VIN etching scam?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,541
Likes: 5
From: Weatherford Texas.
Don't be surprised if you ever decide to the use the maintenance they wont honor it. Dealers around here are pushing it, but the fine print says you MUST bring it in to the every 3000 miles for oil change, you have 500 mile leway, or you lose it. So if your on vacation towing, 3000 miles from home when the oil change come due you'll lose that "free" maintenance.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 7
Don't be surprised if you ever decide to the use the maintenance they wont honor it. Dealers around here are pushing it, but the fine print says you MUST bring it in to the every 3000 miles for oil change, you have 500 mile leway, or you lose it. So if your on vacation towing, 3000 miles from home when the oil change come due you'll lose that "free" maintenance.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 329
Likes: 2
I recall the glass etching being popular years ago but has not been an issue on any vehicle bought in the last 10 years.
Speaking of scams, the old vinyl pin stripes for $250, or more was one of my favorites. Was ready to buy the wife a van once, had the cheap pin stripes already peeling off, told salesman to just take them off and cut the $250 off the deal and I'd buy it....they refused.
Speaking of scams, the old vinyl pin stripes for $250, or more was one of my favorites. Was ready to buy the wife a van once, had the cheap pin stripes already peeling off, told salesman to just take them off and cut the $250 off the deal and I'd buy it....they refused.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 453
Likes: 46
I recall the glass etching being popular years ago but has not been an issue on any vehicle bought in the last 10 years.
Speaking of scams, the old vinyl pin stripes for $250, or more was one of my favorites. Was ready to buy the wife a van once, had the cheap pin stripes already peeling off, told salesman to just take them off and cut the $250 off the deal and I'd buy it....they refused.
Speaking of scams, the old vinyl pin stripes for $250, or more was one of my favorites. Was ready to buy the wife a van once, had the cheap pin stripes already peeling off, told salesman to just take them off and cut the $250 off the deal and I'd buy it....they refused.
Every Super Duty at my local dealership has pin stripes on it, as well as a plastic bedliner. There must be a HUGE mark-up on those...
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,243
Likes: 555
is the vin not computer stamped on the frame rails facing outward ? im stumped why a winshiels etched vin would be useful
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
From: Jonesville Va.
A vehicle in my state would not pass safety inspection if window was etched, also its not needed the vehicles have hidden vin numbers on them that you will never find without manual for locations.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 633
Likes: 42
The old pin stripe and nitrogen filled tire thing is still going on with a dealership in Lexington, KY.
a family member bought a truck in December that was a dealer trade from them and there was $600 up charges for the both... fortunately the selling dealer reveled this before the trade was made the family member refused the up charge so the selling dealer ate the $600 to make the sale.
a family member bought a truck in December that was a dealer trade from them and there was $600 up charges for the both... fortunately the selling dealer reveled this before the trade was made the family member refused the up charge so the selling dealer ate the $600 to make the sale.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 7
Update.
I called the dealer and spoke with a very pleasant lady who informed me that this "vin etch/track" is automatically added to vehicles they sell. She spoke with the manager and he told her it is included on all the trucks they sell.
I cannot believe the Ford adds this on for them. Am I wrong?
This $700+ add-on has angered me to the point that I am willing to give up my $1000 deposit and walk away from my new F450 KR when it lands. I'm that pissed off.
To further enrage myself, I called a dealer about an hour north of me. When I asked him about the vin etch/track he said "what?".
This is the "documentation fee" all over again!
I called the dealer and spoke with a very pleasant lady who informed me that this "vin etch/track" is automatically added to vehicles they sell. She spoke with the manager and he told her it is included on all the trucks they sell.
I cannot believe the Ford adds this on for them. Am I wrong?
This $700+ add-on has angered me to the point that I am willing to give up my $1000 deposit and walk away from my new F450 KR when it lands. I'm that pissed off.
To further enrage myself, I called a dealer about an hour north of me. When I asked him about the vin etch/track he said "what?".
This is the "documentation fee" all over again!
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 123
Likes: 14
I was in my dealership earlier today waiting for my truck to be serviced. I've got an F350 on order, and it's arriving later this month. I was shooting the breeze with my salesperson and asked about etching, as I don't want it. She told me they don't do anything like that to any vehicle. They'll need a day for PDI once it arrives, but other than that it's as you ordered it. Made me feel relieved.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 7
I was in my dealership earlier today waiting for my truck to be serviced. I've got an F350 on order, and it's arriving later this month. I was shooting the breeze with my salesperson and asked about etching, as I don't want it. She told me they don't do anything like that to any vehicle. They'll need a day for PDI once it arrives, but other than that it's as you ordered it. Made me feel relieved.
This has totally ruined my buying experience.
Will they really risk a sale on an ordered truck just for this? Maybe they underestimate my rage!
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 123
Likes: 14
I don't blame you. It's ridiculous. Shady dealers like this one make me crazy.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,399
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Learning how dealers make their money from this forum, I almost feel bad for getting a great price on my F450, not financing, and buying no extras.