Walmart has partnered with “Minute Key,” a reputable key-cutting company to make copying keys easy. So, you can find “Minute Key” Kiosks with cutting-edge and easy-to-use machines near the front entrance at most Walmart stores and copy your keys with ease.
Today’s article will guide you through the entire process of making key copies at Walmart. We will also discuss the benefits of using Walmart’s “Minute Key” kiosks instead of hiring a locksmith or key duplication services, the cost of copying a key, and other essential information. Read on!
Walmart Key Copy
Does Walmart Make Keys?
Most people ask whether Walmart’s Minute Key machines can cut or duplicate car keys. Bear in mind that you can’t duplicate specific keys, including car keys. The device has labeled certain types of keys as “Do Not Copy.” These include keys for government offices, public institutions, schools, colleges, security organizations, private properties, etc.
How Do I Get Keys Made At Walmart?
Duplicating a key and achieving a perfect copy is a daunting, time-consuming, and expensive process, especially when you hire a locksmith or third-party services.
On the other hand, getting a duplicate key for your home key is pretty straightforward at Walmart. However, you must follow these steps to achieve the desired results.
- Step 1: Go to a Walmart store near your home and look for a self-service “Minute Key” kiosk. Ask the staff about the booth if you can’t find the machine at the entrance. In that case, you can go to another Walmart store with an available kiosk.
- Step 2: Once you have found the kiosk at a Walmart store, verify whether the machine works appropriately before inserting or sliding the key. If the machine works properly, slide the key into it.
- Step 3: The “Minute Key” machine will scan the original key within ten to fifteen seconds. The purpose is to identify the key type and size and tell whether the design is available.
- Step 4: After selecting your key design, the machine will ask you to pay using a card, cash, or through your online account. Once you have paid the required money, the machine will start copying your key.
- Step 5: Wait at least a minute or two to let the machine complete the process. Next, the machine will drop the duplicate key at the “Pick up area.” Now, pick up the key and test it to confirm whether it works optimally. Otherwise, you can discuss the problem with Walmart staff and get a refund!
How Much Does Walmart Key Copy Cost?
It's relatively cheap, you can copy a key for $2 at Walmart’s Minute Key machine. However, sometimes, it costs around $6 per key, depending on its design, size, type, and color.
How Long Does It Take To Copy Keys?
Walmart’s “Minute Key” machines use advanced technologies, including machine learning algorithms, mathematical modeling, artificial intelligence, and robotics.
It can duplicate a key within two minutes. On the other hand, a professional and experienced locksmith can duplicate a key within a few minutes. However, they charge a lot of money.
For example, a more complicated key can take 25-40 minutes and cost more than $500. At Walmart, it takes 1-2 minutes for $2 to $6. Therefore, Walmart’s self-service kiosks are more reliable and cost-effective than other third-party services.
Do All Walmart Stores Have Key Makers?
No, not all Walmart stores have key-making machines available. However, most stores have kiosks available, allowing people to leverage the self-service machines and copy a key within a minute or two.
Where Are The Key Copy Machines?
You can find the Minute Key machines or kiosks at Walmart’s front entrance.
However, not all stores have key copying machines. Again, we recommend performing a little research to save time. In addition, always bring the original key you want to copy.
You can pay through credit card, debit card, or digital payments.
What Kind Of Keys Can I Copy?
You can copy or duplicate different kinds of keys at Walmart.
These include house, safe, lock, all-metal car, and flat keys. However, you can’t copy smart keys, chip keys, key fob combinations, metal + plastic, keys with digital components, and antique keys.
The best thing about these key-copying machines is that they mark specific keys as “Do Not Copy.” That way you should be able to to know whether you key can be copied or not.
Can I Copy A Broken Key At Walmart?
Put simply, no you cannot.
You can’t copy a broken or damaged key at Walmart’s “Minute Key.” These machines are efficient in making copies of original keys. However, they lack a mechanism to copy or repair broken keys. In that case, you have to hire a professional locksmith service.
Why Go With Walmart Key Copy?
There are numerous benefits of copying your keys at Walmart. For us the major reasons to go with Walmart key copy are these simple reason:
- Convenient: Most of the copy machines are right in the front of the store.
- Reliable: Since it's a machine that does it, you can do it anytime Walmart is open.
- Quality: I've been using my Walmart key copy for 5 years.
- Hassle-free: No depending on people, just use the robotic machine to copy you key.
- Quick process: The whole process takes only a few minutes.
Above all, copying a key at Walmart is exceptionally affordable. For around $2-6 per key and only a few minutes of my time, it makes a lot of sense whenever I need a key copied.
Closing Thoughts
Therefore, having a spare key with your original or master key is essential to avoiding problems. However, making a copy or duplicate is daunting, time-consuming, and expensive. Most employees working at hardware stores understand the use of key-cutting machines, but they rarely use the device.
Common causes of a faulty duplicate key are incorrect cutting, mismatched lengths of shoulders and grooves, inappropriate blanks, or the original key has rusted, bent, or damaged. The good news is that you can save time and money using the key copying services at a Walmart store.
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