Window ETCH scam?

[Platinum Peasant]

I bought my truck on 12/30/20, I was one of the last customers of the day. I got my hands on a 21’ platinum F150, first one in Northern CA, so obviously was excited to sign and get out of there. I looked over the documents carefully and mostly everything seemed good and in order. This particular dealer now offered scanned copies of all signed documents to be emailed to you. I agreed. I got it for X-plan and some rebates etc.

I never got the documents. I called my sales guy, emailed him, and left voicemails for the finance manager. Silence over weeks and then months. Things got crazy at work with Covid (Respiratory therapist) so it slipped out of my mind. Now in May, I stopped by the dealer again and found the finance guy. He happily sent me the documents on the spot at his computer.

After reviewing them, I found a charge slipped in there for $199 for PORTFOLIO ETCH. We never discussed this charge and my eyes never caught it. But my signature at the bottom of that page is there. I’m upset at both the dealer and myself obviously.

Do I have any action or recourse at this point? I’ve never heard of this ETCH garbage until now.

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[mnstang]

You could ask them for a refund. Or at least credit for a few oil changes. The window etch scam has been going for decades. It’s a very easy way to pad their profits. Doesn’t hurt to ask them for a refund. If they don’t refund you, we’ll that’s a $200 lesson learned. There are worse ways to lose $200 out there! Let us know what happens!

 

[Pedaldude]

I don't know if it would help or not but on my paperwork, I wrote "No Dealer Add-ons!!!" across the last page and signed it.

The dealership that I bought from also had a form for mandatory arbitration. The finance guy either forgot to show them to me or decided not to bother after my reaction to his pitch on the extended service plans. Either way, they were sent to me unsigned with the contract. So who knows...

You might be able to get a free oil change or two if you make a stink about it. Or a sales manager might say that if you don't like the truck, they would be happy to buy it back for what you paid. All the news stories about chip shortages have turned trucks into the new bottled water and toilet paper.

 

[GolfR]

If you bought the truck with XPlan pricing, the dealer is limited on what they can charge for fees. You might take that angle with them and argue that you were charged more than the allowable amount.

 

[flatag]

Your recourse? Never do business with that dealer, or any dealership owned by the parent company again.

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