I needed two deadbolt door locks rekeyed in a rental house. Called Cothron's on Wed, got a Friday am appt. Friday morning waned, so I called about 10:30 and asked when I was booked, and was told I was next. About 30 minutes later, the locksmith arrived. He was professional, friendly and very competent. It took less than 20 minutes, and I still made my noon appt somewhere else. Total charges was way less than quoted by another "local" locksmith. I've returned repeatedly to Cothron's over the last decade and was always delighted with their service and professionalism. And yes, they are Austin local! read more

Cothron's got an antique secretary of my mother-in-law's open in 15 minutes! This is after another locksmith had spent 2 hours trying to get it open, and finally suggested cutting the hinges off! I would have given them 5 stars, except it took 2 trips. I think better communication between the office and workmen would fix that! Thank you Cothron's! read more

After reading the great reviews for this business I decided to give it a try. The moment I walked into the store both David and Bret met me at the counter. Bret took my request to get two keys for a door lock that I brought with me and several keys that I needed duplicated. Bret took my lock and David took my keys. Within minutes I had two keys for my door lock and copies of keys. Price was very resonable, service was excellent and Bret said if I had any problems to just come on back and he would take care of it. All of the keys worked and I was able to put the door lock back together. I really couldn't ask for more from a business. This is one more reason why I like to buy local from a speciality business and not a big box store! read more

David is amazing as always, I have to go get multiple keys made for my office and he's always so helpful and very nice. Best key place in Austin! Great customer service. read more

I called two previous locksmiths with no luck, poor communication skills. I called Cothron's who have been a Austin staple for many years and the tech was at my place within 30 minutes, he replaced the entire door knob and lock with a new set I had purchased at Home Depot ... Ray was my technician , he was courteous , friendly confident and did great work... I would recommend Cothron's to everyone. Let me recap ; Reasons to use Cothron's Speed of service , competitive pricing and overall professionalism... read more

I bought a new key from them a year ago for my Lexus which cost a little over $100. It broke in my ignition on the coldest days of Austin, and I had to walk home and get tools to pull it out myself. When I went to the store with my receipt, all they offered was to make me a new key for $100. I asked them if they just expect me to come in once a year and get a new key, and pay $100 each time? And they answered that is all they can offer. I walked out. If they aren't going to guarantee a $100 key for more than a year, there is no reason to purchase from them. read more

Superior Service! While I was traveling thru Austin last week, I needed a locksmith to open a locked car door. I was somewhat panicked as I was pressed for time. At their W. Ben White location, they were extremely responsive and highly professional. Within minutes, they had my car door unlocked. Thank You for saving my day! I highly recommend their services. read more

Fine work done by fine folks. Super friendly very professional great rates. I will be returning to these guys

Great service from Cothron's and their technician, Ray, who helped us with a Jeld-Wen door that wouldn't lock properly. He was on time, professional and helpful. Thank you! read more

Have used them for years. A great place to have keys made (for locks other stores couldn't even find blanks) and locks serviced (shredded from craptacular keys made at the local home improvement store). read more

I called to get a quote on a digital lock for our business. They sent a guy out to measure (which took about 5 minutes) and he charged me $50 for that. I was never told I would be charged for the measuring. After a week and a half I finally received the quote. The parts were marked up THREE TIMES what they are sold for online. In addition to that, they wanted to charge $100 an hour for labor (3 hours) AND an additional $90 service fee. Stay away from them. They are not truthful and will try to rip you off. read more

I had a really good experience here! I accidentally grabbed the wrong key for my door in the dark and as I put it in the lock it just broke off. So I took off my lock and took it to Cothron's, and the gentleman fixed it for me very quickly. I was in and out in about 5 minutes, which is the time it took him to take apart my lock and reassemble it. He had a really good sense of humor and the fix was really inexpensive. I will definitely be back here for any lock or key needs. read more

My girlfriend broke her key in the ignition and these guys were able to replicate it somehow. He was kind enough not to charge us because of uncertainty as to whether or not it would work. I was absolutely floored by their customer service. This is the place to go if you want something done right. Can't recommend these guys enough. read more

It goes without saying that their keys never fail (I've been using them to duplicate keys for 10 years) but what recently impressed me was the dedication and attention of their staff. I had some questions about different kinds of locks and Marlin was most helpful. I never felt rushed and all of my questions were answered. Whether your needs are simple or more complex they are sure to help you out. read more

Excellent - fast service on a Holiday weekend! Will always call this place when needed - hope I don't lock myself out again!

Ray lopz came and opened my apartment door , he was very quick and nice and well mannered, thank you for your service .

