Baldino’s Lock & Key

unknown

Excellent.

Arrived 15 minutes early.  Communicated well.  Clean work, unobtrusive and very thorough.  I felt the price I paid was fair for the amount of work done.  They scheduled someone very quickly.

They did an awesome job. His price was reasonable and came out the next day. He showed up early.

unknown

The store knew exactly what I wanted and provided options, the installer was on time and did a very professional install considering the prior owner/installer did very poor prior install. The installer corrected other issues caused by the prior installation. Everybody was extremely professional.

unknown

Recently moved into a large new home in Rosement neighborhood in Alexandria. The property had a huge number of exterior and interior doors, all with different locks.  Previous owner's had a dozen different keys for different locks.  Our goal was to change all the locks to new keys for security and have all  exterior locks on one key.
 
Given the sheer size of the place, and the high number of doors, we knew it would be a big job. Baldinos was recommended by our Real  Estate agent as a quality locksmith with a good reputation in Old Town area.  Called on a Thursday and got a time window the next day - 10am to 2 pm.
Brad called about 11:30 and said he'd be at our house at noon, which he was. 
Brad was polite and professional.  He listen to our directions, surveyed the house and got work.   He encountered some tricky situations (there is a separate apartment with the property), he called us over and explained the situation and made recommendations (separate key for the apartment locks) which we followed.
Brad was at our house for nearly 3 and 1/2 hours, working quietly  and efficiently.  At completion, we had new lock sets, one key for all exterior doors and separate keys for the apartment.  

unknown

Good work, but the technician was not personable.

GREAT PLACE!  Two years ago, a neighbor recommended Baldino's when I wanted to change the locks on my home.  Their Clarendon branch performed that service (promptly and with great customer service!).  
This time, I needed to unlock a pricey suitcase that I inadvertently locked while I was changing the lock's combination.  I called the manufacturer first.  They suggested that perhaps a locksmith could do it, sparing me the $75 it would cost me to ship it to them for repair.  So, I called Baldino's main line, explained the problem, and they recommeneded Chris at the Landmark location.  They said he was one of their most experienced locksmiths, and they were sure he could handle this. And he did!  Took him only a few minutes. Both Chris and the colleague he was working with at the shop (part time, retired Pentagon guy) were very polite, friendly, answered my questions and didn't make me feel silly for accidently locking the suitcase!  I'd go back anytime.  I'll be sure to use them for any future needs.

I visited the store on Duke Street in Alexandria, and saw a couple of safes that looked like they might work. However, the person at the store had no experience with safes, and could not tell me any specifications (burglary rating, fire rating, etc), and could not even find the pricing. He then admitted that he works at another location, and was only in this store on Saturdays, so I should come back during the week.

I then tried calling Baldino's main number during a weekday, and was transferred to 'Kevin', who was their safe specialist. I told Kevin what I was looking for, and he said he would take a look at some options, and call me back. That sounded good, but after hearing nothing from Kevin for several days, I called again. Kevin told me he was still checking, but he would call me the next morning. Several days later, I called Kevin a third time, and he said he was waiting on getting the prices. A week later, I called again (fourth time), and Kevin said he was just too busy, and he still hasn't gotten the information he needed, and he would have to call me back. I pointed out that he had not called me back any of the three prior times, and I asked to speak to a manager. Kevin stated he was the manager, so I asked to speak to *his* manager, but Kevin said they are all "in a different location", and could not talk to me.
I went back to the physical store, and pointed to a model, and asked "how much is this safe". The clerk again had no idea of the price, and said he'd have to call and get that information, so I should come back.
Bottom line - after two in store visits, and 4 phone calls across two weeks, I still have not been able to get any information on buying a safe. I am baffled why they are so unwilling to sell a $2,000-3,000 safe.
I cannot attest to their locksmith service, but their sales of safes is deplorable.

 

The locksmith dedicated at least a half hour to make the impossible happen--he fashioned a key that unlocked the safe (which was empty), then quickly made a new lock and key so that I could use it again.

I thought that it was expensive. They came out and didn’t do anything for the lock but still charged for the service. I don’t have any problem with the lock now.

I have always been happy with their service.