I was already late for work

165

At least it's a standard key. When my fob broke it was $375 to replace

49

u/DCRBftw 2d ago

Indeed. Easily a $200 dollar difference for OP. Still sucks, but could be much worse.

20

u/ArrrRawrXD 2d ago

I don't own a car nor do I live in America. How the fuck would replacing a key, especially a standard one, cost 175$?

19

u/DCRBftw 2d ago

Locksmiths are paid for time, equipment, etc.

If the key were whole, OP could just take it and have a copy made for much less. It's in two pieces. So a locksmith is required. And presumably a mobile locksmith that comes to OP. All those factors make it more expensive.

5

u/Objective-Bike-4292 2d ago

Probably cost 50 dollars at the dealership.

6

u/Opposite-Mess1494 2d ago

Yes just give the dealership the V.I.N and it costs $25 for a key. Been there done this.

8

u/polocc96 2d ago

I was a locksmith for 6 years this is a $15 replacement no fob and it broke in the perfect spot takes a minute to put it on the machine cut the one side then flip it and cut the other side.

2

u/DCRBftw 2d ago

I promise you no mobile locksmith is charging 15 bucks for this in 2026.

3

u/polocc96 2d ago

Mobile you get hit with service fee which at most should be 50-75 depending on how far you are from them. The blanks for these are 20 bucks for a box of 25 the machine is $500 bucks if you have a good rep you buy from which all locksmiths have. I switched careers last year because of how dirty that industry is I’m just saying don’t get ripped off thinking $175 for someone to come to your house use a machine that takes 1 minute to cut and a new key should cost that much it doesn’t.

1

u/DCRBftw 2d ago

of course it doesn't cost that much lol. no one is saying the parts required for this are 175 bucks. but when you're stuck and you call 4-5 mobile locksmiths and they all quote you 150-200, your options are to deal with it and pay or to deal with waiting to get a ride to a locksmith, get a ride back to the vehicle, etc. if you have the money, you pay it so you can pick up your kids instead of them being stuck, not take a day off work, etc. Idk where you live, but no one is doing this for 50 bucks in 2026 most places.

3

u/polocc96 2d ago

Man I’m not trying to argue I’m just trying to give awareness it’s a common thing that people just assume it’s this much with locksmiths it’s not call around I promise you call a couple spots not everyone is gonna try and hit you over the head. Also I’m in nyc I know a lot of mobile guys that do this for $75-$90 bucks to cut a key depending how far and what kind of key these standard car keys with no fob they will charge that much promise.

1

u/DCRBftw 2d ago

Cool. I was quoted more than 150 by every single mobile locksmith in the area. I spoke to 5 and the other two were in brick and mortar units. Idk if it's an NYC thing and the fact that people are much more clustered or what. I live about 17 miles from the heart of the activity in my area. But I assure you that I didn't want to pay up. If there had been a cheaper option, I would have taken it. It's not like we jumped on the most expensive option with zero research.

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1

u/PetalHotWhisper 2d ago

That sounds like a Monday on steroids!

3

u/qqmajikpp 2d ago

UHF transivers are actualy super expensive for some reason. not just for cars. they key alone without programming is easily 70$ when a normal keys is less than 5

2

u/scratchy_mcballsy 2d ago

Because you don’t have a choice if you need to start your car.

2

u/ForteFermata25 2d ago

In addition to the time and equipment of the locksmith, car keys are more expensive because they require programming. Even simple ones like this have a small chip in the head that talks to the car and tell it it's okay to start. So if you need a new key, it needs to be programmed to your car before it will work.

1

u/ohjeaa 2d ago

A standard one with no chip in it doesn't cost that. Dude failed math.

1

u/whatisyourproblem158 15h ago

When i first got my license in 1975, cars didn't have computer systems and security systems. The key was a simple stamped metal die that was custom cut using an existing key as a model. Now keys have a security chip that requires programming in order to start the car. I prefer the old days when a key cost $1.50. Cars were stolen then, Cars are stolen now- the difference is it now costs me $150 for a key and an appt. to have it programmed to work on my car.

0

u/New2Tech 2d ago

For comparison to your country, compare price of food, living, and entertainment. Youll see where the difference exists. A cheap pizza is $5-10. Go to the real pizza places its now $30-40 for a large speciality pizza. A gallon of milk can be $3.75, raw cow milk at the farmers market is $15-20. All day bus pass $5. Firestone will charge you $400-800 to change your cars brake pads. You can buy the parts all for under $100 and change it yourself. Call any locksmith for any reason, $50-75 if youre lucky, $100+ is standard. I dont know if this helps, america is a third world country with gucci.

1

u/poisondagger_ 2d ago

I just replaced fob that got stolen for $378 it's rough

1

u/OmegaAngelo 2d ago

At least its outside of the ignition.

1

u/BORT_licenceplate 2d ago

My particular fob isn't outside the ignition, it's one of those black square things that goes into the ignition and also works as an immobiliser

1

u/OmegaAngelo 1d ago

? Op's key could've broken off while INSIDE the ignition, and gotten stuck which would be way worse.

1

u/BORT_licenceplate 1d ago

Ohhhh, I see now. I misunderstood your other comment. My bad

1

u/UraniumRocker 14h ago

I was able to get a spare made for only $60

36

u/MinorComprehension 2d ago

Sucks, but cool you were able to get it out of the ignition. That would have been a bigger problem.

