New Volvo key surprise for the New-bee...

[KerryK]

3 months ago when I bought my Volvo, I found out it only came with one key. This is a pretty substantial problem for anyone, I would guess.

My first stop after handing over the cash for my car was the Volvo Dealership in Edmonton. I had to purchase the rear differential pump and fluid, wipers, a few odds and ends, and at least one other key, but I toyed with getting two of them.

So the Parts ordering guy that day charged me $101.00 and never said anything about it other than it had to be ordered with my car's SE number, had to come from the Factory, and that when it came in in 6 weeks, I would have to come back and have the key do a handshake with the car. He also said that only Volvo dealerships can do the key-car handshake thing, ...

Now here starts the problems... I live a 9 hour drive from the dealership, (I'm sure you can see were this is going...) and the entire time I was planning on being 3 days in Edmonton this coming weekend for Canadian Thanksgiving family dinner, the bloody Dealership will be closed... So I would have to stay another day, and the Parts guy tells me that the key activation takes up to an hour and a half in the garage, and the charge is around $150, and do I want to make an appointment now for Friday before or the Tuesday after?

So the guy who sold me the key said not a thing about the activation charge, I will have to go in an entire day early, or stay an extra day...

To say I am pretty unhappy about this would be an understatement.

I am loving driving the car, and is worth the 11k that it has cost me so far. This long distance crap from the Dealership is SUCH a massive drag though...

[JRL]

Takes 10 minutes

[Forkster]

$101 for a new key is pretty cheap. And that you're willing to pay for a half hour labour wouldn't be unreasonable.
Did you buy it from the Volvo dealership in Edmonton?

I'm in Calgary. The dealership down here would require you to pay for it. And I thought a FOB replacement was $400? Did you just get a key?

Ed

[JRL]

You have labor AND software costs for a new key plus the price of the key itself.
I suggest you buy at least one remote, you should be able to negotiate no extra labor (but you will have to pay for the software.
Each piece takes separate software.

You did not do your homework on the keys before you bought and THEY were not up front with giving you only one key and not telling you beforehand what it would cost for extras

[KerryK]

JRL, If it just takes 10 mins, then why are they charging me for an hour and a half?
And what can I do about this? Nothing it seems.
Telling me I did not do my homework also sounds kind of harsh too. I am new at being dragged into this century as far as this new a car is concerned, have been researching these cars for months, and was told ( and believed) that the key would cost 135.00 actually. I thought THAT was expensive! Also JRL, could you explain what would be the use if I buy a remote? I don't use the one that came with the car .Thanks!

Forkster/Ed, I had said in the original post it was the Edmonton Dealership. I am totally feeling like I have been ripped off/misled by this dealership taking it for granted that I would know this info. The guy that sold me all the parts was gracious enough too. He spent ten mins outside in the rain, explaining a bunch of stuff about the car that I had no idea about.

The mechanic guy I talked to last week on the other hand guy was totally blowing me off about living 9 hours away from them, and the fact that they were the place I had to go for this, is pretty hard to believe also. It is not their problem, and they just don't care at all that it is a 9 hour drive to Edmonton. And, as far as I know, I just got a key, but I have no clue what is waiting for me at the dealership. How would you proceed with this Ed?

[Swagger XC]

The reason they can charge for an hour and a half is because (I think) set labour rates. The dealer has a book with all the various services and the time they have to charge labour for. It dosent matter if it takes 10 minutes or 3 hours, they will still charge you for an hour and a half.

[JRL]

I've NEVER seen an hour and a half, most charge an hour to the average customer.
I am charged no more than 30 minutes, sometimes 20 (1/3 hour), but I have a long standing relationship with my dealer and the reason they charge that much is because they can, no one else can do it..... so no competition.

I can send you a single, cut key to your VIN that will still need to be programmed for about $80-$85 or so (USD).
I can send you a switchblade key/remote combo (still with the key cut) for about $130-$140 for the double, but you then need two (2) software packages... but they almost always combine the labor.

I fail to understand your comment about a remote? :confused:
EVERYONE uses a remote in a modern car and to say that is just plain childish or ignorant.

Why would anyone go through the process of finding the key, removing it from your pocket, fiddling with putting it in a lock (perhaps at night or in the snow or in the rain) when all you need to do is lightly push a button... in your pocket if need be.

[KerryK]

JRL, Your comments towards me are absolutely stunning. "I fail to understand your comment about a remote?
EVERYONE uses a remote in a modern car and to say that is just plain childish or ignorant."

Really? You don't know me from adam, but twice in this thread you have been totally rude to a stranger. You really do totally amaze me. How is it that the Mods let you stick around?

For your information on my 'ignorance, or childishness', I actually do not lock my doors, barely ever anyway. The town I live in, it is just not necessary. Also if I was locking the car, and someone decided pop a window, there is no replacement short of a week's delivery from Vancouver Island.

I have never been rude or arrogant to you, or to anyone on this Forum. I show respect to everyone in my life, both online and off, and have not written anything here that requires a dressing down by anyone. You taking that responsibility away from the Mods is also stunning.

I was told better stuff about this Forum than what have laid out for me.

[JRL]

If you explained yourself a bit better in the first place then the response would be different.
I aplaude the fact that you never lock it in public, I wish the rest of the world was like that.
Me, I leave my keys in the car in my driveway as no one comes our way, but never when I go out.

Anyhow, the offer stands, I can get to you a cut, single key for about 80 bucks US (plus or minus $5), but you still need to have it programmed.

This will save you some money. There's really no other way around this, good luck