So today I went to the friendly neighborhood key copying place (you know, where they sell locks and shoe repairs and shoelaces a whole host of suchlike things) near the main Bahnhof in Bern with the aim of making a copy of 3 standard, simple, lock keys.
They guy quoted me 84 CHF for the job. When I stared at him incredulously he gave me a "discount" and came down in price to 50 CHF.
Since key copying is done by machine and takes at most 30 seconds per key, I couldn't quite understand why he was charging me an equivalent rate of basically 2925CHF an hour. Even including the cost of the metal (let's say it is 5 CHF per key), that's still what....a rate of over 2000CHF an hour for the work!!
So....does anyone have a different place for key copying where I can take my business? Or do I have to suck it up, conclude I've been Switzerlanded, and basically pay 50 CHF for 3 small pieces of metal and 1.5 minutes' worth of Swiss craftsmanship (actually, a machine, probably made in China) work?
Now I remember the shop was "Mister Minit". Maybe I should try hopping over to Basel and get it done at Carrefour or something. The price just seems outrageous. HOw much do keys go for in Switzerland, does anyone know?
Copying a key is one of those expensive great mysteries in Switzerland. I have looked for a "cheap" key cutter since 10 years without success. If it is not urgent wait till you are aborad next time to get them copied. Or if you go over the broder (not sure where you live) this may be France or Germany you can get them copied there for a lot less than that. Should you find a cheap key cutter, Please DO let us know! Good luck! A
Ah the memories of getting my first key made in Switzerland. Also the tags for the cat. I remember someone almost had to pick me up off the floor. Mister Mint is probably the "discount" chain too since they are next to many Migros and probably owned by the MM (Migros Mafia). Try opening your own key cutting place and charge half. I'm wondering if you'll get a visit from some guys who'll comment about keeping your knees healthy. I've also wondering the same about selling a bottled soft drink for less than a certain price.
Alright everyone. Fair enough. Makes sense that a key copy would cost around 5 EUR/6 CHF or so. That's expensive compared to where I come from (in Mexico I can get keys cut for less than a dollar each) but sort of makes sense first world countries and all that.
But 50 is definitely too much. So what I'm going to do is simply wait until my next hop to France (key copying is not the only thing best done outside of Switzerland) and cut them there.
Not sure where your location of "Bqoiutniw" is in Switzerland but if you google "Schlüsselkopien" and your nearest main town it will tip up various places that will do it. If you are in town already for other errands you can shop around and find a decent deal.
There's a place in the main railway station in Zurich which did three keys for me for CHF 30 but that was a while ago so it might not be still there. Can't remember if it was a Mister Minit or something else.