on all orders over $150*
on all orders over $150*
Hey Locksmiths and Key Connoisseurs,
We're on a mission! Ever found yourself pondering over the cash register, "What's the real cost of these shiny pieces of metal we call keys?" Well, I took a dive into the world of keys to bring you nothing but the best, most accurate pricing data. I visited four different stores: Ace Hardware, Home Depot, Lowe's, and Fred Meyer. My mission? To discover the going rate for a standard house key. So, let's break it down, shall we?
I picked two common keys for my experiment: a KW1 and a 1646 mailbox key, representing the typical pair you'd get with a new house. With a special helper by my side, I journeyed to these stores to find out just how much a basic key would set you back.
Ace Hardware: A promising start! Each key was priced at $2.29. They had the right blanks, but what's a price tag without a quality check? Enter Alice, our expert key tester (more on her later).
Home Depot: Here, each key was a bit pricier at $3.97. Again, Alice's approval was crucial.
Lowe's: Ran into a bit of a hiccup here. They had a minute key machine, but it was missing our mailbox key blank. Ended up with a $4 quick set key.
Fred Meyer (KeyMe): The most interesting case. Their key was $7.99, and they offered to mail a mailbox key for $10.99.
No key is worth its metal without a proper lock test. That's where Alice comes in. This no-nonsense tester gave a thumbs up or down, ensuring quality with each turn. While some keys passed with flying colors, others... well, let's just say they wouldn't open much more than a conversation about quality.
The results were surprising! Prices ranged from a modest $2.29 at Ace Hardware to a steep $7.99 at Fred Meyer. But here's the kicker: only half the stores could cut the mailbox key. Talk about a locksmith's advantage!
So, what's the sweet spot for pricing a standard KW1 or a 1646 mailbox key? After my quest, I'd say charging below $3.50 doesn't quite cut it. But hey, I want to hear from you! What's your pricing strategy? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
There you have it! A key pricing quest with unexpected turns and a touch of adventure. Remember, your pricing not only reflects the key itself but the quality and service you provide. And who knows, maybe Alice's rigorous testing has inspired you to up your key game.
Before you go, join the conversation with #lockboss and get a chance to win cool stuff every Tuesday on our YouTube live sessions. Your comments and participation are the key to our community!
Till next time, keep turning those keys!
What are standard key costs at major retailers?
Who is Alice and why is she important?
What's the professional pricing strategy for a standard key?
Keep your comments and feedback coming, locksmith community! Let's crack the code to perfect pricing together.
Article by PJ Slauson
In 2004, PJ Slauson (then only 19 years old) was working as a locksmith for his dad’s locksmith company and going to college. His dad had a little DBA side business selling locksmith supplies to locals. He had a few shelves in the back of his key shop with some keychains and padlocks which PJ started selling online to make a little extra money.He quickly sold out, eventually PJ decided to setup his own website, and clksupplies.com took off immediately.
