Madden’s Lock & Safe

First time using Madden Lock & Safe. Needed to replace a lost transponder key for a ’99 Honda. Checked with several local dealers who all wanted over $ 100 for the key, cutting & programming. Checked with several mobile locksmiths who wanted $ 100+ for the same. Checked online and could buy a blank transponder key from $ 10-​$ 20 and would need to have it cut & programmed. Watched several UTube videos showing guys programming the keys by just putting them into the ignition and turning on & off. After talking to Gary I decided to purchase his key and have him program it. The total for the key & programming was $ 70. It took him about 10 minutes to have it done. He did more than just put the keys in the ignition & turn it on & off. He had some special machine he hooked up and he had a book for programming my model. My three keys all worked. I don’t know what he would have charged if I brought in a key I purchased just for cutting & programming. He has a Square Pymt terminal so I wouldn’t call him old school. He’ll take alot of different forms of payment. I don’t live in the area of the shop but it was worth the drive. Great job!

Came in with a blank car key I got online to have it laser-​cut by Gary. I was in and out within 10 minutes. The key of course works perfectly but I have to get the chip inside programmed by the dealership. He accepts Cards using a Square Payment terminal, I’m sure he’d prefer cash as he seems old school. This guy has been in business since 1979 so I’m sure he knows what he’s talking about when it comes to key replacements. Great price and saved me cash from going to the dealership. (Would’ve been $ 195 from BMW)

Have used Madden Lock and Safe for many years with outstanding success. Most recently I lost my car keys and when I went to the Dealer, Perry Infiniti, in Escondido, they quoted me $ 450 to replace one of the remotes for my car. Called Gary at Madden Lock and Safe who found me a replacement on line, ordered it for me, and programmed the new remote for the total amount of $ 99.00. Great service!!!
Now for the Unilocal review for Perry Infiniti!!!

I ordered some more of the Nissan key blanks to replace the ones ruined by the other locksmith. I stopped by Madden’s today to have another one cut. I was in and out quickly and, once again, the key worked perfectly.
As a bonus, he was slightly less expensive than the other locksmith. Madden’s saved me money, the other locksmith cost me money.

I called 9 – 10 places to get a quote on programming 2 remote fobs I bought for the Jeep, Mr. Madden was the closest and the fairest price. When I got there he pleasantly got right to work, turns out these ‘discount’ fobs would not work, he sold me two of his for $ 130, programmed! That’s the best deal in town, he’s honest, and I love mom and Pop stores, he’s on Midway in Escondido, but I’d drive there from Vista to use Mr. Madden again, thank you so much! BTW, the two nasty reviews down below are hogwash, one is an outright lie, and the other one the lady works for a competing business, always beware the super negative reviews. I guarantee this guy is good.

The key to my car was worn with age and was difficult to turn in the ignition. I was quoted $ 200 – 400 to repair it by a few mobile services. Then I called Pep Boys for advice and they immediately told me to go to Madden’s. I called Mr. Madden and he told me to come right in and it would be $ 95. He quickly re-​keyed my car’s ignition. He definitely knew what he was doing and I left there a very happy camper.

Called this business to have them unlock our apartment door. He quoted us $ 60. We just moved into this apartment not too long ago so we obviously don’t have real proof that this is our true address (drivers license, bills etc.). Nobody is in our leasing office on Sundays and for the past 4 hours we’ve been trying to get a hold of our «emergency maintenance» to no avail. A locksmith is our last resort. This guy was rude and said he didn’t want our business and didn’t want to get arrested due to us not having proof of residency and hung up the phone. Not wanting to get arrested is understandable obviously. But there are a ton of other ways to go about letting a potential customer know that you would not be willing to be of service. So we called a place called «The Lock Doctor» which is only 5 miles further AND $ 10 cheaper. He will be here in 10 mins and does not need proof from us other than us letting him know what’s inside our apartment as he does a walk through! Go to The Lock Doctor as he is obviously more willing to help those in need of locksmith service! Not to mention he’s cheaper and has a better attitude!

Madden’s prices are great and he has over 35+ years experience as a locksmith.
I always go to him to cut my keys!

Needed to replace an ignition tumbler and a new key for my Odyssey, called around town and eventually got referred to Madden’s Lock & Safe. Talked to Gary briefly over the phone to get an estimate of the job and an available time. He sounded like a grumpy person over the phone, but boy what a complete 360 it was meeting him in person.
Gary’s a down to earth guy. He jokes around a lot, but a hard worker that made sure everything is working perfectly when he handed you your new car keys. The prices were very fair and reasonable compared to getting a new key from the dealership. He only accepts cash and personal checks.
Definitely come here for your car key and tumbler needs!

As a business owner, we have recommended him to our customers several times over the years. Gary is very punctual and reasonably priced.

Like the previous reviews say, HORRIBLE customer service. I walked in today while waiting for my food to be ready at a nearby taco shop. I went in looking for high security locks and the guy went on about special orders and installs. I said it’s not for an install just for hobby. I’m a computer security engineer and many of us also pick locks. He asked if I had my license and I said no, I don’t need one because I’m not a locksmith, just someone who lockpicks as a hobby and part of the security culture. His attitude quickly changed and he started saying it was illegal for me to be in his store or for him to even talk to me. He kept saying he can’t help teach me to be a locksmith. He is quite old so I’m sure he didn’t hear half of what I said, but I’ve been lockpicking for over a decade and would bet money that I’m much better at his own profession than he is even though it’s just a hobby to me. All I was looking for was a catalog of some sort to see what they offered in the high security lock area. All they have in this store are residential locks, standard padlocks and bad attitudes. It is definitely NOT illegal for me to be in his store just because I pick locks. I have taught a police officer how to pick locks, and have even been arrested on non-​lockpicking related charges and had my lockpicks on me. They noticed them, and put them with the rest of my stuff, and gave them back to me when I got out the next morning. Why? Because it’s not illegal to have lockpicks, and it’s not illegal to pick your own locks whether you have a license or not.
Even after his attitude went south I still gave his store a look and would have purchased something if I wanted to add it to my collection, but he kept on saying and even telling some guy outside «this guy here is trying to be a locksmith» as he rushed me out the door.
I honestly don’t see the point in this store even being there. If all they carry is residential stuff then why not just take your business to lowes or home depot where you can get the same stuff he offers but with much better customer service. If you have to special order locks why would I bother driving to your store when I can «special order» them myself off the internet?

I was referred to Madden’s by Home Depot for a car key that needed to be duplicated. HD did not have the blank. I called Madden’s and got a lady on her cell phone. I informed her what I needed and then she said to hold on since she had to pull over to check her books (whatever that meant).
She asked for the year, so I told her the year and make/​model. She then asked if I needed it now. I didn’t but that threw up a red flag – are they mobile only? I didn’t need a mobile, i.e. $$$, service. So I asked her if it was a mobile service only or if they had a store front. She says they have a store front and then, get this: she tells me to stop asking so many questions. Huh?
She quotes me $ 20 for a key replacement and states that she can do it today as she’s driving back to the store. Kind of expensive, so I explained that I’m going to Lowes first to see their price, and if it’s not lower, I’ll come by to her shop. Before I could finish it, she says: «OK. Say hi to the guys at Lowes.» And then she hangs up on me.
Why would anyone want to go to a place where free market and comparison on the behalf of the customer are shunned? Needless to say, I was insulted by her lack of customer service and will never go to Madden’s for their services.