Answers

Offer an out the door ( OTD ) price which disregards the etching. Tell the salesman that this is what you think the car is worth no matter if it has etching, pin stripes, special waxes or any other nonsense dealers put on cars to boost profit.

From what I hear this is typical of Toyota. Personally, I would buy from another dealer or another car brand that did not pull this stuff.

0

0

Report it

Find out what the value is of the '04 Matrix in your area with the options that are on that car and negotiate with the dealer as if the etching wasn't there. Best way to do it is negotiate an OTD (out the door) price (includes everything including taxes, titles, tradeins, etc).

This is the amount you have to pay the dealer to drive off the lot. Don't let yourself get cought up in negotiating a great price on the car and then getting hammered on something else. With OTD you don't care how the dealer slices and dices the deal, it's the final number that counts in the end.

1

0

Report it

Ask the dealer this.

1. Are the windows etched because the theft of cars has occured on his lot and why would the customer be liable for his companies lax security control.

2. Why would my windows need to be etched if my insurance company does not require this and my insurance policy covers the entire vehicle for theft.

3. Are the windows being etched because as of lately thieves have been stealing windows and this is a process that the dealership uses to recover stolen windows ?

4. I would prefer to order a vehicle that does not have etched windows and i will have my personal mechanic etch the windows at my convenience.

5. I do not need window etching, scotchgard fabric protection, autobody rust proofing, or any other gimick they can try and use to pull the wool over my eyes and if they don't think i am serious just try me and they will see how fast im out the door and over at the nissan dealer two doors down.

0

0

Report it

Make an initial OTD offer (absolutely no more than 60% of asking price) - which will be refused, and then walk away. Let them call you back. These guys want to play hardball - but you can also play hardball. When they call you back, return in person & listen to their counteroffer and come up a little from your first offer and walk away again. Its possible to do all this in one long, exhausting 8-10 hour day, but unless you are a trained negotiator, walking away works also. If they want to sell the car, you should plan 3 days for negotiation.

Once you reach an OTD price, its still not over - they will conveniently "forget" that the price was OTD, and try to tack it on at the end in the F&I room - at which time you tell them to stuff it and leave. They will definitely call you back.

0

0

Report it

Etching is a big rip-off. Police stations used to offer it free and even they've figured it out does little good and most have stopped offering the service.

Please visit Dealer Ratings and Reviews and let everyone know about this rip-off auto dealer's practice.

Source: 

0

0

Report it