Locksmith Frequently Asked Questions

One of the services that we offer is to educate our clientele about various issues that come up. We believe consumer education is very valuable, and in keeping our community informed, we can help prevent price shock or misunderstandings in the future. When the transponder key first appeared on the market and customers were coming in with only one key, we were met with shock and disbelief about the price to make a second key. At the time we did not have the proper machine, and we were unable to help our clients unless they had two keys. Otherwise, we had to refer them back to their dealer. Furthermore, they weren’t informed by the dealer about the full extent of the technology in their vehicle. We believe that customer education is a must in any profession and especially ours.

How much does it cost?

One question that always comes up is “how much is it going to cost me?” As a consumer, this is one of the first thoughts in our minds. Prices vary from service to service as well as region to region. We have found that there can be a 'sticker shock' in how much locksmith services cost. When thinking about locksmith services, the one thing people don't realize is that this industry is full of trained professionals. If anyone could do the job, then there wouldn't be a need for locksmiths. The industry has been around for thousands of years. When it comes to services, such as lockouts, some locksmiths charge a flat rate while others charge a rate plus time. Most of the time when you call a locksmith you need to be prepared for a service call charge for the locksmith to come out, plus the charges to do the work as well as cost of the parts.

As an example, it costs more to have a locksmith come out to your house to rekey the locks, than it does to bring the locks in to have them rekeyed. (Of course, if you don't have anyone to stay in the house while you are bringing the locks in, then this isn't an option.) Remember, we are a part of the security industry. Offering solutions to ensure the security of your family and home or business.

If there is a lock involved, then more often than not, a locksmith is the one to take the job to. Most of the time, the cost involved in having a locksmith do the job is going to be considerably less than taking it elsewhere. As an example, to duplicate a transponder key cost less through a locksmith than through the dealer or replacing an ignition switch costs less to have a locksmith do it than having the dealer do it. Furthermore, a locksmith can usually do the job faster than the dealer can. Dealers often use what is called a 'flat book' to base job services on, if the 'flat book' says a job should take three (3) hours to do, then the dealer will take those three hours to do the job, whether they need the time to do it or not.

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Can't you just use my VIN number?

A common misconception is that you can just call up a locksmith and give them your V.I.N. (vehicle identification number) and they can make a key for your vehicle. "Well, my friend works for a repo company and they can do it," we sometimes hear. This may or may not be the case. For vehicles that are newer (and these are the ones that are generally being repossessed), then the VIN can be a helpful tool. The number a locksmith needs to make a key for your vehicle is called a "code" number. Car dealerships require proof of registration and ownership before they will give out this information. A dealership uses your VIN number to see what the code number is for that vehicle IF the vehicle is ten (10) years old or less. If the vehicle is older than that, then dealerships clear their database and for the newer vehicles. So while a VIN number may work for a dealer, it doesn't do much good for a locksmith. The other side to this is that a VIN number doesn't do any good if the locks on the vehicle have been changed. Dealers only keep the originaly code numbers, so if the locks on your vehicle have been rekeyed, then that number won't work for your car. If you purchase a vehicle second hand there is a 50/50 chance that this could be the case.

Newer vehicles also use transponder technology, which means not just the code is needed for the key but the transponder code is needed as well.

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Everyone knows that there is a master key to everything, right?

Wrong. Master keys systems have to be set up. There are keys known as 'construction' keys that builders can and often times do use. A construction key is a key that allows whoever has it to get in and out of a building, however a construction key becomes invalid when the owner of the building uses a different key that works it. Once this key is inserted and turned, it moves a small ball bearing from the place it is into a pocket of the key cylinder thus invalidating the construction key. Unfortunately, there are times when instead of giving the 'over-ride' key to the client, they just give them a constructionkey.

On commercial buildings they don't use this system, instead they use a 'core' system. This is where the key cylinder (or core) is actually removed and replaced by a different lock permanently upon the completion of the building. Most commercial buildings use a master key system as well.

Often times manufactured homes have display models that are master keyed, so it is a good idea if you purchase the display model to have your home rekeyed.

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I had a duplicate key made at a hardware store and it doesn't work, why?

We have a lot of customers who go to a hardware store or a box store to have a duplicate key made, then they come to us to have it done right.

Remember that a locksmith is in the business of making keys. There are several differences when you purchase a key at a locksmith versus elsewhere. First, locksmith key machines are better. They are generally better quality and they are always kept calibrated. Most locksmith's calibrate their machines at least once a month if not more, to ensure that the copy that the machine makes is as close to the key given to them as possible.

However, they are limited by the key you give them. If you give them a key that isn't working, then duplications won't help. Duplicating an already bad key makes another bad key. Most locksmith machines will make up to seven generations of key before the key is totally unusable. Other stores can only do three. Why is this? Its because these companies are not in the business of keys and locks. Generally you have to walk past a lot of other products to get to the key duplication area. Most of the employees hired to work these machines are rotated through, so they have very little experience or making and/or identifying a keyblank. (A common misconception is that you are looking at the head or top of the key to identify it.) You have to walk past all thes other products before getting to the keys and by the time you do, generally you will have added something else in your basket. If they make a bad key, then you have to return to the store and more than likely you will again walk out with something you didn't go for. We have had customers go back two or three times for a good key before coming to us.

They have spent not only their energy with the frustration of having a key made that doesn't work as well as their time to return and the money in gas it cost to get back to the store.

Locksmiths are invested in their equipment and every key blank they purchase comes out of pocket. A lot of hardware or big stores don't have this issue. They are contracted by the key machine manufacturer and for every blank they mess up, they are exchanged one free one for that mistake. For every key a locksmith messes up, it comes out of their pocket. Locksmiths have a good incentive to make a good key, and they want their customers happy so they will come back. This is also the reason why getting a key made at a locksmith may cost a few cents more.

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