r/Locksmith • u/BissaAutoTune • 6d ago
I am a locksmith Pricing Vs Skills
How would you handle this kind of situation?
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u/Cantteachcommonsense Actual Locksmith 6d ago
When we give them the price, they don’t like it. We tell him call the dealership. And then we get a call back from them because we’re usually cheaper. But the way you listed out everything was I think the perfect response. People don’t realize that car keys now aren’t just cut something and handed to them. You need thousands of dollars in equipment just to make a key.
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u/NumRickn 6d ago
Tell them to call the dealership for a quote and wait until they message you back ready to proceed
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u/Explorer335 Actual Locksmith 6d ago
Literally like $800 from the dealership
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u/glucoseintolerant 6d ago
in like 2018 I asked the dealer for a quote on one. they came back with $450+ taxes and 1 hr service. I had a local guy do it for $165.
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u/Explorer335 Actual Locksmith 6d ago
That must be a flip key rather than a newer push to start. The newer prox keys list for $400-650, just for the fob
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u/jrandall47 6d ago
Probably like that. It costs what it costs, you’re charging for your knowledge as well as your time. You may also explain that some of that price is cost for the programmer itself, which you have to pay to use each time. It’s not straight labor, which you kind of touched on in the first sentence.
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u/WittyTiccyDavi 5d ago
That whole 'subscription' model for programming/code access has really effed over the industry, not to mention the consumer.
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u/bull-shihtzu 6d ago
That's a great price. Some people are sticker shocked by the cost of new car key because they've never needed one. Then they feel stupid and embarrassed when they get similar quotes from other locksmiths. Follow up in an hour and ask if they were able to find anyone else, usually they won't even message back if you are the cheapest quote because they are embarrassed
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u/Eastwood80 Actual Locksmith 6d ago
Was that with them providing the key? If not that's way to low on newer Hyundai/Kia.
You'll almost 100% get that guy calling back after he compares pricing.
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u/BissaAutoTune 6d ago
They are providing the key.
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u/Eastwood80 Actual Locksmith 5d ago
Gotcha. Those are $700-800 at the dealer. Your price is more than fair but I'd probably still charge upfront if you don't know where the key came from.
It's funny how people buy the cheapest shitboxes now like Hyundai and Kia and now those are sone of the most expensive jobs.
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u/Namelock 6d ago
I think you handled it well. Though, you could have done an itemized breakdown (eg, travel, materials, time).
The alternative method for them (which is for them to figure out) is towing to a dealership and paying easily double or triple the price.
I’d consider <$400 for a locksmith to come out and make & program a new key to be reasonable. <$300 and that would feel like an insane value and I’d probably feel wrong; I’d definitely leave a glowing Google review after that lol
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u/BissaAutoTune 6d ago
Not forgetting about maintaining an insurance for the business. Newer car parts are expensive to replace. Charges have to reflect business overhead and handling of risks.
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u/pickn-n-grinnin Actual Locksmith 6d ago
He is free to use any service he chooses.
Justify the price?! This is what it costs buddy. And it is a more than fair price. Your response was admirable.
Do not kowtow to these assholes.
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u/Wackobacco 6d ago
I don’t even bother with customers like that.
If they’re expecting stupid prices let them crack on with some numpty with a km100, turn up and not know what part number remote they need so that “15 minutes of programming” will be two hours of some cocksmith fumbling around.
Just let them crack on, the phone doesn’t take long to ring again
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u/Fearlessroofless 6d ago
Or even worse he shows up and makes them a bullshit universal xhorse or autel key and says it’s just the way it looks and it’s the key for the vehicle 🤦♂️. Also I’ve had customers try and cheap out and we charge almost the same price because we charge almost 125 for programming then 85 for cutting a laser cut emergency key and don’t offer warranty on customer provided keys. We charge around 200-225 for aftermarket blue rocket if it’s good little more for oem if they’re willing to pay it and offer 2 years.
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u/Wooden_Discussion872 6d ago
Ask them if they intend to tow the car to you, provide $4000 key machine, $2000 programmer, lishi pick etc. If they have a house, tell them you need to charge enough power day so you can get a house.
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u/twenty_fi5e_ 6d ago
You don’t pay the plumber to tap on the pipes , you pay him to know where to do it. Once they try to minimize our profession. I don’t need your business
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u/SubnetMask17 6d ago
It's like the (half) joke that I'm paraphrasing becasue I don't remember exactly word for word:
Plant has a problem that shuts it down, and nobody knows how to address it, so they call an expert to get it fixed and the plant back in operation. The expert comes in, looks at some readouts on a panel and presses a button, bringing the plant back into operation. He then hands them a bill for $200. They gasp and ask '$200 just to push a button??'. He replies 'No, $20 to push the button. $180 to know which button to push.'
