[chassey]

Hi,
I was about to take delivery of my Pilot at a local dealer in Oregon.
While I was reading the dealer charge on the purchase order
I discovered an extra charge of $189 imposed by the dealership
called "theft registration fee". The sales manager explained to me that there is four digit number eched on the windshield by honda to register for anti theft program.
Anybody knows if this is a legitamate charge by honda or is just extra profit tag on by the dealer?
I would appreciate if anybody respond on this subject.
Thanks

chassey:17:

 

[03pilot]

Sounds very fishy to me.

Hi,
I was about to take delivery of my Pilot at a local dealer in Oregon.
While I was reading the dealer charge on the purchase order
I discovered an extra charge of $189 imposed by the dealership
called "theft registration fee". The sales manager explained to me that there is four digit number eched on the windshield by honda to register for anti theft program.
Anybody knows if this is a legitamate charge by honda or is just extra profit tag on by the dealer?
I would appreciate if anybody respond on this subject.
Thanks

chassey:17:

 

[Evergreen]

Theft Registration Fee

Sounds like the theft is by the dealer in this case. :28:

Evergreen

 

[a2Pilot]

I've never heard of such a thing!!!:28:

 

[N_Jay]

Have him show you

Have him show you the etching.
Then get on a speakerphone to Honda Customer Service from the dealership and ask if this is from Honda, or the Dealer.
If from Honda (not likely), then it is in the base price of the car and you should not pay a dime.
If it is from the dealer (Most likely) then it is a dealer installed option, and depending on teh state, you may be able to get it free if they were required to list the costs of all dealer installed options prior to setting a price.
My guess is you will not even get to make the phone call before the dealer come clean.

 

[davisdog]

It's the dealers doing...not Honda...

The Pilot's they get delivered from Honda don't have it on, nor does Honda have anything to do with it...He's getting you for $189 for 5 minutes of etching and registering it with some service he's in cohorts with (and probably a worthless program unless your insurance company gives you a discount for this "service")


I'm not sure how a "4 digit number" would provide any benefit on a piece of glass when they are already manufactured 5 digits worth of Pilots...

 

[Monkey8]

I have heard of this before, I am not sure if I remmeber this correctly or not but I thought this was suggest in New York by NYPD, recommendation to reduce car theft.

But never from a DEALER. but then again, the Dealer should not add anything to the vehicle with out you Option for it.

I would go else where for the Business.

 

[rodzir]

Dealer PROFITS!

They just did a segment here in Ca. about Dealers selling this service. This is not a Honda product the best part is that on the news they said the actual cost to do this is $37.00.

 

[BillR]

It's intended to prevent auto theft by making your marked (and registered) glass un-salable on the stolen parts market.
It also qualifies for an insurance discount in some states (MA does)

I had it done years ago on a car for $20, my insurance discount was more than that.
The coded key is all you need.

The car dealer is trying to rip you off before the car theives can.

 

[N_Jay]

Yes, but

Catching them in the lie is the fun part.

 

[PrG]

No Way

That is absolutely horse manure .... no such charge ... rediculous ... Call American Honda and drop the bomb on them ...

PrG

 

[djs]

I noticed the last 8 or so digits of my VIN on every piece of glass on our Pilot. I checked the sales invoice carefully, and it doesn't appear that we were charged for this at all. Curious.

djs

#9131 SS EX, boards, fogs, flaps, liner, trailer pkg.