Window Etching, Theft Protection?

One of the great ripoffs of the decade is the window etch scheme. There are lots of different names for it but all that window etching amounts to is some scratches on your window that you get charged anywhere from $150 to $300 or more. Lots of profit for the dealer and not much good at all for you.

Dealers usually claim that window etching is theft protection and insurance because it might give you an extra $2,500 or so if your car gets stolen. But it was such an obvious rip off that window etching is now promoted as just one part of what they call “layered protection” where other, more real theft protection devices are installed.

Think about it before you hand over your hard earned money. Do you really think a car thief will not steal your car because of some almost invisible numbers scratched onto your car window, numbers that are usually smaller than your smallest fingernail? Why, the thief probably won’t even see them and he sure won’t stop to look for them when he breaks the window to get in the car and drive off with it. If a sophisticated electronic car alarm that is already built into your car won’t stop a car thief, you can bet that a few window scratches won’t either!

And then there are the loopholes. Look at the fine print. Most window etch contracts will pay out only if you have other car insurance that pays you first. Second, if your vehicle is recovered within a month or so, then the window etching “benefit” usually will not pay you anything at all.

But perhaps the worst part of it is that window etching only costs the dealer about $14. Talk about a high profit margin! In fact, if you really want to get window etch, it is widely available on the internet for as little as $15 to $20.

One window etch marketing plan, proudly claims window etch profits can be as much as $900,000 a year at the average dealership. No wonder they are anxious to push it into your deal, sometimes telling you things like “the bank requires you to get this” (no bank does). Also, do you personally know anyone who ever recovered money from the window etching insurance scheme? Only a small percentage of motor vehicles actually get stolen and only a smaller percentage of those are not recovered at all.

Don’t be fooled when the dealer says “And it only costs $3 a month” either. That’s nothing but a clever way of trying to sell it. Car dealers figure that if they break the cost down like that, then maybe you won’t notice the fact that it’s probably just a waste of your money.

The window etch scam not only makes exorbitant profits for the car dealer, but many experts think it is virtually worthless to the average consumer. You might have a better chance at winning the lottery.

The window etching ripoff has been called the top car dealer scam you are likely to run into, and for good reason.

If you've been ripped off by a car dealer's window etching scam, email, fax, or phone us at 1.888.331.6422, toll free for a free case review.