VIN Etch Scam: the glass menagerie

Auto theft rates have fallen over the past five years with the introduction of "layered" theft protection systems. This concept frequently includes etching of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the car's glass.

"Etch" is a dealer or after market installed add-on. An engraving of a number, usually the VIN, leaves a permanent record on a vehicle’s major glass areas and sky-roofs.

A custom-generated stencil and acidic glass etching paste embed the id number in the glass.

This system makes it difficult and time-consuming for thieves to remove a vehicle's ID number.

In and of itself, etching is not a scam. But for the uninformed, traps await.

What's a VIN?

A vehicle identification number (VIN) is a Federally-mandated unique 17 digit alphanumeric code issued by an auto manufacturer for each car built. This number is required by state departments of transportation when registering a vehicle. The code is stamped on a flat metal panel attached to the dash just in front of the driver, down at the lower left edge of the windshield.

The driver’s door panel also has a metal plate riveted to the door post with the VIN and other data. The 17-digit VIN is actually a series of code groups, identifying body style, drivetrain, paint color, when and where the car was built, and options as assembled. VINs are used by police and insurance personnel to identify stolen or wrecked cars and trace ownership.

Theft Deterrent Claims

Statistics generated in small scale studies by numerous police departments and insurance companies suggest inscribing window glass can be an effective vehicle theft deterrent.

Many police departments across the country are recommending VIN etching.

The Automobile Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA) conducted a multi-year study in which 2,000 Michigan vehicles were etched. ATPA concluded that etched vehicles were 29% less likely to be stolen as compared to the general vehicle population of the state.

Experienced car thieves will notice the etching and warning decals on the glass, and might move on to an unetched vehicle.

Supporters of etch say it deters car theft for resale since since all the glass, worth around $2,000, must be replaced.

Since auto glass has no identification numbers and is frequently interchangeable over many years of a particular model, unetched glass is a profit center for chop shops.

Critics argue that glass only stops honest folks.

Modern car glass is very easy to shatter, this why window smash and grab thefts have recently been a fad. I have seen hundreds of stalled cars along the freeway with rear windows bashed in by gangs. To even a minor league criminal, window glass is not a real obstacle. Anyone doubting this should review tapes of the Rodney King riots in LA. Yes, it is a bad idea to try to break it with bare hands.

The etched-on VIN will be "evidence" for about two minutes at a chop shop. An oxyacetylene torch will easily melt down etched glass fragments.

Chemical etching process are surface etches, only. This allows the would-be thief to remove the etch by sanding or polishing the VIN number off the glass.

There are even sand-blast etch systems available to circumvent abrasive removal of thinly etched numbers.

Vin Etching Rip-Off

Whether etching is a viable theft deterrent is not the big issue. The problem here is price gouging by car dealers.

Glass shops everywhere will do this for less than $50.

Do-it-yourself kits for sale on the internet retail for about $20-30. See for example www.vinguard.com's video on youtube: Do-it-yourself etch video

Dealership 100-batch kits are advertised for $100. That's a buck each. Takes 10 minutes to do.

Many police departments and community service groups will do this as a free public service.

So how much should this glass etch cost as a dealership add-on?

Recent Houston car-lot travels reveal additional dealer mark-up stickers of up to $799 for glass etching and attendant insurance.

This is really an additional dealer markup sticker, a bargaining chip to be used against the unwary. These markups are on Hondas, Toyotas, and hot selling cars from other makes. Even some Lexus dealers are doing this.

Some window etching is wrapped into a “layered protection package”, as an adjunct to other theft protection devices, or rolled into a "value package" with paint sealants, undercoating, fabric protection, and other add-on features.

The above practices can be done without scamming, but buyers need to recognize the true costs and value of these options.

Etch Scams

Scams start when dealers misrepresent etching's benefits, or imply that lenders or other authority figures require these products.

“The banks require you to buy this or they won't make the loan.”

Just exactly what banks?

Another trick is charging for VIN etching that was never done. Many buyers do not know what to look for.

Etch is one of many finance office products that, when rejected by the buyer, are sometimes offered “free of charge” but never removed from the final contract.

Yo-yo or spot delivery scams are often combined with etch charge changes in the new contract.

Insurance policies sold with etch are usually shot full of loopholes.

Just Say No

Is glass security etching a worthless rip-off?

Nope. Just a maximum $50 value.

For texas-cars-and-dealerships readers it is a perfect dealer evaluation tool.

Hey, car dealerships have to eke out a profit somehow. But just how stuck are they on using this subterfuge as their profit center? If this is the up-front posture, what will happen with a warranty claim or service problem?

Dealers may say it's already on the car and can't be removed.

Fine, nice feature, it's worth fifty bucks.