kryptonite locks

[topaz]

Many of you have heard the buzz on the street about how easily Kryptonite U-locks can be picked. These locks use those funny little circular keys, and it turns out that on some models, the diameter of the key is almost exactly the diameter of a Bic pen. So if you remove the nib from the barrel of a Bic, you can shove the empty plastic barrel into the keyhole; the plastic pushes the pins into place and molds itself to the shape of the key that should fit it, and the lock springs right open.

Kryptonite offered very quickly to replace the locking mechanism on certain affected models, if the lock was less than two years old and you could prove it with a receipt. Not a terrible response, but not great either.

Well, I guess they're really taking a beating on the P.R. over this issue, because they've announced that they will replace any model of any Kryptonite lock for free. They'll even pay postage.

I'm really impressed. This ought to help stem the customer hemorrhage.

Comments

[mattlistener.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the link! I went looking for their offer yesterday and saw the within-two-years deal.

If you purchased your lock more than two years ago they promised a "substantial rebate" on a new lock, again if you had the receipt (or had registered for the warrantee or had registered your key number).

I was SOL on that deal and had moved on to working out what I should buy instead, so I'm fortunate to have seen your post of the updated offer.

[jacflash.livejournal.com]

That is very impressive. I seriously question how they will manage to do that and stay afloat, but it is impressive that they've decided to try.

[moominmolly.livejournal.com]

Wow. I wonder what on earth they're mortgaging to get the money to do that?
Very impressive! I shall exchange my locks. I have cable locks to use in the meantime.

[mattlistener.livejournal.com]

Here's an exrpt of the bot-reply:

If you have a Kryptonite lock that has a tubular cylinder (a round key cylinder) you are eligible for a Kryptonite non-tubular cylinder lock exchange. The steps you take to participate in the exchange are:
1. Provide the information listed below to Kryptonite.
2. Return your current tubular cylinder Kryptonite lock to us (postage paid).
3. Kryptonite will send you your new non-tubular cylinder lock.

The postage they'll pay is to send the new lock back to us. Plus, the offer is first come, first served and limited by product availability.

[mattlistener.livejournal.com]

...on the other hand they will take locks in groups, so maybe folks near each other could team up to save postage.

[jwg.livejournal.com]

I guess the lock I bought ~35 years ago and think I still have but don't every use can just stay where it is.

[mattlistener.livejournal.com]

If it's a Kryptonite a tubular cylinder lock, under their current offer you can mail it back to them and get a new, non-tubular lock for free.

[rsc.livejournal.com]

Wherever that might be.

KRYPTONITE LOCKS

[actjack.livejournal.com]

Hope they take them off the market. I get so weak & dizzy whenever I'm near one!