Car Dealers and Secret Hidden add ons.

[mxz600]

I was in Honda today for another attempt to get closer to the 28,800 that some have got for an LX AWD 09 CRV.

The salesman balked at the thought of selling at that price, he said they need to make 1000 on the vehicle to justify there existance. Fair enough.

So im looking at the quote....

with 5000 off, the vehicle is 30,868 on the road, thats alot more than the 28,800 price. So i ask him whats up, it should be a thousand more, so $29,800.

He then told me that they charge 380 for winter and summer mats, rear cargo floor tray and mud flaps...!!!!

So i go home and build it online, it turns out they are charging an extra 600 for those usless items.

Are my calculations right? shouldn't i expect to get the vehicle for the same price as i build online?

[mxz600]

another example is Nissan, they charge 350 for this security feature that has the serial numbers all over the cars parts that only a black light will show. Who cares!


I was at saturn and they have 400 dollars admin fee! WTF!

Last year I was at Mitsubishi and they charge 1500 dollars on all vehicles for the "free ride" free oil changes, wipers for as long as you own the rig.

But at least some show these add ons, others like Honda just include it in the price and don't show it in the breakdown of the costs.

[stuntman]

Dealers can sell the car for whatever price they want.

Search here on the forums on how to get a good/fair deal on the purchase and shop elsewhere.

On the Toyota site the price calculator says it includes admin fees....I bet some dealers still charge those or make like they are giving it away for free in lieu of a price discount.

stuntman

[gilboman]

I was in Honda today for another attempt to get closer to the 28,800 that some have got for an LX AWD 09 CRV.

The salesman balked at the thought of selling at that price, he said they need to make 1000 on the vehicle to justify there existance. Fair enough.

So im looking at the quote....

with 5000 off, the vehicle is 30,868 on the road, thats alot more than the 28,800 price. So i ask him whats up, it should be a thousand more, so $29,800.

He then told me that they charge 380 for winter and summer mats, rear cargo floor tray and mud flaps...!!!!

So i go home and build it online, it turns out they are charging an extra 600 for those usless items.

Are my calculations right? shouldn't i expect to get the vehicle for the same price as i build online?

NO, why would you expect that? dealers can sell at whatever price they want, what you get online is just MSRP...notice the S stands for SUGGESTED.

[boyoflondon]

another example is Nissan, they charge 350 for this security feature that has the serial numbers all over the cars parts that only a black light will show. Who cares!

What kind of 'security feature' is that?


My 10 year old Honda has its VIN everywhere ...

[Hunter316]

I have always found it better to start off with the absolute base model and build it up from there so that you can see exactly what is being charged for each upgrade and it makes it easier to question each price increase. The charge that gets me is the destination charge since I don't think I have the option of picking the vehicle up myself from the factory.

[PMM1]

Hi

What kind of 'security feature' is that?


My 10 year old Honda has its VIN everywhere ...

Window etching and other locations.

PMM

[zivan56]

Yeah Lexus does the same with the serial numbers. I told them I have insurance to cover theft of parts and couldn't care less (and that they should remove it). They then just took the cost off.
Also, they wanted to charge me to brand the car...why the hell would I pay to advertise the dealer and to ruin the look of the car? They also took that off. So just tell them you have no need for it, and are not interested in paying for it...you just want this car for the price, and if they can't match it, you are leaving (and leave right away).

[RobDek]

To keep it simple...always negotiate the final out the door price...don't get bogged and confused with all this add-on nonsense. Just remember that it's a two-way street...the store has to make a few bucks...

[Impreza]

In Ottawa, the honest dealer will sell 09 Honda LX CRV AWD for $29,400 on the road after all discounts, including dealer's own discount over $1,500 off as they eager to sell.

[Jon Lai]

another example is Nissan, they charge 350 for this security feature that has the serial numbers all over the cars parts that only a black light will show. Who cares!

That's actually to prevent your windshield from being stolen... Toyota only charged something like $50 though so I paid for it.

[SPACEMANRICK]

That's actually to prevent your windshield from being stolen... Toyota only charged something like $50 though so I paid for it.

