Timpsons - Key Cutting

[Deleted User]

I got couple of new Yale keys at Timpsons yesterday. £8 each or £12 for two. I thought it was a bit steep, but needed the keys. Later, I checked their website and the quoted price is £4.50. Regardless, the blanks must cost pennies rather than pounds, and the cutting machine is just a low-tech grinder. The Timpson price seems like a rip-off to me. Any thoughts?

spadoosh

The local shoesmith charge £2.50 per key.

Youre doing the usual problem with looking at cost value which is adding 1 + 1 and getting 2. When the real equation is more like 1 + 0.8 +0.2 + 0.7 +1.3 = 4

The local shoe smith, just pays their wages. Their income is primarily drawings which are taxed at a slightly lower rate. They dont have a pension to pay. They also tend to use smaller more rundown premises reducing rent costs. Theyre not a national chain most probably franchised which requires massive spending in order to advertise the business nationally. They also sell an array of prodcuts and services some of which will have higher and smaller profit margins. Keys might be high margin items but shoe repairs low margin which give a lower average profit margin.

I worked at B&Q. The fence panels we sold where sold at a loss of 1p per panel. The metal clips you needed for securing the fence panel where bought for 1p each and sold for 48p of which 4 where usually required. If they just sold fence panels they lost money, they relied on one in every 188 customers buying at least 4 brackets with a panel purchase. (There was also a more usual margin on the fence paint which wouldve helped too, although for every one spilt/lost we had to sell 17 more to break even for the lost tin).

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

Were you happy to pay £12 for both keys?


If yes, then leave it.


If no, when did you empty your pockets!

Jox

I've read that Timpsons employs ex-offenders and gives people a chance where they would struggle to find employment.

https://www.timpson-group.co.uk/timpson-foundation/ex-offenders/

suki1964

johnsmith1890 wrote: »

I got couple of new Yale keys at Timpsons yesterday. £8 each or £12 for two. I thought it was a bit steep, but needed the keys. Later, I checked their website and the quoted price is £4.50. Regardless, the blanks must cost pennies rather than pounds, and the cutting machine is just a low-tech grinder. The Timpson price seems like a rip-off to me. Any thoughts?

The £4.50 online price is a pre cut key - you need to know the code of your key

Two for £12 seems a good price, for the convenience of Timpsons

plus

Q: What happens if my keys don’t work and I am locked out?
A: We always recommend that you try keys before you rely on them. However we do have a back up service that is second to none. Part of this service is access to our nationwide fully qualified mobile 24 hour locksmiths.

DCFC79

johnsmith1890 wrote: »

I got couple of new Yale keys at Timpsons yesterday. £8 each or £12 for two. I thought it was a bit steep, but needed the keys. Later, I checked their website and the quoted price is £4.50. Regardless, the blanks must cost pennies rather than pounds, and the cutting machine is just a low-tech grinder. The Timpson price seems like a rip-off to me. Any thoughts?

Was it a franchise store ?
You probably wouldn't know or not sure how you could find out.

[Deleted User]

DCFC79 wrote: »

Was it a franchise store ?
You probably wouldn't know or not sure how you could find out.

Difficult to say. It looked like a proper Timpsons, with the usual name board. It's a small stall in a shopping mall.


(looks like I put this post on the wrong board - apologies)

Lance_De_Boils

As long as Timpson remains affordable it will always be my first choice for key cutting, shoe repairs etc.
They give ex offenders a chance of employment and will dry clean job seekers' clothes for free if they have an interview.
I am happy to spend a few quid more at firms with a social conscience.

dekaspace

Lance_De_Boils wrote: »

As long as Timpson remains affordable it will always be my first choice for key cutting, shoe repairs etc.
They give ex offenders a chance of employment and will dry clean job seekers' clothes for free if they have an interview.
I am happy to spend a few quid more at firms with a social conscience.

I hear a lot of negativity from Timpsons from ex employees, but for the clothing washing I know they are awkward on it and nowhere near as good as they claim.

Lance_De_Boils

dekaspace wrote: »

I hear a lot of negativity from Timpsons from ex employees, but for the clothing washing I know they are awkward on it and nowhere near as good as they claim.

I know that you do have to prove that you have an interview for suits etc to be dry cleaned.
An ex offender relative of mine was more than happy to work for them when he needed a second chance.

dekaspace

Lance_De_Boils wrote: »

I know that you do have to prove that you have an interview for suits etc to be dry cleaned.
An ex offender relative of mine was more than happy to work for them when he needed a second chance.

The problem I had was you needed it on headed paper from company and a lot of interviews are given details by phone or email these days, and then they would only do it once a month.

I knew they took on ex offenders but I have heard negativity over the years from ex staff over working conditions, some who went on to start their own key cutting businesses.