Al Bundy
four touchdowns!
Had a bad experience with a "reputable" locksmith shop today that cost me $4.00 and a pair of NOS key blanks.
I took two NOS Chrysler key blanks in to simply have another set made for my Dart as spares since I only got one set with my car and they are aftermarket keys and getting worn.
I figured this was routine for them and no big deal. I explained what I wanted done to the young girl working at the counter and showed her the blanks. She looked at them and asked "we sell blanks here,why do you want to use these". I told her because these are factory correct original Chrysler blanks made for the car,not aftermarket ones like they sell. She then asked if I "had the car" and I said yes and pointed out the front window and asked "why"? She didn't answer then went into the back and another older woman came out with all four of my keys. she asked me if these were the correct blanks,I said they were. Then her and the counter girl exchanged some words that left me with the impression that this was simply asking to much. Anyway,long story short,the older woman runs the keys through the duplicator,then hands all the originals and the copies to the counter girl who wont let me inspect them until Ive paid the $4.00 for cutting the keys. After telling her that I wasn't going to take them and run out of the store I paid the $4.00 and looked them over. the ends that were supposed to be smooth and angled came out jagged and the teeth on the ignition key weren't cut exactly the same as the original and it didn't work in the lock. In addition to this,the heads of the NOS keys looked like they were clamped into a vise and had scars in the metal on one side.
I brought this to her attention and she said its "normal" and they aren't liable for screwing up the blanks. She then said "you should have come during the week when the techinician is here".
I told her I thought they WERE technicians since they work in he locksmith shop and were the only ones there and they grabbed the keys to make the copies.
At that point I simply walked out,realizing there wasn't any good in arguing with them and considering it a lesson learned about trusting my gut instinct. When the first girl asked me "why do you want to use these blanks" and "where did I get them" I should have told her to give them back to me and walk.
Anyway,I am pretty pissed. Can anyone here recommend a competent locksmith for cutting NOS key blanks for our cars? I have one more pair of NOS keys and don't want to deal with this again. Its a plus if they are in So Cal.
Also is it possible for a competent locksmith to look at the cut of the key and "read" the code to make a like new set? or can the key codes be retrieved through the VIN? I don't want to pull the lock cylinders if it isn't necessary.
Also what are your opinions of simply going to a Dodge dealer that has a Curtis Klipper? I was told the "old timers" could actually read the codes looking at the key and use the Curtis Klipper to make factory new keys.
Thanks guys for any help.
I took two NOS Chrysler key blanks in to simply have another set made for my Dart as spares since I only got one set with my car and they are aftermarket keys and getting worn.
I figured this was routine for them and no big deal. I explained what I wanted done to the young girl working at the counter and showed her the blanks. She looked at them and asked "we sell blanks here,why do you want to use these". I told her because these are factory correct original Chrysler blanks made for the car,not aftermarket ones like they sell. She then asked if I "had the car" and I said yes and pointed out the front window and asked "why"? She didn't answer then went into the back and another older woman came out with all four of my keys. she asked me if these were the correct blanks,I said they were. Then her and the counter girl exchanged some words that left me with the impression that this was simply asking to much. Anyway,long story short,the older woman runs the keys through the duplicator,then hands all the originals and the copies to the counter girl who wont let me inspect them until Ive paid the $4.00 for cutting the keys. After telling her that I wasn't going to take them and run out of the store I paid the $4.00 and looked them over. the ends that were supposed to be smooth and angled came out jagged and the teeth on the ignition key weren't cut exactly the same as the original and it didn't work in the lock. In addition to this,the heads of the NOS keys looked like they were clamped into a vise and had scars in the metal on one side.
I brought this to her attention and she said its "normal" and they aren't liable for screwing up the blanks. She then said "you should have come during the week when the techinician is here".
I told her I thought they WERE technicians since they work in he locksmith shop and were the only ones there and they grabbed the keys to make the copies.
At that point I simply walked out,realizing there wasn't any good in arguing with them and considering it a lesson learned about trusting my gut instinct. When the first girl asked me "why do you want to use these blanks" and "where did I get them" I should have told her to give them back to me and walk.
Anyway,I am pretty pissed. Can anyone here recommend a competent locksmith for cutting NOS key blanks for our cars? I have one more pair of NOS keys and don't want to deal with this again. Its a plus if they are in So Cal.
Also is it possible for a competent locksmith to look at the cut of the key and "read" the code to make a like new set? or can the key codes be retrieved through the VIN? I don't want to pull the lock cylinders if it isn't necessary.
Also what are your opinions of simply going to a Dodge dealer that has a Curtis Klipper? I was told the "old timers" could actually read the codes looking at the key and use the Curtis Klipper to make factory new keys.
Thanks guys for any help.
