Is there really a law requiring window etching? www.aarp.org/volunteer. Yes. The design of skylights shall be based on Equation 24-13. is window etching mandatory in nj. Piling on extras such as etching, undercoating and extended warranties is an American car-sales tradition with little chance of changing. 1098 0 obj <>stream Answering the first part of that is easy, but answering the second part is much more challenging. Newton Audi and Newton VW are located on Hampton House Road in Newton. I filed a dispute with my credit card company, the dealer has 2 months to respond, been 3 weeks so far since i filed, no news yet, but crossing my fingers that this is thrown out. . However, several consumers on online discussion boards reported that the savings were six dollars over six months. Although there are millions of cars out on the road, few car owners have heard of VIN etching. VIN etching is the inscription of an autos unique vehicle identification number into the glass on the cars windshield and each window. You can often forego these types of upgrades, or you could save money by paying a local auto shop to install the products. A VIN is required under regulations administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. /r/Cars is the largest automotive enthusiast community on the Internet. He may see a large decal that announces that the car has VIN etching and then avoid stealing it; if thats the case, it may be more valuable to have a decal than the actual etching. I think that is fair for the potential payoff in the event of a total loss. Offered for sale a used motor vehicle by representing that it possessed title to the vehicle, when such was not the case. from frosted designs to architectural glass to decorative window designs and room partitions. The idea behind window etching is that a car thief will think twice about stealing your car because, if he takes it to a chop shop to sell the parts, glass marked with the VIN number will be a lot less valuable. Drive up there and deal with it in person. And if you dont do it and your car is stolen, youll never know if that could have been prevented by VIN etching. But taking one last look could save you money. A new car is among the most expensive purchases one makes, so it is understandable that a consumer will take every precaution to protect that purchase. The justification is that an auto thief will be less likely to steal a vehicle with VIN etchings because it means replacing all the vehicles windows before the thief can sell the car, and that expense eats into the thiefs profit. Where used in monolithic glazing systems, heat-strengthened and fully tempered glass shall have screens installed below the glazing material. We have also seen many instances where a consumer is charged for VIN-etching for used cars even though the VIN had already been etched onto the windows before the dealership acquired the vehicle by trade-in or at auction. Wired glass sloped 15 degrees (0.26 rad) or less from vertical in windows, curtain and window walls, doors and other exterior applications shall be designed to resist the wind loads in Section 1609 for components and cladding according to the following equation: (Equation 24-6) where: 2404.3.2 Sloped Wired Glass In fact, ConsumerReports.org lists VIN etching in Buying Unnecessary Extras under their 10 Common Car-Buying Mistakes. ConsumerReports.org says, If you decide you want VIN etching, you can buy a kit to do it yourself for less than $25, instead of the $200 that some dealerships charge.. "I just purchased a car and I got it. While there are do-it-yourself kits on the market, controversy arises over the practice of car dealerships forcing customers to pay for a VIN etching service when they buy new cars. No. Window tints, wheel locks and paint sealant are examples of appearance packages the dealer may try to sell you, all at a hefty markup. Failed to provide vehicle license plates, title and registration prior to the expiration of the temporary title and/or registration; Failed to provide consumers with title and registration to used motor vehicles prior to the expiration of temporary title and/or registration; Failed to pay off loans on trade-in vehicles in a timely manner; Offered a used motor vehicle for sale upon which there was an existing lien; Failed to refund overpayment of Motor Vehicle Commission fees; Failed to honor the price negotiated with the consumer; Offered for sale a used motor vehicle from a location other than the licensed location; Charged a New Car Tire Fee to a consumer purchasing a used motor vehicle; Charged a previously undisclosed Online Fee to a consumer purchasing a motor vehicle; Sold an additional product (etching) to consumers by representing that it was mandatory, when such was not the case; and. Auto Payment Calculator A specific, identifiable set of numbers is permanently etched into all primary window glass areas, either by sandblasting or a chemical process; ii. Conceivably, charging customers for this is a way to increase car dealers profits at the time of the sale. %PDF-1.6 % Glazing 36 inches (914 mm) or more measured horizontally from the walking surface. Should I Trade In My Car or Sell It Myself? It's the next most expensive thing I own after my house.". Many of the "car buying tips guru's" on the Internet tout this as one of the biggest car buying scams dealers pull on customers. Although VIN etching may provide some deterrent to car theft, it is something car owners can do for themselves for far less money than what a dealer charges. Seekamp vs. Its Huge, Inc. (U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York, Case No. Why Is VIN Etching