How often are windshields ever stolen and why does it cost $50 to spend 1 minute putting a serial number on it?........just another way for the dealer to increase his profit.

I guess it does help other redflaggers get a a better deal because the dealer has to make his profit somewhere and better off someone else than me ;)

[Jon Lai]

How often are windshields ever stolen and why does it cost $50 to spend 1 minute putting a serial number on it?........just another way for the dealer to increase his profit.

I guess it does help other redflaggers get a a better deal because the dealer has to make his profit somewhere and better off someone else than me ;)

The serial number is lasered onto the glass, not etched or anything, which is why it costs some money.

The idea was, or at least what the salesmen told me, was that theives like to steal certain parts and put it onto stolen cars to be sold to the public again. If these parts were laser engraved the buyer would know the car was stolen and the police can track down who the parts and what car it belonged to.

[gilboman]

How often are windshields ever stolen and why does it cost $50 to spend 1 minute putting a serial number on it?........just another way for the dealer to increase his profit.

I guess it does help other redflaggers get a a better deal because the dealer has to make his profit somewhere and better off someone else than me ;)

why don't you build your own car? a dealer is there to make a profit, otherwise, there would be no dealer for you to buy the car and you'd really have to build your own;)

[SPACEMANRICK]

why don't you build your own car? a dealer is there to make a profit, otherwise, there would be no dealer for you to buy the car and you'd really have to build your own;)

Do you mean I shouldn't have turned down the $500 dealer installed Kryptonite bumper protector? :lol:

I guess you didn't read the second paragraph of my original response ;)

[Spidey]

another example is Nissan, they charge 350 for this security feature that has the serial numbers all over the cars parts that only a black light will show. Who cares!

Had a GM dealer have that on the quote for a used vehicle here to. He said it was for if the vehicle was stolen and they can track the parts down. I said, what do I care if it gets stolen, why the hell would I want parts of my vehicle back. If its stolen and chopped, my insurance is covering that crap anyways

[Jon Lai]

Had a GM dealer have that on the quote for a used vehicle here to. He said it was for if the vehicle was stolen and they can track the parts down. I said, what do I care if it gets stolen, why the hell would I want parts of my vehicle back. If its stolen and chopped, my insurance is covering that crap anyways

It's so the police can track it down.

[hightech]

Hi



Window etching and other locations.

PMM

You think some thug is going to go to a car and say "yo man, this ride's got VIN's all over.. i'll walk away". You gotta be kidding me. The avg punk just wants to joy ride a car or steal it as a dare. In the odds that it is some chop shop operation, then yes this may deter them.

I got this etching on my 09 Civic for free and didn't pay anything for it.

[hightech]

The serial number is lasered onto the glass, not etched or anything, which is why it costs some money.

Years ago my friend got a stencil set, and some compressed air/sand mix. Basically you blast the air/sand on the stencil to imprint the vin numbers. The cost was like $3 for the stencil, and access to the compressed gun. Not very expensive and it cost about $20 to get it done.

[Spidey]

It's so the police can track it down.

Great let them track it down, what good is it to me. heres half your car we tracked down.

They want to do it, fine. But it better be free. Having it does me no good at all

[Hood_Rep]

It's so the police can track it down.

and return to you what ever bits and pieces are left in a brown paper bag? :confused:

VIN etching is a dealer's scam to part you with your money. so is any type of rustproofing or soundproofing.

[charliebrown]

and return to you what ever bits and pieces are left in a brown paper bag? :confused:

VIN etching is a dealer's scam to part you with your money. so is any type of rustproofing or soundproofing.

Depending on the dealership, they'll tell you upfront that it's a $2xx option

Or, ask them what's included with freight/pdi/admin fee

[Jon Lai]

and return to you what ever bits and pieces are left in a brown paper bag? :confused:

VIN etching is a dealer's scam to part you with your money. so is any type of rustproofing or soundproofing.

It's not a scam if they ASK you if you want to do it. I was asked, and I said yes.

Rustproofing is not a scam if you were asked. This thread is about hidden fees, not about services the dealership provides for a premium pricing.

