ATL: My car key won't go into the lock...
Ask The Locksmith Question:Someone tried to break into my car. As a result my key will not go all the way into my drive side door. I was wondering if you guys can fix it and if so for how much.
Hi there...
There's really not a way of quoting something like this with any exactness, I'm sorry. The problem lies in not knowing what may be wrong with the lock. It could be something as simple as needing to extract a broken screwdriver or jiggle key tip, or removing the lock and replacing a bent wafer, to the lock integrity itself being completely destroyed and necessitating a lock replacement, with dozens of variations in between - Linkage damage, superglue, etc.
Our service call is $45. From that point, an extraction is generally around $25, removing the lock and replacing a bent wafer would be in the $47.50 range, total lock replacement runs anywhere from $47.50 to $95 plus the cost of the part... In addition, the year, make and model of the vehicle contribute in a small way to the costs as well. Some vehicles don't have parts available to locksmiths, and others have parts that require lead time for ordering, others are exceptionally hard to work on, requiring proprietary tools, etc.
In all honesty, for something like this situation, your best, and least expensive alternative, would be to take the car to a standing lock shop so long as the car is drive-able. The main reason is that while a mobile service (such as ours) may be convenient, you do pay a service call. Taking the car to a standing shop would save you a service call, and may be less expensive overall (not always, San Diego Locksmith pricing is odd at best - Call a shop first and try to get a general quote - Then make them stick to it).
We are also certainly willing to come out and take care of the problem if you'd rather go with a mobile service, or to answer further questions.
I hope this helps...
Kim
We're not your normal locksmith company™... :)
