cmusic

In the early '90s I had a close friend that was a head sales manager at a local dealership. He said all dealer installed stuff was basically a rip-off for the buyer. At his dealership the head manager added $600 to every vehicle for "dealer prep", which consisted of paying a part time worker to check all the fluids, air pressure in the tires, vacuum the interior, and wash the car after the papers were signed. Tape pinstripes that costs about $30 a set and takes about 20 minutes to install added between $1000 to 1200 to the price. Other things like body kits and wings, aftermarket audio systems, bedliners (on trucks) were marked up 3 to 4 times the actual cost. All these extras allowed the salemen to knock off a little on the overall price to make the buyer feel like he is getting a better deal.

SInce then I every vehicle I have bought I specifically refused to pay for any dealer added options. If the saleman would not budge on the extras, I walked out the door.