General Lock

55 bucks for a duplicate automotive key when everyone else was charging at least 90? I’m in.

Needed a transponder key for car dealer wanted $ 250.00 for one key!!! Went and saw Tom and I brought some recycled keys I got online and he did both for only 80 bucks. Well worth it 5 stars for saving me $$$ and very nice as well.

I have been working with Bill & Jills team, including my favorite Rod, since 2006. They have done everything for me, from commercial to residential. Lets see, door bells, commercial buzzer systems with pagers, locks with the numbers on them you use a code to open– great for employees, door installation, hardware selection, I have a Multi-​lock system that is fantastic for anyone who has numerous keys– its a Master key system where I can open my company door, my apartments rentals and my home, all in 1 key. What prompted this is that I called Bill and told him I somehow locked myself out and was anyone near by, he sent Rod, who just happened to be 5 minutes from my home in the burbs and didnt even charge me because we do so much business together. They are very competitive and fair with their pricing, knowledgeable and beyond trustworthy. Fantastic company because their team ROCKS!

Eight years later I’ve had many more visits to General Locks, and have always had a good experience. The counter staff is helpful. Whenever I have a door or lock problem that is outside my scope or ability, I refer folks to General Locks.

I went there today to get 2 keys cut programmed for my 2005 Town and Country. Great service. Affordable. Friendly. Highly recommended. Tom and the technician (sorry, forgot his name) were great to work with.

Very friendly and helpful staff. I had almost 40 steel keys that needed cutting and, of course, I needed them in a hurry. Not every key cutter does these. They appeared to be already busy when I went in, but they were able to accommodate me and have the keys completed on the same day. Just peering around the store, it looks like they have quite a selection of doorknobs, locks, and stuff. I was actually recommended to General Lock by Nonstop Locksmith. They were also very courteous and honest. They told me they couldn’t do the cut I needed, but were gracious enough to recommend General Lock.

I went there today to get my new key cut and remote programed, they were extremely nice and very efficient. I was in and out within 20 minutes and the price was great. I will definitely recomend them to anyone i know. Thank you so much!!!

I dont want to write too long of a review but let me tell you these people are the best in the industry. Very reasonable rates and top of that best customer service. They made my GMC truck key without any hassle. Highly recommend them.

Most affordable place to get a car key made in the city. The service was excellent. I didn’t feel like I was dealing w/​a shady locksmith that was trying to take advantage of me in a dire situation.

These guys were awesome! They got my Nissan Cube going with a new key and programmed the car right there outside the shop. The service was friendly, efficient and not expensive.

Got a duplicate car key with keyless entry remote and paid half of the price I would pay at the dealership. Brian programmed the key very quickly and was super nice!

Rekeyed all my deadbolts. Quick and reasonable.

Don’t be fooled by locksmiths you find in your area on the internet, mostly unlicensed and under trained buffoons. General Lock is a professional brick and mortar operation and they can handle any needs you may have. I went in with a lock I needed a key for and walked out in less than 5 minutes with it in my hand. Worth the trip even if you don’t live in the area. Support them because we need more like them

I called to have the lock on my front door re-​keyed. They arrived within an hour and had the job done in about 30 minutes.
Also, they charge less than Home Depot to copy keys!

Bought a 2001 VW and needed to have a second key and fob programmed. Eddie gave me a price of $ 45 over the phone. Great I thought. When I arrived, no Eddie and it was $ 45 each for the key AND fob programmed, the same price as the VW dealer or mobile service. I went to my dealer instead. I would have paid $ 90 if that is what I was quoted. If you use them, expect to pay double of what they quote over the phone.

So, as it began, I called several locksmith places on Unilocal!asking for prices. GENERAL LOCK had the very best prices and the friendliest person answering the phone. Unlike at other places I wasn’t grunted at nor spoken to in mumbled half-​explanations.
General Lock was extremely polite and accommodating when I called to cancel my initial service call (No BAD Attitude) and that made me want to call them back. My so-​called roommate, Justin Oliver Hartman (Aka ‘Tork,’ also Aka ‘Pup’) refused to pay any rent for 4 months; I had to evict him thus I needed to change my locks. So I called over there again and the guy that answered the phone told me how much $$$ I could SAVE if I brought the locks in myself! All I needed was a screwdriver and a car and I wouldn’t have to pay a service fee for one of their peeps. So, I popped out the locks and drove over in a jiffy. It was a bit slow getting the cylinders changed (like 35 mins) only because their phone kept ringing off the hook, faster than they could hang it up. I took that as a positive sign of good work work and prices. Then came the next awesome news, the guy charged me half of what he quoted on the phone because I had the key on the old cylinders. I walked out paying just over $ 30 dollars to change 3 cylinders! WOW!
They also opened my car key and changed the battery for just a couple bucks whereas a couple other places said it was a ‘dealer-​only’ part [ dealer-​only parts are a PURE SCAM!!]. Thanks again!

This place is great. Went to the 3 Local Big Box hardware stores for a set of keys and all were returned as none of them worked. Walked in to this place and explained to the very friendly guy behind the counter what was going on and from one look at the keys he automatically knew these were for outside gates, told me not to worry and about 5 minutes later I had a set of gate keys that actually worked! Something to be said for a guy who know his craft :)
A bit on the pricey side but well worth it. Never going to big box store again if ever need keys, right to General Lock it is.

Not bad, not great! I had two missed appointments here but on the third try they did give me a discount for my trouble.
The regular prices seemed competitive anyway, the staff is very polite and the work is done pretty fast. I had all my locks rekeyed and a couple of doors drilled for new knobs.
I would definitely give these guys another try and chock up my missed appointments as a rare occurrence (based on the other reviews). The only other negative is, one of the locks is hard to turn.

This general is certainly a 5 star one! All joking aside, after being forced to have my rental properties locks changed I found myself first going to the usual Lincoln Park locksmiths who are clearly used to dealing with those who don’t care about cost or customer service at all. After getting sticker shock ranging from 3−4k, no I’m not joking, I found General Lock. I stopped in on a Saturday and spoke with Bill and from that point on my search for all things security related is over. After explaining my needs to him he went over the wide range of options and he found me one 2k less than the others!
Fast forward to the day of installation. As I was at work I had my dad met the technician at my property to let him in. He too was amazed at the friendly, knowledgeable and fast service.
All said and done they really are bar none the best locksmiths in this city! If you want fantastic customer service with a more than fair price this is the place to go!

I wish I could give them 6 stars. I was in a crazy bind because I needed an uncommon key cut and I needed it today. I was 20 minutes away from their shop, stuck in bad traffic and they were scheduled to close in 10 minutes. I called, ready to plead and beg. But all I had to say was I was on my way. This guy says no problem, man. I’ll wait for you.
I got there at 10 minutes after and again was ready to aplogize and thank him profusely. But again, he said don’t worry about it. He figured out the correct blank and cut my key while we chatted. Simple, pleasant and professional.
This guy helped me more than he knows, and without so much as a huff for me being so late. The other thing he did was gain a new customer.
Good customer service is still worth something. At least it is to me.