[speedway84]

About a year ago I went to a GM dealer to look at certified GM used car. In conversation it turned out they had sold this car when it was new and got it back on a trade in. While discussing the numbers stuff added up way more than the advertised price so I asked him to break it down.

One charge was for a full tank of gas. Fine.

Another was 300 dollar admin fee. Now they are pushing it.

Then - 500 dollars for window vin etching. Windows were already etched from previous, and he said the 500 dollars was to transfer the window etching registration.

The story ends with me going to a Honda dealership and buying a Honda.

[Redsun_ty]

If I were to buy a second hand car from a Acura dealership what fees should I be aware of? I already know there will be administration fee but just don't know what the amount is usually charge.

[dealmeone]

About a year ago I went to a GM dealer to look at certified GM used car. In conversation it turned out they had sold this car when it was new and got it back on a trade in. While discussing the numbers stuff added up way more than the advertised price so I asked him to break it down.

One charge was for a full tank of gas. Fine.

Another was 300 dollar admin fee. Now they are pushing it.

Then - 500 dollars for window vin etching. Windows were already etched from previous, and he said the 500 dollars was to transfer the window etching registration.

The story ends with me going to a Honda dealership and buying a Honda.

EXACTLY! Vote with your feet. There are plenty of other dealers out there who would love your money. Cash is King. You hold all of the cards when you still have the money in your hand.

Since when did the economy become so good that anybody could afford to turn away money? YES, they do need to make a profit to stay in business, but NO you don't have to pay for any overpriced crap or bogus "administration" fees.

[TodayHello]

The serial number is lasered onto the glass, not etched or anything, which is why it costs some money.

The idea was, or at least what the salesmen told me, was that theives like to steal certain parts and put it onto stolen cars to be sold to the public again. If these parts were laser engraved the buyer would know the car was stolen and the police can track down who the parts and what car it belonged to.

You were had. :)

[TodayHello]

Great let them track it down, what good is it to me. heres half your car we tracked down.

They want to do it, fine. But it better be free. Having it does me no good at all

My sentiment exactly.

[PMM1]

Hi

If I were to buy a second hand car from a Acura dealership what fees should I be aware of? I already know there will be administration fee but just don't know what the amount is usually charge.

Why would you pay an administration fee? The cost of filling out paper and transferring the car is the cost of doing business. If you are paying cash, and they don't have any loan/lease paperwork, tell them to stuff it.

PMM

[Jeff-TheBiz]

another example is Nissan, they charge 350 for this security feature that has the serial numbers all over the cars parts that only a black light will show. Who cares!

Yeah Lexus does the same with the serial numbers.

Just to clarify a little.

VIN etching or an "Anti theft etch Program" is DEALER Specific, not manufacturer specific. So one Nissan dealer may force it upon you where another one has never heard of it.

Do you mean I shouldn't have turned down the $500 dealer installed Kryptonite bumper protector? :lol:


This made me laugh.. thanx.

and return to you what ever bits and pieces are left in a brown paper bag? :confused:

VIN etching is a dealer's scam to part you with your money.

Along with the brown paper bag you would also be getting a cheque for $4000-$5000 towards your new vehicle.

Althought the general consensus is that the program is only a profit for the dealer, it does have some worth to it, I have seen 9 client claims in the past year got through.


One charge was for a full tank of gas. Fine.


Almost always this should be included in the PDI and charging for it is governed by the manufaturer. I know Mazda has it included in its PDI or the "Ready to Roll program"

[HP_John]

I'm a sales & leasing consultant for a Honda dealer in Toronto.

VIN etching is dealer specific as mentioned earlier, most Honda dealers charge over $300 for it, but we don't do that. For example, say we matched a great price before fees, in reality, most of the time that'd mean we'd be $300 cheaper once you added in all the costs. However, unfortunately many dealers don't even mention this "mandatory" fee to consumers when price matching, so the consumer thinks they got the dealer to match a great price when in reality, it's still $300 more. IMO, it's a form of admin fee when they claim it's "mandatory".

We don't have any form of admin fee, other than a legitimate $5 OMVIC fee (Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council).