Replacement Key

Post by **E Showell** » 28 Dec 2019, 08:21

Long story short. Key was lost. Needed replacement (valet only, no fob). My local dealer, Bridgewater Volvo, wanted c. $230 for key blank, cutting of key and programming (1 hr. labor charge). With fob it would have been > $500.

Found "The Keyless Shop" - franchise outfit on Rt. 46 in Fairfield, N.J. (there is one in Hackensack as well).

$85 for key blank, cutting and programming (and it didn't take an hour to program).

I know these establishments exist in Maryland (D.C. suburbs) as well.

Reasonable option to dealer pricing, there may be cheaper options out there, but I needed the key quickly.

Of course after the key was already cut and while at the key place, I spied the "missing" key on the roof of the car tucked behind the driver side center roof rack support, just where a family member had left it. It had remained there for 30+ miles of highway driving.

Can't have too many spare keys . . .

Post by **abscate** » 28 Dec 2019, 10:22

Was that duplicating your last key or making a key from a VIN only?

Post by **E Showell** » 28 Dec 2019, 11:40

They needed the working fob I had to clone from.

Although it is also possible they might be able to dupe a valet from an existing valet, but I did not ask.

Post by **oragex** » 28 Dec 2019, 13:39

Very useful info

Post by **abscate** » 29 Dec 2019, 05:25

Of course after the key was already cut and while at the key place, I spied the "missing" key on the roof of the car tucked behind the driver side center roof rack support, just where a family member had left it. It had remained there for 30+ miles of highway driving.

A review of key policies and procedures is in order.

I will say, restricting cars to a single key which live in a basket near the front door, and having a Tile on each main key, has worked well with my historical fleet of 6 cars/ nine drivers in the past. The habit I had to break was keys living in jacket pockets which then went up to bedrooms or to school with the cars keys in them!

The Admiral of the fleet was the only one who kept her own keys on the two cars she drives, because, well, you know, she rules the waves.

Post by **E Showell** » 29 Dec 2019, 06:14

Admiral problem here as well. Keys get hung on a hook in the back hall, except when they don't. . .

Post by **850 LPT** » 30 Dec 2019, 06:17

Funny how Admirals just have to do it their own way, not on the hook where everybody else hangs their keys.

But then I get the occasional "can I use your key today?, because I can't find mine"

no words needed.

Post by **E Showell** » 30 Dec 2019, 08:20

Small detail, not only did they need the fob, they needed the car. They also advertise mobile locksmith services.

Post by **abscate** » 30 Dec 2019, 08:28

And when you get old and smart, you keep the mouth shut.

I am not one to complain about spousal foibles, when this is how she addressed the quote for a re-roof that she felt was too high

ADent · Post by **ADent** » 31 Dec 2019, 13:48

E Showell wrote: ↑28 Dec 2019, 08:21 Long story short. Key was lost. Needed replacement (valet only, no fob). My local dealer, Bridgewater Volvo, wanted c. $230 for key blank, cutting of key and programming (1 hr. labor charge). With fob it would have been > $500.

Found "The Keyless Shop" - franchise outfit on Rt. 46 in Fairfield, N.J. (there is one in Hackensack as well).

Nice to hear. There is one not too far away - they are in 11 states.