Losing or damaging your car key fob can be a stressful experience, especially when you start looking into the replacement costs. For Honda Accord 2016 owners, understanding the key fob cut replacement cost and the process involved is crucial. One Honda Accord owner shared their experience with purchasing a replacement key fob online, highlighting some important factors to consider when seeking a more affordable alternative to dealership prices.
Their journey began with an order from replacemyremote.com, priced at $85. The expectation was a straightforward replacement for their Honda Accord 2016 Touring model. However, upon receiving the package, a surprising detail emerged – the shiny “H” logo on the back of the key fob was blue. This was unexpected, as the original key fob had no blue accents.
Contacting customer support to inquire about the blue “H”, the owner was informed that this was standard for higher trim levels like the Touring. This explanation seemed dubious, as their original key fob had no such blue element. Despite receiving a functional 5-button key fob, the blue detail felt out of place and somewhat like a cheap imitation. This highlights the importance of product descriptions being accurate and comprehensive, especially when customers are looking for OEM-like replacements.
Further complicating the situation was the customer service experience itself. The initial representative seemed unhelpful and dismissive, insisting on the blue “H” being normal without truly addressing the customer’s concern about it not matching the original key. This negative interaction underscores the value of good customer service, particularly when dealing with online purchases where product nuances might not be immediately apparent.
Adding to the practical challenges, the owner was informed by replacemyremote that dealership programming might not be an option for their refurbished key fob. They suggested finding a local locksmith instead, stating that dealerships lack the capability to reprogram previously used key fobs. While dealerships were quoted around $67 for programming new fobs (with an estimated hour of labor), the necessity to seek a locksmith introduces an additional step and potential cost to the replacement process. This raises a crucial point for Honda Accord 2016 owners: when considering a key fob replacement, especially a refurbished one, factor in locksmith costs in addition to the fob itself.
However, the story takes a positive turn. Upon a second call to replacemyremote, a different representative named Keith offered excellent customer service. He promptly arranged a return for the blue-accented key fob and promised to send a driver 2 key with the original black back as a replacement, along with a prepaid return shipping label. This positive resolution demonstrates that while initial hiccups can occur, some online retailers are committed to resolving customer issues and ensuring satisfaction.
This experience provides valuable insights for anyone needing a Honda Accord 2016 key fob cut replacement. While online options like replacemyremote can offer cost savings compared to dealerships (potentially hundreds of dollars as mentioned in the original forum), it’s essential to be aware of potential discrepancies like the unexpected blue “H” and the need for locksmith programming. Always confirm product details, read descriptions carefully, and be prepared to factor in locksmith costs for programming. Ultimately, while the initial experience was mixed, the positive resolution and the significantly lower cost compared to a full dealership replacement make exploring online refurbished key fobs a worthwhile option for Honda Accord 2016 owners.
