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If you search google for Car Key Programming prices you’ll generally be presented with a wide range of prices, some website will say that car key programming costs between £100 to £300 depending on the car make, model and type of key. Other websites will decide to display and average car key programming price, for example Checkatrade claim that the average car key programming price is £252 but the question is, why does it cost so much?
Why Does Car Key Programming Cost So Much?
The reason car key programming cost so much is because the price was set high by the dealerships many years ago, dealerships who simply wanted to make a fortune off motorist who needed a spare key for their vehicle in fact a number of dealership employees have come forward over the years stating that when they get a trade in they must make sure to dispose of any spare keys and sell the car with one key only.
Have you ever wondered why when you buy a second hand car from a garage or a dealership it only ever comes with one key when people who have bought a brand new car know that new cars typically come with 2 sets of keys.
The garage or dealership is hoping you’ll use them to have a second key cut so they can charge you £100’s to simply program a blank that at most – even those with complex circuitry – has cost them £20-£50. The programming doesn’t actually cost anything, it’s the coding equipment and software that cost the money but if you are programming lots of keys then the equipment is paid for in no time.
How Can Independent Auto Locksmiths Charge Less Than The Dealerships?
There are people that believe that car dealerships should be able to charge a lot less for programming a car key than an Independent Auto Locksmith and this is why many dealerships still get customers for car key cutting and programming. But anyone who has used an Independent Auto Locksmith will know that they do in fact charge less a lot less than dealerships. But why?
Apart from the fact that the car dealerships and garages are simply ripping people off the auto locksmith is out to build up a reputation for himself or herself – Yes more women than ever are taking auto locksmith training courses – and is working on volume of jobs and not the odd overpriced job.
After the auto locksmith has paid for programming equipment and codes then it’s a great businesses model and good earner for the locksmith. Car key blanks typically cost between £20 and £60, less if a bulk purchase is made and there is nothing different about the quality of the keys or the electronics in fact the dealerships and the independent locksmith with usually buy their blanks from the same place.
Car key programming prices advertised by Independent Auto Locksmiths are generally a third or a least half the price of the dealerships so the customer has saved money and the auto locksmith has earned money, everyone is happy.
How long does it take the programme a car key?
When contacting a local auto locksmith for car key programming prices, the customer will usually ask how long it takes? For some reason the dealerships will generally have you drop off your vehicle and pick it up a couple days later making it look like the task of programming a car key is quite long and complex.
The truth is, programming a car key no matter what the make or model takes minutes. With some vehicle manufactures the auto locksmith will be required to take various actions such as turn the ignition on and off exactly 14 times but even with the most complex programming methods a key should take no longer than 20 minutes to programme.
Are the dealerships are just trying to justify the extortionate prices they charge or it’s just because they don’t actually have the blanks in stock or someone on their full time staff competent enough to do the programming is anyone’s guess.
So… If you want a new key cutting and programming ring your local auto locksmith. The locksmith will come to you and programme you a new key outside of home or office or on your driveway
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