Why are dealership keys so expensive?

Ever lose a car key, or have one go bad after a few years? You probably dreaded asking the dealer for a new one, worried about the cost, with some keys and fobs costing $300 or more.

But you now have some cheaper options.

Ron Sparer needed a duplicate key for his 2003 Toyota. The Butler County, Ohio, man knew the dealer would charge well over $100, so he ordered an inexpensive blank online.

But then, he says, "I couldn't get the key cut."

Sparer says three hardware stores and big box stores all refused to even try to duplicate his key. "All three told me the same thing," he said. "They won't cut a key, and said I have to go to the dealer."

Some implied it was a security issue, to prevent thieves from making copies, while others wouldn't do it because today's keys are "smart keys" with a unique code. And they told him they would not be able to match the code of the RF chip molded into the plastic in the end of the key.

Solutions to the computer chip problem

Indeed, most car keys sold since 2001 now having a computer chip inside, leaving hardware stores struggling to make duplicates that work.

It typically requires a trip to a dealer for a pricey new key fob, and an even pricier programming service.

That is until now, thanks to some new high tech programs, like Duracell Renewal.

Ace Hardware's John Doucleff said a growing number of Ace Hardware stores have joined the Duracell program, and said at his Hyde Park Plaza store, "we are able to do between 95 and 98 percent of the keys on the road now."

Not only can they find you the exact fob for your car, they can cut the key blank, then program the whole thing to work. The whole process takes about 20 minutes, he said, and is about half the cost of many dealerships.

And unlike a store with just a key cutter, "we are actually able to marry the key, reprogram the key and reprogram it to the dashboard."

The program won't work with some high tech European cars like Mercedes and Volvo, or many newer post-2014 cars with no keys at all.

Sparer, who had not yet heard about the Duracell program, finally cut the key blank himself, then learned from a YouTube video how to synch the remote.

"You do different things like press the brake pedal five times and the accelerator once, and you have a key that's set to go." It finally worked for him.

Need a key? Call an Ace hardware near you: Not all Ace stores have this program, so call ahead.

Or try an online company like Keyless Ride, which sells discount key fobs for hundreds of cars, and the instructions to program them, so you don't waste your money.

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The world stops when you can’t get your car to start. If you need a key fob replacement, you may be in a hurry to get in touch with someone who can get you back behind the wheel. Many people assume that a dealership is the only place where you can get a replacement key fob. In reality, many people streamline the process of getting a fast and affordable fob replacement by going straight to a local locksmith instead.

Why You’re Probably Overpaying When You Get a Key Fob Replacement From a Dealership

Dealerships are notorious for charging outrageous prices for key fobs. You probably noticed that if you purchased a spare when you bought your vehicle. You may be curious to know if there’s a way to get a replacement key fob without going to the dealer if you’re trying to save a little money this time around. Why do dealerships charge so much for key fobs?

The answer is that they can. Dealerships rely on the fact that most people don’t realize they can get replacement key fobs from independent locksmiths that aren’t associated with specific automakers. However, locksmiths that offer services for vehicle locks often offer a wide range of fob replacement and reprogramming services for all major makes and models.

Can You Get a Cheap Key Fob Replacement?

While it’s not easy to get a “cheap” key fob replacement, it’s definitely possible to pay much less than what dealers are charging. The reason why fobs are so expensive is that you’re looking at components like batteries and circuitry. It’s hard to cut corners because you need a certain level of sophistication in order to make a fob operate. However, many dealerships inflate the cost of key fobs simply because they know that customers in need of emergency support will pay whatever it takes to be able to drive their cars again.

Let ProTech Key & Locksmith Help You Get an Affordable Replacement Key Fob

ProTech Key & Locksmith has been helping people get back behind the wheel for more than 25 years. We offer key and fob replacements for a wide range of vehicles. There’s a good chance we can get a fob made and programmed for your specific car in no time at all. We even offer 24-hour emergency lockout services for our clients throughout the Lakewood, Denver, Galveston, and Dickinson areas. Reach out today to get a quote for a replacement fob!