I work in computers - and the most infuriating problem description I ever get is "it doesn't work".

WHY?! What error / problem / issue is the user experiencing?

If it's blasting a "key not present" error, that's no biggie. Worst case, she can put the key in the ignition - but my guess is that it's next to a cellphone or a metal case that's blocking the RFID signal back to the car.