2018 Toyota Prius Purchase with a Theft Code line item charge?

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by ToyotaLTP, Aug 29, 2018.

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  1. ToyotaLTP

    ToyotaLTP New Member

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    Just purchased a new 2018 Toyota Prius 3 Touring today, and one line item under Optional Theft Deterent devices on sales bill — I was charged $198.00. I asked if this was a mandatory charge the sales associate, sales manager and finance manager all say yes. Was told “its on every car. It’s the theft registration code. Pre installed on all vehicles. I promise you everyone that buys a car has it.” It started this year.” I mean.... is this new to 2018? Just started this year? Is this true? Is this a California thing or Prius thing? A Toyota thing? I have a Friend bought a brand new Kia and did not get charged $198.00. My sister bought a new Prius in 2017 was not charged either. See pic / image attached to this thread. If anyone has any info whatsoever, I’d appreciate an explanation or some info or insight. Thanks.
     

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    #1 ToyotaLTP, Aug 29, 2018
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Everything he said was true....................................................... for that dealership lol. They probably do charge everyone at that dealership (like this one dealership I had that charged destination twice).

    I can't explain it since I'm not in Cali but it sounds suspicious. I would ask what that entails. If it's a CA law, have them show them the e-mail or notice from the DMV or DOT or whatever the local CA branch is called.
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Aug 30, 2018
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  3. utsug

    utsug Active Member

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    Mine doesn't have that charge. I bought mine few weeks ago from Tustin Toyota.
    If you look at the sales contract, it is listed under the "Optional" line. So they just added that. Maybe all their cars have that?
     
    #3 utsug, Aug 30, 2018
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  4. ToyotaLTP

    ToyotaLTP New Member

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    Thanks, I’m just an uninformed buyer and when you have 3 ppl from the team tell you over and over it’s mandatory what do you do—- it’s like .... how can I challenge that...i googled this and there’s absolutely zero mentions of it. $198.00 is $198.00.
     
    #4 ToyotaLTP, Aug 30, 2018
  5. utsug

    utsug Active Member

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    Maybe its an aftermarket alarm or something? Like Lojack or KARR alarm?
     
    #5 utsug, Aug 30, 2018
  6. ToyotaLTP

    ToyotaLTP New Member

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    They offered me the alarm and I declined it. But insists that it is on every car. It’s a theft registration code. Pre installed on all vehicles 2018. What the heck.
     
    #6 ToyotaLTP, Aug 30, 2018
  7. BrettEG

    BrettEG Junior Member

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    Doesn't sound very "optional" to me...
     
    #7 BrettEG, Sep 4, 2018
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  8. kenmce

    kenmce High Voltage Member

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    when you have 3 ppl from the team tell you over and over it’s mandatory what do you do—- it’s like .... how can I challenge that...

    In this example they used psychology to bulldoze you. They all said the same thing because they have meetings where they are all taught to say that exact thing. They did it smoothly because they have done it a dozen times already this month.

    Dealers will not hesitate to lie to you. Quietly sticking little things into the bill at the end of the sale is an easy way to add pure profit to a sale that you are so involved in that they figure you won't be willing to back out now. These things usually have names that sound good at first glance, but if you drill down into what it means, you find out that

    "It’s the theft registration code. Pre installed on all vehicles."

    really just means that they wrote down your VIN number somewhere. These things in practice are treated as being legal.
     
    #8 kenmce, Sep 16, 2018
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  9. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    optional (adjective)
    1. available to be chosen but not obligatory.
    mandatory (adjective)
    1. required by law or rules; compulsory.
    So, which is it? LOL
     
    #9 Salamander_King, Sep 16, 2018
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  10. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    Contact the bureau of automotive repair and ask them. They might be the wrong people but they would know who you should talk to. A dealer tried that with me once said they put this device in every car they sold. I tilt them I didn’t want it and to take it out. They just gave it to me
     
    #10 Skibob, Sep 18, 2018
  11. ToyotaLTP

    ToyotaLTP New Member

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    I gave up. Someone mentioned in the thread, I should have walked. And I didn’t, partly my fault. Just wanted to share my expriences so the next purchase someone can say oh, he ran into the same tactic..... and run pls run run ....... I messed up but my time is more valuable than trying to go up against Toyota for 200 bucks and some change for sales tax.....appreciate everyone’s response! Very thought provoking in me learning a thing or two.
     
    #11 ToyotaLTP, Sep 22, 2018
  12. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Did they etch your windows?
     
    #12 El Dobro, Sep 24, 2018
  13. ToyotaLTP

    ToyotaLTP New Member

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    ? I don’t follow , sorry...
     
    #13 ToyotaLTP, Sep 25, 2018
  14. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Dealers will etch your windows with either the car's VIN or a code and tell you it's registered with a security company and they charge you $200-300 for the favor. It costs them $15-18 dollars to do it.
     
    #14 El Dobro, Sep 25, 2018
  15. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Before completing the customer satisfaction survey visit or call the Sales Manager or higher to discuss this BS fee. If you can't get satisfaction then slam them on the survey. Is a "poor" survey worth $198 to someone at the dealership? Time to find out.
     
    #15 JimN, Sep 27, 2018
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  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Witness Leader

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    Our car has little security ID stickers all over it. I don't know the history, suspect a sale fell through or something. Anyway: they never mentioned it in the sales process, lucky for them... :cautious:
     
    #16 Mendel Leisk, Sep 27, 2018
  17. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

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    Once I bought a used Corolla from a local dealer and they tried to stick me with a window etching fee. When they said they do this to all the vehicles they sell, I pointed out that this used car originally had been sold to its first owner by the same dealership (the wonders of CarFax) so that person had already paid this "service". The fee was immediately removed from my bill of sale. (y)
     
    #17 ILuvMyPriusToo, Sep 28, 2018
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  18. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    You should have mentioned it to Toyota corporate.
     
    #18 Skibob, Sep 28, 2018
  19. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    The dealers tell you that you get a discount on your insurance with this service. I asked my insurance company and they said the discount is $5.00.
     
    #19 El Dobro, Sep 29, 2018
  20. MMBH

    MMBH Member

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    Maybe filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau or the Cali Attorney General office might get their attention.... or maybe calling corporate Toyota and complaining to them... I've heard people tell me that corporate Subaru can be pretty intense when it comes to customer service complaints...
     
    #20 MMBH, Nov 29, 2018
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