VIN etching scam?
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 26
From: Middle Tn.
It has them. Free by AAA of S. Ca. The bottom pic was before the re-paint. Middle pic is after. I'm the original owner.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 7
The truck is a factory order. It won't arrive for a month. Since it is not on their lot, I am baffled why they are not agreeing on not doing this VIN etch/register thing. Seems less of a hassle for them.
Perhaps they think I won't walk away from my $1000 deposit?
Time will tell.
On a side note, my wife thinks I am being crazy not agreeing on the $700 fee. At $98,000 Canadian MSRP, this F450 King Ranch Ultimate is the most expensive truck I have bought. And I don't think it's being to unreasonable to ask them not to etch my truck or stick little metal plaques on the body panels. Seeing it was ordered to spec and not part of their stock order.
Perhaps they think I won't walk away from my $1000 deposit?
Time will tell.
On a side note, my wife thinks I am being crazy not agreeing on the $700 fee. At $98,000 Canadian MSRP, this F450 King Ranch Ultimate is the most expensive truck I have bought. And I don't think it's being to unreasonable to ask them not to etch my truck or stick little metal plaques on the body panels. Seeing it was ordered to spec and not part of their stock order.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 631
Likes: 13
From: Southern Ontario Canada
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 618
Likes: 69
Let me get this straight, the dealership is trying to tell you, you have to get this etching done upon it's arrival to their dealership. At what point did your deposit become non-fundable?
The bottom line is that the dealership should be told that they will not do this non-requested work. Do it in writing and make it clear that if they do this unauthorized work, you'll be stopping by to pick up your deposit and take your business to their nearest competitor.
It's your truck and your future property. Tell them to go pound sand if they try to make you accept this. I would in a heartbeat. Also, if you have a difficult dealership now, just wait until you have a real problem down the road.
When I bought my only two new vehicles to date, I made it clear that no advertising stickers or plaques would be placed on my vehicle unless they wanted to pay me $300 per month to advertise their business. I even wrote in on the contract to get their attention and made it clear who had the final say in our relationship. I'm the customer and if I'm going to the effort to order a truck, it's going to be the way I want it, not their way. I did allow them to put on license plate borders, but those fell off soon thereafter.
Adam
The bottom line is that the dealership should be told that they will not do this non-requested work. Do it in writing and make it clear that if they do this unauthorized work, you'll be stopping by to pick up your deposit and take your business to their nearest competitor.
It's your truck and your future property. Tell them to go pound sand if they try to make you accept this. I would in a heartbeat. Also, if you have a difficult dealership now, just wait until you have a real problem down the road.
When I bought my only two new vehicles to date, I made it clear that no advertising stickers or plaques would be placed on my vehicle unless they wanted to pay me $300 per month to advertise their business. I even wrote in on the contract to get their attention and made it clear who had the final say in our relationship. I'm the customer and if I'm going to the effort to order a truck, it's going to be the way I want it, not their way. I did allow them to put on license plate borders, but those fell off soon thereafter.
Adam
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 26
From: Middle Tn.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
I had this argument last time I bought a new truck. I just noticed on my papers that this is to be added to my new truck as well. Last time it was added before I bought the truck as it was on the lot. My new truck has been factory ordered and I have told the salesman that I do not want anyone etching my new truck and I am definitely not paying $700 for this.
If my new F450 arrives and some monkey has screwed with the glass I may just walk away. $1000 deposit be damned.
Is this a scam? I have been told everything from "pays our wages" to " we don't work on commissions".
If my new F450 arrives and some monkey has screwed with the glass I may just walk away. $1000 deposit be damned.
Is this a scam? I have been told everything from "pays our wages" to " we don't work on commissions".
The VIN's are stamped on multiple parts, also placed on stickers glued to a gazillion sheet metal parts.
All etching the VIN on the glass and etc parts will do, is put additional money in the dealers pocket.
It's a scam!
Another scam is charging a 'doc' fee. It varies, could be 50 bucks, 500 bucks or who knows?
Doc aka document fee...what some dealers charge customers to type up the paperwork!
I've never paid it.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: ARIZONA
Another dealership tactic, just like undercoating and door guards of yesteryear. I was going to order my new 250, ended up getting one off the lot that had everything I wanted and here in Southern Arizona, it’s typical to find dealer “add ons.” One of those was maintenance for life. I told them I don’t want that, I do my own oil and fuel filter changes. They knew I was going to walk, because we were already price matching with a dealer in Phoenix so they threw it in for free. No mileage or years limit to the maintenance.
And the VIN etching is a huge sales tactic here, being so close to the border.
And the VIN etching is a huge sales tactic here, being so close to the border.
same story here and i threw a ****-fit until they took off the 1k up charge but still honored the program.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post