So I just purchased a 2010 Fit Sport... all the vehicles on the lot had window etching, so I paid for that, along with a $100 (optional) registration fee.

Called my insurance company tonight: The 6 month savings for the window etching: $2 (I also would need to have them visually inspect the car to approve this, meaning that the $100 registration fee wasn't even necessary).

 

Window etching is just another way dealerships rip their customers off.

 

what is window etching? Pix?

 

There's some tiny numbers etched in the bottom corner of the windows... the theory is, it prevents theft because parts can't be stolen or will help the car be recovered.

In reality, it's probably just a ripoff.

 

I got Sherlock ( Marquage Antivol Sherlock inc. ) etching done elsewhere than the dealer and it cost me $200. Insurance is $50 less per year. So after 4 years it's paid for and I begin to benefit each year after. I plan on keeping it a lot longer than 4 years.

 

I like how dealers also push protection packages.... (Mud flaps, carpets, etc.) Stealerships indeed...


Phybere think of it this way though, by getting a car off the lot, you saved yourself a 700ish dollar destination charge from building and ordering a custom car.

So you still did ok. Besides thats pennies compared to a new car. You will get over it.

 

It was almost a deal breaker with me. My dealership etched all their cars and it was after we agreed on a price for the car that the extra fee was sprung on me by the F & I guy. I refused to pay it.

 

Yeah, and according to some cops I know, it is worthless.

 

thats bull lol make sure ur new car dont have it already they offered it to me and i told them its on there already and the dealer goes oo forget it than lol check before u purchase lol

 

Would you repeat that, but this time in English?

 

it was spanglish lol if u cant understand it o welll... i"ve been a member of b20vtec for to long lol

 

The exact same thing happened to me. All of their cars had this, a cargo mat, and a thin "hand painted" stripe down the side. I didn't care for any of it, but all of their cars had this and I didn't want to wait longer and have the hassle of negotiating elsewhere, so I paid.

 

the etching only makes sense if it is your vin #. You shouldnt have to register anything with anybody. a special code or a telephone number is worthless.

 

I can verify, at my company we only offer you a 5% discount off your comprehensive if you have VIN Number etching. However, on the fit this is pointless because it comes with a passive fuel cutoff device which supercedes the vin etching. We give a 15% discount for it off your comprehensive. Even then, unless you live in the ghetto or similar high risk area, it should only be a 10-20 dollar discount.

 

The window etching, mudflaps, undercoating, and any other dealer installed options are a load of bullshit, serious bullshit. If you ever go to buy a car and there is a 2nd sticker on the window ignore it and the extra cost added on it. Negotiate starting at the price that is on the factory sticker.

The fit I bought last week had some kind of under coating, window etching, and mud flaps. Cool I like mud flaps, they keep mud off the car, i just don't want to pay for it. As soon as the lady in the back mentioned that they added almost $600 for those I said take them off i don't want them, and I was told right away that they were already on the car, so right away I told them I didnt want the car and stood up. I didnt even make it to the door before the sales manager was walking over to see whats wrong (keep in mind it's almost 11pm and I'm the only customer in the place, and all the emloyees except the money lady, the sales manager and the salesman have left, and they were all wearing their jackets ready to go. Basically if i would have walked out they stayed almost 2 hours late for nothing. In minutes of me playing hardball I was able to walkout without being charged for the stuff. I just wish the car had floormats that I could have gotten for free too.