The quick comparison
| Dealership | Spare Me Car Keys (mobile) | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the work happens | At the service department | Where your vehicle is parked: home, work or a job site |
| No working key | The vehicle has to get there, often on a tow truck | We come to the vehicle; no tow needed |
| Scheduling | The service department's calendar | Call or text; our visits range from daily to monthly depending on your town |
| Security codes | Manufacturer systems | NASTF-certified access to key, immobilizer and PIN codes |
| Price | Dealer pricing | Typically around 25% less; free quotes |
| Warranty | Factory coverage, if the vehicle still has it | 3-year warranty on every key from us |
Why distance changes the math in Wyoming
In a city, the dealer for your make might be ten minutes away. Here, it can be a long drive, and if you've lost every key, the vehicle can't drive itself there. A tow, a ride home and a wait for a service slot all add to the real cost before anyone makes a key.
Our team brings the keys, the cutting equipment and the programming to the vehicle. Most jobs are completed in under an hour once we arrive, right where the vehicle sits. No tow bill and no waiting room.
Can a locksmith do what the dealer does?
For keys, most of the time, yes. We are certified by NASTF (the National Automotive Service Task Force) as a Vehicle Security Shop. That lets our team securely access key, immobilizer and PIN codes through the Secure Data Release Model of the National Registry, the same kind of security access dealerships rely on. It's how we program most vehicles on the road, including push-button smart keys.
We handle most vehicles up to about 20 years old, including Chevrolet, GMC and Buick, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram, Ford and Lincoln, Toyota and Lexus, Honda, Subaru, Nissan and INFINITI and Kia and Hyundai. We can supply and program Mercedes-Benz keys up to the 2013 model year. BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, Volvo, Land Rover and other European makes are case by case, so text 307-206-4218 with the year, make, model and VIN. If there's a vehicle we can't do, we'll tell you before you spend anything.
When the dealer is the better call
We'd rather point you the right way than take a job that belongs somewhere else. The dealer is usually the better choice when:
- Your vehicle is a Mercedes-Benz from after the 2013 model year. Those keys are dealer only.
- The vehicle is still under factory warranty and the dealer confirms the key is covered.
- The vehicle is already at the dealership for other service and you live close by.
- You're buying a vehicle, and a second key can be part of the deal.
Can you get a replacement key from a dealership?
Yes. Dealers can order and program replacement keys at their service department, usually with proof of ownership, and the vehicle has to be there for programming. If you live nearby and the vehicle still drives, that can work well.
If it doesn't drive, or the nearest dealer for your make is hours away, a mobile automotive locksmith is the alternative. We also verify ownership before making a key, so have the registration or title and a photo ID ready. With no working key at all, we cut a new key from the VIN key code or by decoding the lock and program it on-site; our lost car keys, no spare page explains how. Newer Subaru owners in that spot can read our Subaru all keys lost guide.
We work with dealerships, too
This isn't dealer versus us. A good share of our work is for dealerships: keys for used inventory and trade-ins, and customer vehicles their technicians can't get to. Dealers can learn more on our dealership services page. For you, the question is simply which option gets you a working key with the least hassle and cost.
Skip the online-fob shortcut
Some drivers try to save money by ordering a key online and then looking for someone to program it. The key can fail, it's easy to get the wrong part, and many brands' keys have to be ordered by part number and VIN. Here's why buying your own key online often backfires. When the key comes from our team, we source the right one, program it at your vehicle and back it with a 3-year warranty on every key from us.
Getting a quote to compare
Call or text 307-206-4218 with the year, make and model, where the vehicle is, and whether you still have a working key. We'll send a free, no-obligation quote you can put side by side with any other. Our car key replacement cost guide explains what drives the price.
There's no travel fee on a scheduled visit. Riverton and Lander are on our daily schedule, Casper weekly, Jackson and Thermopolis–Worland every two weeks, and Cody–Powell, Gillette, Rock Springs–Green River and Sheridan–Buffalo monthly. If you can't wait for our next visit, emergency priority service is available for a $500 trip charge. We meet drivers in Lander & Riverton, Casper, Jackson, Thermopolis & Worland, Cody & Powell, Gillette, Rock Springs & Green River and Sheridan & Buffalo.