Buena Park Lock & Key Shop — Local services in Buena Park

I had almost forgotten places like this still exist! This shop is about as "old school" as it gets. Like meeting "The Keymaker" in that Matrix movie, I stood in a little bit of awe, at a giant wall Covered with keys. Walking past ancient looking locks, clasps, & safes, I handed the proprietor a key to a round clamshell lock I use for the garage. You see, this place was my last shot at getting duplicates made. I can't tell you how many other places and automated machines I stuck that little key into with no luck. Within only a few minutes I had a handful of duplicates I never thought I'd see. Was told they may not work and that a better job could be done if I had brought in the lock. I replied 'not a problem', as I didn't have much hope of even getting this far. Short story, the keys are a little snug, but they get the job done. So if you have anything lock-related and especially if it's old, rare, or just hard to find... save yourself a ton of time and try...

Today was a second try visit for help on a ignition car key. Another bad experience with ol' school locksmiths that been in the industry for many years. They do not want to make time for walk-ins. One can sense their bothersome disposition for small like customer issues. Bad vibe in the shop. Perhaps because the key shop has not changed in over 40 years as I remembered it. Must be the dust and all that Beach Blvd traffic. Too bad for this dying industry that will one day be replaced by another Asian shop. Goodbye forever! By the way, removed the Porsche tumbler cylinder with a wooden stir stick and a thin flat head driver. Took some patience, but pretty simple. Thank you for your rude and bad attitude. If it wasn't for that, I would have not learned about the tumbler cylinder mechanics. Knowledge is power. Take time to teach...

I have a remote keyless entry to my car (Toyota Prius C) that had a blank spare emergency key. Doug (key maker) had it made for me in less than one minute. And I was told a reasonable price and that there is no guarantee. I said yes, and handed him the spare and original. There were no-nonsense, or hassle. Just straight business. As I walked out with my new spare key, I thought maybe the new key will not work. But it did, I walked back to the store to let Doug know. Good experience overall, highly recommended.

Please note a lot of review mention there is "no guarantee", this is because it's a customer spare, and the shop doesn't have those spares sitting around, it becomes a problem for them to replace it. Anyways it was clearly posted...