Broken Key In Lock ~
On Wednesday, my husband called me from work to tell me that something strange had happened. The car key broke off in the door lock? What? Personally, I don’t recall ever hearing of anyone that happened to. Anyway, as you can see, the key did not break off totally, but about half of it. He and his work buddies tried to get it out of the lock with tweezers, a magnet and everything else they could think of, but nothing worked.
So, what did we do about the broken key?
Here is the lock that the broken key was jammed in. He was able to stick the remainder of the key in the lock and unlock the door, but of course he couldn’t start the car. Thankfully, he was already at work when this happened, so at least he was not stranded anywhere. But, this is a Chevy HHR, which only came with one key when we got it – one of the really expensive keys. I called the Chevy dealership after we got the car to see how much a second key might be and it was quoted about $300. No thank you!
Thankfully we have two cars so I went to pick him up in the Jeep when he got off work at 2:15 am {35-45 minutes away, ugh} and we had to leave the HHR there overnight. So, we called a Chevy dealership, once again, and were told that they could not fix the broken key and get the piece out of the lock without actually having the car there – great, a towing bill, too! This just keeps getting better and better. However, they had another alternative. They recommended calling Shelton Key-N-Lock.
Good business alert!
Let me stress something – this is NOT a paid or sponsored post. I just really wanted to recommend this business after how great they were to us. We called them on Thursday morning and they met us in Winston-Salem to get the broken key out of the lock by early afternoon. They also made us 2 {YES 2!} keys and a spare key that just opens the door. He also fished the broken key out of the lock in like 2 minutes flat. He made the keys on location and was done with the whole process within like 30 minutes. I couldn’t find a website for this company but above is a picture of the business card that he gave us.
How much did he charge us? $153. That’s it. For all the keys, getting the broken key out of the door, the gas {35-45 minute drive} and his labor. I was so happy about this! I just knew this was going to cost AT LEAST $300-$400.
So often we hear about bad businesses, I just wanted to share a good one with you. 
Shelton Key-N-Lock – Mount Airy NC (336) 789-3545
About Dawn McAlexander
That did happen to me, but in my ignition! Thankfully my car was old school and it was easy to get a new key made. My car could be started with any key though, but luckily no one decided to try that out and steal it.
Twitter: thenewclassy
says:
Oh my gosh! Was it hard to get the key out of the ignition?
Dawn
I wasn’t able to get it out. That’s why you could start it with any key; )
Janelle Prentice recently posted..Meal Planning
Twitter: athometake2
says:
Wow- hasn’t happened to me but that really doesn’t sound like fun!
Jessica @ At Home Take 2 recently posted..Weekend Blog Walk #22
Thankfully I have never had to deal with this. What a pain, glad you found a cheaper solution. I’m all about saving money.
Denise Taylor-Dennis recently posted..Giveaway – Wallet, Necklace, and Earings
Twitter: myfrugalwife
says:
I had this happen as well. Mine was to the cover of the back of a truck. Luckily I could still drive the car and easily remove the locking mechanism to get it fixed.
Jennifer Williams recently posted..Sunglasses – 6 pair Men’s or Women’s $27.99
Twitter: thenewclassy
says:
I am glad that you were able to continue driving and it didn’t impact you too badly! Did it cost a lot to get the new key? If it was an older truck, I guess not, right? Or was it newer?
Dawn
Twitter: myfrugalwife
says:
One of the guys I worked with took care of it for me, I had just lost my father and was dealing with so much between my mom and my oldest son that he decided to take over one thing for me to help out. It was the first time in a long time that someone did something to help me out and did not want anything in return. I still do not think he realizes how much it meant to me, to him it was something small, for me, it was something I will never forget.
Jennifer Williams recently posted..Sunglasses – 6 pair Men’s or Women’s $27.99
Twitter: thenewclassy
says:
It’s funny how sometimes such a little thing can impact our lives so much.
Sorry for your loss, too.
Dawm
Twitter: tonygreene113
says:
Ouchie!! Glad to see you got that taken care of. Hey, shared your latest. Making the Friday rounds to all of the folks that signed up and added to my list last Friday.
http://113tidbits.com/friday-night-list-ly-looking-for-more-wordpress-users/
tonygreene113 @ 113tidbits recently posted..NYPD plans to double size of gang unit
Twitter: thenewclassy
says:
Thanks!!!
Dawn
That sounds like an amazing business! $153!? That’s awesome! Although I am curious, how did he fish the broken key out of the lock!?