I am from Austin and have known about Cothron's Lock and Key most of my life. Today they failed miserably. I don't write "bad" reviews, in fact I make it a habit to focus on the positive, not the negative. Today has been a disaster. I am currently at the Austin Airport. I called in this morning to Cothrons because while in NOLA my back pack was stolen. My keys were in my back pack. Nicole (Cothron's call attendant) asked me the make and model of the car...I told her. After a quick hold she came back with a price of $390 for the replacement of the "electronic" key. I asked if she could give me a time, she said, no...it would be anytime from 12-5 PM. Nicole told me they would give me a call 30 prior to meeting me at the airport. I live 45 minutes from the airport. Nicole told me she would have them give me a call 45 minutes prior to their arrival. At about 2:00 I headed out to the airport just to make sure that I didn't miss the locksmith, after all I took off a day from work to make this happen. At 3:20 I called Nicole. I asked if they were still coming (after all I am sitting at the airport). Nicole informed me that because it was a high security vehicle the price would be $460. I said "come on and let's just get it done". At that time I lost connection with Nicole. I immediately called back and after a 10 minute hold I was reconnected with Nicole. I asked her, "are you sure you will still be coming to the airport, I need to know because I am waiting". She said yes! We will be there. At 4:30 I called and spoke to Becca. Becca informed me that the store that had the correct key was closed and wouldn't be opened until tomorrow. She also told me that I had hung up on Nicole and that they had cancelled the my locksmith. I did lose connection with Nicole, but I immediately called back and Nicole confirmed the appointment. Becca was RUDE, told me there is nothing they could do....she did hang up with "have a nice day". Which I found more insulting. Don't ever use this company! I think they have serious internal communication issues which is going to cost me a fortune. I would have called another company if they had just communicated with me. In the world of locksmiths this is the worst! Stay Away! Buyer be WARNED! read more

Great service and friendly people. Joseph made a key for my scooter that was somewhat hard to find. He researched the proper key blank and made sure that it fit properly. Great work. read more

These guys are AMAZING! I broke my car key in two pieces I had been quoted over $100 at every other locksmith in town to get a new key made. When the man at the front counter told me it would be about 425 I almost walked right out untill he informed me it wasnt four hundred and twenty-five dollars it was $4.25. Made it out of there with two keys and spent less then ten bucks! read more

I went to Cothron's (Burnet St location) today (11/6/14,..around 10:am) to have two simple car keys made. I provided the blanks. "Roy" at Cothron's explained that since I provided the blanks, the price would be higher ($6.00 per key, $12.00 total plus tax). But, "if Cothron's provided the blanks, the cost would be about half that amount" Roy explained. I questioned this policy and but he held to it. Yes, I could have used his generic blanks but I needed these keys cut on GM (General Motors) blanks that, again, I provided. I should have walked out but being in a hurry, I paid in cash, $12.99 total to have two simple car keys cut. Highway robbery. I've been doing business with Cothron's for decades but never again. read more

I called on Monday of this week and Madonna was able to get me on the schedule for the next day. The guys who came out to move the heavy 4-drawer file box were courteous and very careful moving the file box over the hardwood floors. Madonna "made my day" by scheduling the guys to come such that I was also able to go to my volunteer job. THANKS Madonna!! Audrey W. read more

Dave Melby serviced the doors and locks on our home and did an excellent job. He was professional, efficient and took great care to solve all our door/lock related issues. Highly recommend him and Cothron's! read more

I have used Cothron's many times to re-key new homes, add new locks and cut additional keys...the last time they didn't charge me because they weren't sure it would work - so told me to try it and pay them if it did whenever I was next in the area! They have also advised me on which safe to have in my home to provide protection for valuables. Cothron's always provide excellent service at very reasonable prices and follow up on their commitments. Jason just rekeyed a new electronic lock to match the rest of the locks on my house - he was a true professional. read more

Batteries in keypad died. Locked out of my house at 9pm on a Saturday night. Logan arrived about 30 mins later and got me inside within just a few minutes. Even made me an extra key before he left. Thanks Logan and Cothron's for being there 24/7. read more

Commending Logan for a speedy and professional job. Called to have a lock installed on a cabinet and it was done the same day and super sharp, Logan was professional. Will keep you in mind for the next lock job. Thanks Cothron's read more

