It’s quite easy to get locked out of your car in Miami, FL. You might leave your keys by accident inside the car, or worse still, misplace them somewhere on a busy day. The situation becomes especially stressful when you don’t have a spare key available or easily accessible. So what do you do?
One reasonable possibility is to call a relative or friend to get that spare key from your home (if it exists or can be found at home). When that is not an option, you are left with no other choice but to call for help – either your car dealership or a local locksmith business.
Is one better than the other? In this guide, we will look at a few compelling reasons why a car dealership might not be the ideal place to call when you are locked out of your vehicle. We’ll also discuss why you may be better off searching for proven and dedicated “locksmith companies near me” instead.
Limitations of a Car Dealership for Key Replacement
Most car dealerships are in the business of providing replacement key fobs for damaged or lost keys. They may have equipment on the premises to make a replacement key. More importantly, they do have a reputational advantage since they are authorized by the automakers. Based on this, a car dealership is generally not your best bet in an auto lockout situation. Here is why:
They Charge a Premium for their Services
Car dealerships have steep overhead costs. To make up the margins, they usually charge extra for accessories and other add-on services. Making and selling replacement key fobs also falls into the category of such add-on services. You will end up paying a lot more for a simple replacement key fob or lock repair when you go to a dealer and that is extra painful during the era of high inflation.
Their Service Process is Slow and Complicated
A dealership’s primary goal is to sell as many cars as possible. Replacing car keys is not their prime concern. They have to sell cars, handle customer servicing requests and do many other administrative jobs. You could end up waiting several hours or more to get a new key.
Limited or No Mobile Services
It’s rare to find a dealership that offers on-road assistance. If you are stuck out there on a road or in the city, an auto dealership might not be able to help you out. Your most reliable option may be to call in a local Miami locksmith.
They are Not Available all time
You can find yourself in a lock-out at any time of the day. If it happens after dark, you may be forced to wait until the next day before you can call in a dealer for assistance.
No Assistance for Older Car Models
A majority of auto dealerships may not even have the right equipment to make key fobs on order. This is particularly the case if your car is an older or rather obscure model that is out of production. Most dealerships only offer laser-cut keys and key programming for newer cars.
Advantages of Choosing a Local Locksmith
If you call in a local Miami locksmith when you get locked out of your car, you can expect prompt and exceptional service and custom solutions. For every disadvantage you are likely to face at a car dealership, a locksmith in Miami has an inherent advantage.
Lower Costs of Services
Whether it is replacing transponder keys, cutting new car keys, or even programming new key fobs, a reputable Miami locksmith will do it for far less than what a car dealership would charge you. Local locksmiths don’t need inflated fees to cover high upkeep costs. They’re more likely to offer you competitive prices.
Convenience and Dependability
With a Miami area dealership, you may have to tow the car over to get a replacement key made. In stark contrast, a mobile locksmith will come to your location with their tools to help you out. It’s a hassle-free option that can also save you a lot of time. You can simply stay near your vehicle and wait for them to arrive.
Choose the Leading Professional Locksmiths in South Florida
If you want skilled and reliable locksmith services in Miami locales like Palm Beach County, 3 Guys Locksmith ticks all the boxes. As a locally owned business based in Homestead, FL, we offer the following services to our clients:
- Residential locksmith service
- Automotive locksmith services
- Commercial services
Our trustworthy locksmiths in Miami, FL have an excellent track record and a high number of positive reviews from our residential and commercial customers. Our fully licensed locksmiths are experts at key duplication for car locks, handling master key systems, all forms of lock installation, ignition repair, and more.
Whether you get locked out of your vehicle at dawn, noon, dusk, night, or on the weekend – our dedicated car locksmith teams are available to help you. We promise reliable service with reasonable pricing plans. For an immediate solution to all your lock-related, give us a call now at 305-907-7707, or use our online contact form.