They don't know the left hand from right one. I paid over $27.00 for copies of 3 same key..... not even one fit in the lock and they wanted me to drive back to re do it. read more

Can I give a rating lower than 1 star?? We were forced to use them on a commercial project as they had the master key system for the building. They demanded payment up front. We had the cylinders shipped to them from the manufacturer. It took them months to provide the cylinders back. then we were short cylinders. Both myself and the building owner have been working with them for a year and a half and we still do not have the cylinders that they must have lost. Now they want us to purchase replacement parts. STAY AWAY. read more

I was referred to Glavin by the guys at Chicago Wholesale Hardware & Jobbing Company since they didn't have a mail key available for copies. I didn't realize it was that difficult to duplicate a mail key ... even Home Depot didn't have that type of key. The guy was very helpful and the keys are strong and very durable - good quality. They have a huge selection of keys so I wouldn't be worried that they may not have the right type. Don't waste your money at Home Depot where they use an automated machine to copy keys. You may pay a slightly higher fee at Glavin but at least you won't have to go back to have them fix their mistakes. They got it right on the first try! read more

First things first, it's hard to find a place that makes keys, and ones that are open with normal business hours. This is not one of them...they do close at 1PM and are only open Monday thru Friday. How do I get these office hours? Anyway, I have condo keys and they can't be duplicated at Home Depot, which is a major pain in the butt. I live downtown so I was able to jump in the car and park in their free parking lot (BONUS) during lunch. Keys are guaranteed to work -- I heard him drop the keys on the ground and was concerned I'd have 2 of the same key. Nope!!! Every one of them worked, splendidly! Also note, this place isn't cheap -- for 3 sets of keys (3 double-sided and 1 mailbox) it was $75. They accept all major credit cards and cash. read more

I had never heard of this business until I had to get a hold of them last week. I'm not surprised their rating is just three stars. I got home and my key got stuck in the lock and almost broke. I gave them a call to see if I'd be able to get a key made that day; the woman who answered the phone said they wouldn't be able to make a key that day as no one was available. She also told me that I'd have to have my landlord call in as she's the only person authorized to request keys (at least this part makes sense). The worst part about this experience is that my landlord contacted them (just an hour or two after I had called in) and she was told that they could have someone over to take care of the issue but because it was so late in the day, it would be considered an emergency and the charge would go up from $279 (non-emergency) to $460. How convenient-they weren't able to help earlier in the day but when they can charge almost double someone is suddenly available. This place is shady and I'd avoid them if you can. But hey, at least the locksmith was friendly. read more

We live right around the block. Thought I'd use a local West Loop company for getting our locks re-keyed. We have a new placed and want to re-key the locks, all to the same new key. Basic Schlage handles and deadbolts. 3 handles, 3 deadbolts, and install 3 pry bars. THEY WANT $1,000 to do this job!!! Yes, that is correct...$1,000. We already have the handles and deadbolts. We did not want them to install them. Just re-key them. We could bring them to them as well so there's not even a house-call visit. $1,000!!! I echo the other yelp review about their ridiculous prices. They may be get good reviews for copying a key or special unique lock services. I would NEVER recommend for basic re-keying jobs. read more

Polite & Friendly customer service who were very helpful finding the key that I needed based on the type of lock that was not replaceable.

Friendly staffed greeted me right when I walked in. And it was right when they opened too so they are ready to work. Got keys copied in less than 10 mins and was out the door for the next stop on my errands run. Need "special" keys that can't be dupped at the usual hardware store (Menards, Home Depot, etc.)? Come here. They know their biz! read more

I have called Glavin for help many times for many years. They are by far the best, in fact I tell people - They Secure Chicago. Quality work by quality people. Only the best products are used, and again highly trained locksmiths. read more

Stay far away from this place! They told me that it would take a week to send someone out to do a simple key extraction, and it was going to cost $279 for the service call!!! Really? read more

Called and asked about getting a lock repaired on a tool chest and they told me it would be $253.00.. stating it was a trip charge and repair.....I'm less then a mile away. Try someone else! How can you quote for something you haven't seen or even asked any questions about! Can you say RIP OFF! read more

My condo association uses Glavin for locks and keys so that's how I found them. They are true specialists not only in cutting keys, but in the art of security. Check them out and take special note of their hours of operation. read more

With my experience I would highly recommend them. Joe, the gentleman that helped me was wonderfully pleasant and efficient. I had to get approximately 20- 25 keys copied and I was in and out of there so quickly, and he was even able to help customers between my order. Much better customer service than I've had at any larger home improvement store. We will be using their services again. read more

Very unresponsive to customer requests. Initial call was made on 2/13. I called on 2/20 to see if anyone was coming out, someone came out on 2/23. No contact was made until 3/6 when I emailed again for the proposal. Was followed up via email that they would not be moving forward three weeks after contact was made. For the record, im not upset that they are opted to not do the work, but a phone call would have been far more professional and customer service orientated, especially given the time lapse. read more

highly recommend. free parking lot. tons of keys. like K M said, don't waste your money at a big box store like home depot. i might just break my doors lock just so i can have it replaced by glavin :) read more

I went out of my way to get there and circled the block twice before finding parking. And while standing outside in front of the main door I was forced to call to ask for an " Appointment" to have two keys made. The person told me I did have to make an appointment and they were only available to people who already had an account there. Unbelievable !! I try to use my local businesses whenever possible. I will never go back there again. They are NOT CUSTOMER FRIENDLY!!!!! read more

We waited two weeks for a quote and had to follow up with them twice before receiving the quote. It then took another two weeks just to get a call from the service department to schedule the job. Once the service took place, there was an issue with a part and was another week and half before job completed. read more

ahhh glavin-I used to like you and have even referred clients and neighbors to your business. Met them 7 years ago to rekey the locks on my condo, as a single gal the locksmith was very nice and informed me on the type of lock that was on my door (medco) and even suggested that I get two different keys for the top and bottom to further prevent someone from breaking and entering. Fast forward to 2010 and I have called the company three time, left a message with no return phone call and finally got someone on the phone. Word of advice-your clients are not locksmiths so please use laymens terms when describing the scope of work. While this company is very knowledgeable and I would call them again for a high security issue, in this case I needed to rekey some existing locks on my new home the estimate came back outrageously high. (although you get what you pay for) the client rep couldn't tell me the availability of the locksmith and in the end I felt confused and not sure what to do. read more

Friendly staff!! was able to find a lock part that I couldnt find at any other location... Just a note call first for in- person customer service you need a appointment... read more

So for the last 3 years our bottom door knob lock was sticking. It would lock itself/get stuck even when we didn't lock it. It hadn't been a big issue until this past Friday. I stepped back outside to get something, the door shut and locked. My keys, phone, oh and also my 3 month old baby were locked inside. Without my phone I couldn't call anyone to be able to help me. I knew that Glavin was 2 blocks away so I ran over. The immediately had one of their guys come back with me without hesitation. He (Mike) had me in the house quickly and my little one had hardly noticed I was gone (he was still safely strapped into his car seat stroller). Mike then removed the cylinder that was causing the door to stick and took pictures to be able to order a new one for us. They didn't charge me anything for the emergency visit and called me the next day with an estimate for a new cylinder in the door. I honestly don't know what else I would have done if they hadn't helped me as quickly as they did. read more