Key codes.

[Zep33]

Proof of ownership and kept on file. GM rep checked my stuff once and everything was in order. 6 years later, it still is.

I've heard every story in the book on why they don't have it.

Twice I trusted people to fax it over or drop it off after since it was locked in the car and got burned both times. Never again...

Had a customer call me a douchebag last year (twice) when I wouldn't make him a key from a VIN written down on a piece of paper.

I still can't believe how careless people are with their keys.

[X476]

We won't do keys for repo companies even with paperwork, do not want any ticked of owner (exowner) showing up here. If wholesale shop calls we get copy of repair order with vin and owners name. If someone shows up with a key code we will cut it but if it doesn't work their loss no guarantee.

[Bravepart]

I do not have it now,but I remember seeing a memo years ago saying that we, the key maker,could be charged for Grand Theft Auto, if we did not obtain valid proof of ownership and a photo I.D. and the vehicle was involved in a theft afterwards. Wish I could find it .

[tmundal]

Pretty sure that is true. As far as GM goes, your SSN is tied to the key code request. Thats what the police had was a copy of all the information submitted with date, time and the SSN of the person who did it. I've told customers "Sorry for the inconvenience, but I'm not going to jail for anyone."

I do not have it now,but I remember seeing a memo years ago saying that we, the key maker,could be charged for Grand Theft Auto, if we did not obtain valid proof of ownership and a photo I.D. and the vehicle was involved in a theft afterwards. Wish I could find it .

[drapp]

I made up a form that the customer must sign prior to keys being cut. We also require proof of ownership (prefer title but will accept current registration) and a photo ID. The person's name AND address on the proof of ownership must be the person who shows up at the dealership to request the key. We really have restricted the photo ID down to current state driver's license.

We photo copy everything provided by customer and staple to our form and the key code printout. Put in file and then attach to the monthly audit form. Each record on the audit form will have these documents or we start asking questions.

Of course, this being GM, there is an exception. Key codes for recalls and shop work. We have an internal key code form and generally reference the RO number.

So far this has pleased those who have checked our work.

We stopped doing keys for non-owners a long time ago. No banks, credit unions or repo's.

[X476]

Just had a new twist, had a customer come in with all the proper paperwork but was obviously HAMMERED could not hardly stand up upright. He had someone else drive him here, before I cut the keys the driver stated that the drunk was not going to drive any where. I cut the keys and gave them to the sober guy. If he would not have had a sober driver I would not have cut the keys, what would you guys do?

[Denise Trimble]

We were audited by GM twice over 8 years at my last dealer. It is in your best interest to have all your documentation in order people! The only thing I got dinged on was with reposessions: we had a repo order from the bank, but not a COURT order.

[Zep33]

Just had a new twist, had a customer come in with all the proper paperwork but was obviously HAMMERED could not hardly stand up upright. He had someone else drive him here, before I cut the keys the driver stated that the drunk was not going to drive any where. I cut the keys and gave them to the sober guy. If he would not have had a sober driver I would not have cut the keys, what would you guys do?

That reminds me of something that's happened a couple times here.

Older people that have had their keys taken away from them by their family members due to health reasons, age or whatever. There's obviously no way for us to know the real reason a car owner is here to have a key made aside from what they tell us. I guess as long as they also took the license and registration away, a dealer playing by the rules wouldn't be cutting the key anyway. We have had a couple calls from those family members over the years to keep an eye out and not to make a key if so and so comes in to have one made. Of course we would honor the request the best we could but I wonder if there could be any liability if we did end up making a key if we were given the required information. I'm sure there's some ambulance chaser that would attempt to make a case if something ever happened.

The couple times we did get the calls, the owner never did come in but I would hate to have to be the one to tell them we can't make the key for them. I guess we could just say we don't have a blank and send them on their way.

[b_williams]

What do you folks do when a Manufacturing Co. calls and wants you to cut a key for one of their company vehicles?

[Parts007]

Manufacturing company or fleet..

A letter on company letterhead signed by a fleet manager or owner authorizing us to provide a key and/or key code to "exact person name" for vehicle "VIN".

Registration from the vehicle and an drivers license and company ID from the driver authorized by the company.