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Categories: Keys & Locksmiths, Hardware Stores [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Temescal, North OaklandMon-Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Sat. 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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I just got back from having some keys made by Reed Brothers and had to say 'THANK YOU' some how. Here's the scoop, I needed duplicate copies of my motorcycle key because I have only one! I had actually purchased blanks off of eBay and brought them thinking of saving a few bucks. Well, don't do it!!! Reed Brothers carries just about every key made in the universe. And they made the copies for 'FREE' even though I didn't buy the blanks there originally. The catch was because I brought in my own blanks there was no guarantee the copies would work. But they said it would work anyways and not to worry. Now, that's what I call customer service. They just turned me into a repeat customer that is going to push their business where-ever I go! So, "THANKS AGAIN'! I'll be back to get the motorcycle handcuff lock soon too.
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Licensed, Reassuring, and Professional,
I got scammed by some small time operation out of walnut creek, who charged me $500 to rekey 3 locks.
I called these guys, they told me about the ongoing scamming happening, and sent guy out to rekey my locks for $150, and they educated me along the way. Go with Reed Bros. Security!
We have been customers of Reed Bros. for years, since a burglary drove us to installing an alarm. This week, we were literally "saved by the bell" -- somebody kicked in our front door, ran through the house looking for valuables, and then, a few seconds later when the alarm went off, fled without taking anything!
But we still had to fix our busted door. We called their office, and they sent Jason out a half-hour later, to look look at the damage and estimate repairs. But he did a lot more than that.
Jason explained to me why it had been so easy for someone to brazenly kick or shoulder our front door open. He recommended that we replace our screen door with a security door and cover the door-jamb trim with a steel jamb plate.
Since we hate tot learn hard lessons twice, we gladly arranged a morning appointment. Sure enough, first thing the next morning (in spite of a sudden rain and windstorm), Jason showed up and made the repairs.
The cost wasn't trivial, but our door is fixed, the new security door looks pleasantly normal, and our house is now much safer from would-be burglars. We're happy -- a few extra dollars spent on prevention is a lot less expense than all the stuff we might otherwise have had to replace.
Thank you again, Jason -- and Reed Bros.
I'm an idiot and I was in a hurry. I broke my key off in my front door lock. Who did I call? Reed Bros. It was 6 pm on a Friday and I needed it fixed fast. How fast? in less than an hour from breaking the key to all done. Fast, Professional, Responsible!
They just won't stop trying to take care of me so I'm going to go ahead and give them 5 STARS so that the persistent owner Randy knows that it IS ALL GOOD. Thank you!
The owner made an effort to contact me and make things better. That's worth something. Read more »
He tried to OVERCHARGE US.
So, we got locked out and had to call a locksmith to get us back in. Fine. I know that nighttime service usually costs more, but when we spoke with the guy, he quoted us a high price, then when he showed (and took all of 1 minute) to stick a hanger under the door and open the door, and then he tried to charge us a higher price. For what? And why? He personally quoted $125 on the phone, so why would he try to charge more in person? It's not like the job was difficult, he honestly just popped the door open with a hanger. He came to the residence, and it was well-known to him, close to his office, and safe. Trying to make a couple extra bucks in the middle of the night is dishonest and won't win my return business.
Gregory came out and installed new locks on our doors and garage. He knows what he's doing. Professional and friendly service. His office is in his truck (that's where all his tools are stored). Ask him about his scar...great story! Highly recommend.
While riding on AC Transit this morning, a Reed Brothers Security van nearly landed our AC Transit V bus in the ditch. At the Park Blvd on-ramp he came barrelling in and did not yield to the bus and instead shook his fist and panicked the 40 people on the bus with is road rage.
40-something white guy driving a brand new white Mercedes van with Reed Brothers Security on it. Traveling westbound on 580 at 7:40 AM on Tuesday, September 1st.
Dangerous, stupid and careless.
I called Reed Brothers and spoke with Dale who was very professional and polite. He took down the information and said that he would speak with the owner this morning about the incident. He encouraged me to document if I felt it would help.
They were able to schedule an appointment on the day I needed them, the technician was on-time, pleasant, professional, and efficient, and we appreciated the good advice regarding lock options. Well done!
I had two very old filing cabinets that needed opening and new keys made for at my office. The locksmith was really really nice, and very knowledgeable, and even showed up an hour early! It was affordable, and I will also be looking at them for an alarm system!
They are also a locally owned business that has been around for many years, and I appreciate that they are still around and hope that they will be for a long time!
These guys were fantastic, super nice on the phone and were even able to make a same day appointment. We just moved into our new home, and called in to replace a door knob and re-key a dead bolt, but realized we had another couple of locks to take care of. Greg finished the extra work in record time.
When I inevitably lock myself out of my house, these will be the first people I call.
I went to get a key made for our motorcycle. My husband had one made the day before in SF, but it didn't work. The atmosphere was very light and friendly and, although I did have to wait ten minutes before getting helped (hence the -1 star) the guy that helped me was great. What made it spectacular was that he couldn't find a key to fit the bike, so he took the key that didn't fit and re-cut it so it works - instead of charging me, he just said to send him some business, so here you go!
