Greetings from Phoenix, where I have keys to my daughter’s new locks. In fact, I had those keys when I arrived, thanks to KeyHero.
She recently replaced those locks due to how “old and beat-up” they were after who-knows-how-many years of service. (Hint: Abby didn’t change them when she and her now-ex husband moved in 12½ years ago.)
The locks still worked, but looked pretty terrible – and like me, she saves where she can so she can spend where she wants. In this case, what she wanted was new locks.
This meant my old keys were kaput, and since I was arriving at almost 11 p.m., she would likely be asleep. I make it a point never to wake up a hostess with chronic fatigue.
Hence: KeyHero.
I learned about KeyHero when my daughter did a post about being locked out. The free service has you digitally scan your key at a MinuteKEY location (found in stores like Lowe’s, Home Depot and Menards) and save it using an email address.
When you need a copy, a KeyHero partner store (such as Lowe’s, Home Depot or Walmart) will be able to do it using the digital info. Abby emailed me the digital codes I needed to make copies in Anchorage.
When I say “free” service, I mean it doesn’t cost anything to sign up. It does cost if you need a key made. But it would cost to have a key made anyway. This way, she didn’t have to add “get keys made for Mom” to her chore list.
I have to say it was kind of cool to use the service. The young man who helped me at Lowe’s also thought it was pretty cool, because he’d never used KeyHero.
A few minutes later I left the store with two keys and a receipt for the $7.94 it cost to make them. They worked perfectly.
Consider a KeyHero account
As it happened, I wouldn’t have had to worry about waking Abby up. She realized she’d be visiting a friend the evening I arrived, and her friend lives fairly close to the airport. Extending the visit a bit saved me a chunk of change, since this meant I didn’t need to take a Lyft to her home.
Still glad I had the keys, though. I need them to lock up when I leave for daily walks, and let myself back in afterward.
Keep in mind that a service like KeyHero won’t fix every situation. Those in suburban or rural areas might not have an easily accessible store. If you’re locked out at 2 a.m., the stores with your KeyHero account are likely closed. In that case, you’d have to call the after-hours locksmith. (Ouch.)
However, not all lockouts happen after close of business. That’s why I suggest you visit the KeyHero website to set up an account. (To be clear: This is not an affiliate link. I won’t earn anything if you sign up.)
The best-case scenario is that you’ll never need to use the account. The worst-case scenario is that you’ll get locked out and have to wait long hours for a relative, friend or roommate to let you in.
I take that back. An even worse-case scenario is that you get locked out at 3 p.m., when anyone who has a copy of your housekey is at work and can’t help. So you wait, kicking yourself because of your proximity to a store where you could have accessed KeyHero.
Readers: Got a favorite lock-out story? Do tell!
Related reading:
In 2012 we moved to Gilbert, Arizona, which is a long story in itself. My husband and I chose to go out for a quick supper after a full day of stuff. We got home (after leaving ALL the garage door openers in the house), put the key in the front door lock and promptly broke the key. Not only did we not have any idea who to call, but our 2 dogs were inside, convinced someone was breaking in. Hours later, we paid a VERY expensive locksmith bill (we called one who had to drive an hour one way). No longer remember the specifics, but there was quite a bit of frustration on the locksmith’s part trying to remove the lock. Ugh. Not our brightest moment.
I think it is a good idea in theory but I’ll never forget the Criminal minds episode where the valet stole the house and key information of his targets and was able to let himself in to torture and kill them. I don’t want to make things any easier for a nut good with technology to break in.
Not to worry you, but…any locksmith you call when you’re locked out could also do the same thing. Sleep tight!
What a great idea. I plan on doing this for my parents.
Enjoy your visit with you daughter and that fabulous sunshine
Thanks! And it’s rained (hard) for two of the days I’ve been here. Unusual for this time of year, I’m told.
Oh that’s an easy one. New job, new apartment in sketchy area. Locked myself out on Thanksgiving day. The best part is arguable; it’s either the fact my new neighbor taught me how to pick my lock, or that I was carrying a turkey and being followed by some neighborhood dogs quite intrigued at my paper-wrapped giant bird.
You have the makings of a one-act play, right there.
Just saw one of these or a similar one at Walmart the other day. I think it was called Key in a Minute. Seems very convenient. I would definitely use one.