D-I-Y at Timpson's

Our 2 local branches of Timpson's, one in Sainsburys, are franchises & very expensive. A local cobbler's shop is cheaper & cuts keys as you wait. Robert Dyas & B&Q also have key cutting machines but I have never used them or seen anyone else using them.

Yep. You used to be able to buy a map of the local area in any newsagents. Not any more.

Mine is as up to date as it is ever going to get. 2021 was last update.

Yes, it's a 2016 vintage phone.

I have a camera app. Supplied with the phone Moron.

The phone is 2017 or thereabouts

She's being told (at PA login attempt) that she has to download an authenticator app or go via the NHS login. The trouble with the latter is that it ends in a loop (after she enters username/password), with her entering the NHS number, DoB, and postcode - then it says Oh, you already have an NHS login, use that to login. And round and round.

In my case when I use PA I get sent a 2FA code to my clamshell, which is just what that phone is for. I also get nagged about the authenticator app, but I'm "allowed" to ignore it and be reminded next time.

You don't need to use a phone. When I asked Patient Access (PA) to change my Authenticator App it came up with suggestions for Windows and Mac desktops. There are authenticator apps for Windows in the play store. Patient Access suggests this search:-

The trouble with the latter is that

I had to turn off my add blocker to get this to work. If you have disabled cookies that may also cause it to fail. Can she log-in here :-

I wonder how long they will let you continue.... ... but I tend to use an authenticator app on my phone as I have multiple desktops/laptop PCs. The codes are backed up to my google account so that is not an issue.

Hope this helps,

Dave

I had three cut for a tenner, about 2 years ago, at the local car parts shop.

Timpson's, at a different kiosk, offered me three-for-two, for £14. The machine would not accept my debit card, however, but it did accept my £10 note. When I realised that my four £1 coins were in fact only three £1 coins, I cancelled the whole transaction. But it did not give me back my £10. However, I am in conversation with a Troubleshooter at

Here's more mystery. When I log in to PA, I already have 2FA set up, and I get a code to my phone, which I then enter. Given this, why does it then start bleating about setting up 2FA when I'm already using it? (and yes, thanks, I now see the list of stores you describe). It's at that point, for me, where I get the option "to be reminded next time" which I always click.

Update; I was in town, to do some shopping, but also to try to get my key cut. I passed by Screwfix, which has a Timpson's kiosk, and in case the problem yesterday had been caused by a machine problem, and also as it was really handy, I decided to try them for the key cutting.

However, their machine was out of order.

Next, I went to do my shopping in Morrison's, and on entry to the foyer, there is a Timpson's kiosk, which has not yet made it to the website list. I started the process, saw a screen which told me that each key would be £7, with three-for-two, so three keys for £14. I removed my key from my keyring and put it into the box for scanning. The machine told me it was ready to make my keys. I tried to pay with my debit card, but the reader would not accept it. The same card had been used at an ATM 30 minutes before, and was afterwards used at Morrison's for both groceries and fuel. So, having a handful of change, I started to pay with cash, and the machine was most happy to take my £10 note. But I then realised that the four £1 coins that I had in my pocket were only three £1 coins, so I cancelled the purchase. Only the machine made no attempt to return my £10 note. This will continue...

I expect because using SMS messages may be expensive, and, given the on-going SIM swap scandals have been depreciated as less secure than the One Time Password apps....

Dave

MacOS/iOS keychain will also do TOTP natively, so you don't need an additional app:

Likewise iCloud will sync the TOTP keys between Apple products.

Theo

The gentleman who took over from Timpson, and now takes care of the running of the shops, has come up Trumps. He had an engineer visit my local failing machines, he confirmed my complaints, and fixed them. He also talked to the local manned shop, which is also the local shoe repair shop, and when I went there yesterday afternoon, he cut my three keys, refunded my missing £10, and refused the outstanding £4, due to my unfortunate experience. So I would say that the current management at Timpson's is definitely on the right track. For the record, the stabdard price for the Yale-type keys is £7 each, with three-for-two, which is, I think, not bad at all. They all fit the lock, with no trouble.

I’ve only used one of the Timpson’s automated key cutting machines once for a 5 lever mortice lock key. As we wanted half a dozen keys it was considerably cheaper than our local “key cutter” and produced perfect working copies (unlike our local key cutter).

I would definitely use them again.

Tim