Why are car keys so expensive?
Discussion
MajorTom said:
tbc said:
When you own/run a GT-R you don't worry about £850 bills.MajorTom said:
mcford said:
There's alot of technology in a key these days, bet you didn't give it a thought at how much the expensive key saves you your insurance premium each year.
Not that much technology inside mine for £850 + vat ryanjohnstott said:
Maserati quoted me around £6500 for a replacement red service key. Apparently I would need the red service key, two new normal keys, two door locks and a new alarm/Imobilizer system plus labour etc
The car in question was a cheap 3200, I then realised why it was going cheap!
£6,500? The car in question was a cheap 3200, I then realised why it was going cheap!
£6,500?!?!?
Don't normally bother commenting when dealer bashing phrases get thrown about but it is starting to annoy a bit so just to say, people really need to realise that when it comes to expensive parts/labour, this is not the dealer having your pants down / having you over a barrel / wallet raping you or any other bulls**t combinations thereof.
The RRP of the key or any other part is set by the manufacturer not the dealer.
The cost price of a key generally is about 10-20% below the RRP so not a great deal of profit there.
The equipment used to code keys into the immobiliser is especially made for that franchise and does not always do the dealer any favours, in some ways it can delve deep into the vehicles ECU and measure and change all sorts of cool stuff and help diagnose all sorts of faults, but sometimes when it comes to a simple job like coding a key it can be horribly long winded and when you get quoted 30mins to code it, it can be because it can actually take that long because the method used to do it in any quick fashion is locked out by the manufacturer who charge the dealer up to 10k for the machine and a few grand in training courses that the dealer has to send mechanics on whereas billy the yellow pages locksmith can buy a gadget that will just code keys into all sorts of vehicles for a couple of grand maybe.
The next time you feel ripped off by a dealer, even when they have done a good job (I appreciate its difficult if they have ballsed up when charging you £100ph) complain to the manufacturer ask them why parts/labour cost so much, its them creaming a fortune from everyone, the customer & the dealer, they don't do the dealers any favours at all, it costs an eye watering amount to run from showrooms/training/stock/courtesy cars/signage and a load of other things that have to be done a certain way even if it means the dealer handing a fortune over to the manufacturer.
Obviously there is a profit in it or dealers would not exist but the turnover to achieve it is massive, thats why they insist on charging at least an hour for diagnostics because they are pissed off with customers having a diagnostic done in good faith and buggering off to fred in the shed who only has to budget for turning the lights on for the repair.
The RRP of the key or any other part is set by the manufacturer not the dealer.
The cost price of a key generally is about 10-20% below the RRP so not a great deal of profit there.
The equipment used to code keys into the immobiliser is especially made for that franchise and does not always do the dealer any favours, in some ways it can delve deep into the vehicles ECU and measure and change all sorts of cool stuff and help diagnose all sorts of faults, but sometimes when it comes to a simple job like coding a key it can be horribly long winded and when you get quoted 30mins to code it, it can be because it can actually take that long because the method used to do it in any quick fashion is locked out by the manufacturer who charge the dealer up to 10k for the machine and a few grand in training courses that the dealer has to send mechanics on whereas billy the yellow pages locksmith can buy a gadget that will just code keys into all sorts of vehicles for a couple of grand maybe.
The next time you feel ripped off by a dealer, even when they have done a good job (I appreciate its difficult if they have ballsed up when charging you £100ph) complain to the manufacturer ask them why parts/labour cost so much, its them creaming a fortune from everyone, the customer & the dealer, they don't do the dealers any favours at all, it costs an eye watering amount to run from showrooms/training/stock/courtesy cars/signage and a load of other things that have to be done a certain way even if it means the dealer handing a fortune over to the manufacturer.
Obviously there is a profit in it or dealers would not exist but the turnover to achieve it is massive, thats why they insist on charging at least an hour for diagnostics because they are pissed off with customers having a diagnostic done in good faith and buggering off to fred in the shed who only has to budget for turning the lights on for the repair.
Mitsubishi colt. £240 central locking remote. 120 for imobiliser key. Pissed me off beyond reason being stuck at work for 5 odd hours waiting for a mobile guy to come out. Had a chewing out by management next day saying that staying at work liek that isn't on. They could of come out at any of the hours i was trapped there.
