. Hey, if you have to return it, you are going to have to wrestle it to the door again. Might as well get paid for your troubles.

[racingfast]

I found a review of a First Alert safe that describes where the buyer found the combination. See if it is in the same place for the one that you have.

BINGO! In the rear of the ENGLISH version manual it said the same thing the 800 # told me, notorized letter faxed with pertinent info for combo retirival..... however this AMAZON review spelled out the answer...in the manual was a model number, serial number and key number..

HOWEVER---- I know the model number wasnt what it said....I know the serial number wasnt what it said, and there is NO KEY for this safe....so using the directions on the review....and these three obscure numbers it opened up!

How sneeky....

And the manual said turn right, the AMAZON review said turn left... and left it was!

THis is a perfect example of how this forum ROCKS!

THANK YOU ALL! And to all a good night.

[jerkin]

If you had those kind of problems right off the bat, customer service sucks and the manual is wrong what is going to happen down the road? I'd still think about sending it back.

[MT1]

Maybe First Alert should stick to making smoke detectors.

[Manxdriver]

I found a review of a First Alert safe that describes where the buyer found the combination. See if it is in the same place for the one that you have.

You Sir, are an asset! +rep sent!

[Curmudgeon]

Maybe First Alert should stick to making smoke detectors.

Or...

For me, this is enough to keep me from ever buying a First Alert product of any kind. There are other makes of smoke detectors.

OP I'm glad this has been resolved.