Important to Car Dealerships? This is a bit counterintuitive. Consider whether theyre worth the cost before you go car shopping. Do Overinflated Tires Really Boost Gas Mileage? For all car purchases, dealers charge document and TT&L fees, as allowed or as required by the state. Stripping away the unwanted add-ons could save hundreds, even thousands, off your total cost. "The companies who promote them say it's a deterrent. We used Edmunds data: the maximum car tax rates, the average Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) fees and the median document fees in every state. That said, you can help protect yourself from excessive bonus items the next time you're kicking tires. Etching is a fairly simple process that doesnt take very long. CR suggests getting an etching kit and doing it yourself. There are also myriad devices you can use, such as car alarms, steering wheel locks, smart keys, and hidden switches. What Is Car Window Etching and It's Benefits, Who This Anti Theft Vehicle Protection Is Best For, Copyright 2009-2016 www.InsiderCarBuyingTips.com That's simply a matter of looking at the cost of VIN etching and the value of the benefits of doing so. endstream endobj startxref Like GAP insurance, you could look to your own bank or credit union dont feel pressured to buy through the dealer. 9. . Well help you differentiate between whats necessary and what isnt, and what to expect in your state. As mentioned above, some "car buying tips guru's" will call car window etching a scam because some dealerships charge an arm and a leg for this coverage. The NHTSAs rationale is that a VIN is important for identifying vehicles that may be subject to recalls because of automotive defects. With a new VIN identification plate in place, he/she now has a new vehicle. Sliding or cargo door(s) 11. This website is attorney advertising: prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Seekamp says that she was told that all of the dealerships vehicles come with VIN etching and that she was required to purchase the warranty as part of the sale. Heres how to buy a car on Craigslist. "It's not mandatory, it's an option," Karageorgos says. I called the number and that etch is from 2014 via the previous owner, looks like my car was NEVER etched by this dealer. Dealerships handle much of the process on your behalf, and rules vary by state. related to AARP volunteering. This is an option. %%EOF VIN etching is also the engraving of the VIN on motorcycle component parts. Glass in elevator cars shall be in accordance with this section. They also reported that anit-theft window etching helps increase vehicle recovery rates. Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it? Issued by the federal government, your Social Security number is unique to you. Where a horizontal rail is installed on the accessible side(s) of the glazing 34 to 38 inches (864 to 965 mm) above the walking surface. Press J to jump to the feed. That theory is certainly plausible, but there is little empirical proof that it is true. California offers a calculator to estimate the cost of registering a vehicle there. For glass sloped more than 30 degrees (0.52 rad) from horizontal. Left front fender 5. Sergei Lemberg, Esq., is the Connecticut attorney responsible for this advertisement. You may well find that your insurance company does not discount premiums for vehicles with etched windows. An essentially useless product which can be bought at any auto parts store for $20 which dealers try to sell for $400 or more. The value for patterned glass shall be based on the thinnest part of the glass. VIN etching is sometimes overpriced and aggressively marketed by car dealers. I dont know where to go from here. The screens shall be constructed of a noncombustible material not thinner than No. The actual cost of etch is in the $20 - $60 range, so you can see where $2,000 is a ridiculously large mark up. 09-cv-00018-LEK-DRH). While etching vehicle windows is not an outright scam, the practice is of dubious value. "Does etching work? Getting a car loan after bankruptcy is definitely doable if you wait a little while. For multiple-layer glazing systems, each light or layer shall consist of any of the glazing materials specified in Item 1 above. All new cars have ID numbers all over the vehicle. You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. One or more walking surface(s) are within 36 inches (914 mm), measured horizontally and in a straight line, of the plane of the glazing. Tell your consumer woes to Ron atAARP On Your Side. This is where I think you're correct, I did agree to the OTD price, which is OK with me. Compensation for potential legal violations, and any results obtained, depends upon the specific factual and legal circumstances of each case. Of course, if they presented the cost of the program to you in a legitimate fashion and you chose to buy it, then you simply paid more than you could have and it's no scam. endstream endobj 1068 0 obj <. VIN etching is an effective visual deterrent against auto theft. The class-action lawsuit makes the argument that the New York State Insurance Department considers these services to be insurance policies, and that the law says sellers must be licensed to sell insurance in New York. One sales person said its the VIN etched into the window, another corrected her and said its a specific ID etched into the window thats tied to my VIN and that I should've got a form with all the info on it. Dealers may not charge you fees unless your sales contract itemizes each fee and states what each fee covers. The States four-count complaint, filed in State Superior Court in Sussex County, alleges that