Negotiating the Deal

[donnapep]

Hi Everyone,

I have managed to get the price of a 2005 Toyota Corolla LE down to $350 over dealer cost. When I inquired about the VIN etching fee ($300), I told them that I didn't want to pay that much for VIN etching when I could do it myself for $40. I was told that if they had known that I didn't want to pay that fee, then they wouldn't have given me such a good deal in the first place. Is it reasonable to expect them to give me a deal of $350 over dealer cost AND not charge me for the VIN etching? Do I have a leg to stand on here, and if so, how can I convince the dealer of that?

Also, is it true that VIN etching is done at the factory, before the car even reaches the dealership?

Thanks for any and all help.

[GTS Jeff]

u can tell them to shove it since they didnt spell out the terms of the deal to u beforehand. they cant say that theyll give u a deal but only tell u about the "catch" afterwards. thats just poor negotiating.

as for the factory vin etching. i dunno. my guess is that its done at the dealership since its an option that not all ppl go for.

[Akagi Redsuns]

I doubt VIN etching is done at the dealer. Seen plenty of latermodel and new Toyotas with no etching.