The question is simple, “Can you save money by buying transponder keys on sites like Ebay or not?”

The Answer: No, not really.

Many people think the answer is automatically yes and are surprised to hear it can cost more in the long run. It seems logical after all, just look at how low those prices can get.”Only $12!! Buy Now!” Seriously, who can beat that, right? Let’s look at why buying these low priced transponder keys does not save you money but can actually cost you more.

Reason #1: The Keys are Cheaper because they use low quality parts

What the sellers of these cheap keys on sites like Ebay don’t tell you is that their transponder keys are not the same grade or quality that you would get from an auto dealership or a local locksmith.

The cheap auto keys they sell on Ebay use older, cheaper parts which in turn means they do not hold their programming. What does that mean to you? That means they will work for a while, then suddenly stop working, leaving you stranded. At that point you can either replace the key with a genuine transponder key that will work for life or reprogram your cheap key at your own expense and risk being stuck in the future.

Keys sold by A-1 Locksmith use only top quality parts and are purchased directly from the car manufactures themselves. That means they are guaranteed to never fail and work for life. We also offer free quotes over the phone so you know exactly what you will be paying at the time of service.

We come to you with transponder keys

at no charge! Call 972-284-7585

A-1 Locksmiths also guarantees savings of 25% – 50% over other local competition and offer free mobile service meaning you don’t have to take time driving to a store or dealership. You don’t have to wait in a lobby while they take care of other customers before you. Our locksmiths come to you for FREE! We can literally come to your home while you watch sports on your big screen. You never have to leave your couch!

Reason #2: The Keys must be programmed which is where most of the cost is found

Another reason buying cheap transponder keys on Ebay is not a good idea is that they still have to be programmed to start your car. The machine that programs transponder keys is very expensive, requires a trained professional to operate it and requires that your vehicle be present. Programming costs can be in excess of several hundred dollars even if all you need is the programming.

Now remember, A-1 Locksmith will provide FREE on-site programming if you purchase the key from us. Why would we give away the programming? The reason we charge to program other keys is because often times cheap keys are much more difficult to work with because the parts are not up to standards. Sometimes those cheap transponder keys from Ebay won’t even take the programming. Showing up with a key now means you have to pay for programming so any savings you would have experienced is now immediately erased.

Don’t Enter the Cycle

Even when presented with the facts, some people still think they can save money, so they ignore the warnings and buy the cheap keys on Ebay anyway. That is when they find out that many cheap auto keys from Ebay cannot be programmed, meaning now they have to buy another key and start the whole process over again. And even if the programming takes the first time, because the keys were bought on Ebay and are a lower quality, so they cannot be guaranteed or warranted by the programmer.

When the key stops working they now have to repay to get it programmed again. Solid, quality transponder keys sold by locksmiths like A-1 Locksmiths will never loose their programming and are guaranteed to work for the life of your vehicle.

Don’t be fooled by cheap prices on Ebay or other websites. You get what you pay for. It can end up costing you more time, money and stress than it is worth. Buying transponder keys from a reliable locksmith is your wisest move.

Call Now 972-284-7585

There is a common misconception about transponder keys that many people believe. The thought is that if you loose your car keys you can only get them replaced at an auto dealership.

The reality is transponder keys can be purchased from a number of places (beware of buying them online) and local locksmiths can program them. Most of the time this can be done for 25% – 50% less than the dealer would charge.

Ask your auto dealer these questions

Some people don’t believe it. Maybe they think their auto dealer would never misrepresent facts or mark something up that much and other places couldn’t possibly deliver the same product for less. Those people need to go to the dealership and ask them how much a set of floor mats cost. They could also ask how much they charge for a simple oil change or air freshener for that matter.

It won’t take long for anyone to see that you can get the same product or service, often times for much less with better quality and service somewhere else. So how does this happen? Why do people think auto dealers are the only one that can help them?

This is generally how it happens. Picture this, a young family has just bought their new car. They are getting ready to leave and the sales clerk hands them the keys and they casually say something like the following with a touch of concern in their voice, “Now don’t loose these keys. If you do, you have to come back to the dealership to get them replaced and they cost $300 each.”

Now to be fair we are not saying that all auto dealerships are slim and are lying to your face. Some do, but that is a topic for another article. The fact is in the early days of transponder key replacement they weren’t lying. Many auto manufactures were concerned about openly releasing their key codes to anyone but their dealers. After all, those codes were there to protect the cars from theft, which protected you from having your car stolen. That was around 1995.

Now over 15 years later, the early days long since waved goodbye. These same codes that were so closely guarded earlier are now widely available to professional locksmiths who can do the same work your dealer can, faster and at a better price. Not only that, these locksmiths can often come right to your front door and program the key right there meaning you do not even need to leave your house!

The best way to find out if what your dealer told you was true is simply to contact a reliable local locksmith like Plano Locksmith and ask them. You have nothing to loose and everything to gain, or you can keep buying floor mats, oil changes and coffee mugs at your dealership, paying more for the same product. The choice is yours.

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