Bullis Lock Co

The quality of the work was fine and on quality alone I would recommend them. Also Mike was extremely nice when I called a few times asking many questions. (Is there an Angie's list discount, is it better to get different keys for deadbolt and knob lock, tell me about the different quality locks, etc.) However I would only give them a C overall as they did a bait and switch with me. This is the exact written quote I was given in advance:
1.00 SERVICE CALL $75.00
REKEY EACH LOCK $25.00 EACH
NEW LOCKS $25.00 TO $35.00 EACH
OPEN AND REPLACE MAILBOX LOCK $50.00
PRICING IS GOOD FOR 30 DAYS ONLY
    Mike also verbally told me all of the above, that the higher quality locks would be $35 and the standard ones would be $25. He told me it would cost the same to rekey or get a new standard lock. I was surprised by this, since one involves a new lock, but I thought that maybe because the rekeying is more labor intensive it evens out. (Especially since I didn't have the original deadbolt key and also 2 of the locks were missing bolts). Mike volunteered that he would send out both quality of locks so I could decide when I saw them. I last spoke with him in the morning before the service call. He said he forgot to ask me what color of lock I wanted, and I said likely the brass ones but again he volunteered to send both kinds so I could see them. (I was getting the locks for a new condo and I appreciated this as I couldn't remember the color of the existing locks.) I let him know that I had decided on the higher quality locks for the deadbolt locks and would decide on the doorknob locks at the time.
    When George arrived and started work he informed me that the higher quality doorknob locks would cost $59. At this point I called Mike as this is not what he had told me. He checked, and then said that yes the higher quality doorknob locks would be $59 but the higher quality deadbolt locks would be $35. (I found out later that it actually was $45, but they were going to honor their quote on that one.) So I had the work done, with the higher quality deadbolts and the standard doorknob locks. George did need to go back to the shop, as he did not have all the locks he needed (e.g. he had one higher quality deadbolt in brass and one in chrome,  even though I had told Mike that I wanted both deadbolts to be higher quality and most likely in brass.)
     When I received the bill I was charged $70 for the 2 deadbolts and $50 for the 2 doorknob locks, as expected. I was charged  $75 for the service call, as expected. I was charged $13 for the mailbox lock, and $100 for labor. That felt like another bait and switch. What I was told verbally and in the written quote is that it would be $50 to "open and replace mailbox lock". "Open and replace" should include open and replace, but actually they charged me $50 just to open the lock, and then $13 for the lock and $10 to install it. The other $40 labor was $10 to install each of the other locks. I have never owned a condo before and never replaced locks before, so I guess I was naïve to think that the labor charge for installing locks was included in what I was quoted (either in the service call charge or in the lock charge). But a quality company, one that is fully straightforward, would include ALL the charges in their quote when asked what it will cost to replace locks. Also Mike telling me it would cost the same to rekey or get new standard locks was totally misleading. He did not say it would cost the same labor, he just said it would cost the same. He did not say it would cost the same to rekey or to install new locks (of either kind). He specifically said it would cost the same to rekey or get new standard locks. Based on what he said, and since I saw both listed at $25, I took that as the total price for either.  I gave Bullis a C rather than an F because they did give me a discount in order to make up some of the discrepancy between what I was quoted and their normal charges. They only charged me $10 for each lock install and I think their normal price is $25. They gave me the $45 higher quality deadbolt locks for $35. They did not charge me for coming out twice, although I think this is fair as George did not come out with the right locks initially. So they took a loss, but all of this could have been avoided if they had been straightforward with their quote. People need to be paid fairly for their work, and if Bullis had just been upfront about the real charges I could have made an informed decision about whether to work with them. I did mention to Tony, the owner, that he should train his people to give accurate quotes, and he said that he would. So if they do change in this respect they could be a great company, as I have no complaints with the work. But I do not plan to use them again, nor will I recommend them to my friends, as I really do not appreciate companies who bait and switch. Hopefully they will learn through this experience that some customers are not knowledgeable as to what charges to expect so Bullis needs to be very clear. Certainly I have learned to ask is this everything? when given a quote.
      As for my grading them, I gave A for responsiveness because Mike was extrordinarily nice with answering my many questions. I initially gave D on price and professionalism because of the misleading quote (no labor charges) and blatant bait and switches on open and replace mailbox lock and cost of higher quality doorknob lock. On reflection I upgraded the professionalism to a C because of the price adjustments, but I still I give them a C overall due to my distaste for bait and switch.

work performed took less than one hour. work was satisfactory and has never since been a problem

Bullis came to the building, performed an inspection of the properties existing locks and provided some very helpful recommendations as to how we could improve security. After this free consultation Terry called back with a quote that same day then Bullis promptly followed up by emailing a copy of the quote. Once we authorized the installation of their Multilock system Bullis provided all of the new keys so they could be distributed to the residents prior to the installation of the new locks so as to limit any possible disruption. Bullis was very accommodating as we arranged an installation date and Terry was here right on time and completed the job well within the estimated time frame. Terry was also able to provide some good advice and price ranges for automatic door closing options that we are planning to use. Great job!

We needed a new exterior door knob and lock on a back door.  Bullis came out on time and on the date they said they would.  The knob was installed and keyed to match the old key in less than an hour.  The total price was fair and the workmanship was great.  I've used Bullis for a number of things around my condo building and they're always professional.  There have been times where they've even come out and done consultative work at no charge.  These guys are great.

See above.

They were very helpful, very professional and the office is clean. They offered to remove the locks and replace them and they seem very knowledgeable.

My previous experience with Bullis had only been for making duplicate keys - particularly for old home locks (my sister even had them duplicate an old skeleton type key for her home). But they were always helpful and professional. When I stopped in their shop on Addison to inquire about my lock problem, I wasn't able to sufficiently describe the type of mortise lock, so they made a service call. Turned out that the type I had - with the inner thumb turn NOT exactly opposite the outer key cylinder) was not possible to be repaired, and the size of the old lockset was not consistent with modern ones so could not be replaced. So they recommended a new deadbolt. The installation was very quick and professional. Although he joked apologetically about leaving me a pile of sawdust to remove. (a dust buster made quick work of it).

FIRST OFF, LARRY SAID HE'D ARRIVE AT 9 AM, WHICH HE DID, ON THE NOSE. HE QUICKLY EVALUATED THE SITUATION, CHECKED THE OLD PARTS TO SEE IF THEY COULD BE REUSED AND REMOUNTED, WHICH THEY COULD BE, AND THEN QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY DID THE REMOUNTING. HE WAS VERY POLITE, VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE. I HONESTLY CAN'T SAY IF THE PRICE WAS REASONABLE OR NOT, AS I'VE NEVER HIRED A LOCKSMITH BEFORE, AND I DIDN'T PRICE OUT THE JOB BEFORE I HIRED BULLIS.

TERRY WAS VERY FRIENDLY AND OFFERED HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS.

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