Safes, locks, chains, keys, everything security is available and I highly recommend this place if you need something.
While Jack & I were on a cruise, our housemate John lost his keys. No identifying info. Then when we returned we found a note for found keys close by. We gave him the info. He left a message. I told him to meet whomever on neutral territory.
This morning he informs me that the guy called. He told him to come to our house! Those were not our keys. I was afraid that it was a scam and he had our keys and may try to get in the house. Not a high probability but possible.
So I went to the locksmith in Alameda that I had seen in the past. Very nice fellow. But he told me their license was inactive. I asked for a recommendation. The only one he could give me was Reed's.
I called expecting a two week wait. I was promised a same day service call. Indeed, Casey showed up on time. He changed all our locks, replaced some that needed it, and he was was very personable, knowledgeable, and proud.
Great service!
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I've been to these guys 4 or 5 times over the past few years. They are awesome. I've gotten new keys, new doorknobs, old doorknobs re-keyed, and a new lock put into an auto trunk. They have hinges, safes, lockboxes, and anything else you can imagine you might need for security.
Sometimes they can be a little grumpy, and sometimes there seem to be a bunch of people working there while lots of customers wait in line. But that is just the culture of the business....by the time you get up to the counter, you will be amazed at what they know and how professionally they treat you.
GO THERE!!!!!
I needed a deadbolt installed on my apartment door, and received fast and friendly service. I called at 8am and had a technician installing the lock by 10:30am the same morning. Price was reasonable and technician very knowledgeable. The one possible downside is that I do not know much about locks and asked for a simple deadbolt. It seems I was somewhat pressed to buy a slightly more expensive and "better" lock...I bought it but don't know what the true difference in the locks was. Price was only about $10 different, so no big deal, but made me think twice about whether or not I was simply being upsold.
Regardless, highly recommended.
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Most of you probably don't think you need Reed Brothers, but you do. I'm not talking about having a high-end security system installed, but just for having keys made. I'm sick of going to places--like a drugstore--where they also happen to make keys. They always come out screwed up. Why not go to the professionals--like Reed Brothers--and have your key done right the first time? Plus, if you ever need a huge safe that would fit a person (like Dick Cheney apparently needs). They have that too. A surprisingly fun browsing experience, I must add.
8/13/09--Have an update. We had a deadbolt jam up on us, thanks to using some non-Reed-duped key. I de-installed the deadbolt and took it into Reed (Well, I took to Ome-Ha Epot-Da because it was late and Reed was closed, but of course they couldn't help). I expected Reed to sell me a new deadbolt. But, no...they went after it like a great puzzle, took it apart, and put it all together again better than new. That plus 3 new improved keys ran us about twenty bucks a change. A great deal and kinda fun, too. Their customer service and professionalism is just astoundingly great.
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CAUTION! I asked them if they could make a key for a master padlock via the number on the lock. They said yes. First mistake by me, I didn't ask the price. $15 ! which is more than a new lock costs! Second, mistake by them, it didn't work and they don't guarantee their keys will work so the customer is out of luck, and cash. Bottom line, expensive and useless.
I rented an office space with a very old, and very sturdy (but VERY Locked) file cabinet. We called Reed Brothers to take care of it. The technician was incredibly knowledgeable and professional. He managed to get the cabinet unlocked without having to drill out the lock, and then returned a couple of hours later with keys (made on the right blanks! which must have been around since the 50's!), a cleaned up lock, and a bill that was definitely lower than purchasing a new, lockable, file cabinet.
I found out that they are a locally owned company that has been in business for dozens of years. I hope they'll be around at least as many more!
Can't say enough about Reed Brothers. Excellent customer service, skilled technicians, and a knowledgeable staff that recommends appropriate locks and other hardware. They have a very easy to access postal box rental service, too! As noted elsewhere in reviews, these folks are local and really care about the community! They give back in so many ways. Highly recommended!
These guys are honest and incredibly helpful. I called Reed because the steering wheel locked on my car. Rather than selling me costly service they explained to me that I should try to turn the wheel. When that didn't work I called back and another employee (Dale) offered another free suggestion. Neither one of them talked down to me even though I obviously knew nothing about cars. With their telephone advice I got into my car without spending a penny. I am very grateful and will gladly turn to them when I ever have to hire a locksmith.
I'd highly recommend Reed Brothers for changing or re-keying a lock and your other security needs. I just had them stop by my house to replace a lock and the customer service was absolutely wonderful. They came the same morning I called them, right when they said they would. Not only was the guy very friendly and took the time to answer all my questions about locks, he also checked out another door I was having problems with and gave me some recommendations on how to fix it--no charge. I'll be using them again soon!
What a treat to find a business that is well run, has happy and helpful employees and is right down the street from my house.
I'd gone to several other locksmiths trying to copy a dead bolt key but only Reed Brothers were able to help me. I guess it was a weird/old/obscure key?
Anyway, I was helped right away when I walked in and while I was waiting for them to grind the key, each employee that happened to walk by asked to make sure I'd been assisted. They all seemed genuinely friendly, energetic and engaged. The polar opposite of the unhelpful zombies you find working at Home Depot.
