Cutting provided key blanks

[Mark Carroll]

I have been surprised to learn that mainstream key cutting places appear
to refuse to cut blanks unless they sold you the blanks in the first
place. Are there any mainstream ones that are willing to let me pay them
for simply operating the machine for me? (Pity even the used machines
cost a few hundred pounds or I'd just do it myself.) I already have the
blanks after all, it seems stupid to pay them to sell me an unnecessary
extra, so I'd rather take my business somewhere more reasonable if there
is anywhere.

-- Mark

[Don]

Post by Mark Carroll
I have been surprised to learn that mainstream key cutting places appear
to refuse to cut blanks unless they sold you the blanks in the first
place. Are there any mainstream ones that are willing to let me pay them
for simply operating the machine for me? (Pity even the used machines
cost a few hundred pounds or I'd just do it myself.) I already have the
blanks after all, it seems stupid to pay them to sell me an unnecessary
extra, so I'd rather take my business somewhere more reasonable if there
is anywhere.
-- Mark

Why not get whoever sold you the blanks to cut them?

[Mark Goodge]

On Sat, 20 Sep 2014 17:52:19 +0100, Mark Carroll put finger to keyboard and

Post by Mark Carroll
I have been surprised to learn that mainstream key cutting places appear
to refuse to cut blanks unless they sold you the blanks in the first
place. Are there any mainstream ones that are willing to let me pay them
for simply operating the machine for me? (Pity even the used machines
cost a few hundred pounds or I'd just do it myself.) I already have the
blanks after all, it seems stupid to pay them to sell me an unnecessary
extra, so I'd rather take my business somewhere more reasonable if there
is anywhere.

Why your insistance on a mainstream outlet? It would be fairly easy to find
an independent locksmith who will do it, at a suitable fee, so why not use
one?

The reason the mainstream outlets won't do it is that their business model
is based on selling complete keys, not selling part of the service needed
to create a key. Their local branch staff don't have authority to make up
products, so when you ask them for a product that they don't sell all they
can do is tell you that they don't sell it.

Mark

[Mark Carroll]

Post by Mark Goodge
Why your insistance on a mainstream outlet? It would be fairly easy to find
an independent locksmith who will do it, at a suitable fee, so why not use
one?

That may be easiest, thank you, I shall ring around some more. (I just
asked mainstream here with it being a national group, and in the hope
that the knowledge would transfer to future occasions in different
places.)

Post by Mark Goodge
The reason the mainstream outlets won't do it is that their business model
is based on selling complete keys, not selling part of the service needed
to create a key. Their local branch staff don't have authority to make up
products, so when you ask them for a product that they don't sell all they
can do is tell you that they don't sell it.

I guess that I was hoping to lend my support to any of them who instead
adopt the entirely reasonable business model of charging me to have
their trained staff use their machine on my behalf, which may well be
none of them whatsoever. (Rather like how garages are usually happy to
change a tyre for me even after a surprised look when they find I
actually brought the new tyre with me.)

-- Mark

[Don]

Post by Mark Carroll

Post by Mark Goodge
Why your insistance on a mainstream outlet? It would be fairly easy to find
an independent locksmith who will do it, at a suitable fee, so why not use
one?

That may be easiest, thank you, I shall ring around some more. (I just
asked mainstream here with it being a national group, and in the hope
that the knowledge would transfer to future occasions in different
places.)

Post by Mark Goodge
The reason the mainstream outlets won't do it is that their business model
is based on selling complete keys, not selling part of the service needed
to create a key. Their local branch staff don't have authority to make up
products, so when you ask them for a product that they don't sell all they
can do is tell you that they don't sell it.

I guess that I was hoping to lend my support to any of them who instead
adopt the entirely reasonable business model of charging me to have
their trained staff use their machine on my behalf, which may well be
none of them whatsoever. (Rather like how garages are usually happy to
change a tyre for me even after a surprised look when they find I
actually brought the new tyre with me.)
-- Mark

Fer Chrisake. I had a spare key cut for my bike last week. Cost £7 for a
dedicated key. Don't be so stingy!

[Mark Carroll]

Post by Don
Fer Chrisake. I had a spare key cut for my bike last week. Cost £7 for a
dedicated key. Don't be so stingy!

It's not about the cost, it's about supporting vendors who don't insist
on selling me things that I don't need.

-- Mark

[Ian Field]

Post by Mark Carroll
I have been surprised to learn that mainstream key cutting places appear
to refuse to cut blanks unless they sold you the blanks in the first
place. Are there any mainstream ones that are willing to let me pay them
for simply operating the machine for me? (Pity even the used machines
cost a few hundred pounds or I'd just do it myself.) I already have the
blanks after all, it seems stupid to pay them to sell me an unnecessary
extra, so I'd rather take my business somewhere more reasonable if there
is anywhere.

Once or twice I've got away with shaping the blank using Swiss files - but
usually when I can dismantle the lock barrel and replace the tumbler pins
one at a time.