When looking for a place to make your keys, it is important to visit stores that have the best expertise in them. Some retail stores also offer keys making as part of their services. Read on to find out Does Costco make keys?
No, Costco does not offer key-making services. The store does not offer key-making services in all its locations. However, if you are interested in copying your keys, some Costco stores can help you with that.
What Alternative Services are available at Costco?
Although Costco does not make keys, the store offers keys copying services at some store locations. To copy your key at Costco, first, confirm from the store customer support if the service is available at the Costco store close to your location. You can also get other necessary information about how the process works by contacting customer service. Copying a house key can cost between $1.49 to $5 at Costco. The rate depends on the type of key copied and the number of duplicates made. For instance, copying automotive keys can be as high as $100 because they are quite complicated compared to the traditional keys.
Stores that make keys
Not to worry, if you were unable to get your keys made at Costco, some stores are actively involved in that service. They include;
- Walmart
- Winco
- Kroger
- Sears
- Meijers
- Rite Aid
- Home Depot
- Safeway
The best store to make your keys
Although many stores offer key services, the best store to visit for key services is either the local locksmith, an automotive store, or a hardware store.
Why the retail and automotive stores are the best in fixing your key problems?
Professionals
An automotive, hardware, or locksmith store are often patronized for key services due to the level of expertise their employees have in the business. Their store offers technical support to customers daily, so making or copying a key would be an easy task for them. When it comes to making or duplicating car keys, the automotive stores are often the best place to visit; they deal with cars and car parts, so fixing your car key would be a lot easier with them in charge.
Price
Stores that offer key services as one of their primary functions often give customers the cheapest rates. You can get your keys duplicated for as low as $1 and made for as low as $35. Apart from offering low prices for quality services, these stores also run periodic discounts and sales for customers.
Customer satisfaction
Most of these stores understand the wait involved in having customers get their keys at the stores. That is why they had to source for better and easy ways to satisfy their customers. One of such ways is by creating the MinuteKey Kiosks and ‘Key Me’ application. The MinuteKey Kiosks are a one-stop shop for customers to process their keys faster and easier. The ‘Key Me’ application, on the other hand, is designed to help customers locate the closes MinuteKey Kiosk to them. By locating a kiosk, it saves customers the trouble of having to ask around for a key shop.
How to get your keys made at a store?
Getting a key made at a store is quite an easy process. All you need is to follow these steps;
- First, you need to confirm from the store if the store has MinuteKey Kiosks available in your location. A MinuteKey Kiosk is a department under the store that is responsible for making and duplicating keys.
- Once it has been confirmed that the service is available, you can head out to the store.
- While at the store, you will be given different key designs and models from which you can pick the one you want.
- After selecting the design, you want, the MinuteKey Kiosk will run it through a laser and produce a replica of your design. This process does not usually take much time.
- Note that the MinuteKey Kiosk will not make or copy car keys.
Copying or making keys
The two services can be done at the same store, but oftentimes, one is more needed than the other. What is the difference between the two and what are the benefits of the two services? Read on to find out.
Making Keys
This is the process of creating a key from the scratch. Oftentimes, duplicate keys are made from the original key. The process of making a key is done using designs or samples of the key to be made, and a duplicator machine.
Benefits of making a key
- You get to have backup keys
- Select a customized design
- It can be shared with family and trusted friends.
Copying keys
Unlike making keys, copying keys involves duplicating keys that have already been made. Duplicates serve as a backup to the keys.
Benefits
- Used in case the original key goes missing.
- It can be used when an original key is broken.
Conclusion
Costco is not a go-to place when it comes to getting your keys made. However, you can visit the store’s MinuteKey Kiosks to make duplicates. When looking for the place to have your keys made, visit any of the stores listed in this article.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it possible to make duplicates of a key without using the original key?
Yes, it is possible to make duplicates without having the original key with you. You can contact Costco’s store assistant to learn more about that.
2. How do I find the MinuteKey Kiosks?
You can find the closes MinuteKey Kiosks to you by using the ‘ Key Me’ application. The application will point out the stores available for your service.