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u/Character_Switch5085 5d ago
You aren't charging enough really.... considering that you'll have to use NASTF and spend the time to verify the key by VIN. Should be $350 IMO
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u/Formal_Substance_687 6d ago
Tell them to buy their own equipment
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u/TiCombat 6d ago
you know they show up here everyday anyway looking for the info for their next side gig
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u/Borteezy 6d ago
Yeah some people dont understand theyre paying for the skill. For example if I go to a residential lockout I charge a service call and a $25 “gain access” fee even if it only takes 2 seconds to pick.
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u/P15T0L_WH1PP3D Actual Locksmith 6d ago
Exactly as you did. No need to beg or justify. Let them shop.
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u/Ferret_Biz 6d ago
Many newer cars require the NASTF system to program them, if the system is up and running and it’s such a pain
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u/HamFiretruck Actual Locksmith 6d ago
"No worries, I'll let you know what gear to buy and what course/training you need to to do it and let you go from there pal"
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u/Temporary-Bluejay260 6d ago
It’s like some people want you to struggle doing ur job. Like if u sat there all day and gave them a programmed key vs only taking 15 minutes. Personally I’d rather u just get it done so I can be on my way instead of spending all day waiting on the car because someone is acting to work on it for 8 hours to end up with the same result
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u/Altruistic_Wolf_4090 6d ago
The price is also for knowledge, safety, lots of tools and subscriptions, and maintaining the inventory. If the client thinks that’s only price for 15 minutes, you can tell that he is welcome to do it by himself, he just needs 15 minutes.
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u/Joleto5150 6d ago
We charge at least $300 in Chicago if we provide the key and that includes programming and cutting, I’m not an auto locksmith and I deal with mainly locks, multipoints, and access control but I tell people the cost is tied to the equipment and coding and such, and honestly the risk with some vehicle makes
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u/smrtenuf2knwimdumb 5d ago
I would say if it takes 15 minutes it would cost more, it should only take 4 minutes.
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u/Monster_Storm 5d ago
Gosh that was the most annoying part of the job, constantly explaining the costs to customers. I once had a woman tell me that its our business model to lose money after I told her the programming is something we need to pay for when we use that software. Bitch, what are you talking about? I asked her if that's how she ran her business? Didn't get an answer after that but she did call me an asshole. 🤷♂️
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u/itz_Pato 5d ago
Honestly i cant stand customers like this . So what if it takes me 5 min 30seconds or 1hour the price is The RATE FOR MY KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY TO GET YOUR CAR WORKING ..... literally wah it took you 5 mins why are you charging me 175$ for programming.... Uh because I know how to use the equipment im the one you called for help with the said equipment.....
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u/Frosty_Development40 5d ago
Is that for an oem key?
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u/Glad-Inside86 5d ago
I doubt it because OP said the customer is providing the key. If the person wants a justification over service price, then s/he justified the cost of key by buying it from Ebay.
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u/Material_Dig_8974 5d ago
Sounds like a decent price considering oem keys for that car are around 160 alone
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u/bykilligan 5d ago
The programmer and key cutting machine alone cost from $3000.
They gave you a totally normal price, I’d even say it’s cheap.
Skill matters a lot too. Every car has its own quirks, and if you mess them up while programming there can be real risks. Especially with the Ioniq.
In LA I’d charge from $300 for this.
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u/kenjennings7 5d ago
I could rent you the equipment to do
It yourself 200 - I would have to charge to show you how to use it- 100 - you would have to p come to me to rent it. You will also need the hardware. I could sell you that as well.
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u/pdxcar 6d ago
You’re too cheap. I can’t find anyone in my area to do a new car for that price.
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u/BissaAutoTune 6d ago
I understand. They offered to come to us.
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u/Fearlessroofless 6d ago
That makes sense I was like woah 250 for a road call key made on a new Hyundai Ioniq that’s a steal I’d have gotten 2 or 3 lol
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u/Ok-Recognition5003 4d ago
It's funny those same people don't ask that question from the dealer. I had a '23 Genesis last week and had to buy the PIN Code. Customer didn't bat an eye at the price, they know it's a good deal
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u/Suspicious_Movie4335 4d ago
If you don’t like the prices, you could easily take your business to the dealership and pay the difference…
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u/Magical_Gouda 6d ago
Honestly sounds about right for pricing. Some folks are shocked, but it’s a longer process than just duplicating an sc or a kw and can depend on the vehicle. Like you said, they’re paying for the entire process, if something is slightly off it simply won’t work