Key for a 2014 Chevy Colorado

[mseifert]

I lost the only set of keys I have for my work truck.. Our company uses Pros to go for our lock needs .. The guy comes out and says that he doesn't have the proper program for my year of vehicle and will have to download it .. Say that normally the key and fob would cost about 225-250 but since he has to pay for and download the proper program it will cost 350 and he will make me a extra key..


And just now as I am typing this post he calls me from the parking lot and says he can login to get the proper program and will not be able to do anything for me until tomorrow morning ... I have to admit .. I am a bit irritated..

My experience is not in Vehicle key programming, actually I have zero experience with it .. but does this sound about right..

[Sinifar]

For a 2014 key it is about right, or should be more, if you have to originate a totally new key. The best solution, and I know this is way after the horse left the barn, is never to get into this situation, and always have at least TWO spare keys, programmed to your vehicle on hand. That way if you lose or break one, you still have two keys to load a new one into the unit. This keeps your keys at three operable keys for the unit. FOR me, with a 2014 Ford Transit Connect, I have four on hand, including the one i use daily.

Sinifar

[ltdbjd]

I'd find somebody who doesn't have to download software. There are several programmers that you can buy cheap, then add software packages as you need them. Why should you pay for him to buy software?

Prices are somewhat regional, but $350 is a lot. Even in southern CA where I used to work, we'd charge about $225. And that was fairly high.

[mseifert]

I was more curious if it is normal for them to charge the customer to download a new program

[Squelchtone]

I was more curious if it is normal for them to charge the customer to download a new program

They shouldn't pass the buck down to you for the entire cost of that software, that's an investment in their business to buy their own software, key machine, etc. It's like saying, I can copy your Medeco key, but I'm also gonna charge you $5000 to buy the Medeco key machine, that's not normal or right in my opinion.

Not all locksmiths are equally computer savvy, so maybe he was fumbling around trying to figure out the right software. If you have the option of asking for another tech or talking to this guys boss if they are a bigger outfit, you might get somewhere.

Squelchtone

[Tyler J. Thomas]

I was more curious if it is normal for them to charge the customer to download a new program

They shouldn't pass the buck down to you for the entire cost of that software, that's an investment in their business to buy their own software, key machine, etc. It's like saying, I can copy your Medeco key, but I'm also gonna charge you $5000 to buy the Medeco key machine, that's not normal or right in my opinion.

Not all locksmiths are equally computer savvy, so maybe he was fumbling around trying to figure out the right software. If you have the option of asking for another tech or talking to this guys boss if they are a bigger outfit, you might get somewhere.

Squelchtone

Yeah, it's pretty tacky. You either a) assume it's going to continue to generate revenue and is therefore a worthwhile investment or b) refer them to someone else.

Now I've heard of requiring a commercial company to pay a coining fee for high security keys but, in that case, it's a one-off thing - it's not like you can use those blanks for someone else.

[sleepyrz]

It takes about 2 minutes to get the key code off the back of the cylinder if you are competent locksmith that has the correct tools for the job

Key cutting will take another 2 - 3 minutes


And depending on what kind of key programmer he uses it can be anywhere from 12 minutes to 30 minutes to program the key

So it's actually really easy to originate a key for the truck

[RubberBanned]

Traditionally, that's not the case for modern GM, I'd say more, but I think it falls into advanced. Suffice to say I don't believe you are correct in this instance.

[GWiens2001]

Traditionally, that's not the case for modern GM, I'd say more, but I think it falls into advanced. Suffice to say I don't believe you are correct in this instance.

Since it has been over a year, the issue may already be resolved.

Gordon