As mentioned previously in this thread I make keys for cars when someone loses them, I also repair repair damage done by attempted thefts and do all kinds general locksmithing work for vehicles.
About a week ago I get a call from a Mexican guy, shit English, I can barely understand him enough to get the address right. It's a 2010 Toyota Camry and he lost his keys to the car, only when I get there I find out he attempted to open car himself doing about $300-$500 damage to the paint on the door jamb. I look inside the car and see it gets much worse, he yanked all 8 wires out of the plug that plugs into the ignition switch, he did this in an attempt to hotwire the car. Only problem is it's impossible to hotwire most modern cars made after 1998, as they have a transponder in the key, without sensing this transponder the car will
never start. But the biggest problem is, with a broken ignition switch I cannot program the key so it will start the car.
I use google translate to explain to him I can make him a key but, because the car has been damaged I cannot make a key that will start the vehicle, he can use it to unlock the steering and transmission to assist in towing the car to a repair shop but it will not start the car. He agrees and I take payment, 10 minutes later I give him the key and show him how it works in the door and turns in the ignition.
Two days later he texts me, telling me the ignition is fixed and I need to come back to program the key and finish the job, he phrases this in a very rude and demanding way but, I figure its just bad English and set an appointment with him. I arrive on site and the ignition wiring is still broken, it doesn't even look like someone had attempted to repair it. I use google translate to again explain to him if the car is broken, I cannot make him a key, they key will never take programming hence, the car will never start. In broken english he complains to me that a mechanic wanted $2000 to repair the wiring he destroyed, I give him the "I'm sorry but, yeah that's what you did" look, as I nod my head. He says he doesn't have the $2,000 and I tell him for the 3rd time I cannot help him unless the ignition is fixed. He seems to understand what I'm saying and he asks me if I can fix it, I tell him I'm a locksmith not a mechanic, he insists I must be able to fix it. I take another look at the ignition, I figure if I get the EXACT same cable from a junkyard or online all I'd have to do is match up the colors of the wires. I go online later that night and find a used wiring harness and text him I can fix it for $500. Two days later I get a text form him he doesn't have the $500 but the ignition is fixed and I need to come over right-the-fuck-now and fix his key. I set an appointment and when I show up he's taped some wires back together but, when you turn the key the dash-lights don't even come on, I test the battery and its weak but it has charge. I turn the key all the way to the crank position expecting to hear the starter engage and nothing. key programmed or not the dash is supposed to come on and the starter is supposed to attempt to start the vehicle.
Again I explain to him he never fixed the igntion, nothing responds to turning the key. I think he gets it and I leave. about 5 days later I get a call from his cell, only it's a girl sounds like shes early 20's second generation Mexican accent but understands English good enough. Shes translating for Mr Camry, same story as last time" the car is fixed and you better get the fuck over here right now" tone. I ask her if the dash lights up and she says yes, I ask her if the engine cranks over when the key is turned to crank position, there's a hesitation and lot of muffled talk in Spanish I can't understand. She asks me when I can come over and finish the job, I repeat the question: "does the car attempt to start when you turn the key all the way?" silence and more spanish back and forth. "umm...yes?" she says. I ask her if shes behind the wheel right now and she says yes, I ask her to crank the engine over so I can hear it. Another long pause and even more back and forth muffled conversation, Mr camry sounds pissed. "he says you need to come finish the job right now" I explain to her I've spent a lot of gasoline and if it isn't fixed I'm not spending more. Through his translator Mr Camry accuses me of selling him a key without a chip, to me its the same thing as calling me a liar, I hang up the phone and block the number. He paid me in cash so I have no credit card bullshit to worry about. I take my job very seriously, I take a lot of pride in my work but, if you are going to destroy your car and make it my problem and then call me a liar? Get fucked.
