I locked my keys in the car...again!!!

Two days ago in the 0 degree weather I locked my keys in the car again. My family owns three cars and I have now locked the keys inside every one of them.  What's worse is I managed to do it all in one winter.

The first time I had run into the grocery store to change my clothes and take off make-up in the bathroom there before I went home. I came back out to the car to discover I didn't have the keys, I could see the end of my keychain sticking out from beneath the drink tray thing that folds up and down. It was then that I learned that the police won't come unlock cars for people unless they also have locked their baby inside. I called locksmiths and found out that it costs a lot to get your car unlocked. So then I had to call home. My dad had the other key at work with him so my sister came and picked me up. While waiting at home for my dad to get home from work I realized that I had to be the one to go get the car because the Joy Division cd I had gotten from the library was in the cd player in the car and so whoever started it up would be hit with a wall of gothic sound. If that happened to be one of my parents I would be...dead? So I ended up biking back to the grocery store to get the car, my reason? It'll save gas.

The second time I was at Wal-mart in the neighboring state. After realizing what I had done I went to customer service in the store and they told me there was nothing they could do but to call the police. So I did and in this state it turned out they would come unlock my car for me. "We'll be right there" the person on the phone told me "go stand by your car" So I did, I waited, and waited, and waited. Other people noticed me and pretty soon I had a couple of guys working on unlocking my car. It had been about 40 minutes and they almost had it when the police finally showed up. They guys helping me all disappeared pretty fast, I guess civillans aren't really supposed to have that kind of stuff. But the policeman unlocked my car and I was on my way again.

The third time on Friday I locked my keys in the car and right away realized that I had done so. I was in a hurry and so really upset at doing it again but hey! I was in the neighboring state so the police would come save me, right? WRONG! The police don't come in the city limits. Where was Wal-mart then? if not in the city limits. Aaagh! Mall security couldn't help me because I had "power locks" They gave me a locksmiths number and a guy up there said it would cost about 35-45 bucks. So I called them and they said they were on there way to another job not far away and would be over in a bit. When they finally got there the guy pulls out this sheet and basically tells me its going to be $90 to unlock my car. I told him the mall people said it would be about $50!!! I didn't have $90 on me! So he goes back to his car and talks to the driver who I can't see cause the windows are so tinted and says the mall people told me it would be about $60.  Anyways he come back and says he could do it for 57.75 cash. I say OK and it takes him maybe 20 seconds to unlock my car. I hand over the cash, almost half of my last paycheck that I had just cashed and deposited at the bank an hour before.

So now I'm pretty upset at myself knowing its going to be two weeks before I get another paycheck. I can't believe I did it again you'd think I'd have learned my lesson the first time. But no, I'm accident prone and Murphy's Law was written about my life. And yes, I'm ranting and this is turning into a novel.

Anyways please share your "locked the keys in the car" stories. I want to know I'm not the only one. Any advice on how to prevent said tradegy is also more than welcome.

raining, in a different state, with a 5 hour drive and a ton of plans in front of me.  Threw my stuff into the trunk and closed it, then realized my keys were with my stuff.  The cop couldn't unlock it, neither did a hanger work.  Popalock ($35) did it in about 5 seconds.  Still have scratches from it (hanger) on my door.  Now I roll my windows down slightly (have an accord where you can do it with the key fob thing) before I shut my trunk.  Has saved me several times.  I also physically check to see if my keys are in my hands before I shut the trunk or door.

suggestion: maybe get one of those key changes with a string on it than zips in and out (you know what i mean, like a tape measure) so you can use the key in your car and still have it attached to your jeans or purse or something.  That way you can physically not leave without your keys.

I've left the keys hanging out of the ignition before!

I used to drive an older Chevrolet truck, and it wouldn't beep if you didn't have your seatbelt on, or if you left the keys in the ignition.  So at least once (and I'm thinking it happened twice) I got distracted after I parked, and then hopped out of the truck with the keys dangling from the ignition!

Fortunately, the car I have now beeps if I open the door and the keys are still in the ignition.  That has saved me more than once!

For some reason, I used to do this ALL the time when I was a teenager.  We belonged to our local auto club (AAA), and as part of their services, they would come and unlock your car.  One year, I did it so many times, I met the maximum number of services (5), and they threatened to close our account.

I did get this plastic key thing shaped like a credit card from the auto club.  But, that was only helpful if you happened to have your wallet on you (but, I still used it 6-7 times).  Maybe look into joining an auto club.  They're about $50 a year, and completely bailed me out in all KINDS of situations MANY times (car dying on the highway, flat tires, left the lights on and need a jump, etc).

I guess the problem has stopped now that I have a car with remote locks.  Since I always use the button on the key to lock my car, it makes it harder to do on accident.

My insurance company sent a guy out to unlock my car -- on Christmas day (2003), no less (my son locked the keys in).  I told them it could wait until the 26th, but he came anyway.  No charge -- but he got a big tip from me

I won $5 on a lotto ticket and went to the curb shop to cash it.  I had a Cavalier at the time with the pop out quarter panel windows in the back.  I had climbed in them before when I'd locked the keys inside.  This time, though, it shattered when I pulled it out.  The $5 lotto win cost me $90!

When I went on vacation a couple of years ago, I was terrified that I would lock my keys in the car. I bought one of those key boxes with a magnet on it, stuck my key in and stuck it underneath the car. I made from Detroit to Nashville and back and it was still there when I got home.

Joy Division is goth? Since when?

I've never understood how people lock their keys in their car. 

i used to do it all the time.  but only when the car was running.

simplest solition EVER.  make a copy of your key then either use wire or a magnet to put it under your car.  Piece of Cake.  If you are truly worried about theft (I'm not b/c so few people are smart enough to do this), you can get a key that only opens the door but does not work in the ignition - assuming you have a 2000 or newer with a microchip in it. 

I've literally used theat lifesaver key at least 6 times and I don't have to wait around for anybody to help me out. 

I keep a spare key in my purse.  It comes in handy also when I go to the garage to get service.  I leave the the spare and take my keys home with me.

Summer of 1996?  I made a bank deposit at 2:30 in the morning for work.  I left the keys in the car while it was running.  Back then it cost me $30 to get my car unlocked.  I went and got CAA the next day.

Ok I don't feel quite as bad now, LOL.

I think I will definetly be wiring a key to the bottom of my car, very good idea, thanks to all those who suggested or mentioned that. I put a spare key in my purse already too :)

So Joy Division isn't the gothest of the goth but they definetly had an influence on gothic rock and are listened to by many goths. My parents however wouldn't really care about how goth they are or aren't.  As for how people lock their keys in the car? I throw them in the center console instead of my purse (usually happens when I'm in a hurry) and voila!

We went out to eat, and when we got back out to the car I couldn't find the keys to unlock the door.  The kids informed me then that the car was still running, I hadn't even noticed. 

Quick call to OnStar and click the doors were open.  I felt a little dumb when the OnStar operator asked me how long it had been since I had driven the car and I had to answer that it was still running! 

I used to keep a key wired under my last vehicle though.  Used it many times!