Locksmith or Dealership for Car Keys?

Both can make you a working key. The difference is mostly about convenience, timing and the type of vehicle, so here is a straight comparison.

	Dealership	Mobile locksmith
Where it happens	At the dealer service department, so the car has to be there, sometimes by tow	At your car, wherever it is
Hours	Business hours and appointments	Locksmith Knights answers 24 hours a day
Timing	A key may need to be ordered	Often handled in one visit
Vehicle coverage	Every model they sell	Most makes and models
Price	Varies by vehicle for both. Ask each for a total.

When the dealer may be the better choice

Your vehicle is a very new model whose security system is not yet supported by independent tools.
Your warranty or service plan covers key replacement.
The car is already at the dealership for other work.

You lost every key away from home or after hours.
The car is at your home, work or a parking deck and you would rather not tow it.
You need it the same day.

Want a quote for your car key in Raleigh? We are mobile and answer 24 hours a day.

Which one is cheaper?

It depends on the vehicle. Get a total price from both, including cutting, programming and any trip charge, and compare like for like.

Is a locksmith key as good as a dealer key?

A properly programmed key from a quality supplier works the same in daily use. Ask what brand the key or fob is and whether it comes with a warranty.

Can I buy a key online and have it programmed?

Sometimes. Ask before you buy, because the wrong chip or frequency is a common problem with online keys.