My dealer was charging $25 for a new key.
According to a locksmith I know, it isn't the key that is so expensive. It's the cost of the programming unit and the minimum buy of keys.
As a locksmith, he has to buy individual programming units for Honda, Ford, GM, BMW, MB, etc. Each is at a cost of generally over $1000. He then has to buy chipped key blanks in minimum quantities. Hence, the overhead is tremendous and the locksmith needs to justify spending the money to sell a few keys per year.
According to a locksmith I know, it isn't the key that is so expensive. It's the cost of the programming unit and the minimum buy of keys.
As a locksmith, he has to buy individual programming units for Honda, Ford, GM, BMW, MB, etc. Each is at a cost of generally over $1000. He then has to buy chipped key blanks in minimum quantities. Hence, the overhead is tremendous and the locksmith needs to justify spending the money to sell a few keys per year.