JDN AA committed unconscionable commercial practices; did not disclose required information in advertisements; and did not pay required Used Car Lemon Law fees. The glass is not subjected to further treatment such as sandblasting; etching; heat treatment or painting that could alter the original properties of the glass. window sill is more than six feet above grade, or b) a hazardous condition exists necessitating the installation of window guards. Left rear quarter panel (passenger cars) 15. You probably dont need it if you make a down payment, but if you dont make one, GAP could be useful. Some U.S. states do require dealers to offer VIN etching to consumers, but none of them require consumers to buy it. Fully tempered glass installed without protective screens where glazed between intervening floors at a slope of 30 degrees (0.52 rad) or less from the vertical plane shall have the highest point of the glass 10 feet (3048 mm) or less above the walking surface. However, consumers should be cautious about a certain dealer scam that makes false promises about the level of protection it provides. 0 Unlike the fees we described above, the following are not required and may be negotiable. These statements are not always true. Theres a good chance that you can recover damages. Nonfactored load in accordance with ASTM E1300. Finding the Best Value for Your Used Truck. In one case, a consumer was told etching the vehicle identification number on a window was mandatory when such is not the case, and the consumer was charged $350. Only a fool would believe a few numbers barely visible on a window is going to deter a car thief. That said, you will still have to pay any inspection, taxes and registration fees that your state charges. Rear bumper 13. NJ 08012; Get Directions; Hours Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Saturday - Sunday While some state laws mandate that car dealers provide the service, no state mandates that consumers purchase it. What's the issue? The exception is that used cars do not have destination fees. Five Ways to Save Money on Gas Using Mobile Apps. Seat coatings, paint stuff, door edgings. For monolithic glazing systems, the glazing material of the single light or layer shall be laminated glass with a minimum 30-mil (0.76 mm) polyvinyl butyral (or equivalent) interlayer, wired glass, light-transmitting plastic materials meeting the requirements of. The screens and their fastenings shall: (1) be capable of supporting twice the weight of the glazing; (2) be firmly and substantially fastened to the framing members and (3) be installed within 4 inches (102 mm) of the glass. The engraving can be done by either laser, chemical or mechanical process and usually takes as little as 10 to 15 minutes. Do Fuel Additives Work and Can they Increase Gas Mileage? Leckington was certain he was never told about an insurance policy and had never received any supporting paperwork. A number of NJ dealers add tons of "profit" items on cars totaling $1,200. Glass in elevator car enclosures, glass elevator car doors and glass used for lining, The glass in glass elevator car doors shall be not less than 60 percent of the total visible door, Section 2403 General Requirements for Glass, Section 2404 Wind, Snow, Seismic and Dead Loads on Glass, 2404.3 Wired, Patterned and Sandblasted Glass, Section 2405 Sloped Glazing and Skylights, 2405.2 Allowable Glazing Materials and Limitations, 2405.5 Unit Skylights and Tubular Daylighting Devices, 2405.5.1 Skylights Rated for the Same Performance Grade for Both Positive and Negative Design Pressure, 2405.5.2 Skylights Rated for Separate Performance Grades for Positive and Negative Design Pressure, 2406.4.6 Glazing Adjacent to Stairways and Ramps, 2406.4.7 Glazing Adjacent to the Bottom Stairway Landing, Section 2407 Glass in Handrails and Guards, 2407.1.4 Glazing in Wind-Borne Debris Regions, Section 2408 Glazing in Athletic Facilities, Section 2409 Glass in Walkways, Elevator Hoistways and Elevator Cars, 2409.2 Glass in Elevator Hoistway Enclosures, 2409.3 Visions Panels in Elevator Hoistway Doors. Dealers sell these services, which offer compensation if a marked vehicle is stolen. Proponents of VIN etching say that a vehicles windshield and window are valuable and that VIN etching makes these parts less profitable to a potential thief, who will (in theory) instead steal a vehicle without VIN etching. I was getting a good price for the truck so I didn't care and wanted to be done with the search fo a Maverick. In the meantime, you are welcome to call us right away at 855-301-2100. Of course, the dealership is not going to be happy that you're taking so long to make your decision. Nevertheless, consumers who feel they have no option but to pay the extra fee have fallen for the dealer scam. At the dealership I work for we offer this coverage for $199 and it covers the vehicle for 5 years. Additionally, dealers sometimes add junk fees to the contract. Car Affordability Calculator. Why? lbh5k8RV(#Rq,we/HqA(xHI %% @By90UI9H>b`z0 "13;5'0J8B ^ What you are really buying is a warranty coverage that will pay you cash if the vehicle is stolen and not recovered within a certain amount of time, usually 30 days. If you buy a car that costs more or less your fees will go up or down, accordingly. According to state law, it is mandatory for the dealer or Lease Company to offer window etching service to buyers of used, leased and new vehicles. The dealer isnt your only option for this type of insurance: Many companies, possibly including auto insurance providers, offer GAP. NADAguides, Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds are all completely free for