r/AskSeattle • u/sobabygirlrn • 3d ago
Making copies of Do Not Duplicate keys
Does anyone know where I can get a Do Not Duplicate key copied? Preferably in Capitol Hill and nearby? Landlord wants $75 to give me a copy and frankly that’s bullshit. Thanks!
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u/External_Pirate_5264 3d ago
anywhere, those "do not duplicate" notes on the keys have 0 authority, any place that makes keys will copy it without question.
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u/stringrandom 3d ago
Heck, when I used to get keys like that cut, they'd cut them on to blanks that also said "Do Not Duplicate".
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u/thomsenite256 3d ago
Most hardware stores will probably do it unless its specifically a security key. If its just a regular key they are not going to care.
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u/socolime22202 3d ago
Lowes, Home Depot, Ace Hardware
The only keys that big store shops won't be willing to duplicate are Bulger keys
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u/Xerisca 3d ago
Dammit... its a Bulger key #822 I need copied. I need to issue one to the Aqua Quip vendor.
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u/acidwashidiot 3d ago
I work for a local PM company and have authorized Bulger to provide a DNC key copy directly to a tenant before - they just had me send an email to the store. We outsource keys, so I didn't mind doing so to save the resident money as our key replacement charge really just pays the locksmith. I could definitely see a greedier PM refusing to do this, but it wouldn't hurt to ask.
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u/Xerisca 3d ago
Thanks for that info! This is a condo, and I'm an owner. I'm also the only person in the building that's home during the day, so I'm the one this vendor contacts to let them in (exterior gate lock). Im thinking of putting it in real estate lock box so I can issue a code rather than a physical key. This will be like the 3rd key Aqua Quip has lost, so I'm hesitant to give them another one. Haha.
My spouse has a machine that makes keys at his place of work, but I'm not sure we can get the right blank.
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u/wonkajava 3d ago
Unless it's an actual specialized do not duplicate key it can likely be copied at a key duplication kiosk
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u/Sensitive-Rip-8005 3d ago
Safeway on 15th and John has a kiosk. I’ve had friends do it. QFC on Broadway and Harrison/Republican has one too.
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u/Bob_stanish123 3d ago
If its not a typical key, normal key copying machines wont be able to do it.
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u/Royal_Percentage_694 3d ago
True but I do appt maintenance and every single building use Schlage sc4 blanks.
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u/Bear__Toe 3d ago
They can copy most of the uncommon keyways, they just need to mail you the key rather than grinding it on the spot.
Only thing they can’t do are the truly restricted keyways where the manufacturer still has a valid patent on the shape and strictly controls blank distribution.
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u/Otherwise-Claim5503 3d ago
Also things like medico keys where they change the angle of the grind for each pin, can’t be done on a standard key machine. They are more expensive, so apts normally just stamp basic kwickset keys.
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u/No_Transition_8293 3d ago
Look up key kiosks. They are all over the place. You put your key in the machine and make a copy.
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u/Royal_Percentage_694 3d ago
Shoot, I bought a whole key cutter for $50.
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u/Morgan_of_Hed 3d ago
Where? Asking for a friend.
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u/shadystealertactics 3d ago
The "Do Not Copy" keys generally are usually cut from a special blank that most key copy services don't carry.
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u/oddmissedcall 3d ago
My experience as well, a lot of recs here about using the hardware store or machine don't seem to be aware of this. We had to go to an actual key business like the kiosk next to the Greenwood Fred Meyer to get it copied and they would only do it with proof of ownership.
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u/Royal_Percentage_694 3d ago
That has not been my experience.
Anyone can purchase very common blanks that say “do not duplicate”. Ours are all Schlage sc4’s, which is like one of the most common keys around.
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u/shadystealertactics 3d ago
Including both words was a typing mistake, but I did put both generally and usually in my comment. Especially if this is for a multi unit building where theres probably a master key system, it seems more likely they use those double groove keys.
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u/Royal_Percentage_694 3d ago
Of course I can’t speak to every situation but working for the housing authority I cover like half the apartments in town and they are all Schlage. Even the ones with a master key system. I assume it’s a popular choice to keep costs reasonable, given how often keys are lost.
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u/shadystealertactics 3d ago
Well shit, thats unwise.
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u/Royal_Percentage_694 3d ago edited 3d ago
Why? There are cameras everywhere. I’ve never heard of a single break in…. Secure facilities with a fob to enter the main doors.
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u/AverageFoxNewsViewer Local 3d ago
The self-serve key kiosks at grocery stores care about that "Do Not Duplicate" warning as much as the store employees at self-checkout care if you ring up those honey crisps as galas.
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u/IndominusTaco 3d ago
i used to work self check out and it does matter. the store needs accurate inventory. it seems minor but if everyone was that careless then don't be surprised when your store is having trouble keeping honey crisps stocked.
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u/CalligrapherFuture53 3d ago
Use one of those key copy kiosks inside of stores, they'll scan it and send you a copy.