JackDaniels said:
Don't normally bother commenting when dealer bashing phrases get thrown about but it is starting to annoy a bit so just to say, people really need to realise that when it comes to expensive parts/labour, this is not the dealer having your pants down / having you over a barrel / wallet raping you or any other bulls**t combinations thereof.
The RRP of the key or any other part is set by the manufacturer not the dealer.
The cost price of a key generally is about 10-20% below the RRP so not a great deal of profit there.
The equipment used to code keys into the immobiliser is especially made for that franchise and does not always do the dealer any favours, in some ways it can delve deep into the vehicles ECU and measure and change all sorts of cool stuff and help diagnose all sorts of faults, but sometimes when it comes to a simple job like coding a key it can be horribly long winded and when you get quoted 30mins to code it, it can be because it can actually take that long because the method used to do it in any quick fashion is locked out by the manufacturer who charge the dealer up to 10k for the machine and a few grand in training courses that the dealer has to send mechanics on whereas billy the yellow pages locksmith can buy a gadget that will just code keys into all sorts of vehicles for a couple of grand maybe.
The next time you feel ripped off by a dealer, even when they have done a good job (I appreciate its difficult if they have ballsed up when charging you £100ph) complain to the manufacturer ask them why parts/labour cost so much, its them creaming a fortune from everyone, the customer & the dealer, they don't do the dealers any favours at all, it costs an eye watering amount to run from showrooms/training/stock/courtesy cars/signage and a load of other things that have to be done a certain way even if it means the dealer handing a fortune over to the manufacturer.
Obviously there is a profit in it or dealers would not exist but the turnover to achieve it is massive, thats why they insist on charging at least an hour for diagnostics because they are pissed off with customers having a diagnostic done in good faith and buggering off to fred in the shed who only has to budget for turning the lights on for the repair.
I'm tempted to say my heart bleeds for those poor little main dealers... The RRP of the key or any other part is set by the manufacturer not the dealer.
The cost price of a key generally is about 10-20% below the RRP so not a great deal of profit there.
The equipment used to code keys into the immobiliser is especially made for that franchise and does not always do the dealer any favours, in some ways it can delve deep into the vehicles ECU and measure and change all sorts of cool stuff and help diagnose all sorts of faults, but sometimes when it comes to a simple job like coding a key it can be horribly long winded and when you get quoted 30mins to code it, it can be because it can actually take that long because the method used to do it in any quick fashion is locked out by the manufacturer who charge the dealer up to 10k for the machine and a few grand in training courses that the dealer has to send mechanics on whereas billy the yellow pages locksmith can buy a gadget that will just code keys into all sorts of vehicles for a couple of grand maybe.
The next time you feel ripped off by a dealer, even when they have done a good job (I appreciate its difficult if they have ballsed up when charging you £100ph) complain to the manufacturer ask them why parts/labour cost so much, its them creaming a fortune from everyone, the customer & the dealer, they don't do the dealers any favours at all, it costs an eye watering amount to run from showrooms/training/stock/courtesy cars/signage and a load of other things that have to be done a certain way even if it means the dealer handing a fortune over to the manufacturer.
Obviously there is a profit in it or dealers would not exist but the turnover to achieve it is massive, thats why they insist on charging at least an hour for diagnostics because they are pissed off with customers having a diagnostic done in good faith and buggering off to fred in the shed who only has to budget for turning the lights on for the repair.
Edited by Matt UK on Friday 9th November 21:24
JackDaniels said:
Don't normally bother commenting when dealer bashing phrases get thrown about but it is starting to annoy a bit so just to say, people really need to realise that when it comes to expensive parts/labour, this is not the dealer having your pants down / having you over a barrel / wallet raping you or any other bulls**t combinations thereof.
The RRP of the key or any other part is set by the manufacturer not the dealer.
The cost price of a key generally is about 10-20% below the RRP so not a great deal of profit there.
The equipment used to code keys into the immobiliser is especially made for that franchise and does not always do the dealer any favours, in some ways it can delve deep into the vehicles ECU and measure and change all sorts of cool stuff and help diagnose all sorts of faults, but sometimes when it comes to a simple job like coding a key it can be horribly long winded and when you get quoted 30mins to code it, it can be because it can actually take that long because the method used to do it in any quick fashion is locked out by the manufacturer who charge the dealer up to 10k for the machine and a few grand in training courses that the dealer has to send mechanics on whereas billy the yellow pages locksmith can buy a gadget that will just code keys into all sorts of vehicles for a couple of grand maybe.
