Key Duplication Experience at The Keyless Shop
The Keyless Shop was originally located at the Sears Building, situated at the corner of Main Street and Anderson Street. Due to a zoning dispute between the City Council and the acquiring party of the Sears Building, the Keyless Shop was compelled to relocate. The shop has I
I came to the shop to upgrade from a standard car key to a flip key for convenience. After selecting a compatible key style online that included the appropriate chip, I visited the new Keyless Shop location to have the chip programmed.
At the shop, programming the chip took approximately 20 minutes. The total cost was $150, with an additional $10 in tax. Three days later, the newly programmed key failed to start the car. I returned to the shop. After over 30 minutes of attempts to reprogram several in-store chips, I decided to leave the key at the shop overnight to complete the service.
Upon returning the next day, I was charged an additional $75 plus tax. The explanation for the fee provided was that since the key was not originally purchased from the store, the shop could not guarantee the programming service. The chip had to be replaced and reprogrammed.
My observations:
Although the shop owner claimed the replacement chip was U.S.-made, it appeared identical to the original chip I provided --most likely manufactured overseas (e.g., China). Industry knowledge suggests that such chips are not domestically produced, contradicting the store's claim.
My Conclusion:
This experience highlights the potential pitfalls of using third-party services for key duplication involving embedded chips. While such shops may appear convenient, lack of warranty or support for customer-provided materials can lead to unexpected costs and frustrations.
My Recommendation:
For chipped key duplication or replacements, it is advisable to use official car dealership services. Contrary to popular belief, dealerships may offer more reliable and even less expensive solutions when factoring in the total cost and potential issues.
Lesson Learned:
"Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me." Experience remains a valuable teacher. read more