How much does window etching cost?
VIN etching is one of the easiest fees to avoid. Putting the car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) on the window is a proven antitheft measure. While some dealers may charge $200 for the service, you can get a kit and do it yourself for as little as $25.
How can I avoid etching fee on VIN?
The best way to avoid this scam is to force the dealer to put it in writing if they say that the etching is free or simply etch the car yourself. You can get an etch-it-yourself kit from for $30 or just don’t buy the car. Remember a lender doesn’t require that you purchase any extras on a car.
Is window etching mandatory?
Although VIN etching is optional, many dealerships will simply add the cost to a contract without telling the consumer. It is easy for dealerships to sneak this cost in, because (in Connecticut) the cost is usually preprinted right onto the purchase order.
Is VIN etching a good idea?
VIN etching is often seen as a deterrent to thieves because it not only makes it nearly impossible for thieves to profit from selling windows and windshields, but it also makes it more difficult for thieves to find a way to dispose of the vehicle once it has been stolen.
Is glass etching permanent?
A: Etched designs are permanent. The only things you can do is get creative and add something to your design like a tiny butterfly strategically place to cover a booboo. If you have made a serious mistake or simply dis-like the design you choose, you will no other choice but to replace the glass.
Do I have to pay a doc fee?
In most cases, the answer is no. Many U.S. states don’t regulate the amount of money that a dealer can charge for a doc fee, though some states do.
Does VIN etching lower insurance?
Many auto insurers will give you a car insurance discount if your car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) is permanently etched into your vehicle’s glass. The discount varies but typically it’s anywhere from 5 percent to 15 percent off of your comprehensive coverage.
What causes water etching?
Etching is typically seen from water thats baked on in direct sunlight or high heat. It is also prevalent with acid rain or ground water with high levels of chlorine. Etching can be minor to severe, with the most severe kind requiring very aggressive means of correction – potentially wet sanding in extreme cases.
How much does it cost to etch a car’s VIN?
So, this service may have some value. But, most dealerships charge well over $100 for the service, and $189 seems to be the going rate in Connecticut; some dealerships charge even more. But, it doesn’t cost a dealership nearly that much to perform this “service”, and consumers can buy a kit etch the VIN onto their windows themselves for about $20.
Do you have to etch a car window?
Car window etching has now become more of an insurance policy than a deterrent, in my opinion. Most companies that I see offering this coverage do not acid etch or engrave the vehicle, but simply put stickers on certain parts of the vehicle.
How much does a dealer charge for window tinting?
A dealer might charge $395 for window tinting that you could buy in a specialty shop for $145. Yet another common add-on is a Paint Protection package, which sold for $495 when we encountered it. We contacted the shop that performed the paint protection and learned that it’s basically a wax job.
Can a car dealership remove a VIN sticker?
There are also companies who mark vehicle windows — either by etching or with stickers they say cannot be removed — with their own numbers. Dealers sell these services, which offer compensation if a marked vehicle is stolen.
How much does a VIN etching fee cost?
This in turn, allows the insurance company to recover more of the money they just paid you. Many car dealers have a VIN etching fee as an add-on in the Finance Office. This fee is one of the biggest car dealer scams and usually costs around $100 and is almost pure profit for the car dealership.
Where do you etch the VIN on a car?
Typically the etching is done at the bottom of the glass and doesn’t obstruct your view or change the overall appearance of your car, but it can help protect it from thieves. Why do it? Police and insurance companies both recommend VIN etching to protect your vehicle against theft.
Car window etching has now become more of an insurance policy than a deterrent, in my opinion. Most companies that I see offering this coverage do not acid etch or engrave the vehicle, but simply put stickers on certain parts of the vehicle.
How much does a glass etching kit cost?
Moreover, charging $398 for a procedure an owner can do with an $18 kit from Amazon seems a bit cheeky. I asked Toyota Bountiful’s sales manager about the massive markup.