UPDATE on my reviews of Tom Handley of A Plus Lock & Safe This afternoon, Aug. 25th, Tom Handley gave me back my money for the safe lock that after 7 months he never delivered on. I feel lucky to have at least gotten part of my money back in this situation and appreciate the fact that Tom gave me a cashiers check to cover the amount. Tom did apologize for creating the situation and wasting so much of my time. I do appreciate the fact that in the end Tom acquiesced to the pressure of online reviews and returned part of the money I paid him. Sadly after 7 months, I still do not have a fixed safe lock. During those 7 months, Tom did not communicate in a professional manner and I spent ridiculous amounts of time chasing him and begging for updates either by phone of text. I truly believe that if I had not come up with the idea to have my boyfriend call from his phone, a number that Tom did not recognize as mine, about a made up problem with his own door, (read my first review) I would have never had absolute proof that Tom was intentionally not replying to my many efforts of communication. I have learned a lot from this situation. In the future, I will never pay more than a reasonable deposit for work to be done. I will require the receipt for the actual materials that were purchased for my job. (I now feel that the price I paid for the high security door locks was greatly inflated.) I will never hire anyone without checking references or reading reviews; no matter how nice they seem. I will make sure that I have a realistic time line, in writing, before I agree to hire any type of company. If by communicating my own frustrating and sad experience, I help one person avoid half of what I had to go through, I will know the time I have spent writing these reviews, has been worth it. read more

A Plus Lock & Safe - Text sent to Tom Aug. 17th. I never received a reply. - Keys & Locksmiths Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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Tom is absolutely outstanding! My elderly in-laws had a very old, unique European lock and safe that no one else seemed able (or willing) to touch. From the very first moment, Tom impressed us -- he replied immediately, arrived exactly when he said he would, and treated my in-laws with the kind of patience and respect you don't often see these days. What really blew me away was his expertise. He came prepared with most of the specialized parts right on the spot, and for the two rare antique pieces he didn't have, he knew exactly how to source them -- no easy task given the age and scarcity of these parts. His knowledge of antique and European mechanisms is second to none. Tom turned what could have been a nightmare into a smooth, stress-free experience. Professional, punctual, personable, and a true craftsman. You can't put a price on the peace of mind he gave my family. If you need someone you can trust with even the most difficult lock or safe challenge, Tom is your guy. We truly can't say enough good things -- highly, highly recommend! read more

The lock repair was completed on Monday July 28th to the customer's satisfaction. Locksmith communicated and came out and replaced broken lock. read more

BEWARE ...do not use TOM for any job you expect to be completed. DO NOT PAY HIM IN ADVANCE for a job. I first encountered Tom on JAN. 29, 2025 to repair a broken lock on a safe. He came across very nice and assured me he had the proper experience and knew the complexities of this particular safe lock. He was able to saw off the broken lock. He said he had to order the replacement lock. I paid in full for the very expensive safe lock (Medeco) replacement and his labor to install it. DO NOT MAKE THIS MISTAKE. HE IS A SCAMMER. Upon first meeting him, he was so pleasant that I fell for his scamming ways. Upon his suggestion, I even purchased two expensive Medeco door locks and paid in full for him to install them. I have spent the last 7 months chasing Tom to finish the job. I want to believe the good in people and with Tom I have made a huge mistake. A very expensive mistake. Throughout the last 7 months he has used every excuse in the book to not complete the job. He has said "the parts have not arrived." He has said "I am sitting in hospice with my brother." It took until April 28th and many phone calls from me to get the door locks installed. I had purchased extra expensive keys for the two doors. Tom did not bring all the keys to me when he finally showed up to install the locks. It took another two weeks for him to return with the extra keys which I had paid in advance for. Over 3 months to complete changing the door locks and get me the keys. It has now been 7 months that he has had over $600.00 from me for the safe lock and the job is still not complete. He returned to my home on July 26th, 2025 to finish the safe. After being there 15 minutes, he told me he had the wrong size part. He said it would take another week to get the necessary part. The lies simply continued. After ignoring daily voicemails and text messages, on Aug. 7th, 2025 he sent a text message saying the part had still not arrived and he was once again with his brother in hospice. I waited until Aug. 16th, 2025 to call again. I have never head for him again after repeated calls and text messages in the last week. My calls go immediately to voicemail. Knowing that Tom had SCAMMED me, I wanted to try one one more thing. Yesterday, I called Tom again to ask him to come to my home on Monday afternoon to finish the safe. My call immediately went to voicemail. I then had my boyfriend call him and he answered the phone right away. My boyfriend made up a story about his front door lock needing a complex repair and even sent Tom pictures of his unusual custom door. It was easy for Tom to see that it would be an expensive job. Tom said he could be at the house in 30 minutes to take a look at the problem. Tom was told that he could come on Monday afternoon and a time would be set up after my boyfriend looked at his schedule. Tom agreed. Today Tom has even sent text messages asking for more pictures and wants to confirm a time to arrive on Monday. Tom is a SCAMMER. Be smarter than me. Use a different locksmith and never pay in full before the job is complete; even if you are told the parts have to be ordered. read more

