Window etching

[HotCookCpl]

I've had my car for about 2-1/2 weeks now and I was reading another thread this morning about dealer installed options on orphans. This thread mentioned being charged for window etching. This reminded me that the guy in my dealer's business office recommended window etching for my "Little Blue". I told him NO. Last week when I was staring at Little Blue, I looked at the VIN for some reason and I noticed the same number etched into the wind shield. I looked at the other windows and noticed the VIN etched into all of them too.

My conclusion: the factory must already be doing this.

Can others check their windows to see if they are already etched? It would be nice to stop dealers from charging for this if the factory is already doing it.

[doogster]

they probably already did it to your vehicle at the dealership, assuming you would take it... or by saying "its already been done!" ** have you ever seen a dealer do this? Its a stencil with the VIN number and they put it on the window and brush on some paste - then wipe it off a min later... some process... costs them about $5

[ladyguenivere]

Hmmmm...........

I could make a stencil of the Smart silloutte and etch it other places or things or other stencils on my Smart. Hmmmmmm...........

Lady G
still waiting for Bob

[brian r]

Originally Posted by HotCookCpl

I've had my car for about 2-1/2 weeks now and I was reading another thread this morning about dealer installed options on orphans. This thread mentioned being charged for window etching. This reminded me that the guy in my dealer's business office recommended window etching for my "Little Blue". I told him NO. Last week when I was staring at Little Blue, I looked at the VIN for some reason and I noticed the same number etched into the wind shield. I looked at the other windows and noticed the VIN etched into all of them too.

My conclusion: the factory must already be doing this.

Can others check their windows to see if they are already etched? It would be nice to stop dealers from charging for this if the factory is already doing it.

I'm guessing that you purchased your car from Smartcenter Hartford.

This happened to me, and I am not pleased. I told them to not touch my car when it was on-board ship. I was told by several levels of management that the Hoffman dealer organization does it to all of their cars and that they are required to even if the customer doesn't buy it. Which is BS. If I would have known this was going to happen I would have requested delivery at another dealer. I planned on tinting the windows, but with window film the etching will sick out like a sore thumb.

The state of CT requires dealers to offer it as a "service", but not to do it to your car.

I have spoken to several levels of their management, and wrote directly to the principals, and their response has ranged from "too bad", to "you can shove your cheap little car up your ass". It looks like I will be selling it since I'll need to go two hours for warranty service.

I have contacted Smartusa and have recieved a letter that they are investigating the practice. I'm also filing a grievance with the state of CT.
If this has happened to you the CT DMV complaint form can be downloaded here:

http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=818&q=327640

I would also suggest calling SmartUSA, as they are investigating my complaint. I spoke to Shana.

[HotCookCpl]

Oh, so Hoffmann just does etching even if we don't want to pay for it. So I got VIN etching for free. Cool. I like the fact that the windows are etched. I think it's a great idea. I just didn't want to have to pay for something that's not really necessary. Nice of them to do that, but if they're going to do that to everyones' vehicle automatically should they really be charging for it?

[CruisingAZ]

Etching can be done FREE at your local Police Department, NEVER pay anyone for that service. Insurance Companys provide the service to Law Enforcement agencies as it helps reduce auto theft.

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by HotCookCpl

I've had my car for about 2-1/2 weeks now and I was reading another thread this morning about dealer installed options on orphans. This thread mentioned being charged for window etching. This reminded me that the guy in my dealer's business office recommended window etching for my "Little Blue". I told him NO. Last week when I was staring at Little Blue, I looked at the VIN for some reason and I noticed the same number etched into the wind shield. I looked at the other windows and noticed the VIN etched into all of them too.

My conclusion: the factory must already be doing this.

Can others check their windows to see if they are already etched? It would be nice to stop dealers from charging for this if the factory is already doing it.

Your dealer did it
karl

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by HotCookCpl

Oh, so Hoffmann just does etching even if we don't want to pay for it. So I got VIN etching for free. Cool. I like the fact that the windows are etched. I think it's a great idea. I just didn't want to have to pay for something that's not really necessary. Nice of them to do that, but if they're going to do that to everyones' vehicle automatically should they really be charging for it?

How much did they charge you?
karl
and no, especially if you did not ask for it

[HotCookCpl]

Hey Karl, good to hear from you. They didn't charge me, but it was done. I'm glad to see it on there. It would be interesting to find out if the police really will do it for free too (not that I need it now).

Hopefully I'll see you and your smart around W. MA.

[CruisingAZ]

Originally Posted by HotCookCpl

It would be interesting to find out if the police really will do it for free too (not that I need it now).

My agency does and so does they PD for the city I live in here in AZ