VIN etching scam?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
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VIN etching scam?
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".
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 36
Likes: 1
I don't think that it would stop a thief from stealing your truck. The vin is on the engine too and that doesent stop that from happening.
as far as a scam goes, you can buy the kit and do it yourself for $17 dollars...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/260504002881
I put this right up there with scotchguard. Likely a better investment to buy a tailgate locking device of some sort.
as far as a scam goes, you can buy the kit and do it yourself for $17 dollars...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/260504002881
I put this right up there with scotchguard. Likely a better investment to buy a tailgate locking device of some sort.
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 7
I don't think that it would stop a thief from stealing your truck. The vin is on the engine too and that doesent stop that from happening.
as far as a scam goes, you can buy the kit and do it yourself for $17 dollars...
SecureVIN Auto Vehicle Security Glass Window VIN Etching Kit | eBay
I put this right up there with scotchguard. Likely a better investment to buy a tailgate locking device of some sort.
as far as a scam goes, you can buy the kit and do it yourself for $17 dollars...
SecureVIN Auto Vehicle Security Glass Window VIN Etching Kit | eBay
I put this right up there with scotchguard. Likely a better investment to buy a tailgate locking device of some sort.
Do all dealerships VIN etch?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 904
Likes: 112
From: Austin, Texas
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".
If any dealerships are following this post - stop doing this crap. It is senseless.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 268
Likes: 1
From: Oregon
No, not all dealerships VIN etch. They are trying to make $ off the sale by doing something that costs them next to nothing. I had a dealer try to pull this when I ordered my 99 F350. Told them I wasn't paying for it and I didn't. They knew that I was going to walk away.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
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I had a dealer pull this on me with the "It's already done on your car..." So I said "Fine, just get me out of here" or words to that effect, some of them 4 letter. So this dude in the wig, white shoes and belt--(Mercury dealer, but he wasn't even old enough to buy into all that....but I digress) anyway, this guy dances around and holds me up--it wasn't done, they were out there doing it while they held me up.
I would have pulled out but the papers were signed, wife was gone, I needed a car....
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!!!!
It's NOT the VIN etched in the windows!!! It's some other number AND YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR THE SERVICE TO TRACK THAT NUMBER!!!!!!
Now that there is a scam. Worthless.
On the last one they insisted they had LoJack already installed and while I told the guy I didn't want it---well, let's just say my ankles still have finger grip marks on them from that whole transaction. But I like my truck
I would have pulled out but the papers were signed, wife was gone, I needed a car....
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!!!!
It's NOT the VIN etched in the windows!!! It's some other number AND YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR THE SERVICE TO TRACK THAT NUMBER!!!!!!
Now that there is a scam. Worthless.
On the last one they insisted they had LoJack already installed and while I told the guy I didn't want it---well, let's just say my ankles still have finger grip marks on them from that whole transaction. But I like my truck
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 361
Likes: 20
From: Clayton, Georgia
That is among products known in the trade as "Mop and Glow".
See What Is Mop And Glow? | Bankrate.com
Incidentally, I was under the dash of my truck this afternoon plugging in the OBD2 adapter for a Forscan change, saw a sticker on my brake pedal. I peeled it off and found that it was labelled "Brake Pedal Assembly" with a part number and my trucks VIN number. I bet the truck has it's VIN number all over the place for what it's worth. No need to etch anything else.
See What Is Mop And Glow? | Bankrate.com
Incidentally, I was under the dash of my truck this afternoon plugging in the OBD2 adapter for a Forscan change, saw a sticker on my brake pedal. I peeled it off and found that it was labelled "Brake Pedal Assembly" with a part number and my trucks VIN number. I bet the truck has it's VIN number all over the place for what it's worth. No need to etch anything else.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Canby, OR
I have heard of the service, but I had told the dealer when I ordered the truck that nothing was to be done to it other than what was on the order form. Also told them that I might buy a maintenance package or extended service warranty but that would all depend on how satisified I was. No once during any of their "Up sales" when I was signing papers did they offer etching and I didnt ask. I am wondering if it is more a dealership thing trying to milk more money from people. Personally I think it is a waste of money.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
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I had a dealer pull this on me with the "It's already done on your car..." So I said "Fine, just get me out of here" or words to that effect, some of them 4 letter. So this dude in the wig, white shoes and belt--(Mercury dealer, but he wasn't even old enough to buy into all that....but I digress) anyway, this guy dances around and holds me up--it wasn't done, they were out there doing it while they held me up.
I would have pulled out but the papers were signed, wife was gone, I needed a car....
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!!!!
It's NOT the VIN etched in the windows!!! It's some other number AND YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR THE SERVICE TO TRACK THAT NUMBER!!!!!!
Now that there is a scam. Worthless.
On the last one they insisted they had LoJack already installed and while I told the guy I didn't want it---well, let's just say my ankles still have finger grip marks on them from that whole transaction. But I like my truck
I would have pulled out but the papers were signed, wife was gone, I needed a car....
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!!!!
It's NOT the VIN etched in the windows!!! It's some other number AND YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR THE SERVICE TO TRACK THAT NUMBER!!!!!!
Now that there is a scam. Worthless.
On the last one they insisted they had LoJack already installed and while I told the guy I didn't want it---well, let's just say my ankles still have finger grip marks on them from that whole transaction. But I like my truck
If CPIC has the VIN, and the truck is reported stolen why would a private company need to track it?
When we recover a stolen vehicle the first thing we do is verify the serial and remove the vehicle from CPIC. I have never, ever, used a third party or have been helped by a third party company to recover a stolen vehicle by VIN etching.
I will lose my mind if they screw with my new truck.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,541
Likes: 5
From: Weatherford Texas.
Vin etching isn't for the whole vehicle. As it was put to us, didn't buy the etching, it is if the vehicle gets stripped, then they can track the individual parts if recovered. And our dealer doesn't etch the vehicle directly, the etch a metal plate that is glued to the vehicle. Easily removed.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,518
Likes: 2,826
Track the number? For what?
If CPIC has the VIN, and the truck is reported stolen why would a private company need to track it?
When we recover a stolen vehicle the first thing we do is verify the serial and remove the vehicle from CPIC. I have never, ever, used a third party or have been helped by a third party company to recover a stolen vehicle by VIN etching.
I will lose my mind if they screw with my new truck.
If CPIC has the VIN, and the truck is reported stolen why would a private company need to track it?
When we recover a stolen vehicle the first thing we do is verify the serial and remove the vehicle from CPIC. I have never, ever, used a third party or have been helped by a third party company to recover a stolen vehicle by VIN etching.
I will lose my mind if they screw with my new truck.
Now of course, I can not find anything to back that story up. Everything I find is VIN etching, no mention of the 3rd party number. However, I did find a State Farm site recommending etching, and several claims that you can get a discount, and information suggesting you can get this done for free through some local geezer gathering services, or diy for $25.
Since I wrecked that car I can't go check my story. I may be FOS.
If you have etched windows see if it's the VIN. If so, you got hosed a little. If it's some other number....
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 179
Likes: 25
From: Tucson, AZ
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.