adventures in getting a new key fob (stupid dealers)

[mpvue]

have you ever tried to get a new key at the dealer? we recently bought a used '12 CX-9, of course only came with one key, but we wanted the 2nd one. dealer wanted $350! and they act as if they don't even want to be bothered doing it. good, I'm not giving them any money.
found a place online, Stu's EZ remotes (http://www.ezautoremote.com/) and they set me up for $165, awesome!
why can't dealers make it easier to get customers replacement keys? and why can't dealers and auctions be more careful with the keys? it seems every used car just comes with one key anymore.

I considered buying one on eBay, but after seeing the work involved with programming it and cutting it, it wasn't worth the potential hassle.

 

[chance72]

Do you still have to get your extra fob programmed? Or did the $165 include the fob, aux key, and programming?

It's all about squeezing every penny they can from you. They don't want to shell out anything for everything they can get away with. I tried to get the sales manager to throw in an extra accessory to make up for one particular issue, but they flat out refused because they said they would have to pay the parts dept for it.

I got my extra fob off of ebay for $80. I did have to get a new aux key and have it cut though for $50 (at the dealer). I'm waiting to get it both programmed for $140 at the dealer.

 

[jlanger]

One thing I liked about the dealer at my shop was that they did cut a new key for us, mind you we got a CPO Mazda, but he did get me one, I didn't even have to ask. SOmetimes I've found it pays to call around to various dealers too, some will have better deals than others on these types of things.

 

[mpvue]

Do you still have to get your extra fob programmed? Or did the $165 include the fob, aux key, and programming?

$165 for everything, they provided the fob, cut the key and programmed it

 

[chance72]

$165 for everything, they provided the fob, cut the key and programmed it

Wow, $165 for everything. Damn good deal!

 

[mpvue]

Wow, $165 for everything. Damn good deal!

yes, thanks, I'm glad I stumbled on it. I did all the research, looking to see if it could be programmed by me, who could cut the key, etc, and it was all very frustrating.

which is why I say dealers are stupid! something as common as replacing a key shouldn't be difficult or complicated. but as it is, they want you to go to parts, get the key, then go to service and make an appointment for programming...seriously? and then having separate charges for the key blank, the fob, labor to cut the key, and labor to program the fob???

 

[chance72]

yes, thanks, I'm glad I stumbled on it. I did all the research, looking to see if it could be programmed by me, who could cut the key, etc, and it was all very frustrating.

which is why I say dealers are stupid! something as common as replacing a key shouldn't be difficult or complicated. but as it is, they want you to go to parts, get the key, then go to service and make an appointment for programming...seriously? and then having separate charges for the key blank, the fob, labor to cut the key, and labor to program the fob???

Ha ha, I think I see what you're saying now. It is actually what I'm going through now. Each dept (sales dept, parts dept, service dept) doesn't seem to work with each other. They're all out for themselves, and they force the customer to deal with each dept on their own.

 

[mpvue]

Ha ha, I think I see what you're saying now. It is actually what I'm going through now. Each dept (sales dept, parts dept, service dept) doesn't seem to work with each other. They're all out for themselves, and they force the customer to deal with each dept on their own.

yes, thats the way dealers work. when a car comes in for trade, the sales dept runs it through the service dept which then BILLS the sales dept!
I've had it with my local dealer, last thing I bought there was a rear wiper for my Mazda5, and only because they were the only ones who had the correct one.

 

[Scotch3]

Just got a new 2014 CX-9 last month. Came with two of the thumb shaped "Smart Keys" with "Aux" keys inside. As long as you have two working (programmed) remotes, and two working transponder keys, you can make a third. So I wanted to make have a third of each so that if one was ever lost, I wouldn't have to pay the dealer prices. Found somebody selling an OEM transponder equipped key blank on ebay for $15 each - so I bought two. Also found a remote with matching FCC ID / Part numbers on eBay for only $50 (most were selling in the 75-150 range.)


The key FOB came in the mail. It programmed rather easily once I used the proper instructions. I had found a couple of sets of instructions online. The first procedure I tried didn't work but the second one did.


Keys Blanks
I was in the my local Lowes store and asked the guy there if the thought they could cut the blanks for me. I didn't have the blanks with me at the time, but I did have the real key. He started looking at his cartridges for their key cutter and found one he thought would work. So he put the key and cartridge into their machine to see if it looked like it would work. He said it looked good, but them when he tried to take the key out, it got jammed. Couldn't get the key out of the cartridge or the cartridge out of the machine. It took about 15 minutes to free the key. He suggested I take to the local ACE hardware which has the old fashioned key cutting machine. So a couple days later, I went there and had them cut the first key. Took it home and it worked and programmed very easily. Just got the second blank done the other day.

My advice is that if you currently have two FOBs (or keys), and you don't want to have to make a trip to the dealer if you ever loose one, try to find a 3rd online for a good price and you'll be able to program it by yourself.