straightpick wrote:Duplicate single sided key: $2.50
Duplicate double sided key: $3.75
Code cut desk and file cabinet keys: $10.00/pr.
Code cut safe deposit keys: $8.50
Code cut Best key: $5.50
Code cut automotive and cycle keys: $12.50
Code cut tubular key: $10.00
The best way to price out other keys is to find out what the manufacturer charges for a cut key: keys like Primus, Everest, Mul-T-Lock, Medeco, etc. and adjust your prices accordingly. You may even have to charge more for them, remember they have dedicated equipment to cut these keys and can produce them easier that you may be able to.
Also the keyblank prices will factor into the price. For example, a customer wants a duplicate for an obscure key. Ilco has the keyblanks, at $4.60 each, minimum of ten. What are you going to charge for a duplicate? Many factors impact on pricing. I usually charge less than the above prices for good, repeat customers, banks, auto dealers, large institutional groups, etc. Charge what you're worth, but be worth what you charge!
IMHO, you better price older/non transponder auto keys (single or double sided) and anything and everything that can be duplicated on Axxess+ to be competitive with big box stores with the Axxess+. Think about it in consumer sense. Why would they come to you to pay $3.75 to get a double sided common auto key made in the constraints of 9-5 when Home Depot is open 7-10 and can get it for $2?
Many lockies around here require Letter of Authorization to dupe Best keys and dupe is $7. Code cut, I think $10+. I think $10 is a good starting point for code cutting SFIC and it makes sense in business sense.
They can't be made at hardware stores, so you've got the business.
They're a b**** to get clamped correctly in the vise, some being more difficult than other and since the spacing is based off of not the tip, but the little indent, spacing is a PITA too.
Now, top that off with them typically having seven cuts, among the tightest tolerance (thousandth of an inch) which means higher rate of return.
$5.50 ea is reasonable if you've got an SFIC blue punch, but I can't see anyone other than in-house lockies having one sitting around.
Mul-T-Lock, Medeco, I agree.
Primus is the same as anything else as far as dupicating. You can't duplicate the side bitting unless in a commercially feasible manner.
Duplicating Everest is pretty much the same as duplicating anything else, although the blanks are restricted except the C series. Fabricating knock-off blanks for their restricted D and B series is unlawful as they're still under patent.