Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is your return/ refund policy?
A: All orders are eligible to return with no questions asked- HOWEVER- since we will want to re-sell the item you return we will ask a few questions to ensure it is able to be re-sold. Refunds for cash are not possible at this time but your purchase amount will be retained on your account as a store credit towards your next purchase.
Q: Why do you not refund for cash any longer?
A: In the past we have strived to keep as many items in stock as possible. This means our in-house inventory value was many hundreds of thousands of dollars. If a consumer cancelled an order we simply added the inventory back in to stock and re-sold it later- sometimes MUCH later. This business model is not sustainable so we began to diminish our in-house inventory in favor of special ordering a percentage of sales as they come in. Basically, for around half of our sales we buy your remote SPECIFICALLY for you and your order, so when you cancel the item we are stuck with the product in our inventory, and we are not able to stay in business if this happens often. To avoid that we will keep the item in inventory and still refund your purchase amount as a credit. This helps us stay afloat.
Q: When I order an item from your company is it going to come ready to use if I provide my vehicle information?
A: No. There is no possible way we can pre-program items before they leave our facility as that would be a very high security risk for anyone who owns a vehicle. We ask you for your make, model, and year so we can provide you with self programming instructions if applicable. If when we look up your make, model, and year and your vehicle does not have self programming instructions we will let you know and offer support in helping you find an automotive locksmith in your area who can program the unit in for you. Self programming instructions depend on the vehicle. ALL vehicles are different. Some vehicles might have self programming and others simply do not because of the keyless entry system that was installed into the vehicle during manufacture.
Q: Can I cancel my order if it has not shipped yet?
A: Yes. As long as your order has not shipped we can cancel your order minus a $9.99 cancellation fee.
Q: Are the remotes you sell on Replace My Remote new, used, or refurbished?
A: We do not sell used remotes. New remotes will have *NEW* in the title and all other products not specifically marked new are refurbished. "Refurbished" means the electronics themselves have been used already. Whenever possible we have replaced the shell, buttons, battery, and cleared any old programming from previous vehicles (if the unit you buy needs it). All units are cleaned and tested to ensure they give a signal out, however, we cannot absolutely know if the item is defective until the unit is attempted to pair with another vehicle.
Q: Can I take a Replace My Remote item to a dealership to get programmed?
A: If the item is *NEW* then Yes- HOWEVER! It is highly ill advised! They are our competition. As such they can, will, and have said- many times- fictitious untrue things about the products themselves (like they are not re-useable, when they are) as well as our products (like we gave you the wrong item, which we very rarely do). Rather than subject you to this unethical and biased treatment we like to steer you towards the professionals. Locksmith's work on these remotes all the time and do it much better than a mechanic. Also, only locksmith tools can program a refurbished item, so any dealership using their own equipment CANNOT do the job- DESPITE what they may claim and tell you.
A: On rare occasions a dealership is able (and willing) to work on an outside unit and will not try to get you to buy one of theirs instead. On even rarer occasions the dealer is able to work on refurbished remotes. MOST dealerships CANNOT program their own products if they have been used already, unless they are also using locksmith equipment.
Q: Is there any other shipping option other than standard mail?
A: Yes, if you absolutely need the item as fast as possible we can also do USPS Priority Mail (2-3 arrival time) for $15.00 and UPS Overnight for $55.00. In order to use these shipping options you will need to call in to speak to a representative so they can push your sale thru with those options.
Q: Do I have 180 days to get a refund for any reason?
A: No. You have 50 days from the date of purchase to start a RMA for a refund for store credit for any reason. Refunds will go on your account as a credit towards your next purchase.
Q: I can get a replacement for my purchased item for 6 months after purchase?
A: Absolutely! If your item breaks then we will replace it at no cost to you. This only covers breakage due to unexplained circumstances. If it stops working within 180 days we WILL replace it. It does not cover the remote if the item is damaged and stops working. It also does not cover lost items. You must return an item to get it replaced. This pertains to the extended warranty as well.
Q: Is my purchased item insured?
A: Absolutely! If the post office (if the insured option has been chosen) or UPS loses your item we will send you a replacement free of charge as we will file a claim to recover the funds on our end.
Q: How much will an automotive locksmith charge me to program my key or remote?
A: That is entirely up to several factors; your area, how many locksmith's there are in the area, how special your remote is, and if you have a high security blade type or regular. The individual locksmith sets his/her prices but you will want to find as many as you can, call them, ask their charges, and decide who the best fit is. Try to go to them instead of having them come to you. This will keep the costs down. You will also want to ask the dealership how much their TOTAL CHARGES will be so you can get a good comparison BEFORE purchasing any item from Replace My Remote.
Q: Does the make, model, and year search guarantee my correct remote?
A: No. The make, model, year search guides you through what each vehicle is SUPPOSED to have. This is subject to change based on the manufacture. You should always verify with the dealership the part number before purchasing.
Q: How do I know I'm purchasing the correct remote/key for my vehicle?
A: The MOST important thing to verify when replacing a remote is the FCC ID number on an existing remote. If you do not have an existing remote you should call the dealership with your VIN number and ask them for the remote part number. On some remotes we require you to confirm more than just the FCC ID number but also what type of board is inside the remote (this is usually for Toyota smart remotes). Once the OEM part number is obtained you can reach out to one of our customer service representatives via email , or chat and ask them to assist you in finding the right remote/key for your vehicle. We will ensure you know everything you need to when it comes to replacing one of these items.