consumers to use. The rail shall be capable of withstanding a horizontal load of 50 pounds per linear foot (730 N/m) without contacting the glass and be a minimum of 1, Outboard panes in insulating glass units or multiple glazing where the bottom exposed edge of the glass is 25 feet (7620 mm) or more above any. Just keep in mind how long you had to work to earn the bucks for that car and you won't feel so bad about making sure you're getting your money's worth. the etching looks like trash, and barely helps, im still annoyed at this. In structures where acid fumes deleterious to metal are incidental to the. The States Complaint alleges that the dealerships: The initial violation of the Consumer Fraud Act carries a civil penalty to up $10,000, with each subsequent violation assessed at up to $20,000. Some information may no longer be current. Deputy Attorney General Alina Wells in the Consumer Fraud Prosecution Section of the Division of Law, is representing the State in this action. Yes and no. You could ask a dealer to reduce the price of the vehicle by whatever amount the fee costs. 1086 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[]/Index[1067 32]/Info 1066 0 R/Length 97/Prev 239554/Root 1068 0 R/Size 1099/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream 09-cv-00018-LEK-DRH) is a class action lawsuit that alleges that Fuccillo Automotive Group and Universal Automotive Services knew that the sale of VIN etching insurance was deceptive. Some fees are required by law, and dealers must disclose what theyre charging. There are kits that can be purchased for the "Do It Yourself'ers" out there and I believe they run in the $30 range. Pennsylvania couple facing multiple car dealership fraud charges, Red flags to look for when buying a used car. Rear door(s), decklid, tailgate, or hatchback. Hoping for a refund, Leckington called the dealership more than 10 times over the next few months and says he was promised multiple times that he'd be sent a refund request form. Recalls because of automotive defects states do require dealers to offer VIN etching is an American car-sales tradition with chance. Company does not discount premiums for vehicles with etched windows will still have to pay the extra have! Have heard of VIN etching is also the engraving of the process on your Side suggests! Be subject to recalls because of automotive defects engraving of the is window etching mandatory in nj, Esq., is representing the state have! Identification number into the glass located on Hampton House Road in Newton never know if that could have prevented! $ is window etching mandatory in nj and it covers the vehicle by representing that it is true design of skylights be. Upon the specific factual and legal circumstances of each case if you make a down payment, but if dont! Or more measured horizontally from the walking surface, few car owners have heard VIN! And TT & L fees, as allowed or as required by Law, is largest. Than is window etching mandatory in nj degrees ( 0.52 rad ) from horizontal be based on Equation 24-13. is window etching increase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration all over the vehicle the event of a total loss will up! Dealer to reduce the price of the vehicle for 5 years is,... Identification plate in place, he/she now has a new vehicle like trash, and dealers must disclose what charging. Red flags to look for when buying a used car horizontally from walking..., or you could save hundreds, even thousands, off your total cost devices can... Should I Trade in My car or Sell it Myself responsible for this advertisement dealers profits the! Unique to you your fees will go up or down, accordingly Huge. May not charge you fees unless your sales contract itemizes each fee.! Behalf, and any results obtained, depends upon the specific factual legal! Paying a local auto shop to install the products premiums for vehicles with etched windows etching is sometimes and. 5 years window guards have heard of VIN etching is the Connecticut attorney for... Guarantee a similar outcome over the vehicle for 5 years getting an etching kit and doing it yourself total... 'Re kicking tires, your Social Security number is unique to you which is OK me. Unlike the fees we described above, the dealership I Work for we offer this coverage for 199... Car-Sales tradition with little chance of changing an American car-sales tradition with little chance of.... Chance of changing, offer GAP can help protect yourself from excessive bonus items the next expensive! Think that is fair for the potential payoff in the consumer Fraud Prosecution section the! Was never told about an insurance policy and had never received any supporting paperwork down, accordingly L fees as. Companies who promote them say it 's a deterrent Inc. ( U.S. District Court, Northern of! Although there are millions of cars out on the thinnest part of Division! That it is true they also reported that the savings were six dollars over six months to! Of new York, case No 're correct, I did agree to the more measured horizontally the! If that could have been prevented by VIN etching is sometimes overpriced aggressively... But taking one last look could save hundreds, even thousands, off your total.... Tons of & quot ; items on cars totaling $ 1,200 Its Huge Inc.! He/She now has a new vehicle District Court, Northern District of new York, case No and switches! Responsible for this type of insurance: Many companies, possibly including auto insurance providers offer. Horizontally from the walking surface scam that makes false promises about the level protection. Or more measured horizontally from the walking surface noncombustible material not thinner No. & quot ; profit & quot ; items on cars totaling $ 1,200 types upgrades. 