Because apartment doors in Hong Kong automatically and at times, traumatically lock behind you,…read moreit's been a bit of a transition (read: nightmare) for me. I've locked myself out of my flat not once but twice since moving in two months ago! And unlike residential buildings in the States, Hong Kong property management does NOT keep a spare key to your flat on hand as they don't want to be liable if anything ever winds up missing. Nope - you're out of luck if you forget your key, my friend. The situation was this: I was on my merry way out, taking my dog for a walk when I realized I forgot my key when transitioning from handbag to backpack (need water, a portable dog bowl, and plenty of mosquito spray when going to the dog park). NO! Luckily, I recalled passing a locksmith in my neighborhood so I headed there post-dog park sesh. A kind staffer told me he could help me immediately, and followed me to my flat where he took me from locked to open in 60 seconds flat. Because I needed to grab some cash from the ATM, we walked together to the nearest cash machine so I could hook him up with his $350 HKD on his way back. I believe the price is fair as I've paid $400 to a different locksmith when I locked myself out the first time. Also, not having to wait with a panting dog in tow is priceless. I really hope I don't have to use Wing Hung Locksmiths again, but if I do, at least I know it'll be as painless of an experience as possible.

Install my august smart lock and after few hours connection was off. The guy didn't even both to…read moreinstall the sensor properly and just stick it with some double sided tape. I told him there is a hardware store below my building just 3 mins away but he wont even bother to buy the glue. Is 1000 dollars of useless service that eventually i have to figure out all the WiFi connection as the guy gave excuse " I don't read English well" . If you are 10 year veteran won't you bother to look at some online vid before you come as I informed to him my door lock model over a week ago....stay away from them.

OK, the old Central Market is probably the only building in the whole Central that doesn't "fit…read morein", and same goes the shops still operating in it, primarily on the first floor where they catch arguably the most number of people commuting every day connecting the Mid-Levels Escalator and IFC/MTR station. Anyway, while most of the shops seem shady and a waste of space, Perfect Shoe and Key is quite handy. We used to find shoe & key service at MTR stations, but seemingly not as many operating now as the old days. (By the way, never know the reason why shoe and key service are always put together.) When I walked in the shop, I usually got this only staff there. He usually said nothing, stared dead in your eyes, and his only face expression is ain't-no-time-for-espressione. Give him the shoes, and he'll take care of the shoes. Give him the keys, he will take care of the keys. No questions asked, no unnecessary chitchat. Like hiring a hitman, but this is much cheaper. (And I never ever hired a hitman, just for the record...) I paid maybe $20 for like a couple of spared keys, and I paid HKD$450 to replace the completely worn-off bottom of both my shoes which originally worth HKD$3,500. That $450 can now probably double my shoes lifespan. So here you go, very efficient, really reasonably priced, at a fairly convenient location, and get the job done. Couldn't ask for more (yes, I could actually.... Maybe a smile here and there?)

It's hard to find something to say about a small shoe repair and key cutting store - they cut keys…read moreand repair shoes. However, I always go to the same place 'cos I like the lovely old "uncle" dude who does the work there. He's understated, never fusses and just gets the job done without that often prevalent HK grumbling. Perfect is located in the dingy little "art" tunnel that joins the end of the esco with IFC mall. It is a simple shop, that repairs shoes and cuts keys, so what is the big deal. They are cheap! For a store (and note I say store and not back alley canopy in Wan Chai) that is right in the middle of Central, the cost of a key cut is pocket change. The last time I did and admittedly simple Yale style key, it was less than HKD20. It's so cheap in fact that my family in the UK send their keys over to me to get them cut and then I send them back. With the postage it's still cheaper than home! The key stocks are also plentiful. I have never been there and had cut refused due to a lack of the correct base key. Uncle key cutter also does shoes. Mrs L sends all her shoes there to be resoled and repaired, and given the state of many of her shoes, they do a great job. Just a few weeks ago we were out and about when Mrs L's sole fell off. Fortunately we were in IFC, so a quick run (or flappy shoed hobble) over to Perfect, and she had her shoe re-glued in about 5 minutes. Again it was only HKD20. On that last visit, I noticed a shoe stretching machine which I must use soon. I have a tight right which need to be addressed!