Stories about $200 locks on $25 doors and $25 locks on $200 doors are a part of police lore, the part that keeps police shaking their heads in disbelief at human naivety.
But, these days, how secure is a $200 lock on a $200 door? In fact, the answer is "not very." Only one lock manufacturer in North America can advertise an unpickable pin tumbler lock. As for the others, their locks have all been beaten.
For decades, locksmithing correspondence courses have been offered in small advertisements in the classifieds and on the back pages of comic books and periodicals. The courses have been particularly popular among prison inmates seeking to "learn" a trade, appear rehabilitated, and secure an early parole. At least, so they said.