Thanks Reed Brothers!
These guys are in a stable, growth industry - security in Oakland. They can make almost any key known to man, though they failed on my mailbox key. They can fix your car door locks when somebody pries them out with a screwdriver, though I repaired them myself with a new lock cylinder, some washers, and JB Weld. Now it's stronger, thieving bitches who stole my stereo.
They have bars for your windows too, but I would never buy them - makes your home feel like a prison. They have wallet chains, fake cans of spam to hold your keys, safes, all sorts of security items. Their prices on doing rekeying are reasonable and I have used them a few times for this. They're only a mile away from home. Reed Brothers is who you call, not the shady AAAA Locksmith types.
I locked my keys in the car so I called Reed Brothers to unlock it. Walt did not give up on my very secure car until he unlocked it! He was very kind, understanding, knowledgeable, and hardworking. The next day Dale helped me with another lock problem on my car and went above and beyond what I had ever expected and drove across the bay to meet me at work! This saved me much time off of work and stress. He was also very kind, knowledgeable, and quick! Overall Reed Brothers exceeded my expectations and I recommend them.
We wanted to spend a couple of thousand dollars on new locksets and doors, and actually went to the store to place the order, but as it turns out, the people who can look up things in catalogs aren't there on the weekends. Call on Monday, they say.
We called on a Monday, and had an appointment made, and we're already forgetting about the lack of service at the store.
Unfortunately, Reed Brothers is fine with making appointments, but not so good with the whole "showing up" part. They never did, and upon calling them again, they didn't even have us in the calendar. Thank god I took the day off to be there.
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What I time I had getting a new ignition for my early-90's Saturn sedan! It was stolen on Super Bowl Sunday, and the thief used a screwdriver to run the thing the whole time they had it.
When the cops called me two weeks later to tell me they had found it,
I actually convinced them not to tow it, that I would take care of it.
It was parked in the Adams Point area, in pretty good condition.
However, if I had not been introduced to Walt while I was running around Oakland looking for parts with the Locksmith I had hired, I don't know what I'd have done. The locksmith I was running around with actually confessed he couldn't help me, "But Walt, he said, Walt is the man!"
So, I was handed off to Walt and he made an appointment through Tammy back at the office, to meet at my car the next day.
The guy did an amazing job. They had ripped the crap out of that ignition, but Walt patiently worked and chatted and gave me relationship advice; as he could see something was developing between me and the other locksmith.
Don't expect this every time, but he did something amazing. Something tradesmen don't always do.
He charged me the flat rate he had quoted me the day before, and didn't charge me by the hour! I would recommend this company and their work very highly. A very well deserved 5-stars
These guys know their stuff. The staff is incredibly helpful & knowledgeable. They have a wide range of products at competitive prices. They help you out with your concerns without making you feel so paranoid that you think you ought to buy everything in the store just to keep your kids safe while they sleep.
Walt at Reed Brothers Security is my Angel!!! My keys would not work on my car yesterday. I was completely locked out. Apparently someone tried to break into my car and messed up the driver's side lock which controls all of the doors. I called around for estimates and was near tears when I was told it would cost several hundred dollars to just get into the car with no guarantees of a fix. The neighbor was threatening to have my car towed because it was parked in front of her house for 3 days...I was near a meltdown. I checked out Yelp and saw Reed Brothers Security has great reviews...Called them today, Walt showed up and not only was able to open the car but he cut a key and saved me from going to the dealership and spending over $800 dollars to have the whole lock system replaced! This company is awesome, reliable and very experienced and professional. The price was very reasonable and I highly recommend using Reed Brothers Security. The best part was I never felt they were trying to take advantage of my situation by ganking me!
-Very satisfied customer 1-2-2009
Randy and Ron Reed and their staff at Reed Brothers are the best at what they do, which is provide security solutions and great customer service. They are also pro-Oakland community activists who are involved in their local business improvement district and merchant's association, our public schools, smart growth, and many other issues of local concern. Every year they set up a booth at the Temescal Street Fair and sell hot dogs to benefit the two neighborhood public elementary schools. One of those is my son's school. Pretty much every year, we ask Randy to loan us his "Chariot of Fire," which is a massive, portable, towable barbecue pit, for one of our school fundraisers. He does this for public schools all over North Oakland, delivering and picking up the chariot himself, and patiently instructing volunteers on how to use it. On New Year's Day 2008, when my business was broken into and burglarized, it was Randy whose cell phone I called, before I bothered to call the police (who had already been called by the alarm company, but still). Randy rolled out of bed at 6:30am on New Year's Day, and came straight over to begin repairing damage to doors and locks. He also helped clean up, reconnect and troubleshoot damaged computer equipment, sweep, vacuum, and anything else. When a stolen monitor made it difficult to troubleshoot the computer equipment, Randy went to his office and came straight back with a monitor for me to use while we got back up and running. Randy is a pillar of the community and Reed Brothers Security reflects that personal approach. They receive the highest possible rating in my world.
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