I really don't want a dealer's advertising decal on my xar when it finally comes in. Is there a certain ettiquette or way to stop them from putting one on? I would be happy to consider it if they cut me a small discount for making my car their advertisement. I was lucky enough to have bought my 1st car before the dealers could trash it up with their advert decal.
I'd just tell them you don't want it on there. It's your car, you're the one paying for it, you should have what you want on it.
Our car was on the lot, and had one, relatively "discreet" badge: individual black letters. so it would be a bear to remove, and it looked ok, so I let it go. I did stipulate no more badges, they managed to sneak in license plate surrounds anyway. But at least no more badges. Sorry, rambling, anyway: Yes, just tell the dealer you don't want decals, or license plate surrounds, and so on. It's your car, not their billboard. If they put on license plate surrounds, no big deal to remove them yourself. If they put on a decal after being told not to, for sure raise a stink, have them remove it, and let them know you are really picky about the car's finish: it could be damaged during removal. Hey: stipulate "no decals" in the bill.
Just tell them you don't want them. We purchased ours from the lot and one of the first things I did was remove their stickers and license plate ads.
Good idea. Didn't think of that. Do you think it would be slimy or poor form for me to tell them they can put a small one on if they knock a couple hundred off the price?
The license surrounds ones don't bother me, as they are really simple to remove and since you start with a temp tag, you gotta remove it anyway. The ones I hate are the vinyl decals or hard badges they put on. I think we should get paid by dealerships that put these on, because we are then essentially advertising for them without being given the option not to. I know, I'm dreaming on that one.
Really doubt that would float, it is so commonplace. Unless you agree to a rooftop billboard sign. Actually, the concept has been on my mind, due to the new movie "Pom Wonderful, The Greatest Movie Ever Sold", about product placement in movies: in a way, we're all rolling billboards, for Toyota, or Honda, GM, Datsun....
Back in the 70's, it was not unusual for many dealerships to use nicely-done metal nameplates on cars... and RIVET them into place. They switched to foam adhesives before getting cheap and just using decals. I don't bother asking them to keep them off... I want to get out of the dealership as soon as possible, so haggling over that isn't worth it. I just gently peel them away as soon as I get home.
...or you can write on the contract before it's signed by a dealer representative - "Dealer Advertising Fee - Dealer will pay customer $50/month". That made 1 of my buying experiences memorable. The owner came out with the contract and yelled at the salesman and sales manager. "The customer said no decals or advertising; just do it".
Tell the dealer not to install. But if you have to remove a stick on decal use hair dryer set on high. That's enough to soften the glue. Remove and wipe off residual glue left behind.
Stipulate "no dealer badging" in your contract & don't accept the car if it has one. You may also care to mention that dealer badging will have an adverse effect on your customer satisfaction survey. I suspect it won't be a big deal as you don't want to waste time haggling over this & neither does the salesman. My 2010 was a dealer trade & it was prepped with vinyl letters from the MD dealer. The lot boy (I'll blame the lot boy but it may have been another person) was in such a hurry to remove it he used a sharp instrument & damaged the paint. They offered to fix it later. I said I'll accept delivery when it's properly repaired so it sat in inventory for another week & took a ride to their body shop. I don't mind the license plate frames but the dealers seem to have graduated to adhesive "chrome" logos.
The last three new vehicles we've purchased only came with the license frame. I actually thought dealers stopped badging cars with chrome crap these days.
A hair dryer, and work the decal slowly, do not put hair dryer right up to the paint. Work the dryer, bringing it closer to the paint, you"ll know by the heat of the dryer on your fingers, Slowly peel of name etc. I 've done it a lot of times, rather easy, even on raised plastic lettering.
I simply put a note in the contract, NO Dealer Stickers, Logo's, or Dealer ID's will render this contract null and void! As JimN noted, it works!
