$1 keys cut this Friday only!
Any house hold key - Front door, letter box etc. Basically straight forward key cutting.
Saying that we will try never to say we cant help you with your key
Both stores - 165 Elizabeth St or 45 Adelaide St Brisbane CBD 4000
I hope the one in the Sydney do the same too.
Damn. What blanks do you have to be using to be able to sell cut keys for $1. Either that, or they are losing money hand over fist.
I'm sure labor, rent and depreciation are bigger costs in the key-cutting business. I can see key blanks as cheap as US$0.001 (yes - 1c will get you 10 blanks) on alibaba.
And those blank you see on alibaba are blanks are a total waste of time. After experimenting with Chinese blanks, I've come to one conclusion; it is cheaper to use Silca blanks and get them right the first time, than it is to save a few cents, and mess about with Chinese blanks.
I use silca blanks which currently retail uncut for $1. Assume trade gets them for 40% discount, thats $0.60/blank.
Add to that, the cost of the machine, wear and tear, rental, labour, depreciation, license and its impossible to make ANY money selling cut keys for $1. I should know, because I have dabbled in key cutting business for a few years.
After experimenting with Chinese blanks, I've come to one conclusion; it is cheaper to use Silca blanks and get them right the first time
I'm pretty sure the Silca key blanks are coming out of the same factory as one of the vendors on Alibaba.
I should know, because I have dabbled in key cutting business for a few years.
There's a few possibilities here:
Some combination of the two probably explains why you're no longer in the key-cutting business but happy to profess your expertise on an internet forum!
@sp00ker: unless alibaba sources keys from silca factory in italy, it is unlikely you are looking at the same item.
And hence my original comment about how i questioned the type of blanks one would be using to be able to sell these for $1. And who say's I'm no longer in the keycut business, still running an outlet which primarily focuses on automotive security because if one was to rely on house keys alone, without anything else support it, they would be out of business pretty quick.
@t25:
unless alibaba sources keys from silca factory in italy, it is unlikely you are looking at the same item.
While alibaba might be dominated by chinese manufacturers, there's nothing preventing Italian manufacturers from listing on the site.
30 seconds on google shows Silca's chinese subsidiary is called "Wah Yuet Group Holdings". Their website shows the vast array of key blanks they manufacture. If I spent another 5 seconds on it, I'm sure I'd find that their factories are spread out through out china and some of those factories sell directly on alibaba (or other through channels). These factories might be selling excess a-grade stock or b-grade stock.
The moral of the story: Just because you were paying top dollar for your key blanks, doesn't mean they were superior quality. Conversely, someone using cheaper blanks doesn't automatically imply inferior quality.
In fact, the quality equalss premium price argument doesn't really hold up for an essential goods (like key blanks). When was the last time you showed off your genuine silca key copy to your friends? The quality equal premium price only really holds for luxury goods these days (cars, clothes, etc)
@sp00ker: If that's the case, why are the wholesalers not bringing in these keys instead of the sub-standard blanks.
End of the day, the store/employee selling/cutting these blanks want to know that the blank they pull off that hook, is going to work. Given previous experiences with Chinese blanks, they do not give such confidence. Saves the customer's trouble having to bring them back. Saves my employees having to do duplicate work for no money, and gives everyone peace of mind that the key cut today is going to work.
Now if you think I have some sort of loyalty towards Silca; you would be wrong. My loyalty at the end of the day is quality. No customer is going to notice the company who made the blank, but they will know that the key didn't turn the lock.
@t25:
If that's the case, why are the wholesalers not bringing in these keys instead of the sub-standard blanks.
I can't say I have any knowledge of the key blank wholesaling market in Australia. I can only say that it's possibly a sales tactic from a specific wholesaler - cheap dodgy blanks … lots of bad cuts … upsell the retailer on the expensive blanks.
Assuming that all Chinese key blanks are inferior would be a critical error - enough to kill you business.
