Arties Hardware & Locksmith

I was locked out of my apartment in the evening. I called a locksmith to help me unlock my door and replace a lock. I was told that the service charge would be $25 and that the average bill was around $90. This sounded reasonable. The actual bill I got was for $415. When a locksmith says that they will unlock your door for you, this means that they will drill and break your existing lock - it's pretty crude and takes about 3 minutes. This costs $190. I am sure they do this regularly so I don't understand why they would suggest that the average bill was significantly below this. The locksmith will then also try to sell you a basic lock that I think you can buy for about $20 on Amazon for $160. The service was fine. They were available at relatively short notice (about 20-25 minutes). I just didn't appreciate the misrepresentation about the cost of the service at the front end. It's no way to get repeat business or a referral.

WARNING: THESE GUYS ARE CROOKS! I recently called to have a broken bathroom lock looked at. It was determined that the entire hardware (i.e. the handles on both sides of the door that included an interior lock) needed to be replaced. The locksmith said he would find an exact match and provide a quote for purchasing the hardware and for the installation. I get a call back a few days later with a quote. He said it would cost $330 for the lock and $99 for the installation. I don't remember paying that much for the lock, so told him I would get right back to him after I investigate it myself.... I found the exact same hardware from the exact same manufacturer for $95. I called the locksmith back to let him know I was able to find it for 3.5 times (!!!) less than what he quoted me, but prior to placing the order I would need to know if the backset was 2 3/8 or 2 3/4 (the 2 standard sizes for all lock sets; same price for both). He said he didn't know and would call me back after he spoke to whomever. I was a bit baffled because I wondered what he was going to order and bring for installation had I just agreed to his quote no questions asked. He called back and told me that because I was supplying the hardware, the installation would now cost $125 instead of $99, which I found a bit strange, but was willing to do. I asked again what the measurement of the backset was, and he said that they would need to come back out again to take that measurement which would cost another $35. A) Shady that all of a sudden there were multiple new charges after I discovered they were trying to gouge me on the hardware price B) I'm still confused on what hardware they were going to order if I had just agreed to their quote? C) Why wouldn't they have taken the quick standard measurement when they were onsite the first time knowing the job would entail replacing the entire hardware instead of wasting everyone's time to come back out again just to take a simple measurement? ...oh right so they can charge an additional $35 after I found out they were trying to rip me off. I argued for a few minutes trying to understand the logic in the above, then decided it wasn't worth it. Unbelievable how unabashed they are to rip people off! I understand a slight upcharge for ordering the hardware, but 3.5 times?! They lost all credibility with me. I wouldn't want them to step another foot into my apartment. Very bad business.

Very professional - On time and quickly finished -----------

It was very expensive. I called them up because they were on Angie's List and he came out. When he came out and only had one type of lock with him. All of the hardware that I have on the door is gold in color, and the one he had with him was only silver. He told me that he would go back and get another one, but I just didn't have the time for him to go all the way back to the store and back to my house, I needed the lock changed. So, I have a silver lock. It was incredibly expensive, but I do not have a way of comparing prices, so I don't know if he is more expensive than anyone else. It was $374 for the lock. He didn't clean up after himself, he left a mess that I had to sweep up. It is a good lock but not the one I wanted, it looks bad. I called them after finding them on Angie's List and did not call anyone else. The quality of the lock is probably good, but their quality of service was not so hot. I honestly don't remember if they were punctual. It is not professional to show up with one lock.

I was locked out and they had to drill through my existing lock and replace it. The lock that they installed was a high security lock that requires a serial number to even have a key made. I did not ask for this lock nor did I have any idea that I would be charged $400 for the lock itself. He never asked what I wanted or told me the astronomical price. When I went to have some copies of the new key made, that (other) locksmith told me that not only was I ripped off, but that the lock was a knockoff. He told me I should call better business bureau to complain. Luckily I was able to get some of my money refunded, especially now that the lock isn't even working properly, just a few months laterr. I've made 2 different appointments to have someone come fix it, and twice no one showed up. Bad locks, terrible service - stay away.

An excellent experience. The lock was changed in 10 minutes. He gave me a choice of two types of locks and explained the differences. It seems that the security lock is not drillable or pickable and I'd have to get spare keys made at the 14th street store, not at the local hardware store. He came on time even though we had 10 inches of snow the day before and the streets were still clogged.

EXCELLENT SERVICE A+ kicked tenant out, did not know until the DAY if the tenant would really leave [way too much legal drama-at least the locksmith was simple and easy drama free reliable] needed an inexpensive lock replaced between tenants, [spent $$$ on housing lawyer and did not have budget for much] they came same day: called 9am set up for 3 and then called back to move up to 130pm they were easy/flexible with my appointment time. EXCELLENT SERVICE easy, quick, and the guy was helpful [had contractors buzzing around and my super too-as the big transition was all playing out] asked for inexpensive lock [$75 for the work, $10 for lock and 2 keys] the key duping can be expensive though

On Friday night I was locked out of my apartment and my super did not have my key. I had kids and groceries with me, and we called Arties. They came in 15 minutes. I have high security locks on my door with heavy metal plates that they had to cut through and then replace. Despite that, we were inside about 15 minutes after the technician arrived, and 20 minutes later my lock was replaced with a new cylinder and plate that works better than the old one ever did. Don't let the Hardware in the name fool you. These guys are professional locksmiths and they know their stuff.