The next time you feel ripped off by a dealer, even when they have done a good job (I appreciate its difficult if they have ballsed up when charging you £100ph) complain to the manufacturer ask them why parts/labour cost so much, its them creaming a fortune from everyone, the customer & the dealer, they don't do the dealers any favours at all, it costs an eye watering amount to run from showrooms/training/stock/courtesy cars/signage and a load of other things that have to be done a certain way even if it means the dealer handing a fortune over to the manufacturer.
Obviously there is a profit in it or dealers would not exist but the turnover to achieve it is massive, thats why they insist on charging at least an hour for diagnostics because they are pissed off with customers having a diagnostic done in good faith and buggering off to fred in the shed who only has to budget for turning the lights on for the repair.
The manufacturer does not set labour rates AFAIK !The RRP of the key or any other part is set by the manufacturer not the dealer.
The cost price of a key generally is about 10-20% below the RRP so not a great deal of profit there.
The equipment used to code keys into the immobiliser is especially made for that franchise and does not always do the dealer any favours, in some ways it can delve deep into the vehicles ECU and measure and change all sorts of cool stuff and help diagnose all sorts of faults, but sometimes when it comes to a simple job like coding a key it can be horribly long winded and when you get quoted 30mins to code it, it can be because it can actually take that long because the method used to do it in any quick fashion is locked out by the manufacturer who charge the dealer up to 10k for the machine and a few grand in training courses that the dealer has to send mechanics on whereas billy the yellow pages locksmith can buy a gadget that will just code keys into all sorts of vehicles for a couple of grand maybe.
The next time you feel ripped off by a dealer, even when they have done a good job (I appreciate its difficult if they have ballsed up when charging you £100ph) complain to the manufacturer ask them why parts/labour cost so much, its them creaming a fortune from everyone, the customer & the dealer, they don't do the dealers any favours at all, it costs an eye watering amount to run from showrooms/training/stock/courtesy cars/signage and a load of other things that have to be done a certain way even if it means the dealer handing a fortune over to the manufacturer.
Obviously there is a profit in it or dealers would not exist but the turnover to achieve it is massive, thats why they insist on charging at least an hour for diagnostics because they are pissed off with customers having a diagnostic done in good faith and buggering off to fred in the shed who only has to budget for turning the lights on for the repair.
tbc said:
overpriced and unreliable Jaaaaaagggsss again without much hassle.
You need to do some research my friend.http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/jd-power-survey-20...
Scroll down to the manufacturer table...
MajorTom said:
tbc said:
When you own/run a GT-R you don't worry about £850 bills.I still begrudge paying money I don't need to on my 911. It's not the amount of money (although £850 would hurt!) but the fact that I could be spending it on nice things that I want rather than wasting it!
I know people who are very wealthy who still don't like being ripped off!
CarlT said:
The manufacturer does not set labour rates AFAIK !
No they do not, but they do insist on a dealer having x number of demos/courtesy cars (that are not free or even discounted by much) or having staff attend mandatory training that can cost a few grand per staff member, or making it mandatory to have certain workshop tools that will very rarely get used that might cost £500-1xxx pounds each, or have to use software on the computers that have to be unlocked with software keys that again might be £100 pounds each per member of staff that requires access, or have to have a showroom laid out/built in a certain style with particular bespoke bits of furniture that cost a ridiculous amount of money, dealers are not given any of this, it all has to be purchased.The list of costs is endless & all of it is audited regularly by the manufacturer so you can't skip any of it, and if you try then you get fined large amounts.
I have always avoided trying to justify main dealer costs on the internet as I am fully aware some people just don't want to know that there is a possibility that there might actually be a good reason why they charge so much and that they are much happier believing that the world is out to get them and we are all out to rob them of their money, I do appreciate they can be high but there is a reason.
God forbid we actually manage to cover our massive costs and make a bit extra in profit, I honestly believe that not far into the future dealers may not exist anymore as a separate entity and you will do everything directly with Nissan/Audi/BMW or whatever as it will become too expensive to run a dealership.
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