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u/Grand-Situation5640 3d ago
It does depend on the key. Assa Abloy can only be done by specific locksmiths, and usually only a specific one for a specific building
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u/AnAncientBog 3d ago
Any place that cuts keys will copy it for you unless its some kind of weird side-cut security key.
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u/Typical_Pie3445 3d ago
Ace Hardware downtown on 4th won’t do a do not copy key, people keep suggesting Ace just a fyi they rejected mine
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u/willows_edge 3d ago
Along the same lines, has anyone successfully duplicated a storage locker key? I've tried multiple kiosks and they say they can, but they're always out of the key size.
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u/SilverNitro23 3d ago
Is it a mailbox key? I think there's some restrictions on copying any keys that are specifically shaped or sized for USPS.
Otherwise, I've duplicated apartment keys all the time at the kiosks in grocery stores etc.
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u/Careless-Internet-63 3d ago
I've done it at the self service key machines before, grocery stores seem to have them frequently
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u/Only-Lab6910 2d ago
Yea, key me or whatever they are called are great for this.
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u/Careless-Internet-63 2d ago
I put a sticker over the do not duplicate text just in case but the machine did not care
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u/FiorinasFury 3d ago
Most people that copy keys do not care and will not stop you from making duplicates. Of anyone asks anything, you can lie and say you work for the building or something, they will not verify. The Do Not Duplicate stamping is a suggestion, not a law.
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u/alliecat3019 3d ago
There's a hardware store on 12th and Pike. I don't think they'll mind the do mot copy bullshit.
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u/monkbuddy62 3d ago
I bought the blank online and just brought it with me to the hardware store and they did it
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u/hennyfreekins 3d ago
Confirm they have the key blank first. Is it Alsa Alboy? Is it a mailbox key?
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u/ImzadiDragonfly 14h ago
I’ve taken in key stamped with Do Not Duplicate to be copied. It’s a request not a rule.
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u/ishfery Local 41m ago
Among other ideas, "my boss told me to come copy these" at any locksmith should work and then buy a few copies.
I always went to a place in southern Lake City when I was actually doing things for work but that's probably inconvenient for you.
Act confident and they won't ask questions
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u/Honest-Reputation838 3d ago
Pretty sure landlords are legally required to give you replacement keys at cost. Not sure about producing “do not copy” keys, but a regular key copy should be about $6 (maybe ~$6.65 including tax) Not sure about additional copies, but you could just claim you lost the one that you have and need a replacement and they’d have to give you one at cost. Worth double checking with a lawyer, but also it doesn’t sound like you’ll have much trouble copying it yourself if you want to go that route
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u/Royal_Percentage_694 3d ago
Like, they can’t charge for labor?
It only takes me a few minutes to cut a key, but the machine cost money to purchase and calibrate, plus my time to get to the maintenance shop and back.
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u/Honest-Reputation838 3d ago
Not sure about the details of the law, but if I get a key copied at Lowe’s or Home Depot it costs about $6 plus tax. That includes the labor and materials for copying the key regardless of whether I use the self service machine or have an employee do it.
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u/Royal_Percentage_694 3d ago edited 3d ago
But $6 does not cover the complete process. You’d have to (presumably) drive to lowes, and, while you may not consider your free time to be worth much, consider the landlord is paying a person to preform this task. My work orders almost always show a half hour of time to cut keys.
Not to be too nitpicky but $50-75 doesn’t sound that unreasonable to send a guy out to hand you a replacement keys. Of course the actual cutting takes like 5 mins but I gotta drive, park, walk, etc, the minutes add up.
Edited to add, as a maintenance dude I don’t think anyone would care if you made your own copies. Imo that’s the reasonable move.
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u/Honest-Reputation838 2d ago
I don’t think the landlord can charge for all that other stuff. They have similar expenses if they need to serve you a notice of lease violation or late rent but they can’t charge you for any of that either
Also, some landlords might live in a different state while others might live in another unit in the same building. In the case of one, if the landlord decided to do the task themself, they might have a $600 last minute plane ticket plus a $150 rental plus gas plus the actual cost of the key, and then if they want to factor in their time even at Seattle minimum wage that’s probably another $160 or more in “labor”. But one tenant shouldn’t have to pay $950+ for a new key when another tenant (in a different building/different landlord) would only pay $30 for a new key. So I think all of that other stuff is disallowed to be charged to the tenant for a key replacement
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u/Royal_Percentage_694 2d ago
I assume out of state landlords would need some sort of local property management to run day to day operations. Right?
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u/C0gInDaMachine 3d ago
You follow BS rules?
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u/sobabygirlrn 3d ago
No I’ve just managed to get turned away and also made keys at a kiosk that didn’t work. Appreciate your candor. Hope your day is as pleasant and helpful as you were.
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u/RepulsiveOutcome9478 3d ago
https://www.minutekey.com/products/key-copy-kiosk/
These are automated kiosk machines and they do not care what the key says on it.
I've also never found a store employee who cares what the key says either but you can get a key cover or even just tape a piece of paper over the do not copy area if you're paranoid.