Leila recently posted..2 for 1 Admission at MacDonald’s Ranch Annual Pumpkin Festival (AZ)
Twitter: thenewclassy
says:
It looked like he had 2 pick looking things and pried it out. He looked like a surgeon, lol! I couldn’t believe how fast he did it after my husband and his work buddies fooled with it all night, lol!
Dawn
I once had a key break in the door of my car, but I was able to broken piece and I had an extra in my purse.
The Shelton Key business sounds like a great business. I’m glad you were able to find it.
Twitter: thenewclassy
says:
Me too! I actually used them once before {can’t remember if I put this in the post or not} because I locked the key in the HHR and they came and unlocked the door. I couldn’t remember the company name for this time – so, that is part of the reason I wrote the post. I know for sure who I am calling next time {hopefully there isn’t a next time} a key incident takes place.
Dawn
This has never happened to me and I hope it never does! looks like a real nightmare
I think Chevy needs to invest in better steel or whatever metal those keys are made from. That should just not happen. I am glad the problem was taken care of quickly and that it did not cost you an arm and a leg to rectify.
Twitter: thenewclassy
says:
I think you might be right on that one. Our car is a 2007. Incidentally, the key fob has been broken since we bought it, in 2009. Sheesh. The car however has been a dream. No problems whatsoever except for the engine light staying on {knock on wood} – always for stupid reasons. The light stays on in our Jeep, too. We paid about $600 to get both cars to pass inspection recently {had to change sensors in both vehicles that were not critical to the operation of either of them} and what happened? The lights came back on in both in a matter of hours. Sheesh – guess we know what will happen next inspection.
Dawn
Twitter: roasted_beanz
says:
UGH…thankfully never had this happen. With the cold weather however I have gotten keys stuck…not fun! Its great to hear about good businesses too; thanks for the post!
Rachel H recently posted..Just the Tweet… {10/4/12}
Twitter: thenewclassy
says:
I didn’t even think about the cold! Wow! That would have really stuck if this happened in the cold! I don’t think I have ever had a key get stuck, but I have heard of people pouring water over their locks and it freezing!
Dawn
Never had that happen for sure. I’ve seen keys bend but not break. Crazy!
Twitter: DivaPinoyMom
says:
Whoa! $300 for a second key and they won’t send people to fix your problem! What a great customer service. NOT!
However, they are great at recommending other means to fix the problem. Kudos to Shelton Key-N-Lock!
(¯`•¸Geca¸•´¯) recently posted..Cleava -Cleavage Cover Up- Giveaway! (US Only – Ends 10/26)
Twitter: S4Savings
says:
Must be a Chevy Thing, it happened a few years ago to my husbands chevy pickup, you got off lucky and reasonable. Good for you acknowledging the company for fair business practices. We all need more businesses like this one in our lives these days!
Julia Potvin recently posted..SHOP DOLLAR TREE NOW WITH YOUR COUPONS & SAVE!
Twitter: thenewclassy
says:
I never owned a Chevy until this one – you may be right!
Dawn
wow idk! never heard of that but once either. i think it happened to hubby but i can’t remember. great price!
Alicia recently posted..Blog Ease Autumn Blogathon: Blogger Challenge
Twitter: dayziesnrozes
says:
I love that you shouted out a great company.
All too often we read about how one has done us wrong… It made my night knowing that you’re praising them for something they did right! <3
Shayla Burks recently posted..Healthier Me 6ths.
Twitter: thenewclassy
says:
Thanks! People should be called out for good deeds, too…not just the bad.
Dawn
So nice when there is great customer service!
Meghan @ Crazy Casa K recently posted..Sustainable Saturdays!
Yes, and it cost me a pretty penny to fix!! I want happy about that.
maria recently posted..Compasionate, Curious & Confident: My Daughter is #DoveInspired
This is why I never go through dealerships! Scam artists! So glad your story has a happy ending.
Twitter: thenewclassy
says:
Thank you so much!
Dawn
I’ve never had this happen in a car, but I had a key break off in my mailbox when I was about 10. I ws so afraid I had done something wrong, and was afraid to tell my mom.
Greta recently posted..Cleava Camisoles and Gola Shoes Fashion Giveaway #fashionistaevents – US/Can
We had that happened with our front door to our house!!! We got it out with tweezers luckily it broke off high enough that we could fish it out!
Jennifer J recently posted..4 Free Airborne Samples!! Don’t Miss Out!
Twitter: thenewclassy
says:
Glad you were were able to get it out!
Dawn
wish they were in Albany, Ga..