The Search for Savings

"Hello, I was just wondering how much it would cost to get one spare car key cut?"

After my trip to Las Vegas where I'd lost my car key briefly right before the magic show performance (with all the magic equipment and the doves in my car) I've decided to cut 2 spare keys for myself. Locking my keys in the car is not the issue. Not being able to drive my car is the issue.

After answering a bunch of questions and adding up all the costs including $110 per key to program the little chip inside the total was $256 per key.

"Wow. Okay. Thank you." and I hang up.

Since this was the dealership I knew there had to be a cheaper way. So I go online. I find a site where I can order the key with a chip without all the fancy buttons. Just perfect for a spare key. Also, it includes the instructions of how to program them. Yippee!!! I double check the comments and reviews and it looks legit. How much for 2 keys? $14. Great, if it doesn't work I won't be too disappointed.

Two days later I have the blank keys in my hand along with the programming instructions. It looks easy enough. Now to find a place that can cut them.

I search online for places that specialize in cutting car keys with chips in them. I see everything from $50 per key to $11. On a whim I call up the Ford dealership nearby.

I get to the Parts Department.

"Hello?"

"Hi, I was just calling to get a quote of how much it would cost to get my spare keys cut? I have the blank keys already and I don't need them programmed because I'll program them myself."

"You already have the keys?"

"Yes, and I know how to program them. I just need them cut."

"Well, if you just need them cut we'll probably do it for free. Just bring them in."

"Thank you."

I hang up and do a little dance. I'm a little worried that it's too good to be true but free is awesome and I can't pass up the possibility.

The next day I drive to the dealership and walk into the Parts department. It's quiet and I tell the guy that I'd called yesterday and the person on the phone said that they'd probably cut the key for free since I had the blanks and I didn't need them programmed.

The guy checks with his Manager and is given the okay. I'm super duper grateful since I'm on a tight budget.

As he hands me the keys back he reminds me they're not programmed yet so they won't work. I say, thank you and head home to program the keys.

After programming the keys I do a double check and stick the keys in and start the car and back it up and drive back into my parking spot. Yippee!!!

2 keys. $14 total. Let's see...$256 times 2 is $512. That means I saved myself $498 dollars. And even more important, I'm saving myself an hour of panic looking for a missing key. Not bad for an hour on the internet.