car keys

[derek]

i have had 2 customers in this morning with P plate car keys,1 was a vauxhall,the other a volkwagen,both telling me neither was chipped,the vauxhall key had already been cut onto a transponder blank,and the volkswagen guy told me he already had a key cut for his car that turned over the engine but then cut out,i don't do car keys so it was no big deal to me,but makes me wonder what percentage of customers you guys get for car keys say the same thing

[grahamparker]

70% is a good guess from me,we have to explain that even keys with a solid plastic

head contain chips and most believe us eventually,but you always get one stubborn one

who will say immobiliser has been bypassed so we cut a normal key and await there return.

 

"THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT" especially when they have to pay twice.

[decker]

Both chipped. if it hasnt got buttons and led on the key the customer will sware its not chipped.

[redcap]

"THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT" especially when they have to pay twice.

Not necessarily in law. Although, admittedly, it's a bit of a grey area, and circumstances will always vary from case to case, under efficacy laws, the key cutter would be deemed to be the professional and it could easily be held that he should have known better (and advised the customer accordingly - with written proof) if the non-transponder key he cuts subsequently causes damage.

 

A good example is Mercedes Sprinter van keys. Just attempting to use a non-transponder key can cause a 'start error' that will cost the customer a lot of money to fix (and bearing in mind that these are usually business vehicles, if they are off the road, the true cost of the damage, due to loss of earnings, etc, can be significant). Under efficacy, in contract law; the professional key cutter has a duty of care towards the customer to give clear advice to prevent this. So cutting a non-transponder key (or cutting a steel key and telling them to hold the head of the old key near the ignition when starting the vehicle) is playing a very dangerous financial game, especially as most will not have the correct type of Public Liabilty Insurance or specific Efficacy Insurance to cover it.

 

Sure, key cutters get away with this every day.... but in our litigious society, where, apparently, it's always someone else's fault, it's just a matter time before a civil claim is brought in these circumstance.

 

I'm sure, however, there will be plenty here who will disagree with me!

 

 

But, coming back to the original question... My answer is LOADS. As Decker says, most people confuse remote functions with transponders, but I find that a proper and concise explaination that includes the actual date of the introduction of immobilsers/transponders for their particular make/model gives the customer confidence in the advice they are being given and overcomes any objections they initally raise.

[burghlocks]

Well said, def makes you think twice!

[ponsaloti]

70% is a good guess from me,we have to explain that even keys with a solid plastic

head contain chips and most believe us eventually,but you always get one stubborn one

who will say immobiliser has been bypassed so we cut a normal key and await there return.

 

"THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT" especially when they have to pay twice.

 

Ditto.

We always try to explain as above but if we get a gobby one in, I'll cut him one on steel or plain plastic bow (whilst giggling and biting my tongue).

[key cabin]

I have had so many customers come into my shop standing thier ground that the key dos'nt have a transponder, that is untill i put the key into my TRS5000 and it tells him he has a tp12 chip inside, at that point they normaly back down,especially when you tell them the price of a transponder key agianst the price of a non transponder and what it can do to the ECU if not used correctly.

 

This is where our advise counts, give them the correct advise and they will be back, give them a key that will only open the door and not start the car and they will not only give you a bad name by word of mouth but they most certainly wont be back.

Just take your time, explain how a transponder works and they will go away educated and with a key that they want. Simples \:D/

[hakeemz]

Just take your time, explain how a transponder works and they will go away educated

 

yeah right, if only life was that simpl

i agree completely with you but reality is different, you always get good percentage of customers who think they know best and you are just trying to... fob them off..or sell them on..

but thats life and some of then learn the hard way

[grahamparker]

Absolutley Hakeemz

 

We do try and always explain,but when the customer says look this vehicle

has been bypassed and we tell them it hasn't and they insist on having a non

chipped key then we will always warn them of the consequences before

commencing.

[earlsdoncobbler]

i have kept the article from cutting edge on transponders from a while ago that has helped me no end

[derek]

i had another guy yesterday say the same as previous 2 from Saturday,but seems the trade as a whole suffers from this problem,i wonder when the dealerships will get round to telling their customers that their cars need a "special" key

[slippy]

Weather the customer say's it has or not. I always test it. Then I will tell them if it has or not.

If there is a chip in it & they say it hasn't or it 's been overridden I won't guarantee it to start the car, Only to open the doors.

 

The customer is always right.

[derek]

i remember showing a customer his key was chipped,a few years back in Paisley when i worked for Timpson,he accused me of putting the code in myself,

[slippy]

Had to change the remote battery in a proton key on Sat. Opened it & the chip fell out.

Took me half an hour to find the bloody thing.

Twichy arse moment.

[Lee]

same thing happened to me with a vauxhall key, but I was luckier & found it straight away! nasty bits of tech.

[grahamparker]

Have been called to numerous vauxhalls to program in a new chip and have found the old one

on the car mat or carpet below the ignition lock.

 

Didn't charge for programming but did for call out.

[3D Group]

We refurse to cut a normal key full stop, even for those who know they have a chipped key. They just want to get into the car and that is it. But if some tries to start the car and damaged is caused I am sure the lawyers these days will have your pants down.

[ponsaloti]

They can talk to my Mrs then Dan.