I'm a college student living in a dorm. Today I realized I had lost my keys. Tried to find them for about 4 hours, but no luck. The university's policy on lost keys is this: they give you a loaner key, but if you don't return it within five days, they change the lock on the room at your expense. It'll cost me a ridiculous $73 USD to pay for that lock change, and it'll also be inconvenient for my roommate who'll have to pick up a new key.
So what I'm wondering is this: what are my chances of being able to go to a local hardware store and make a copy of the loaner key? Do they make keys that are non-duplicatable? My old key was fairly old and didn't look like it was some kind of special security type. Anyone have experience with key copying, or been in a situation like this?
I am not gonna guarantee this, but I don't think their is any "technology" in non-duplicable keys. They general just say
don't duplicate" or something on them (or maybe they have a special shape on the handle that key makers know, but idk).
At first thought it seems best to go make a copy because I will guarentee you this: Some random employee at lowes might not even realize its not suppose to be duplicatd (if some security device is on it some how) and if they do I am possitive they will just tell you they can't do it. They won't be dusting it for finger prints with the fbi in the back room
But on further thought, I am also sure the college knows the key they gave you (what it looked like - maybe a number on it) and will most likely notice either a)when you give the loaner, they may ask to see the original or b) when you give it back at end of the semester. At which point you will probably have to pay for a new lock for security reasons (although you could copy the original key and pose the same problem I suppose... but they wull probably do their best to squeeze some money out of you :/)
So if you can't find it, I would plan on having to buy an inflated priced lock. If you get away without having to buy it, then cool, you just saved yourself 73 dollars.
Even if they charge you at the end of the semester, at least you had awhile to either find the other lost one or come up with the $73 you'll need.
This was the conclusion I was getting at. There is nothing to be lost by simply TRYING to do it. If it doesn't work out, you're no farther behind than you were before hand... And if it does, you can go buy some magic cards with 73 dollars
There shouldn't be anything stopping you from taking the key to homedepot to copy. Might as well just take your roomies key and copy that.
I don't know what University he is going to, but I went to the University of Illinois, and copying the roomate's key wouldn't work there because while both mine and my roommate's keys would open our door, only his key could open the closet door he was assigned to, and only my key could open my closet door. Also, the keys had distinct markings on them that would probably notify anyone examining the keys upon return that the key was a fake...and most notably they had "DO NOT REPLICATE" on the front.
But UIUC was like a lockdown school, we had ID cards, [humor] we had to scan to get into the building, and retina scans, secret elevators....[/humor]
Seriously though, I would copy the key because the worst that is going to happen is they catch you and make you pay the 73 bucks anyways
So what I'm wondering is this: what are my chances of being able to go to a local hardware store and make a copy of the loaner key?
Fairly good.
Do they make keys that are non-duplicatable?
If it's just an apartment door key, it shouldn't be a problem. The locksmith will tell you if its something he can't duplicate.
The most annoying part of getting keys duplicated is sometimes they don't get it on one go. You go the get the key duplicated, then find out it doesn't work, then have to bring it back so that it can be filed a bit more.
Duplicating a key, however, doesn't solve the reason why the landlord wants to change locks. The 5 day grace period is for you to find your lost keys, not to duplicate it. If you lost the key, there's now a key out there that can open your door. It would be fine if, say, the key just fell into a hole and will never be recovered. It wouldn't be fine if the key was actually stolen.
So, unless you're absolutely sure that the key didn't get taken by someone else, I suggest just manning up and paying for the new lock. $73 is quite a lot, but that's a small price to pay for avoiding being burglarized by someone who has a key to your dorm. The problem won't be confined just to you, but to whoever occupies your dorm in the future.
Besides, when you're moving out, you have to surrender your copy of the key. Key duplicating doesn't duplicate the entire key, just the teeth on blanks. It would be like trying to pass off a $3 bill as genuine. If you hadn't paid for the changing of locks, you likely will when you try to move out.
I'm all for saying "**** the establishment", but I'm inclined to agree with mondu here. You really don't want your stuff to get stolen if someone does have your key, and it sounds like you're gonna have to pony up eventually anyways. $73 bucks isn't too terrible much, that's like an overpriced eighth of kindbud around here, so skip filling up your bong for a week and get the lock changed.
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If the key doesn't say "Do Not Duplicate" or something of the sort (I've seen several different statements), then the Joe shmoe behind the counter is more than likely going to copy it. I know I would. And, for the record, there is no "technology" in copying keys. Just set the key to be copied in the machine and press start. Sometimes on older machines, you may have to manually push it along, but still...
That being said, I agree with the above post. If you aren't sure if the key was stolen or not, I wouldn't risk it. $73 is a small price to pay when considering what might me lost. Also, if your roomate's items are stolen and he can prove that you were the one who had lost the key without changing the locks, you may be responsible for that as well.
So, my sugestion: just get a new lock. And if they don't say "No Duplicates" on it, make some extra copies for yourself in case you do lose one.
my father is a locksmith, so i know a little bit on this, there should be no issue with taking the loner key tey give yu to your local home depot or whatever hardware store, however you need to make sure the loner doesn't have any wordings on it, most places like hardware stores wont copy a key if it directly says do not copy on the key. i had my dad make me a housekey that had that on it and i found out the hard way.
all i can say is good luck, your local locksmith would make the key but it would cost you more for a housecall, it's just wiser to take it to someone who specialises in this sort of thing, a locksmith or a hardware store
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Just fyi, folks, if the key says "Do Not Duplicate" that doesn't mean they won't copy it. I copied all my apartment keys, including the one that said "do not duplicate," and the clerk at the hardware store never said a thing.