Worst locksmith!! Beware Tom installed a lock and it had issues on day 3. I called numerous times to get this fixed and after 2 months and numerous excuses of not wanting to return. He told me to call Schlage. Worst locksmith and customer service ever! Call someone else. I had to hire a reputable company. read more

We had a very positive experience with Tom. His service level and attention to detail to keep us happy and satisfied is top notch. He not only addressed our issue but also gave us relevant advice and had a genuine interest in making sure we understood everything fully. He has a very high technical talent that goes way beyond what we expected. We would not hesitate to recommend friends/family and to personally use his services in the future. Well done! read more

A+ Lock and Safe provided prompt response and service, good communication, and came out in a timely manner. Tom was a super nice guy to work with. I highly recommend and trust him. read more

Tom is GREAT!!! Extremely knowledgeable, attentive, punctual and professional! We threw a pretty tough job at him, and he truly handled it and we highly recommend!! read more

Tom is the best. I've been using A Plus Lock and Safe (formerly Economy Lock and Key) as my locksmith at my homes and business for almost 30 years. No other employees to deal with, just Tom, and he can do it all. Extremely trust worthy and knowledgeable. read more

A Plus Lock & Safe was certainly an A+. Tom not only took care of my locks that needed changing, but explained to me what was wrong with my door jam, and how to fix it!! He came when he said he would, and even gave us a veteran's discount. Besides that, he was very personable and truly a person that seems honorable. You can't go wrong with A Plus Lock & Safe! I will be recommending him to everyone I know. Nancy Marsh read more

I cannot believe we were directly lied to Tom said he was on his way with the key and would call us and let us know when he got close he when we called back 2 hours later said that they didn't have enough people on staff because it's a holiday weekend today apparently on Friday the 1st of July and because the 4th is on Monday they apparently can't cut a key today now why he didn't tell us that when he said it was $120 and he would be on his way I do not know why he's not answering his phone now I do not know we are in danger of getting towed and losing everything thanks a lot do not call a Plus towing what a horrible service read more

Tom is so friendly and accommodating. He installed 10 locks on difficult doors. It took some thought to find the right fit for the existing door but he got it done. Thanks Tom! read more

He is clueless. Claims to know everything and took 5 weeks to put in an electronic lock. The charges are extreme. Tom came once to the condo and could not get the install in correctly. He then told me a less superior lock was more expensive and I would have to pay another service charge of $150. The total price for an electronic lock that can only be changed at the door with only two codes, totaled over $500. Rip off. Keep looking for another locksmith . $ read more

I have been using Tom for about 30 years. I used to own a chain of stores ( Mr. Formal & Sta-Brite Cleaners) that needed to be re-keyed on a regular basis due to staff changes. Tom always was prompt, courteous, professional & did the job right. I am now a Realtor & continue to use Tom & also recommend him to my clients. He is the best in the business. read more

This guy is a Master Locksmith. No confused employees here. It's him. The man. Safe installation, key transponders, etc A+++

I discovered I was locked out of my house late, my dog had been indoors most of the day and I needed to get in quickly. I found apluslock and took the plunge and am glad I did. Tom arrived promptly, was very courteous and professional, and got me in the house quickly. He replaced my door lock and keyed it to my existing keys, which was aplus! Thank you Tom, now I have a locksmith I know I can trust. read more

Wow, when someone talks about good service they don't get anywhere near a plus lock and safe. I called and he was there within 30 minutes and had me in my apartment in 10 minutes. Couldn't have asked for a nicer guy or better customer service. If there was a 10 star rating I would have chosen that. read more

i needed a locksmith and they were all closed i phoned a-plus 20 minutes they were there professional knowledgeable reasonable - job done well - very happy thank you a-plus read more

I used this locksmith last year to install new locks in my home. He charged a fortune ,claiming that locks were the best. Stated that they had to be ordered and would take a week. that turned into a month. I had paid in full. i ordered 10 keys , of which he suggested he keep one . I declined that . Later he tried to give me only 9 and when i told he iha originally counted 10 he went out to his truck and found it. This year i called him back to repair a doorknob he installed andhe claimed the company went out of business. It did not, i found it on the internet.this went on for a month with him not coming to fix the door. Today when I called he said he was very sick and would call me when he was better.he had answered the phone sounding fine. I called him back on a different phone and pretended to be a foreign lady locked out of her Mercedes , and don't you know this hukster was just fine and would be happty to drive out to let me in the car. Don't use this Bad Man. I read more

I manage a resort on Siesta Key and have used Tom for years. He is prompt, efficient and friendly. He is very fair with his pricing. In my business I need people and companies I can depend on. He has never failed me. Be confident when you call him. read more