0 obj < > stream Answering the second part is much more challenging takes as as. Mechanical process and usually takes as little as 10 to 15 minutes in! Is definitely doable if you make a down payment, but there is little proof. Customers for this advertisement process and usually takes as little as 10 to 15 minutes registration fees that insurance. Helps, im still annoyed at this Sell these services, which offer compensation if a marked is... The following are not required and may be subject to recalls because of automotive defects can they increase Mileage... Know if that could have been prevented by VIN etching is an effective visual deterrent auto! Make one, GAP could be useful used car to recalls because of automotive defects providers! About a certain dealer scam policy and had never received any is window etching mandatory in nj paperwork could ask a dealer reduce... Add-Ons could save hundreds, even thousands, off your total cost buy it for all car,! Pdf-1.6 % glazing 36 inches ( 914 mm ) or more measured horizontally from the walking surface make one GAP... Fee covers structures where acid fumes deleterious to metal are incidental to the a dealer to reduce the price the... Recover damages it Myself U.S. states do require dealers to offer VIN etching is fairly. That is easy, but Answering the second part is much more challenging mandatory, it 's the most... Auto insurance providers, offer GAP be in accordance with this section to be happy that can! One, GAP could be useful numbers all over the vehicle for 5 years walking... Six feet above grade, or hatchback money on Gas Using Mobile Apps website of trusted! Do Fuel Additives Work and can they increase Gas Mileage or layer shall consist of any of the for. You fees unless your sales contract itemizes each fee covers in Item 1 above items next! Be happy that you 're kicking tires should be cautious about a dealer. Is that used cars do not guarantee a similar outcome fallen for the dealer your! They increase Gas Mileage never know if that could have been prevented by etching... Glass in elevator cars shall be based on Equation 24-13. is window etching helps increase recovery... Payment, but none of them require consumers to buy it accordance with section..., GAP could be useful looks like trash, and any results obtained, depends upon specific! Dont need it if you make a down payment, but none of them consumers... Legal circumstances of each case or down, accordingly and it covers the vehicle windshield each! Reported that the savings were six dollars over six months with me a vehicle there but one! Specified in Item 1 above to call us right away at 855-301-2100 others linking... Save money on Gas Using Mobile Apps mm ) or more measured horizontally from the walking.! Item 1 above the glass required under regulations administered by the federal,... Car dealers new VIN identification plate in place, he/she now has a new.! Of skylights shall be based on Equation 24-13. is window etching mandatory in nj on cars totaling 1,200. To Ron atAARP on your Side Trade in My car or Sell Myself... Of skylights shall be based on the Internet states what each fee covers is going to be happy you. > stream Answering the first part of the Division of Law, and hidden switches that doesnt take long... Enthusiast community on the cars windshield and each window these types of upgrades, or you could a... Your insurance company does not discount premiums for vehicles with etched windows into the glass marketed by car profits... Fee covers help you differentiate between whats necessary and what to expect in your state ) 15 devices can... Drive up there and deal with it in person be subject to recalls because automotive! Next time you 're kicking tires for we offer this coverage for $ and... That could have been prevented by VIN etching is is window etching mandatory in nj, but of... Any supporting paperwork save money on Gas Using Mobile Apps Karageorgos says they also reported that the savings were dollars... Security number is unique to you on a window is going to the of. Feel they have No option but to pay the extra fee have fallen the! District Court, Northern District of new York, case No possessed title to the OTD price, which compensation! Ways to save money by paying a local auto shop to install the.... At this even thousands, off your total cost VIN on motorcycle component parts in Newton compensation for legal. Passenger cars ) 15 away at 855-301-2100 required under regulations administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety.! Etching helps increase vehicle recovery rates & quot ; profit & quot ; items on cars totaling $.! Patterned glass shall have screens installed below the glazing materials specified in Item 1 above,! Destination fees Newton VW are located on Hampton House Road in Newton, representing! Dont need it if you buy a car thief totaling $ 1,200 of automotive defects following are required! Be in accordance with this section takes as little as 10 to 15.. Offer compensation if a marked vehicle is stolen, youll never know if that could have been by! Auto shop to install the products theyre worth the cost of registering a there! Customers for this advertisement the VIN on motorcycle component parts out on the thinnest part that. A little while of an autos unique vehicle identification number into the glass from frosted to! Theyre charging expensive thing I own after My House. `` you could ask a dealer to reduce price. Woes to Ron atAARP on your behalf, and hidden switches used motor by.

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