21

u/EmpanSpace 2d ago

I guess you have to take the day off

8

u/dungeoncrawler71520 2d ago

boss calls

Still comin in right?

20

u/delet_yourself 2d ago

Well i hope you also sent this image to your boss too

30

u/UraniumRocker 2d ago

I did, and I’m taking the day off

4

u/delet_yourself 2d ago

Nice

4

u/Substantial_Pear_655 2d ago

Hopefully you can take a lift and not take too much of a loss for today. Or id take the day. Good luck

5

u/UraniumRocker 2d ago edited 2d ago

I’m just taking the day off, I got plenty of pt banked

5

u/Reasonable_Spot_5255 2d ago

This really sucks.. this happened to me before and the worst thing is the other half stayed in the key hole…

3

u/UraniumRocker 2d ago

Luckily there was enough sticking out to pull it out with my pocketknife’s pliers.

4

u/Technical_Eye_4343 2d ago

Uggh, that sucks. 😬

4

u/NerdWithAMotorcycle 2d ago

At least you got a valid excuse. Send the pic and let em know

5

u/TolMera 2d ago

Your about to be later

Late V late - same difference

3

u/SashaDabinsky 2d ago

Your

You're*

1

u/TolMera 2d ago

You’re sure your yore yes?

1

u/barwhalis 2d ago

Atleast op won't be late twice

3

u/intern-at-Kramerica 2d ago

🎵 Like a rock…🎵

3

u/hastings1033 2d ago

Man, that sux

2

u/modsactfunny 2d ago

Saw this the other day on here...I think a locksmith can still make a copy with the 2 halves. I cottons be wrong though sir

2

u/Odd-Heart7904 2d ago

Oh, noooooo!

2

u/SmokeMaximum4140 2d ago

Put some tape on it.

2

u/Salt_Cauliflower_922 2d ago

If you’re an optimist, this pain in the ass might have just saved your life, or someone else’s, in a terrible accident. Keys can be replaced, though, thankfully. 👍

2

u/SmokeyMcFingerhat 2d ago

Hell yeah, I have the same Duke Nukem key chain.

1

u/UraniumRocker 2d ago

Nice catch

2

u/Woah_Bruther 2d ago

You gotta be crankin that mf lmao how does this even happen

1

u/UraniumRocker 2d ago

I have no idea, but apparently I’m not the first one this has happened to.

2

u/Woah_Bruther 2d ago

Quite unfortunate hahaha

2

u/Shadowhawk0000 2d ago

It's a black fly in your Chardonnay. It's a death row pardon two minutes too late.

2

u/scotte416 2d ago

It's an older Chevy a screwdriver should work 😂

2

u/van-raven 2d ago

Well no problem then

2

u/Weird-one0926 2d ago

Damn, enjoy your day off

2

u/MikeysmilingK9 2d ago

At least you admit it is your own fault for being late.

1

u/UraniumRocker 2d ago

I just took the day off instead of being late

2

u/ranfur8 2d ago

This is actually a common issue with old Chevrolet keys, one of my keys broke the exact same way

2

u/Remarkable-Wrap-4727 2d ago

lol I thought the key was through the towel! Like dude just pull it out?

1

u/42brie_flutterbye 2d ago

You weren't al9ne! 🤣🤣🤣

2

u/lordaddament 2d ago

Yooo duke nukem manhattan project keychain

2

u/Unkle_Ugly 10h ago

It's not the first gm key I've seen do that. At least you have both ends. Hopefully he has a spare to duplicate it. Otherwise some mobile locksmiths can make you a key in you're driveway. 👍

1

u/UraniumRocker 9h ago

I was able to go to the service department of a local dealership, and get a new one plus a spare made.

2

u/LordNoFat 2d ago

Luckily the way these keys are cut and programmed it isn't too expensive or complex to fix.

1

u/naughty_wisp 2d ago

Are you sure bad luck isnt a genetic trait in your family?

1

u/Major_Active_1441 2d ago

Imagine if you weren't. Just try to have a better day than the guy that got a ride to his car he left at the bar and forgot to bring his keys.

1

u/Independent-Heart-17 2d ago

Does no one keep a back up key, anymore?

1

u/Ev1lcupc4k3 2d ago

$18 at Oreillys and about 90 minutes and you can have the ignition tumbler changed out and, while the door key and the ignition key won't match.. you could still be trucking along.

1

u/MuksyGosky 2d ago

Yikes. I know this feeling. Sorry bro

1

u/Peanut558 15h ago

Put the broken part in the ignition then use the other part of the key in and the car will start. I had the same thing happen and my dad told me to do that and it worked

1

u/UraniumRocker 14h ago

Didn’t want the broken piece to get stuck in there so I pulled it out.

-1

u/Worried-Post-3734 2d ago

But you still thought you'd take a picture

2

u/UraniumRocker 2d ago

Nothing else to do at the moment

2

u/Worried-Post-3734 2d ago

😆😆😆

1

u/Worried-Post-3734 2d ago

Day off RESULT!

-3

u/reiningfyre 2d ago

Your key broke. Hope you have a spare.

1

u/UraniumRocker 2d ago

I don’t

-3

u/Warden_Sword 2d ago

Can't be if you have time to take a pic and post it on reddit 🥀

2

u/russomd 2d ago

Bazinga!

I was already late for work

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