How Not To Negotiate

"macanamera" (macanamera) 01/07/2015 at 13:05 • Filed to: None

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I dropped the key for the Snowbeast somewhere in the snow (irony), and I don't have a spare, so I had to call an automotive locksmith to come make a key for it in my driveway. On the phone they tell me "the starting price is $125, and the technician will give you a final price before he does any work". I'm like "Ok." So the guy shows up, plugs into the OBD, takes a ford replacement key out, checks some stuff out, and gives me a price. This was our conversation:

"Due to the incredibly complex transponder chip system codeveloped by Ford and NASA, and the key being made out of pure tungsten, and my labor costing about the same as a brain surgeon, it's going to be $375."

"No."

"Best I can do is $350."

"I have $125 in cash."

"Ok, $125, deal."

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > macanamera 01/07/2015 at 13:08

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It's just the haggle economy somewhere you least expect it.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > macanamera 01/07/2015 at 13:08

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Its amazing how they get away with that because so many people (especially the oldies in my town) wouldn't even haggle and just go with the first price.

That and cash talks because he will probably pocket most of it.

JGrabowMSt > macanamera 01/07/2015 at 13:09

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Should just get a metal detector or a magnet.

Bro, there's an app for that!

macanamera > JGrabowMSt 01/07/2015 at 13:10

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Eh, it will be around the drive somewhere when the snow melts...

JGrabowMSt > macanamera 01/07/2015 at 13:11

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For $125, I'll be shoveling the driveway a few times and down on my hands and knees.

Ain't nobody got time fo dat.

505Turbeaux > macanamera 01/07/2015 at 13:13

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ha nice. My dad and I were camping in the dead of winter up in VT once, and we went snow tubing, he left the keys in his pocket and forgot to zipper up. Goodamn loses the keys, my mom drives up from CT with a spare, as she is leaving to go drive back 6h, someone comes up and says, didnt you lose your keys, here you go.

/facepalm

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > JGrabowMSt 01/07/2015 at 13:13

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More like:

Ain't nobody got cash fo dat

macanamera > JGrabowMSt 01/07/2015 at 13:14

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Meh, it's not too big of a deal, it's like having a spare now.

macanamera > 505Turbeaux 01/07/2015 at 13:15

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lol that's what I'm afraid is going to happen to me right now. I'm going to sit on my couch and somethings gonna poke me and boom, there's the key.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > macanamera 01/07/2015 at 13:20

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Damn right. I've been haggling with everyone lately, even went into Best Buy and haggled over a price on Dell.com for some headphones, only gained 3 bucks but whatever.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > macanamera 01/07/2015 at 13:24

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I love to haggle! Especially when they aren't expecting you to do it!

ttyymmnn > macanamera 01/07/2015 at 13:24

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People don't reize that you can haggle for just about anything. And money talks. Good on you for not getting ripped off.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > macanamera 01/07/2015 at 13:26

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Hmmm, I wonder what would have happened if he said no to your offer. I guess they've already cut the key, so it's better to get something.

Here's hoping someone doesn't find the key in your driveway and steal your car.

macanamera > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! 01/07/2015 at 13:31

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Well all this happened before he had cut the key or anything.

Also, we have a gate so I doubt that would happen.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > macanamera 01/07/2015 at 13:34

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Wow, what a rip off. I've only ever called locksmiths twice, but both times were in the $50-100 range.

Scary__goongala! > macanamera 01/07/2015 at 13:36

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well played sir

Mattbob > macanamera 01/07/2015 at 13:58

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ha, I did this at a car dealer last weekend. They wanted $5.50 for some special washer I needed for a manifold. I told the guy I had $2 cash on me, and he said okay.

Mattbob > macanamera 01/07/2015 at 13:59

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just make sure nobody uses a snowblower, or even shovels much until then.

Ryan A. > macanamera 01/07/2015 at 14:20

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On a somewhat related note, I've been told that with certain newer Toyotas (like my FR-S and 2010 RAV-4) that at least one key needs to exist in order to program a replacement. If I were to lose all three of my keys, then I'd end up needing to replace the immobilizer/ECU. Does that sound right, or is that just the B.S. they tell you when they're trying to sell you key insurance?