Common Myths About Locksmith Services Debunked

By the LockGenie Team — Updated October 19, 2026

Locksmith myths cost people real money — sending them to the dealer for something we do in a driveway, or scaring them away from help they need. Here are the ones we hear most in Ocala, corrected. Questions about any of them? Call or text LockGenie at 352-631-8398.

Myth 1: "Only the dealer can make my car key."

False for most vehicles. A mobile locksmith with the right equipment can cut and program car keys for most makes and models — right where your car is parked. No tow, no service-desk wait. Dealers are necessary for a few specific systems, but for the vast majority of cars on the road, a mobile locksmith is the quicker call. Not sure about yours? Check your key type on our key lookup tool — and see our automotive key services for what we do daily.

Myth 2: "A locksmith will damage my lock."

Backwards. A professional locksmith's whole craft is opening locks without damage — picking, not drilling. Damage happens when an untrained hand (or a scam operator reaching for a drill in the first two minutes) works on your lock. Hiring a real, reviewed local locksmith is how you protect your lock, not how you lose it.

Myth 3: "Rekeying means replacing all my locks."

No — rekeying replaces the keys, not the locks. Rekeying changes the internal pins of your existing locks so old keys stop working and new keys work. The hardware stays on the door. It's the standard move after moving into a new home or when an employee leaves a business, and it's far less expensive than swapping out every lock.

Myth 4: "Smart keys always cost $500 or more."

Not at LockGenie. What a spare costs depends on the key type and the vehicle — a plain chip key runs less than a remote-head key, which runs less than a push-to-start smart key — and plenty of spares come in well under that scary number. We quote your exact total up front before any work, and since we're mobile, that includes us coming to you. Dealers may charge far more, but that doesn't set the market.

Myth 5: "Any key copy works the same."

Only for plain metal keys. For car keys, a copy that isn't properly cut and programmed to your vehicle is a paperweight. The chip inside has to match your car's computer, which is why car keys take specialized equipment and trained hands — not the kiosk at the big-box store. A properly programmed key works like the original, every time.

Myth 6: "Locksmiths only do lockouts."

Lockouts are maybe a third of the work. The rest is spare car keys, all-keys-lost situations, home and business rekeying, lock changes, smart lock installation, key fobs, and commercial work like master key systems. If it involves keys or locks, a locksmith probably does it.

Myth 7: "Calling a locksmith at 2 AM costs double."

Not with us. We're open 24 hours for emergencies — nights, weekends, holidays. You'll always get an exact quote before we start, and the price we quote is the price you pay, whatever the hour. No mystery surcharges for the time on the clock.

The Takeaway

Most locksmith myths survive because people only think about locksmiths in an emergency, with no time to check facts. Now you know the truth on all seven — and you know where to verify anything else. LockGenie is a mobile locksmith dispatched from Ocala and Hernando, serving Marion and Citrus County. We're backed by our five-star reviews, every key we provide carries a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects, and we accept cash, card, or Zelle.

Call or text 352-631-8398 — an exact price up front, and we come to you.