Now if you think I have some sort of loyalty towards Silca; you would be wrong
The real problem is that you're using anecdotal evidence to judge the quality of a key blank. My gut feeling is that in a properly controlled experiment (eg 1000 copies of the key with silca blanks vs another cheap brand), the silca blank would not outperform the other brand.
@sp00ker: But where do you expect the end user to draw the line? When he has a reputation of not being able to cut a basic household key just because he was too much of a cheapskate to get decent blanks? Now that will kill the business. Because no customer wants to have to come back twice for the same problem.
@t25:
But where do you expect the end user to draw the line?
Do a scientific experiment and make an informed decision. There's just too many variables - machine, operator, key blank quality, the lock.
If you told me the cheap blanks were breaking in the machine, I'd probably believe you. I just don't believe that the cheaper blanks are coming out of the machine and not working. When a customer returned a key - could you see the issue with your eyes - was there a broken piece on the key? What was the most common type of failure? key not inserting (ie bad grooves on the side) or key not turning (ie bad cut).
It's possible you got a bad batch … but the same could happen with a branded product.
@sp00ker: this lazy arse is too lazy to buy 1000 blanks just to prove a point to be honest.
the cut key was fine. cutting was excellent. even took it to an automated machine that does all my automotive keys to get them cut just in case one of my staff had a severe case cocked eye syndrome/stupidity.
the differences were not blindingly obvious, i couldnt tell the difference, many other people couldnt either, but the real veterans in the industry did, but only when they did a side by side comparison, apparently it was the little things that gave it away. dodgy grooves and overall thickness being common issues. wasnt until i took out verniers that i noticed that there were off by a touch. have the chinese improved since i last bought them? probably! look at the xiaomi range of smartphones, and battery banks. gives any western manufacturer a run for their money.
now its very possible i got a dodgy batch. its also possible that i could have done more homework and bought from maybe a more reputable supplier in china. but in my laziness pursuit of quality, i admit i took the easy way out, called up my local silca dealer and these issues went away, ive tried ilco and no qualms about their quality either, just a bit harder to find in perth. coincidence or what not i dont know.
@t25 I went today and my copy is on a silva and it worked perfectly. You assume too much…
@Nachotroncoso: great for you that they worked out well! duplicating keys isnt exactly rocket science, now if OP can make money cutting keys at those prices, all the power to them. after all we do live in a free market economy.
Should we expect a long queue on that day?
No, we will have dedicated staff just for cutting keys. Should be smooth sailing or cutting :O)
Darrin
I'll see you on Friday with my 5 keys!
Thanks.
Paid $4.50 on the weekend for a one sided key cut for price comparison.
Paid $110 to replace the Strata Building Key (Do Not Copy key). The bureaucracy sucks.
Why can't you copy it?
Cause it's a security key, they would wanna know who has access to the building.
Hey Rep,
What's your regular price/how much for additional keys?
I have 7 keys to get cut.
Ill do a deal for you Chewbot $10 for the 7 (Since your an Ozbarginer :O)
Thanks rep.
Seems fair enough.
Do 5 and return back later for another 2?
Or take the Rep's reasonable offer
Any chance of other locations doing this?
I doubt it very much …. but its always possible :O)
price match at OW! ;)
OW cuts keys?
OW = other warehouses 😆
I have 5 set of keys, but won't be able to make on Friday. What are your general prices for 5 keys cutting?
In the city our prices range from $5.99 to $15.99
We cut single sided keys, double sided, old style mortise keys, garage keys, Energex keys (For your power box),colored keys, letter box keys, locker keys, Automotive keys, cut to code keys, and cash box keys.)
Although the special is only for household keys, we will help you anyway we can.
Darrin
Tried to go to the website but was locked out. In all seriousness, never give a keycutter your address.
Hey Rep,
care to share any info about your $15 items?
Particularly the torch.
Thanks.
Here is a link that is on our website ….
http://www.brisbanetoolandhardware.com.au/product_info.php?p…
If you need any more info let me know.
Darrin
Today is the day!
Good deal, the guys always offer great service too