Quote:
Originally Posted by DARK AGE 53
What's a "etching fee"?
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It's a scam.
http://classactionblog.mpnsb.com/200...-etching-scam/
Window etching is when the dealer “scratches” the vehicle glass with part of the car’s VIN number, for which the dealership will attempt to charge you anywhere from $150 to $500, or more. If you ask about it (many people do not), the dealership will tell you it’s a major theft deterrent because a potential car thief will have to break all of the car’s windows to avoid detection. In fact, car thieves will steal your car if they are inclined to do so whether or not there are some tiny numbers scratched on the windows. Even assuming there is some theft deterrent, the markup being charged is unconscionable. In fact, window etching is almost pure profit for the dealership. It costs the dealer about $14 or less, and “do it yourself” etching kits are available on the Internet for $15 to $20. Reportedly dealership marketing plans provide for $900,000 annual profits from etching.
The dealership finance manager who may attempt this scam in most cases will not even bother to show a car purchaser the written terms of the window etch deal, (which is essentially an insurance policy). Admittedly, there is a small discount off of your car insurance if your car is etched