Another question before I take the plunge...

In reviewing the "deal sheet" from my local dealer, there is a line item for "VPS" (Vehicle Protection System) for $299.00. My salesman explained that this is the VIN etching on the windows.

Is this an option that I am free to decline? Has everyone else been paying for this or do most dealers throw it in at n/c?

Thanks again for the great advice, guys.

 

It's a BS charge..

 

you can do it yourself for like $20. its bs... if they say that its mandatory, tell them about online vin etching (if its mandatory, how can i dyi??).

http://www.vinshield.com/vs/Public/Home/index.cfm

 

Do NOT pay for this. Tell the dealer to go screw themselves. If you don't want to be so confrontational, then tell the dealer (whether it's true or not) that your insurance company offers this for free, so why would you pay $300 for it. Lots of insurance companies do. As a general rule decline EVERYTHING of this nature - the markup on these accessories is huge. E.g. The dealer will try to charge you $150 to Scotchguard your seats, when you can buy a can yourself and spray it on for $15. Don't pay for any rustproofing - modern cars come with long rust through warranties, plus, how long do you plan to keep the car anyway*.

Even if you tell them you don't want it, make sure that they don't slide it on to the paperwork ("oh sorry we forgot"). A lot of times they're not counting on you reading it thoroughly in your haste to drive away in your shiny new car. Question every number. Do not pay more than a $50 documentation fee, and if it bugs you sufficiently bring that up as an issue too. They'll tell you it's standard, but it's not required and it's doubtful they'd lose a sale over it.

C.
PS if you want the VIN etching, contact your insurance company and see if they offer it. I wouldn't pay for it.

* if it's an Italian car, then get the rust protection.

 

That's a complete BS charge... NEVER pay that

 

Great replies. Thanks!

You all have confirmed my suspicions. Just out of curiosity, I called my insurance carrier to ask what, if any, discount that VIN etching gets me on the auto policy. She informed me that it would lower my six-month premium by less than 20 bucks.

 

What a con!

A directly related topic is a message that I started on Dealer Extortion Fees is at:

Avoid Dealer Extortion Fees

Before you start negotiating numbers, you have to make it clear that you are not paying for extra dealer fees, extra dealer add-ons, etc. It's easier to establish that in the beginning.

Watch out for the dealer pulling more extortion as they write up the sales contract and virtually dangle the keys before you...if you'll just pay more of their arbitrary (what they call "required") fees.

It's funny and interesting that no dealers have challenged my message on Dealer Extortion Fees.

Good Luck!!!

 

Funny that a user testimonial on their site mentions Acura:

 

Yikes! Boomer, are you in Oklahoma? Just a guess.

I got mine at Bob Howard Acura for a good price--who is trying to screw you? Bob Howard Acura or Don Carlton? It would be good to know so others can avoid them or just be prepared to argue.

 

My dealer (who for the purposes of this thread shall remain nameless) does one better. They have the windows pre-etched (before PDI, etc.), and then attempts to charge you $295 for registration into the national database. I don't know how any sales guy/finance guy can sell this stuff in good conscience.

 

no conscience, no problem.

 

When Acura called me for my customer survey, I listed this as the only problem - the F&I person trying to push BS like overpriced VIN etching and rust-proofing (neither of which I bought, but she was really pushing the VIN etch). I doubt anything will really happen, but they've called back twice trying to 'resolve the issue' to my satisfaction.

Some police departments have VIN etching days for like $5. There's nothing mandatory about having it done, except I hear that some states mandate insurance discounts to people who have it done (not this one).

 

My dealer does it to every car and tries to sell it for either $250 or $300 (I forget) with insurance. When I balked, they said it was already done, but I could opt out of the insurance that came along with it and the charge would be $50. I took that even though it is about twice what it's worth. Given the discount I got on the car, I'm still pleased.

 

Thanks for all of the input, everyone.

I told the dealer (Goodson Acura in Irving, TX) we had no deal if they continued to push the VIN etching fee. Unfortunately, during the day or two it took to get Goodson to back off on the VIN fee and the $1,000 NON-REFUNDABLE Deposit they wanted (see my previous thread if you want more details), someone else bought the car I wanted. No worries, though, I've moved on to another dealer and am getting better treatment. Yet another example of bad sales policy costing the dealer a sale.

Thanks again for the wisdom.

 

Somewhat related to this thread, I saw a 4-cylinder AWD Saturn VUE today in the Gallery (a Philly mall), with dealer add-ons that brought the MSRP up to over $28k! I wanted to take a picture of that sticker price, take a picture of a regular 4-cyl VUE sticker without all the extra crap - that included a $125 pin stripe, BTW - to illustrate how ridiculous add-ons are.

It wasn't even a V6 VUE, and it was more than my TSX!

 

It's funny, I got it for free on my car. The dealer did not even talk about it...

 

Now that IS funny!!! From "free" to $300! ROL!!!!

 

I just purchased a TSX for my wife on Thursday. The salesperson told me about the etching. She said they etch the cars when they come in and charge you for the insurance program, if you want it. I told them I didn't want it. When the manager was writing up the final paperwork he left the charge in on the computer. I could see the screen, and told him I didn't want the etching. He said " Oh, sorry, I'll take that off". Nice try. All in all the dealership was good to work with.

 

Didn't want to start a new thread but anyone actually have the DIY kit ? Long term, does it rub off or anything ?

 

Thanks very much for this site. I'm going to order a kit today.

 

damn... my dealer sold me that vin etching security and like an idiot I bought it for $299 because he made it sound so good and claimed I will get a deduction on my insurance. I called Geico and they said I am already getting a deduction...so I think i got screwed. Can I get a refund?

 

DIY Vin etching.. off my insurance people. Buying DIY etching = saving 15 bucks after the first 6 month for me..

If you were to have VIN Etching done on the 2005 Acura TSX, your six month premium would decrease by $15.00. If you were to have the Lojack installed, the six month premium would decrease by $45.00. If you did both, the premium reduction would be only $45.00, not $60.00.

 

Anyone have pictures of the DIY job? Wanted to know if you had any problems over time with this.

 

go to your local precinct

in NYC its a free service

 

in Philly this week as well

 

Type X,

Which precint did you go to? I just called the local precint and they said they didn't know about it.....probably laughed as soon as I got off the phone.

 

My dealer does this to all of their cars and told me it was a service they offer for free. I didn't know about it before I went to pick it up. I like the concept but not for $ that they ask.

 

Most states, Colorado being one, does not offer a discount for Lojack devices. This practice is more popular on the east and west coasts. Possibly someday it will move out here, until then I have some peace of mind.

 

I had vin etching insurance on my '05 RSX-S. Which was stolen/recovered totalled but the vin etch insurance automatically gives you $2500 and my dealership said they will match that (which ='s 5000) if we buy from them again. For $280 insurance, it's not all that bad unless you don't get your car stolen.