Cothron's is solid gold. I made the appointment by phone away from my newly acquired house, and I got the number of locks wrong! I was scheduled for the 8am-noon service block the next day to get my locks re-keyed, so when I got home late and I realized I'd gotten the number of locks wrong, I was worried. I called and left a voicemail, "Um, I'm scheduled for a 8am-noon window, and because we just bought the house I gave you the wrong number of locks that I need re-keyed." I didn't really expect that they would get the message before the serviceman was due to arrive, so I followed up with a call at 8am. An alert, nice woman answered. After I explained what the problem was, she said, "Oh, I heard your voicemail, and I've already corrected the order." Hallelujah! An efficient company! She said the assigned service man would call before he arrived. (I'm sorry I didn't get her name, she should get a shout-out as well.) About 2 minutes later, he called, and was at my door maybe 10 minutes later. Ray. Ray Lopez went the extra mile to make sure my locks worked great. Both the top bolt and the key hole in the doorknob on the front door were installed incorrectly by whoever did it originally, but Ray was able to correct both of those things. I was really grateful to spare my dear husband that conundrum. Ray was professional, courteous, efficient and knowledgeable. Cothron's has been around for a long, long time, and it's for a good reason that they have come out on top after all these years. To employ such efficient, kind and yet professional people, they must have fantastic management and ownership. Cudos! read more

Just had the distinct pleasure of working with Cothron's. Lost a set of keys this morning and was in panic mode. Ray Lopez came out quickly and solved my issues professionally and quickly and reasonably priced too! Thank you! I will only call Cothrons in the future for any lock/key issues I might have! LL read more

I needed to change the lock and get several sets of keys for my loft. Becca was a huge help, very eager to help to get the new lock to work. Always patient, respectful and polite. After a few tries, job completed, no extra charges for the additional calls. All one can ask-thanks read more

These guys are great! They went above and beyond and actually redesigned a locking system to fit my existing house keys. I highly recommend them. read more

I broke my padlock key in half. They were able to use the pieces to make me a new one in about 5 minutes!

Great customer service! I came here with a key a bought on Amazon.com after losing my master car key while tubing. The key was about $50, and then they were able to program the chip to my car for $50. Such a better deal than going to the dealership or other options. They were very patient and helpful, will be getting all my keys cut here in the future. read more

I received a quick reply from management concerning my bad phone experience with their customer service. They wanted to know more detail to my experience, definitely not disregarding my comments. I believe they will address their staff to be helpful to customers not discounting customer's questions in the future, as this recipient did to me. I am impressed. read more

I use Cothron's for both personal & business needs, & they have always had excellent customer service & accurate work. Most recently, I went to get duplicate keys for my business and both David & Bret were super friendly. Bret went the extra mile by checking keys I had made at Lowe's that wouldn't work on my deadbolt. He identified the problem, so I had some new keys made. Great work & great customer service! read more

I brought some locks to Cothron's to be rekeyed, and was very impressed with the speed and quality of their service. They had three locks and a set of new keys back to me in less than an hour. David is very friendly and knowledgeable, and patiently explained exactly what he did. I would highly recommend this business. read more

These guys are AMAZING ! Got up this morning and my back door, which was locked, wouldn't unlock ! Called at 8:00 when they opened, service tech was here by 9:30 and it took about 5 minutes to replace the latch - no new lock needed ! HIGHLY recommend them ! read more

I have to come here often to make copies of keys for my job. The guys are always super quick and efficient at this location. Every key I have had copied works with no problems. If you are looking for fast, friendly, and courteous employees then you found the place. They've even had to come on site to service the locks on our doors at both of our restaurants, and like I've said once again, awesome work. Support your local businesses. read more

I just took a double-cylinder Kwikset deadbolt into their store to have it rekeyed. I was trying to support a local company, but their prices are just outrageous. It ended up costing me $30 ($32 and change with tax). I should have just bought a new deadbolt at a big box store and had it rekeyed there for free--it would have cost me less overall. I admit I should have asked for a price first, but I would never have imagined they would be so high... read more

I scheduled an appointment with dispatch to have a technician meet me between 9-12 p.m. for a front door re-key. At 12:15 p.m. I called the dispatcher to inquire on the whereabouts of the technician as I only scheduled the morning off from my job to have the work performed. Dispatch was unapologetic and dismissive and put me on hold to follow up with the technician. After a few minutes she came back on the line and informed me the technician had been detained and would be at my house in 15 minutes. I explained that I took the morning off from work to expressly deal with the locksmith and that I now had to return to work and could not wait. I also expressed my frustration at the lack of communication from Cothron's dispatch and all she asked is "so do you want me to cancel the dispatch?" Really? I am in a retail based service industry where we depend on customer satisfaction scores for repeat business. If this is the way Cothron's responds to unhappy customers, they are in for a lot of negative feedback on yelp and loss of potential business. read more