Well, thanks for all the advice. I'm not really concerned about theft; I'm sure I lost the keys during winter break and thus when I wasn't on campus, so I know they weren't stolen by a student or someone else at the college. Also, nothing on the keychain has any personally identifying information on it, so any potential finder wouldn't have much to go on. And I'm pretty sure they're just banging around in my house anyway.
I think I'll get the loaner key, hunt around town for a place that will copy it, and hope for the best. Maybe I'll slip through the cracks in the bureaucracy when it comes time to return the key.
Edit: Well, all this is rendered null and void. My brother found the keys after many harried hours of searching (they were on a bookshelf behind a DVD he was going to watch). However, this thread has been very informative, and thank you all for your help.
Edit: Well, all this is rendered null and void. My brother found the keys after many harried hours of searching (they were on a bookshelf behind a DVD he was going to watch). However, this thread has been very informative, and thank you all for your help.
I'm glad everything worked out for you. You could still make copies of the key for next time.
Now I feel fortunate that my university uses key cards with pin codes. I don't like it, though, when my roommate gives his card to his friend to feed his fish over the weekend (fish that are against campus policy for pets, BTW).
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So what I'm wondering is this: what are my chances of being able to go to a local hardware store and make a copy of the loaner key? Do they make keys that are non-duplicatable? My old key was fairly old and didn't look like it was some kind of special security type. Anyone have experience with key copying, or been in a situation like this?
don't duplicate" or something on them (or maybe they have a special shape on the handle that key makers know, but idk).
At first thought it seems best to go make a copy because I will guarentee you this: Some random employee at lowes might not even realize its not suppose to be duplicatd (if some security device is on it some how) and if they do I am possitive they will just tell you they can't do it. They won't be dusting it for finger prints with the fbi in the back room
But on further thought, I am also sure the college knows the key they gave you (what it looked like - maybe a number on it) and will most likely notice either a)when you give the loaner, they may ask to see the original or b) when you give it back at end of the semester. At which point you will probably have to pay for a new lock for security reasons (although you could copy the original key and pose the same problem I suppose... but they wull probably do their best to squeeze some money out of you :/)
So if you can't find it, I would plan on having to buy an inflated priced lock. If you get away without having to buy it, then cool, you just saved yourself 73 dollars.
Good luck.
This was the conclusion I was getting at. There is nothing to be lost by simply TRYING to do it. If it doesn't work out, you're no farther behind than you were before hand... And if it does, you can go buy some magic cards with 73 dollars
I don't know what University he is going to, but I went to the University of Illinois, and copying the roomate's key wouldn't work there because while both mine and my roommate's keys would open our door, only his key could open the closet door he was assigned to, and only my key could open my closet door. Also, the keys had distinct markings on them that would probably notify anyone examining the keys upon return that the key was a fake...and most notably they had "DO NOT REPLICATE" on the front.
But UIUC was like a lockdown school, we had ID cards, [humor] we had to scan to get into the building, and retina scans, secret elevators....[/humor]
Seriously though, I would copy the key because the worst that is going to happen is they catch you and make you pay the 73 bucks anyways
Fairly good.
If it's just an apartment door key, it shouldn't be a problem. The locksmith will tell you if its something he can't duplicate.
The most annoying part of getting keys duplicated is sometimes they don't get it on one go. You go the get the key duplicated, then find out it doesn't work, then have to bring it back so that it can be filed a bit more.
Duplicating a key, however, doesn't solve the reason why the landlord wants to change locks. The 5 day grace period is for you to find your lost keys, not to duplicate it. If you lost the key, there's now a key out there that can open your door. It would be fine if, say, the key just fell into a hole and will never be recovered. It wouldn't be fine if the key was actually stolen.
So, unless you're absolutely sure that the key didn't get taken by someone else, I suggest just manning up and paying for the new lock. $73 is quite a lot, but that's a small price to pay for avoiding being burglarized by someone who has a key to your dorm. The problem won't be confined just to you, but to whoever occupies your dorm in the future.
Besides, when you're moving out, you have to surrender your copy of the key. Key duplicating doesn't duplicate the entire key, just the teeth on blanks. It would be like trying to pass off a $3 bill as genuine. If you hadn't paid for the changing of locks, you likely will when you try to move out.
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If the key doesn't say "Do Not Duplicate" or something of the sort (I've seen several different statements), then the Joe shmoe behind the counter is more than likely going to copy it. I know I would. And, for the record, there is no "technology" in copying keys. Just set the key to be copied in the machine and press start. Sometimes on older machines, you may have to manually push it along, but still...
That being said, I agree with the above post. If you aren't sure if the key was stolen or not, I wouldn't risk it. $73 is a small price to pay when considering what might me lost. Also, if your roomate's items are stolen and he can prove that you were the one who had lost the key without changing the locks, you may be responsible for that as well.
So, my sugestion: just get a new lock. And if they don't say "No Duplicates" on it, make some extra copies for yourself in case you do lose one.
all i can say is good luck, your local locksmith would make the key but it would cost you more for a housecall, it's just wiser to take it to someone who specialises in this sort of thing, a locksmith or a hardware store
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I think I'll get the loaner key, hunt around town for a place that will copy it, and hope for the best. Maybe I'll slip through the cracks in the bureaucracy when it comes time to return the key.
Edit: Well, all this is rendered null and void. My brother found the keys after many harried hours of searching (they were on a bookshelf behind a DVD he was going to watch). However, this thread has been very informative, and thank you all for your help.
I'm glad everything worked out for you. You could still make copies of the key for next time.
Now I feel fortunate that my university uses key cards with pin codes. I don't like it, though, when my roommate gives his card to his friend to feed his fish over the weekend (fish that are against campus policy for pets, BTW).
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