I've never heard of a hardware store being able to clone a transponder key. Nor knowing how to originate a key from the car if it's capable. In other words.. I'm skeptical.

 

-I'm telling you they can do it. All you need is one working chip key. We have customers come in quite often to have extra keys made. If I'm not mistaken, they set the original key in a chip reader that send some kind of authentication to Italy and back. Then they have different chip key blanks to dl the code for your car. Here's the phone # if you want to call and verify it. Just wait for the Ace Hardware prompt and ask whoever answers the phone. They also have banners outside along the walls advertising this service. 330-834-3400. It's Buehler's Jackson between Canton and Massilon here in Ohio. I've worked for this company for a little over 13 years now.

L8R,
Matt

 

It's not the key itself, It's the RFID chip located in the key that makes it expensive.
Actually considering the cost of just the blank for locksmiths you should consider yourself lucky you are just having to deal with a fixed code system that our early 2nd gen Neons have. Look at vehicles like Mercedes, BMW, and VW/Audi. Those keys from the dealer is probably a minimum of a couple hundred dollars. And some of those cars can originate the keys themselves instead of needing a cloner.

 

I've heard a couple of people blabbing that it costs in the thousands for a new Mercedes key if you lose your original? No idea if that is true, nor do I care to much either, lol. It is the RFID chip though that is costly, as far as the key itself goes.

 

ha ha thousands???
well if you can drive a 100,000 dollar car whats an extra 1 or 2 right lol

 

That was my thoughts about it...

 

True, but the Machines to cut those blanks (they call them laser cut) is pretty much a mini CNC mill machine.. they can go upward of 20 grand depending on the features you want. Funny thing though.. they were touted as Unpickable until some tinkerer that calls himself "The Key" made a tool that can decode and pick them open in a matter of seconds.
There's a vid of it but it's quite long and highly detailed and technical in the workings of various locks.

 

-Here's the sign outside where I work. I snapped a pic with my phone on my way in the other morning. Try calling around to other Ace Hardware stores to see if they can make them too. Our store "may" be a in part of a test market or they could be starting to have this service at all Aces.



L8R,
Matt

 

Interesting. I wonder what system they're using? Token system or what.
Token system means you (as the vendor) Have to purchase "Tokens" in order to clone the transponder. Each token = Programmed key. I've calculated them out to be around 35 bucks a piece (but tokens are cheaper if more are purchased). The machines are cheaper (2700 Dollars verses up to 10,500) But you have to purchase tokens in bulk.
10 = 410.00 all the way up to 250 = 2750.00.

The machine that does this is sold under the name "MVP Pro"

 

-I know they have a small rack with different manufacturer's chip keys in it. I'll ask one of them in the morning when I go back in. I think it takes something like 10-15 minutes to get a key programmed. Then they cut the teeth on the blank.

L8R,
Matt