Why are car keys so expensive?
Discussion
JackDaniels said:
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.
Sell cars directly,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.
Setup workshops on industrial estates, jobsagoodun.
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
You can buy them on the internet for Consult III (Nissan GTR up to 2012 MY) for £500 and also blank keys for under £30, why does it cost £800 again to spend 10 minutes maximum. You could do it in a few seconds if you're used to it.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
tercelgold said:
You can buy them on the internet for Consult III (Nissan GTR up to 2012 MY) for £500 and also blank keys for under £30, why does it cost £800 again to spend 10 minutes maximum. You could do it in a few seconds if you're used to it.
Does not matter, would not surprise me if Nissan just send the dealer the diagnostic machine along with a bill for it for some stupid amount and its tough tits for the dealer they have to have it and have to pay squillions for it.JackDaniels said:
Does not matter, would not surprise me if Nissan just send the dealer the diagnostic machine along with a bill for it for some stupid amount and its tough tits for the dealer they have to have it and have to pay squillions for it.
Sounds plausible, the pricing / cost with keys and recoding other stuff is down to the manufacturers. With smart e.g. if you want to retrofit the automatic shifting feature to a lower end spec car that came without it, you can get the physical parts cheaply from the dealer, but the recoding of the ECU only works online with a connection to MB. For which the dealer is charged on a per case basis of around € 150 IIRC.morgrp said:
What amazes me is just how many people lose car keys
What amazes me is how many people choose to only have one key or don't question why their car only came with one key.Modern car keys for all cars are expensive but then the consumer likes to have their toys too and keep them secure. The advancement in car security (the key) is the reason the coat hanger isn't used much these days and precisely the reason why the thief's now break into your property for the key.
Keys can now recharge the battery while they are in the ignition, they are increasingly just fobs doing without the key blade. They are now becoming programmable to the user holding preferred user settings. The keys now also use rolling codes for the immobilizer.
Most good franchised dealers will ask you if you would like the 'missing/stolen' key erasing from the immobilizer too. In this situation I suspect that the £150+ you spend on a key could be considered good value if the missing key got into the wrong hands.
What surprises me is the amount of people under the illusion that you have to visit a main dealer for a key,
There are many people out there who will come to you and cut and chip a key for a lot less than you would imagine,
Don`t be fooled into thinking the main dealer is your only avenue with lost keys because its far from the truth,regardless of what they like to tell you.
There are many people out there who will come to you and cut and chip a key for a lot less than you would imagine,
Don`t be fooled into thinking the main dealer is your only avenue with lost keys because its far from the truth,regardless of what they like to tell you.
Deva Link said:
Yep. Order your new car over the internet, or go to a manufacturer owned showroom / demo centre if you want to.
Authorised repairers on out of town industrial estates.
Have to agree on this. Might have been unlucky, but the last two times I went to a dealership to take a look at a new car, I knew more about the product than the resident sales guy. And that was after doing about two hours of online research... I refuse to pay any kind of commission for that level of service.Authorised repairers on out of town industrial estates.
had ham said:
Ask your R35 dealer why they are taking the piss. I did, and cancelled.
Not sure what the price is for one of these, but I promise you it aint £850.
After a long time with Nissan, it's why I'm going elsewhere next year for my next car.
I haven't actually enquired about the cost of a GTR key personally.I remember a guy on the GTR forum needed a new key and £850+vat is what he was quoted from nissan.Prices for all things GTR do vary from dealer to dealer and can usually be reduced with a bit of haggling.Not sure what the price is for one of these, but I promise you it aint £850.
After a long time with Nissan, it's why I'm going elsewhere next year for my next car.
To be honest though,anything you want from nissan uk for a GTR will cost you a fortune.Most owners refer to this as 'including the GTR tax'.Because the initial cost of the car,esp the early ones was so relatively cheap in the UK they try to make up for this with ridiculous parts and servicing costs.
Another recent example: My2011 inlet pipes wanted as an upgrade for a MY10 car.The chap imported them from a nissan dealer in the US,£295 + £45 delivery.
Nissan UK's price......£2338
Crazy!
I've just had my Audi TT key repaired. The chaps replaced my battery and gave it a new remote housing - an original Audi one - plus reprogrammed it to my car while i waited. £25 all in! Apparently they do roadside replacements, non-destructive car entry and lock repairs too. He can even cut keys from your iPhone picture and send them to you via mail order. So impressed was I that I promised to give him a plug as he saved me a small fortune just before my holidays!
Ben @ Express Autokeys
www.expressautokeys.co.uk
www.keysinthepost.com
01689660205
Ben @ Express Autokeys
www.expressautokeys.co.uk
www.keysinthepost.com
01689660205
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