There’s nothing quite as disrupting to someone’s day as when car keys turn up missing or finding out they’re locked in a car by accident. It becomes a whole fiasco, and a decision has to be made about who to call. When this happens, you have two options: call a locksmith or dealership. Only one of these saves time and money and is convenient: a locksmith. Let’s go over several reasons why a locksmith is more reliable than a dealership.
Locksmith or Dealership?
You might think there’s not much of a difference between calling a locksmith or dealership, but there are many reasons why a dealership is unreliable in comparison. Aside from time, money, and convenience, there are many other reasons a locksmith is better than a dealership.
Dealerships Take Time to Reach You
You might experience many roadside issues, such as lost car keys, that can leave you stranded. When you call your dealership for help, the dealership will likely not come to you for assistance. This means you’ll have to find a way to get your car to them. The dealership will require proof of ownership to replace lost car keys. If your dealership can reach you, it will take them time to reach you. Their priority is the customers in their dealership, so they will not always be available during emergencies.
When you’ve lost your car keys and are locked out of your car, the first step should always be to call a locksmith. Dealerships do not work 24/7 like locksmiths tend to. Locksmiths work around the clock to assist those in emergency lockout situations. The American Automobile Association (AAA) reports getting calls from locked-out motorists more than 4 million times a year–and they’re not even a locksmith business. Make your first call to a trusted locksmith who can unlock your car. If you need your car keys replaced, locksmiths can also easily do this.
Dealerships Accrue Costs
Dealerships are known for accruing major costs. For instance, if you’ve called them about losing your keys, chances are you will see a bill from them for the service they provided. This cost is often more expensive than the bill you would get from a locksmith.
The cost to replace your lost car keys will also cost a set amount, depending on the type of key you have for your car. The dealership will then charge you for their labor, which could be a half-hour to an hour of labor. Locksmiths are a less expensive option because they won’t tack on unnecessary and undisclosed fees to take money from you. They will do the work and give you an honest price upfront. The national average cost of a locksmith for this service is $95.
As mentioned above, dealerships have many other administrative tasks that take precedence over an emergency lockout situation. They may offer to send a car to pick you up, but this will likely include an expensive fee. They may even call a locksmith to assist you, which will have its own service fee.
Dealerships Are Not Convenient
Who is more convenient, a locksmith or dealership? Convenience is what any car key provider should guarantee their clients, but unfortunately, dealerships are not solely car key providers. They are vehicle providers, meaning any services they offer regarding lost car keys are not their main priority or function. Luckily, locksmiths are in the business of car keys.
Locksmiths do not have set hours of operation. Locksmiths are open 24/7 because we do not plan for it to happen when we lose our car keys. Locksmiths are there for those unplanned moments to get things back on track, making them incredibly convenient. Car dealerships are not open 24/7, so their services–if any–cannot be relied on.
Locksmith or Dealership: Reliable Local Locksmiths
If you have lost your car keys, are facing an emergency lockout situation, or simply want a backup set of keys, there is no one better than ASAP Locksmith of Des Moines. We are proud of our craft and happy to help the everyday Hawkeye. Don’t waste any more time finding a better locksmith. Contact us to get a free estimate today.